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MEMOIRS 


JOSEPH   JOHN   GURNET 


iBlfttmns  frnm  ijis  Sntirnal  nnli  Cnrrrspnnhnrt. 


EDITED    BT 


JOSEPH  BEVAN  BRAITIIWAITE. 


Herein  do  I  exercise  myself,  to  have  always  a  conscience  void  of  cffence  toward  Qod  and 
toward  men."    Acts  xxir.  16.  —  Motto  selected  by  J.  J.  Gurney  for  some  of  the  eariier 
■'      voluntes  of  his  Journal. 


TWO  VOLUMES  COMPLETE  IN  ONE. 
VOL.  I. 

FOURTH    EDITION. 

I/Hr-ADKLPBIA: 

J .  B .  L X .p r  1 N  G o  '^ o:-  L  GO 


^yfsr9c 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1851,  by 
BLIZA   P.    GURNET, 


PREFACE. 


When,  towards  the  close  of  the  year  1849, 1  was  requested  by  the 
widow  and  family  of  Joseph  John  Gurney  to  undertake  the  editin" 
of  a  Memoir  of  his  Life,  I  naturally  shrank  from  so  responsible  a 
task.  Little  as  I  felt  myself  qualified  successfully  to  pourtray  the 
varied  features  of  such  a  character,  I  could  not  but  recollect  that 
nearly  three  years  had  already  elapsed  since  bis  decease  ;  and  that, 
with  the  very  limited  leisure  which  I  could  command,  amidst  the 
pressure  of  professional  and  other  duties,  my  engaging  in  the  work 
would  necessarily  postpone  its  appearance  several  years  longer.  Find- 
ing, however,  that,  notwithstanding  these  difficulties,  it  was  still  the 
decided  wish  of  those  most  nearly  connected  with  the  subject  of  this 
Memoir  that  I  should  undertake  the  work,  I  finally  concluded  to  en- 
gage in  it,  though  under  a  deep  sense  of  my  own  want  of  qualification. 
Since  that  time,  (the  beginning  of  the  year  1850,)  I  have  endeavoured 
to  pursue  this  interestrng  object  with  as  much  assiduity  as  my  limited 
intervals  of  leisure  would  admit;  and  I  wish  to  take  this  opportunity 
of  acknowledging  my  grateful  sense  of  the  large  measure  of  warm 
and  cordial  encouragement  and  assistance,  which  I  have,  from  time  to 
time,  received  during  the  progress  of  the  work  from  the  various  mem- 
bers of  his  family,  and  from  other  valued  friends. 

The   materials  which  I  have  had  before   me  have   been  rich  and 
abundant.     To  say  nothing  of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  numerous  pub- 

1  (0 


II  PREFACE. 

lished  writings ;  the  manuscript  volume  of  Autobiograplij,  written  in 
the  year  1837,  whilst  on  his  voyage  to  America,  and  which  contains 
many  passages  of  deep  interest;  the  fifteen  volumes  of  his  private 
Journal,  commenced  in  his  eighteenth  year,  and  continued,  with  but 
.ittle  interruption,  until  within  a  few  dAys  of  his  death  ;  together  with 
a  large  ujass  of  papers,  letters,  and  correspondence,  have,  altogether, 
furnished  a  repository  in  regard  to  which  the  task  of  judicious  selec- 
tion and  arrangement  has  been  the  principal  difficulty.  In  making 
the  selection,  the  omission  of  much  that  was  in  itself  deeply  instruc- 
tive has  often  appeared  unavoidable.  The  continued  reiti-ration  of 
similar  sentiments,  however  excellent,  tends  to  weaken  their  force 
upon  the  mind,  by  impairing  its  relish  for  them.  Impressed  as  I  have 
been  with  the  truth  of  this  observation,  it  hjis  not  been  without  pain 
that  many  passages  have  been  rejected,  in  themselves  striking  and  in- 
teresting. And  I  may  truly  say  that  few  parts  of  my  labour  have 
been  attended  with  greater  difficulty,  or,  at  times,  with  less  of  confi- 
dence in  the  correctness  of  my  own  judgment. 

No  faithful  portrait  of  Joseph  Johu  Gurney  could  represent  him 
otherwise  than  as  an  earnest  and  consistent  member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends.  Being  myself  fully  persuaded  of  the  accordance  of  the 
principles  of  this  Society  with  those  of  primitive  Christianity,  1  have 
had  no  inclination,  nor  would  it  have  been  practicable,  to  throw  intc 
the  shade  his  views  and  feelings  in  reference  to  these  important  sub- 
jects. It  is  not  improbable  that  the  peculiar  tone  which  this  circun;- 
stance  necessarily  imparts  to  the  present  work,  may  render  it  especially 
attractive  to  his  fellow-mem uers  in  the  same  religious  society.  And 
yet,  in  the  recollection  of  his  enlarged  and  Catholic  spirit,  and  of  his 
varied  services  in  the  universal  Church,  1  venture  to  hope  that  there 
arc  those — and  not  a  very  few — among  other  denominations  of  Chris- 
tians, who  will  feel  some  interest  in  tracing,  in  his  experience,  the 
*'life,  walk,  and  triumph''  of  the  same  precious  faith,  "once  delivered 
to  the  paints."  Even  in  the  case  of  the  mure  general  reader,  it  is 
difficult  to  believe  that  any  heart  can  be  stirred  up  by  highly-wrought 
recitals  of   feelings  and  actions  wholly  fictitious  and  imaginary,  and 


PREFACE.  in 

yet  not  be  touched  by  the  simple  and  truthful  records  of  a  life  devoted 
to  the  service  of  Christ,  and  to  the  welfare  of  man.  And  to  the 
.sincere-hearted  Christian  it  can  surely  afford  no  uninstructive  objocr 
of  contemplation,  to  watch  the  growth  of  the  intellectual,  moral,  and 
religious  character  of  one  who,  in  a  position  in  which  he  was  exposed, 
in  no  common  degree,  to  the  alluring  blandishments  of  the  world,  w:is 
enabled,  in  so  conspicuous  a  manner,  to  choose  "the  better  pnrt ;" 
and,  consistently  with  other  duties  and  engagements  of  no  ordinary 
interest,  to  maintain,  above  all,  the  important  position  of  a  Christian 
iiiini«t<>r,  called,  qualified,  and  ordained,  by  the  Great  Head  of  tli'.- 
Church. 

The  ample  materials  before  me  have  enabled  mo  in  general  to  intro- 
duce Joseph  John  Gurney  as  relating  his  own  history,  leaving  n)0 
little  else  to  perform,  than  to  add  such  observations  as  appeared 
necessary  for  the  due  illustration  and  connexion  of  the  narrative. 
Amidst  the  variety  of  transactions  and  sentiments  which  are  here 
brought  under  review,  it  would  be  unreasonable  to  expect  an  entire 
harmony  of  feeling,  in  regard  to  each  particular,  amongst  the  readers 
of  these  pages.  Into  the  region  of  controversy  I  have  little  disposi- 
tion to  enter.  Such  a  life  stands  in  need  of  no  laboured  vindication. 
And  I  fecl'bssured  that  none  can  give  to  Joseph  John  Gurncy's  own 
statements  a  fair  and  candid  perusal,  without  being  satisfied  that  it  was. 
at  least,  hia  earnest  and  continued  desire  so  to  act,  in  tlie  varied,  and 
often  peculiar,  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed,  as  to  have 
always  "a  conscience  void  of  offence  toward  God  and  toward  men." 

Far,  indeed,  is  it  from  my  desire  to  exalt  the  instrument.  Few 
were  more  deeply  sensible  than  he  was,  that,  in  so  far  as  he  had  him- 
.«iolf  become  "a  partaker  of  Christ,"  or  had  been  made,  in  any  degree, 
a  blessing  to  others,  it  was  all  of  rich  and  unmerited  mercy;  truly 
not  of  him.self,  but  of  "the  grace  of  God."  And,  in  holding  out  the 
language  of  affectionate  exhortation  ti  others,  his  frequent  expression 
was,  in  accordance  with  the  tenor  of  his  whole  life,  "  Follow  me,  so 
far,  and  so  far  only,  as  I  have  followed  Chri.st."  Greatly  shall  I 
rejoice  if  the  perusal  of  these  pages  be  made  the  means,  under  the 


IV  PREFACE. 

Divine  blessing,  of  leading  any  to  a  more  deep-felt  sense  of  what  lies 
at  the  very  foundation  of  all  true  Christian  experience,  and  to  yet 
more  earnest  and  steady  endeavours  after  an  humble,  watchful,  con- 
stant, and  confiding  walk  with  God. 

Very  sensible  as  I  am  of  the  deficiencies  that  abound  in  the  present 
work,  it  is  with  sincere  diflSdence  that  I  now  venture  to  commend  it 
to  the  candid  perusal  of  the  reader;  and,  above  all,  to  the  blessinc 
of  Him  who  can  alone  prosper  any  of  our  labours,  and  cause  them  to 
bring  forth  fruit  to  his  praise. 

J.  B.  Braithwaite. 

MoR.vixGTOs  Road, 

Regent's  Park,  London, 
5th  month,  18&4. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Birth;  Family;  tho  first  John  Gurney;  his  two  Sons,  John  and 
Joseph  ;  John  Gurney  of  Earlham  ;  his  Wife  ;  his  Daughter 
Catherine ;  Description  of  Joseph  John  Gurney  by  one  of  his 
Sisters ;  Extracts  from  Autobiography ;  his  Sister  Catherine's 
Letter  of  Advice  on  his  going  to  Oxford 11 

CHAPTER  II. 

John  Rogers ;  Extracts  from  Letters ;  Life  at  Oxford ;  Studies ; 
"  Rest  Week ;"  Return  Home ;  Settlement  in  the  Norwich 
Bank ;  "  Quarterly  Review ;"  Death  of  his  Brother  John's 
Wife ;  Extract  from  the  Journal ;  Edward  Edwards ;  Friends' 
Week-day  Meetings 29 

CHAPTER  III. 

Studies ;  Butler's  Analogy ;  his  Literary  Associations  ;  Habit  of 
Self-Examination;  Qusestiones  Nocturnae ;  Extracts  from  bu 
Journal  and  Letters ;  Death  of  his  Father 46 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Reflections  after  his  Father's  Decease;  Review  of  his  Objects; 
Studies ;  his  first  Essay  as  an  Author :  Correspondence  with 
Sir  William  Drummond  ;  gradual  Attraction  towards  Friends; 
attends  the  Yearly  Meeting;  Extracts  from  his  Journal 55 


Pae« 


VI  CONTEXTS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Growing  interest  in  the  welfare  of  others ;  Lancasterian  School ; 
Establishment  of  the  Norfolk  and  Norwich  Auxiliary  Bible  So- 
ciety ;  Parties  at  Earlham ;  Course  on  becoming  more  of  a  Friend. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

His  Review  of  his  Progress  up  to  1815  ;  his  Uncle  Joseph  Gurney; 
Bristol;  Letter  to  a  Friend  on  his  Marriage;  Thomas  Foster's 
Appeal;  Death  of  his  Brother  John;  his  Cousins  Joseph  and 
Henry  Gurney ;  Capital  Punishments  ;  Wilberforce  ;  Retrospect 
from  Autobiography 9^ 


CHAPTER  A'll, 

Extracts  from  Autobiography  and  Journal ;  Jonathan  Hutchinson; 
Engagement  in  Marriage  ;  first  speaks  as  a  Minister  ;  his  Mar- 
riage ;  Letter  to  William  Forstcr;  Chas.  Simeon;  Correspond- 
ence with  Jonathan  Hutchinson;  Journey  on  the  Continent; 
Visit  to  London ;  Visit  of  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  Nor- 
wich to  Earlham  ;  he  is  acknowledged  a  Minister 127 


CHAPTER  VHL 

Earlham  ;  Family  Meetings  ;  Position  in  Business  and  as  a  Chris- 
tian Minister ;  Journey  to  Scotland  and  the  North  of  England 
with  his  Sister  Elizabeth  Fry ;  Edinburgh ;  Glasgow ;  first 
"Public  Meeting;"  Visit  to  the  Earl  of  Derby  at  Knowsley ; 
Publishes  his  first  Book  ;  Notes  upon  Prisons  ;  Letters  from 
William  Wilberforce  ;  Correspondence  with  Edward  Harbord  ; 
Exertions  to  save  three  Prisoners ;  Birth  of  his  Son 146 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Ackworth  School;  Joseph  John  Gurney 's  Labours  there;  Scrip- 
tural Instruction  ;  Extracts  from  Letters  and  Autobiography  ; 
Extracts  from  Journal 175 


CONTENTS.  VU 

CHAPTER  X. 

Pace 

Extracts  from  Journal  and  Letters  ;  his  First-day  School ;  Journey 
to  Bristol  ;  William  Forster's  Departure  for  America ;  Yearly 
Meeting;  Letters  from  Jonathan  Hutchinson  and  William  AVil- 
berforce  ;  Letter  to  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton  ;  Illness  and  Death 
of  Priscilla  Gurney 191 

CHAPTER  XL 

Kxtracte  from  Journal  and  Letters ;  Letter  from  William  Wilber- 
force  ;  Tract  on  the  Authority,  Importance,  and  Effect  of  Chria- 
tianity ;  Illness  and  Death  of  his  Wife ....    209 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Extracts  from  Letters  and  Joamal ;  Commencement  of  Work  on  the 
Distinguishinj;  Principles  of  Friends  ;  Home  Pursuits  ;  Literary 
Journal ;  Anti-Slavery  Movements  ;  Ilclif^ious  Services  in  Essex 
and  Suffolk;  Huonah  More;  Religions  Visit  to  Yarmouth 22C 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Visit  to  Friends  at  Bury;  Amelia  Opie  ;  Anti-Slavery  Speech  at 
Norwich;  Publication  of  his  Letter  on  the  Authority  of  Chris- 
tianity, and  of  his  Work  on  the  Distinguishing  Views  and 
Practices  of  Friends 243 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Extracts  from  Journal  and  Letters ;  Journey  to  the  North  of 
Enf^lantl;  Letters  to  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton  and  Lord  SuflBeld  ; 
Return  Home ;  Visit  to  Suffolk 2C7 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Extracts  from  Journal  ;  I^etter  from  William  Wiibcrforoc  on  bis 
retirement  from  Parliament;  Visit  to  Lincolnshire;  Alfred 
Corder;  Yearly  Meeting;  County  Meeting  on  Slavery;  Publi- 
cation of  his  Essays  on  Christianity 289 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


Pag» 


Panic  in  the  Monetary  and  Commercial  World  ;  Engagement  in 
Marriage  with  Mary  Fowler  ;  Journeys  in  the  West  of  England 
and  in  the  Midland  Counties ;  Extracts  from  Journal  and 
Letters  ;  Prospect  of  a  Visit  to  Ireland  with  his  Sister  Elizabeth 
Fry 300 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Departure  for  Ireland ;  Labours  in  Dublin ;  A^isit  to  the  Marquis 
Wellesley,  the  Lord  Lieutenant;  Prisons;  Dr.  Murray;  Arch- 
bishop Magee  ;  Archbishop  of  Tuam  ;  Trim-;  Cootehill;  Armagh; 
Lisburn  ;  JohnConran;  Lurgan  ;  Belfast;  Londonderry 329 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Route  to  Sligo  ;  State  of  the  Country  ;  Hibernian  Blunder ;  Galway; 
Illness  of  Elizabeth  Fry;  Clonmel;  Carlow ;  Dr.  Doyle;  Balli- 
tore ;  Yearly  Meeting  in  Dublin  ;  Final  Visit  to  Lord  Wel- 
lesley ;  Wicklow  ;  Enniscorthy ;  Wexford  ;  Waterford ;  Return 
to  England 349 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Arrival  in  London  ;  Alarming  Illness  of  his  Brother-in-law,  Thomas 
Fowell  Buxton  ;  Marriage  with  Mary  Fowler  ;  his  Sister  Rachel 
Gnrney's  Illness  and  Death  ;  Publication  of  Report  on  Ireland; 
Various  Journeys ;  Extracts  from  Letters  and  Journal 367 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Interest  in  Norwich  Poor ;  Breakfast  to  Operatives  at  Earlham  ; 
Visits  to  Prison ;  John  Stratford ;  the  Bethel ;  Reconciling 
Letter ;  Visits  of  School  Children  to  Earlham  ;  Advice  to  a 
Young  Friend  on  bis  Marriage ;  Giving  and  Receiving ;  Day 
upon  a  Stage-Coach;  Household  Discipline;  Economy  of  Time; 
Youthful  Recollections  of  Earlham 392 


CONTENTS.  IX 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Pag* 
Visit  to  Friends  in  Suffolk ;  Letter  to  Sir  James  Mackintosh  on 
Capital  Punishment  for  Forgery ;  Yearly  Meeting ;  Chalmers 
and  Wilberforce ;  Journey  in  Scotland  and  Cumberland ;  De- 
tention at  Edinburgh  ;  Chalmeriana  ;  Southey  ;  Carlisle  ;  Pen- 
rith ;  Kendal;  Manchester;  Return  Home  ;  Death  of  his  Uncle 
Joseph 411 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Publication  of  the  Biblical  Notes  and  Dissertations  ;  Letters  re- 
specting them  ;  Work  upon  the  Sabbath  ;  Religious  Engage- 
ments at  Bristol ;  "  Teaching"  Meetings ;  Letter  to  his  Son, 
describing  an  Evening  at  Cambridge  and  a  Morning  at  Oxford.     439 

CHAPTER  XXIIL 

Extracts  from  Letters  and  Journal ;  Essay  on  the  Moral  Character 
of  Christ ;  Controversy  in  the  Bible  Society  on  the  admission 
of  Unitarians ;  Terms  of  Union ;  the  Portable  Evidence  of 
Christianity  ;  Religious  Visits  to  Birmingham  and  Lancashire ; 
Meetings  in  the  Open  Air ;  Address  to  the  Mechanics  of  Man- 
chester; Death  of  Joseph  Kinghorn ;  Conference  in  London  on 
the  Revision  of  the  "  Book  of  Extracts." 464 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Anti-Slavery  Proceedings ;  Meeting  of  Delegates ;  Passing  of 
Emancipation  Act;  Election  at  Norwich;  Petition  against 
Bribery  ;  Prospect  of  entering  Parliament ;  Doubts  respecting 
it;  ultimate  Decision;  commencement  of  Visit  to  Friends  in 
London  and  its  Neighbourhood ;  Letter  to  a  young  Friend ; 
Letter  to  his  Children  ;  Rachel  Fowler ;  George  Withy ;  Wil- 
liam Wilberforce 483 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Visit  of  Dr.  Chalmers  at  Earlham  ;  Conversations  with  him ;  Ex- 
tracts from  Journal ;  further  Labours  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
London ;  Letters ;  Sermon  at  Devonshire  House 507 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


Pag« 


Further  Labours  in  London  ;  Interview  with  Earl  Grey  and  Ed- 
ward G.  Stanley ;  Extracts  from  Letters  and  Journal ;  Visit  to 
Ackworth ;  Essay  on  Love  to  God ;  Conclusion  of  Labours  ia 
London ;  Death  of  Jonathan  Hutchinson 532 


APPENDIX _ ,      549 


LIFE 

or 

JOSEPH    JOHN    GURNEY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

1788—1803.     .r.T.  1—16. 

birth;  family;    the  first    joiin    curxev  ;    iiis    two    sons,  john  and 

JOSETH  ;  JOIIV  GURNEY  OF  EARLUAM  ;  UI3  WIFE;  IIIS  DAt'CnXER 
CATHERINE  ;  DESCRIPTION  OF  JOSEPH  JOHN  GCRNEY  BY  ONE  OF  HIS 
SISTERS  ;  extracts  FROM  AUTOBIOGRAPHY  ;  HIS  SISTER  CATHERINE'S 
LETTER    OF     ADVICE    ON    HIS    GOING    TO    OXFORD. 

Joseph  Joiix  Gurnet  was  born  at  Earlham  Ilall, 
near  Norwich,  on  the  2nd  of  the  Sth  mo.,  ITSS."*' 
The  family  of  Gurney,  or  Gournay,  is  !<aid  to 
have  sprnng  from  a  house  of  Norman  barons,  who 
followed  ^Yilliam  the  Conqueror  into  England,  and 
obtained  large  estates  in  this  country,  chietly  in  the 
county  of  Norfolk.  From  them  descended  a  line  of 
country  gentlemen,  who  maintained  themselves  at 
Ilarpley  and  West  Barsham  in  that  county  for 
many   generations,    and    from    a    very    early   period 

*  It  was  not  until  he  entered  into  active  life  that  he  afjsunied  the 
lengthened  name  of  Joseph  John  (Jurney,  to  distinguish  himself 
from  his  uncle  Joseph  Gurney,  of  Lakenham  Grove,  near  Norwich, 
who  had  also,  at  thai  time,  a  son  Joseph  Gurney. 

(11) 


12  FAMILY   HISTORY. 

had  one  of  their  residences  in  the  city  of  Norwich. 
The  last  of  these  dying  without  male  issue,  about 
the  commencement  of  the  reign  of  Charles  the 
Second,  the  old  family  estates  became,  at  that 
period,  mostly  dispersed  among  females.  The  name 
of  Gurney  was,  however,  honourably  continued  in 
Norfolk,  through  a  descendant  of  one  of  the 
younger  sons  of  an  earlier  generation  —  John 
Gurney,  (or  Gourney,  as  he  usually  spelled  his 
name,)  the  ancestor  of  the  present  fixmily.  He 
was  born  in  the  year  1655,  and,  notwithstanding 
his  family  connexions,  commenced  life  in  Norwich 
in  somewhat  straitened  circumstances.  Devoting 
himself,  in  his  youth,  to  the  cause  of  religion,  Ave 
find  him  in  the  year  1678,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three,  already  connected  with  the  then  oppressed 
and  persecuted  Quakers.  Richard  Hubberthorn, 
from  Yealand,  in  North  Lancashire,  and  George 
Whitehead,  from  Westmoreland,  (then  a  young 
man  scarcely  eighteen,)  were  among  the  first 
under  that  name  who  visited  Norwich.  There, 
about  the  year  1654,  they  -svere  encouraged,  amidst 
severe  suffering,  by  finding  some  who  were  pre- 
pared to  receive  the  truths  which  they  were  com- 
missioned to  declare  ;'^  and  a  meeting  of  Friends 
was  then  establislied  which  has  been  kept  up  to 
th.e  present  time.  The  family  of  John  Gurney 
appear  previously  to  have  had  some  connexion 
with  the  Puritans.  Henry  Gurney,  indeed,  of  West 
Barsham,  the  representative  of  the  family  in  the 
early  part  of  the  17th  century,  had  a  distaste 
for     Puritanism,    if,    at    least,    we     are     to    judge 

*See  George  Whitehead's  Christian  Progress^  pp.  23,  24,  et  seq.   . 


THE   FIRST   JOHN   GURNET.  13: 

from  the  insertion  in  his  will,  (proved  in  1623,)  of 
a  special  charge  to  his  younger  sons,  "  that  none 
hould  any  fantasticall  or  erroneous  opinions,  so 
adjudged  by  our  Bishop  or  civill  Lawes."  But 
Edmund  Gurney,  rector  of  Harpley,  one  of  these 
younger  sons,  who  was  a  person  of  influence, 
became  known  as  a  zealous  Puritan ;  he  declined 
wearing  the  surplice,  and  was  probably  among 
those  who  took  the  Covenant  in  1643.*  After 
him  John  Gurney  successively  named  two  of  his 
children.  Others  of  his  connexions  were  also 
inclined  to  Puritanism,  and  some  of  them,  like 
himself,  joined  the  Society  of  Friends.  In  the 
case  of  the  early  Friends  generally,  their  ultimate 
settlement  in  those  gospel  principles  by  which  they 
became  distinguished  from  others,  was  preceded  by 
a  state  of  much  religious  awakening  and  earnest 
seeking  after  God,  in  which  they  "searched  the 
Scriptures  daily,  whether  these  things  were  so." 
Through  what  course  of  experience  JoKn  Gurney 
arrived  at  his  conviction,  the  scanty  materials  of 
his  history  do  not  inform  us.  Let  it  suffice  us 
to  know  that  what  he  became  convinced  of  was 
precious  to  him  as  the  truth,  and  that  for  it  he 
was  prepared  to  sutler.  On  the  29th  of  tlie  9th 
mo.,  (0.  S.,)  1682,  (so  the  records  of  Friends  in 
Norwich  inform  us,)  "  Friends  being  kept  out  of 
their  meeting  house,  met  together  in  the  street  to 
wait  upon  the  Lord:"  and,  being  there,  John 
Gurney  and  another  Friend  were  violently  pulled 
out  from  among  the  rest,  "as  if  they  had  been 
malefactors,"    and    carried   before    a   Justice   of  the 

*  See  Master's  History  of  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  p.  301 


14  HIS    TWO    SONS,    JOHN    AND    JOSEPH. 

Peace,  by  ulioiu,  u.s  ihcy  ucclined  givijig,  on  such 
an  account,  the  required  bail,  they  were  committed 
until  the  next  Quarter  Sessions.  In  the  following 
year,  1683,  he  was  again  imprisoned*  for  refusing 
to  take  an  oath ;  and  continued  in  prison,  under 
successive  recommitments,  nearly  three  years.  He 
died  in  the  year  1721,  having  greatly  prospered 
in  his  temporal  concerns ;  and,  what  is  far  more 
important,  having,  according  to  the  testimony  of 
those  who  knew  him,  taken  "  particular  care  in 
the  religious  education  of  all  his  children,"  and 
'•continued  faithful  to  the  end."j- 

His  two  elder  sons,  John  and  Joseph,  were  both 
men  of  marked  character.  John  w^as  gifted  with 
much  natural  eloquence,  and  obtained  considerable 
reputation  by  the  spirit  and  ability  with  which 
he  successfully  defended  the  Norwich  trade  before 
a  Committee  of  the  House  of  Lords,  against  some 
apprehended  encroachments.  He  subsequently  re- 
ceived from  Sir  Robert  Walpole  the  offer  of  a  seat 
in  Parliament,  which,  however,  he  declined,  as 
inconsistent  with  his  religious  principles  in  the 
then  state  of  the  law.  Religion  had  early  taken 
possession  of  his  heart,  and  about  the  twenty- 
second  '  year  of  his  age,  in  obedience  to  the  call 
of  apprehended  duty,  he  had  yielded  himself  to 
the  work  of  the  public  ministry  of  the  Gospel. 
in  which  service  he  laboured  diligently  for  many 
years;  neither  "the  temptation  of  prosperity,"  nor 
"  the    kindness    and    esteem    of    great   men    of  this 

*  See  Besse's  Sufferings  of  the  People  called  Quakers,  vol.  1,  p.  515. 
I"  See  Collection  of  Testimonies  concerning  several  Ministers  of  the 
Gospel  among  the  People  called  Quakers,  London,  1760.  p.  134. 


KESWICK,   EARLIIAM,    AND   THE    GROVE.  15 

world,"  being,  in  the  simple  but  forcible  language 
of  the  memorial  respecting  liim,  "  permitted  to 
separate  him  from  that  truth  which  the  Lord  had 
eminently  convinced  him  of""^'  Besides  numerous 
other  descendants,  he  was  the  grandfather  of  Martha 
Birkbeck,  whose  daughter  Jane  became,  as  will  be 
seen,  the  first  wife  of  Joseph  John  Gurney. 

Joseph  Gurney,  his  younger  brother,  who, 
towards  the  close  of  his  life,  fixed  his  residence 
at  Keswick,  near  Norwich,  also  became  a  valued 
minister  of  the  Gospel  among  Friends.  His  Chris- 
tian profession  was  eminently  adorned  by  a  life  of 
humility,  benevolence,  and  moderation.  He  died 
in  the  year  1750,  after  a  suffering  illness,  which  he 
bore  with  exemplary  resignation,  giving  a  .  final 
evidence  of  the  truth  of  what  he  then  expressed — 
that  it  had  been  "  the  business  of  his  whole  life  to 
be  prepared"  for  such  a  time."j- 

His  eldest  son,  John  Gurney,  was  a  man  of  great 
activity  and  energy,  and,  notwithstanding  his  exten- 
sive engagements  in  business,  devoted  much  of  his 
time  to  the  interests  of  his  own  religious  Society, 
to  the  principles  of  which  he  was  warmly  attached. 
In  the  midst  of  a  course  of  remarkable  temporal 
prosperity,  it  is  instructive  to  observe  the  fear 
which  he  expresses  in  one  of  his  private  memoranda, 
lest  his  increasing  opulence  should  lead  away  his 
children  from  those  religious  habits  and  associa- 
tions in  which  they  had  been  educated.  He  left 
three    sons,  all   of  whom   married  and  settled   near 

*  See   Collection  of  Testimonies,  p.  139,  and   Life   of  Thomas 
Story,  p.  617. 

t  See  Collection  of  Testimonies,  pp.  2-38—240. 


16  JOHN   GURNEY   OF   EARLHAM,    HIS   WIFE, 

Norwich.*  Richard  Gurney,  the  eldest,  on  his 
father's  decease,  in  1770,  became  the  occupant  of 
the  family  residence  at  Keswick.  John  Gurney, 
the  second  son,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir,  had,  previously  to  Joseph  John  Gurney's 
birth,  settled  at  Earlham.  Joseph  Gurney,  the 
youngest,  resided  at  Lakenham  Grove.  The  three 
families  were  naturally  much  associated,  and  exer- 
cised an  important  influence  upon  each  other. 
At  a  later  period  especially,  the  consistency  with 
which  Joseph  Gurney,  of  the  Grove,  was  enabled 
to  maintain  his  position  as  a  Friend  and  as  a  Chris- 
tian minister,  rendered  his  influence  peculiarly 
valuable. 

To  those  who  have  read  the  Memoirs  of  the  late 
Elizabeth  Fry  and  Sir  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  the 
character  of  John  Gurney,  of  Earlham,  cannot  fail 
to  be  familiar.  Generous,  ardent,  and  warm- 
hearted, he  abounded  in  kindness  to  all,  uniting 
remarkable  activity  both  in  public  and  private 
business,  with  an  acute  intellect  and  extensive  in- 
formation. Though  he  did  not  in  all  respects 
strictly  maintain  the  habits  of  a  Friend,  he  was 
accustomed  to  treat  Friends  with  the  warmest 
respect,  his  house  was  ever  open  to  receive  their 
ministers,  and  he  entertained,  through  life,  a 
decided  preference  for  tlieir  religious  principles. 
His  wife  was  Catherine  Bell,  a  daughter  of  Daniel 
Bell,  of  Stamford  Hill,  near  London,  her  mother 
being    a    grand-daughter    of    Robert    Barclay,    the 

*  The  elder  Joseph  Gurney  was  also  the  grandfather  of  Priscilla 
Hannah  Gurney,  and  Joseph  Gurney  Bevan,  both  highly  esteemed 
members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 


AND    DAUGHTER    CATHERINE.  17 

well-known  author  of  the  "  Apology."  She  is 
described  as  a  woman  "  of  very  superior  mind,  as 
well  as  personal  charms,  who  in  her  latter  years 
became  a  serious  Christian  and  a,  decided  Friend." 
An  animated  portraiture  of  her  character  is  drawn 
in  the  memoirs  of  her  highly  gifted  daughter.* 
Eminently  fitted,  as  she  appeared  to  be,  for  her 
responsible  position,  the  stroke,  by  which  she  was  so 
early  removed  from  it,  was  not  a  little  appalling. 
She  died  in  the  autumn  of  the  year  1792,  leaving 
her  sorrowing  husband  the  widowed  parent  of 
eleven  children,f  the  youngest  not  yet  two  years  old. 
The  maternal  mantle  was,  however,  in  a  remarkable 
manner  cast  upon  the  elder  sisters,  more  especially 
upon  Catherine  the  eldest.  Though  scarcely  seven- 
teen at  her  mother's  death,  her  capacities  ripened 
into  an  early  maturity,  which  admirably  fitted  her 
for  the  necessities  of  the  occasion.  In  her  were 
seen  blended  a  judgment  at  once  sound  and  com- 
prehensive, a  quiet  firmness  and  promptitude  in 
action,  a  sympathy   quick   to   discern,  and    a  noble 

*  Memoirs  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  vol.  i,  p.  3,  &c.  * 

f  The  following  list  of  tlie  names  may  be  found  useful : — 

Catherine  died  unmarried,  1850. 

Rachel  died  unmarried,  1827. 

Elizabeth,  married  in  1800,  to  Josepb  Fry,  of  London,  died  in 
1845. 

John  died  1814. 

RiCHENDA,  married  in  1816,  to  Francis  Cunningham. 

Hannah,  married  in  4807,  to  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton. 

Louisa,  married  in  1806,  to  Samuel  Hoare,  died  in  1836. 

Priscilla  died  unmarried,  1821. 

Samuel. 

Joseph  [John]  died  in  1847. 

Daniel.  , 

Vol  I.— 2 


18  CATIIERIXE    GUKXET.  1788—1803. 

disinterestedness,  eager  to  supply  the  wants  of 
those  around  her.  All  this,  brought  out  and 
matured  in  her  new  situation,  and,  with  increasing 
years,  sanctified  and  enriched  by  divine  grace,  gave 
lier  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  her  younger  brothers 
and  sisters,  which  few  besides  a  mother  could  have 
filled.  Her  advice,  usually  the  result  of  a  confer- 
ence with  her  father,  occasionally  assisted  by  her 
two  sisters  the  next  in  age,  became  law,  not  so 
much  by  reason  of  any  authoritj^  of  her's,  as  that 
it  was  illustrated  by  her  own  conduct,  and  felt  by 
the  3^ounger  members  of  the  family  to  be  mingled 
with  so  much  wisdom  and  sisterly  love.  Her 
system-,  if  such  it  might  be  culled,  was  marked  by 
but  little  restraint.  This  was  doubtless,  in  part, 
owing  to  the  peculiarity  of  her  position.  As  a 
sister  she  preferred  the  gentler  influences  of  ex- 
ample and  persuasion,  and  as  her  principles  became 
gradually  more  decided,  she  above  all  sought  to  en- 
courage a  healthy  self-control  under  the  discipline 
of  religion.  Constant  in  her  own  course  of  duty, 
the  more  conspicuous  services  in  which  others  of 
the  family  3'ounger  than  herself  were  afterwards 
engaged,  awakened  no  unhallowed  feelings  in  her 
heart.  She  rejoiced  in  their  faithfulness  and  in 
their  fruits,  and  still  sought  to  strengthen  their 
hands,  without  forsaking  her  own  more  private 
path  of  usefulness.*  Thus  much  seemed  due  to 
the  memory  of  one,  whose  early  influence  upon  her 

^  Interest  in  the  welfare  of  young  persons  was  througlioiit  life  a 
inr.rked  feature  in  Catherine  Gurney's  character.  She  delighted  to 
attach  herself  to  those  of  this  class  who  visited  Earlham,  enoourag- 
in<r  and  directing  them  in  useful  pursuits,  and  frequently  giving  them 
important  advice  upon  their  course  of  reading,  <tc. 


£T.    1 — 15.  THE    CIRCLE   AT   EAELHAM.  19 

own  family,  and,  not  the  least  so,  upon  her  brother 
Joseph,  was  so  richly  blessed.  It  will  be  seen 
that  in  later  years  they  had  to  feel  the  trial  of 
separation  in  outward  religious  communion.  This, 
especially  to  a  mind  so  susceptible  as  his,  was  not 
without  its  pain.  But,  through  all,  the  harmony  of 
their  fellowship  in  essential  truth  continued  un- 
broken. And  as  life  advanced,  the  bond  which 
more  and  more  closely  united  them,  was  among  the 
many  tokens  of  a  growing  meetness  for  that  glori- 
ous rest,  where  the  redeemed  "  see  eye  to  eye,"  and 
all  their  aspirations  after  a  union  of  holiness  and 
perfected  love  are  satisfied  for  ever. 

The  state  of  mind  and  feeling  which  prevailed 
in  this  young  and  interesting  family,  under  their 
altered  circumstances,  is  so  fully  before  the  reader 
in  the  works  already  referred  to,  that  it  seems 
unnecessary  to  do  more  than  briefly  allude  to  it. 
The  naturally  grave  and  practical  disposition  of 
their  sister  Catherine  hardl}-  formed  an  exception 
to  the  general  liveliness  and  gaiety  which  pervaded 
the  circle,  and  rendered  the  members  of  it  peculi- 
arly liable  to  be  led  away  by  the  various  temptations 
to  which  they  were  exposed.  Their  earlier  years 
Avere,  in  fact,  distinguished  by  much  which  they 
afterwards  felt  to  have  partaken  largely  of  the 
vanity  of  youth,  but  which  was  yet  singularly  min- 
gled with  not  a  little  of  an  opposite  character. 
•  The  evening  dance,  with  its  whirl  of  mirth  and 
merriment,  the  excitement  of  the  youthful  day- 
dream, gave  place,  in  their  turns,  to  days  of 
industry  and  study,  to  concern  for  the  poor,  and  at 
times  to  religious  seriousness.  The  contrast  was 
tjtriking  and  not  without  promise. 


20  EARLY   CHILDHOOD.  178^ — 1803. 

In  this  large  family,  Joseph  John  Gurney,  or 
Joseph  as  he  was  then  called,  was  the  tenth  in  order 
of  age,  there  being  but  one  brother  younger  than 
himself. 

"My  first  recollections  of  our  dearest  brother,"  -n-rites  one 
of  his  sisters,  "  are  those  of  a  lovely  boy,  -who,  from  his  great 
beauty  and  sweetness  of  disposition  and  manner,  was  a  very' 
gratifying  child  to  his  mother.  He  was  so  quick  that  ^he 
learned  French  words  almost  as  soon  as  he  could  speak  at  all ; 
full  of  tender  feeling,  of  love,«and  gentleness,  and  possessing 
a  temper  that  nothing  could  irritate,  or  render  fretful.  After 
the  death  of  his  mother  he  became  closely  attached  to  his 
sisters,  and  very  dependent  upon  us,  choosing  ever  to  imite 
with  us,  and  to  follow  us  in  our  gardening,  building,  and  other 
projects. 

"  Joseph  had  been  nursed  by  the  gardener's  wife,  who  lived 
in  the  park  by  the  bridge.  lie  was  very  fond  of  'nurse 
Norman,'  and,  when  five  or  six  years  old,  would  escape  to  her 
cottage,  and  share  with  her  children  their  usual  homely  fare. 
We  would  amuse  ourselves  by  following  him,  and  finding  him 
seated  at  the  little  table  with  the  poor  family  by  the  cottage 
window. 

"  He  was  always  studious,  and  fond  of  reading,  and  had 
a  real  taste  for  his  lessons,  to  which  he  applied  with  industry. 
Whether  at  school  or  at  home,  he  bore  the  character  of  a  boy 
of  unsullied  conduct,  of  fine  disposition,  and  excellent  talents. 
"As  he  grew  older,  he  became  more  and  more  delightful  to 
his  father,  and  brothers  and  sisters.  He  was  fond  of  joining 
the  latter  in  their  schemes  of  benevolence,  and  frequently 
accompanied  them  in  their  visits  to  the  poor.  His  return 
home  at  the  vacation  was  always  pecuUarly  agreeable.  His 
life  and  playfulness,  his  spirit  and  zeal  in  every  pursuit,  ren- 
dered his  company  most  enlivening.  He  spent  his  holidays 
with  great  method,  allotting  much  time  to  study,  reading  Latin 
Y>ith  Louisa,  and  books  on  serious  subjects  with  Rachel,  and 
would  join  our  family  circle  in  the  evening  in  hearing  amusing 
reading,  while  he  drew." 


^T.  1 — 15.  EXTRACTS   FROM    ArTOBIOGRAPHT.  21 

Many  years  later,  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  his 
autohiography,  thus  recalls  his  own  impressions  of  his 
early  life. 

"  I  remember  that  in  the  family  order,  my  three  eldest 
sisters,  Catherine,  Rachel,  and  Elizabeth,  were  classed 
togeth^ ;  after  them  came  John,  my  eldest  brother,  who  was 
'succeeded  by  Richenda,  Hannah,  Louisa,  and  Priscilla,  usually 
ranged  together  under  the  familiar  name  of  "the  four  girls;" 
Samuel  folloAved  between  Priscilla  and  me,  and  my  youngest 
brother  Daniel  concluded  the  series.  It  was  a  material 
disadvantage  to  this  circle  of  young  people,  that  Norwich, 
soon  after  my  mother's  death,  was  remarkable  as  the  residence 
of  certain  talented  unbelievers ;  and  these  persons  were  the 
means  of  introducing  occasional  visitors,  [at  Earlham,]  who 
united  decided  democracy  in  politics  with  very  low  sentiment 
on  the  subject  of  religion.  *  *  *  *  But  the  God  of  all  grace 
had  better  things  in  store  for  us.  lie  did  not  permit  us  to 
be  carried  off  into  the  cold  regions  of  infidel  speculation. 
Catherine,  our  eldest  sister,  was  naturally  of  a  sober  mind, 
fond  of  reading,  which  had  some  approach  at  least  to  subjects 
of  a  serious  import ;  and  she  gradually  became  the  decided 
Christian.  Iler  influence  was  soon  found  to  be  invaluable  with 
her  younger  brothers  and  sisters.  By  degrees  she  became  to 
them  a  check  on  the  vanities  of  the  world,  a  faithful  guardian 
against  loose  and  danrrerous  views  of  relirrion,  and  a  cherisher 
of  all  that  is  good  and  valuable,  whether  intellectual  or 
spiritual.   *  *  * 

"  I  do  not  look  back  upon  my  childhood  with  much  comfort 
or  satisfaction.  *  *  *  I  was  a  very  fearful,  nervous  child, 
not,  I  believe,  fractious  in  temper,  nor  by  ai^  means  destitute 
of  a  relish  for  enjoyment,  but  acutely  alive  to  suffering  of 
mind.  Often  in  the  night  I  was  overtaken. by  an  indescribable 
nervous  agitation,  as  if  the  very  walls  were  falling  down  upon 
me  to  crush  me  ;  and  many  a  time  did  I  spring  from  my  bed, 
and  seek  refuge  with  some  Idnd  friend  or  sister,  particularly 
my  sister  Elizabeth,  who  Avell  understood  me,  and  never  failed, 
as  occasion  required,  to  pity  and  protect  mc. 


22  EXTRACTS  FROM  AUTOBIOGRAPHY.   1788 — 1803. 

"  I  "wa&  by  no  means  insensible,  in  very  early  life,  to 
religious  considerations ;  being  no  stranger,  from  the  firs.t 
opening  of  my  mental  faculties,  to  tbose  precious  visitations 
of  Divine  love,  which  often  draw  the  young  mind  to  its 
Creator,  and  melt  it  into  tenderness.  If  religion  has  indeed 
grown  in  me,  (as  I  humbly  believe  it  has,  though  amidst  in- 
numerable backslidings,)  it  has  pretty  much  kept  pa-ce  with 
the  growth  of  my  natural  faculties ;  for  I  cannot  now  recall* 
any  decided  turning  point  in  this  matter,  except  that  which 
afterwards  brought  me  to  plain  "  Quakerism."  Cases  of  this 
description  are,  in  my  opinion,  in  no  degree  at  variance  with 
the  cardinal  Christian  doctrine  of  the  necessity  of  conversion, 
and  of  the  new  birth  unto  righteousness.  The  work  which 
effects  the  vital  change  from  a  state  of  nature  to  a  state  of 
grace,  is  doubtless  often  begun  in  very  early  childhood — nay, 
it  may  open  on  the  soul,  with  the  earliest  opening  of  its 
rational  faculties ;  and  that  its  progress  may  sometimes  be  so 
gradual,  as  to  preclude  our  perceiving  any  very  distinct  steps 
in  it.  we  may  learn  from  our  blessed  Lord's  parable :  '  So  is 
the  kingdom  of  God,  as  if  a  man  should  cast  seed  into  the 
ground,  and  should  sleep,  and  rise  night  and  day,  and  the 
seed  should  spring  and  grow  up,  he  knoweth  not  how;  for 
the  earth  bringcth  forth  fruit  of  herself — first  the  blade,  then 
the  ear,  after  that  the  full  corn  in  the  ear.'  I  have  no  doubt 
that  some  seed  was  sown  in  my  heart  when  I  was  little  more 
than  an  infant,  through  the  agency  of  my  watchful  mother ; 
and  afterwards  that  seed  was  sedulously  watched  and  culti- 
yated  by  my  dearest  sister  Catherine.  Yet  I  believe  that 
much  of  the  feeling  into  which  my  young  mind  was  at  times 
brought  on  the  subject  of  religion,  was  the  simple  result  of 
those  gracious  visitations,  which  are  independent  of  all  human 
agency,  and  like  the  wind  which  '  bloweth  where  it  listeth.' 

"My  pursuits  as  a  child  were  very  far  from  being  of  the 
hardy  order ;  I  was  fond  of  reading,  often  made  verses,  and 
loved  to  keep  company  with  my  sisters,  rather  than  unite  with 
my  elder  brother  Samuel  in  manly  games,  and  in  following  the 
farming  men  in  their  various  pursuits,  riding  on  the  team  ta 
the  hayfield,  &c.  >:=  >^  *         • 


^T.  1 — 15.  EXTRACTS   FROM   AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  23 

"  I  was  about  twelve  years  old,  when  I  rode  on  horseback 
from  Earlham  to  Colne,  in  Essex,  the  residence  of  Fow^ll 
Buxton's  mother,  in  company  v/ith  her  and  her  children,  and 
spent  some  weeks  in  their  society.  It  Avas  a  very  wholesome 
change  for  me,  and  under  the  influence  of  my  companions 
Fowell  and  [his  brother] ,  Charles,  whom  I  heartily  loved,  I 
was  trained  to  greater  manliness  of  pursuit,  and  by  their 
favourite  attendant,  Abraham  Plaistow,*  through  a  somewhat 
severe  disciplinary  method,  I  was  taught  to  swim.  Well  do  I 
remember  plunging  into  a  deep  stream,  with  a  rope  round  my 
body,  and  that  when  with  a  vast  effort  I  had  contrived  to 
reach  the  opposite  bank,  ray  teacher  pulled  me  back  again,  in 
a  state  of  great  exhaustion,  to  the  bank  from  which  I  had 
made  the  leap.  However,  by  the  help  of  my  comrades,  I  re- 
covered my  spirits,  and  soon  mastered  the  art ;  which  I  am 
the  more  inclined  just  to  mention,  as  it  was,  many  years 
afterwards,  the  means  of  saving  my  life.  *  *  *  During  this 
pleasant  and  useful  visit  at  Colne,  the  strong  foundation  was 
laid  of  that  warm  friendship  which  I  have  always  since  main- 
tained Avith  Fowell  Buxton,  who  afterwards  married  my  sister 
Hannah.   *  *  * 

"  It  was  Avhen  (as  far  as  I  remember)  I  was  eight  or  nine 
years  old,  that  my  brother  Samuel  and  I  were  sent  to  a 
boarding-school  at  Norwich,  kept  by  Simon  Browne,  a  person 
eminent  for  his  penmanship  ;  his  son  a  respectable  clergyman, 
superintending,  with  considerable  ability,  the  classicaL  depart- 
ment. The  old  gentleman  died,  and  John  Henry  Browne,  his 
son,  removed  after  a  time  to  Hingham,  a  country  town,  about 
twelve  miles  from  Earlham,  Avhere  I  continued  at  school  until 
I  had  nearly  completed  my  fifteenth  year.  The  classics  and 
some  other  parts  of  literature,  were  Avell  taught  by  our  master, 
who  had  been  one  of  Dr.  Parr's  scholars ;  and  being  much 
inclined  to  study,  I  made  considerable  progress  under  his 
care,  filling  up  some  of  my  leisure  hours  Avitk  English  read- 
ing. *  *  It  may  be  remarked,  that  in  sending  us  to  thid 
school,  our  dear  parent  did  not  much  protect  our  Quakerism. 

*  See  Memoirs  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  eh.  i,  p.  6,  first  ed. 


24  HIS  sister's  letter  of  advice.  1803. 

However,  even  this  subject  was  not  entirely  forgotten ;  for  lie 
arranged  with  a  Friend,  who  lived  at  a  distance  of  about  two 
miles,  to  convey  us  every  First  day  to  Wymondham  Meeting. 
Many  a  pleasant  drive  have  we  enjoyed  in  this  worthy  farmer's 
cart,  and 'seldom  did  we  fail  to  partake  of  his  generous  hospi- 
tality on  our  return  from  Meeting.". 

In  the  autumn  of  1803,  soon  after  Joseph  John 
Gurney  had  completed  his  fifteenth  year,  he  was  sent 
to  Oxford,  with  his  cousin  Gurney  Barclay,  to  purs'ue 
his  studies  under  the  care  of  John  Rogers,  a  private 
tutor  then  resident  there.  His  elder  brother  John 
had  lately  finished  his  education  with  the  same  tutor, 
and  his  ever  watchful  sister  Catherine  had  prevailed 
upon  her  father  to  allow  her  brother  Joseph  a  similar 
opportunity  of  improving  himself.  Previously  to  his 
leaving  home,  she  addressed  to  him  a  letter  of  advice, 
from  which  a  somewhat  lengthened  extract  may  be 
here  given. 

"  That  I  may  not  qmte  lose  my  influence  over  thee,  in  thy 
absence,  dear  Joseph,  I  mean  to  give  thee,  in  writing,  some 
general  principles  of  conduct,  which  it  would  be  a  great  com- 
fort for  me  to  believe  thou  wouldst  attend  to.  *  *  The  next 
two  or  three  years  will  be  most  important  to  thee ;  and  on 
the  right  use  of  them  thy  future  good  will  in  great  measure 
depend.  *  *  Nothing  but  experience  will  fully  convince  thee 
of  this,  but  I  can  now  see  it  for  thee ;  and  will  leave  nothing 
undone  that  it  is  in  my  power  to  do,  to  satisfy  my  own  con- 
science concerning  thee,  and  to  make  thy  path  safe  and  easy. 
I  wish  thou  mayst  sometimes  recollect  what  a  friend  thou  hast 
in  me,  and  that  if  I  know  my  own  heart,  there  is  scarcely 
anything  I  would  not  sacrifice  for  thy  sake. 

"Whilst  I  have  anxiously  and  affectionately  thought  over 
f\\\  that  concerns  thee,  it  has  struck  me  that  thy  duties 
may  be  comprised  under  three  principal  divisions.     Those  of 


-ET.  16.  HIS   sister's   LETTER    OF   ADVICE.  25 

religion,  those  of  social  life,  and  those  more  particularly  owinf 
to  thyself,  or  which  relate  to  thy  own  objects  and  pursuits. 

"First.  —  The  duties  of  religion  diiFer  in  their  external 
form,  according  to  the  capacities  and  circumstances  of  the 
individual,  though  the  internal  principle  must  be  the  same 
in  all,  and  this  principle  leads  to  a  simple  endeavour  to  make 
acting  right,  whatever  may  be  our  situation,  our  first  object, 
and  in  order  to  do  this,  to  make  inclination  and  impulse 
secondary  to  conscience.  *  *  *  It  requires  little  or  no  ap- 
pearance of  peculiar  devotion,  but  it  resides  in  the  heart  and 
manifests  itself  in  the  conduct.  Sqmething  external  is  how- 
ever necessary  to  confirm  the  internal  principle  of  religion, 
and  as  thou  wilt  now  be  circumstanced,  it  will  be  more 
incumbent  on  thee,  than  it  has  before  been,  to  attend  to  this ; 
for  the  more  external  temptation  there  is,  the  more,  do  we 
require  to  have  that  principle  fortified  which  can  alone  stand 
against  temptation.  Thou  art  now  about  to  enter  upon  a  new- 
era  of  life,  in  which  thy  own  principle  must  be  thy  chief 
security,  and  hence  whatever  tends  to  confirm  this  is. of  far 
more  importance  to  thee  than  ever.  To  require  a  peculiar 
degree  of  strictness,  as  to  the  externals  of  religion,  at  thy 
age,  [is  not  my  aim.]  All  I  desire  of  thee  is  to  avoid  a  few 
things,  and"  to  do  a  few  things.  Above  all,  I  desire  thee  to 
avoid  joking  on  religious  subjects,  a  fault  which  is  very  com- 
mon to  young  people.  Whatever  relates,  either  remotely  or 
immediately  to  religion,  I  wish  thou  mayst  be  able  to  treat 
seriously,  or  say  nothing  about.  Much  depends  on 'the  habit 
of  mind  acquired  by  conversation  and  sympathy.  And 
though  I  do  not  ask  thee  to  stand  forth  as  the  champion  of 
religion,  yet  shouldst  thou  hear  the  subject  umvorthily  spoken 
of,  I  earnestly  wish  thee  to  avoid  taking  a  part  in  what  must 
corrupt  thy  heart,  and.  is  moreover  a  proof  of  a  narrow,  pre- 
judiced, illiberal  mind.  And  if  the  temptation  be  ever  thrown 
in  thy  way,  I  also  beg  of  thee  to  avoid  reading  books  written 
against  religion^  of  whatever  kind,  whether  of  argument  or 
satire  —  at  least  till  experience  shall  have  fully  confirmed  thy 
own  principles.  As  to  what  thou  art  to  do,  it  is  but  little,  but 
that  little  ought  to  bo  more  conscientiously  observed.     Thou 


26  HIS  sister's  letter  of  advice.  1803. 

■R-ilt,  of  course,  always  go  to  meeting  on  a  Sunday,  and  per- 
haps sometimes  to  church  also,  and  if  it  is  only  to  oblige  me, 
do  not  lay  aside  the  distinction  of  Sundays  from  other  days, 
in  thy  own  mind,  nor  in  thy  pursuits.  Taking  it  only  in  a 
moral  point  of  view,  but  much  more  in  a  religious  one,  re- 
collect how  salutary  an  institution  it  is,  and  how  much  it  is 
for  the  general  interests  of  society,  as  well  as  for  our  own  in- 
dividual good,  to  set.  the  day  apart,  as  much  as  we  can,  for 
sober  reflection  on  our  own  conduct,  for  reading  the  Scriptures, 
and  any  other  reading  of  a  moral  or  religious  tendenc3\  I  be- 
lieve thou  hast  too  much  principle,  and  good  sense,  as  well  as 
good  taste,  to  pa^s  the  day  in  idleness,  as  so  many  loiterers 
do  :  I  had  far  rather  thou  shouldst  work  hard  at  the  common 
business  of  a  week-day,  than  do  so.  *  *  *  Do  not  fear  being 
ridiculed  for  appearing  religious.  Amongst  well-bred  and 
judicious  people,  such  as  I  trust  thou  wilt  be  with,  there  is  no 
danger  of  it ;  on  the  contrary  thou  wouldst  be  the  more 
respected  for  it.  Thy  father  and  I  have  so  fully  made  known 
our  sentiments,  on  these  subjects,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rogers, 
that  they  would  rather  expect,  than  be  surprised  at  such  an 
appearance.  And  when  thou  art  reading  the  Scriptures, 
remember  that  there  is  much  that  thou  must  expect  to  find 
mysterious,  and  some  passages  perhaps  to  thee  wholly  un- 
intelligible ;  but  let  not  this  shake  thy  confidence  in  their, 
divine  authority,  nor  thy  belief  in  Christianity,  nor  lead  thee 
into  reasonings  above  thy  understanding. 

"Secondly. — With  regard  to  thy  social  duties,  I  must 
entreat  thee  to  beware  of  entering  into  any  pleasures,  or 
forming  any  connexions,  of  whatsoever  kind,  that  thy  con- 
science tells  thee  thy  father  or  I  Avould  disapprove.  This,  till 
thou  hast  attained  more  expei'ience,  will  be  thy  best  and  safest 
guide  ;  and  I  earnestly  hope  thou  wilt  attend  to  this  precept, 
as  being  one  of  the  most  important  of  any  I  shall  give  thee. 
*  *  And,  dearest  Joseph,  cultivate  a  principle  of  true  honour, 
which  comprehends  much.  Though  in  different  terms,  it  ap- 
pears to  me  to  be  almost  the  same  thing  in  spirit,  as  the 
Christian  maxim  of  '  doing  to  others  as  we  would  they  should 
do  to  us.'     Beware  of  satirizing  those  who  may  not  suit  thy 


^T,  16.  HIS  sister's  letter  of  advice.  27 

temper  or  thy  taste ;  and  endeavour  to  speak  generously,  as 
well  as  to  feel  benevolently,  towards  others.  Be  very  cautious 
never  to  betray  secrets,  especially  the  aiiairs  of  thy  own  family, 
through  inadvertency,  for  otherwise  thou  wouldst  never  do  it. 
Recollect  how  important  it  is  for  our  conversation  to  be  well- 
timed.  I  need  scarcely  advise  thee  to  be,  as  far  as  thou  art 
able,  the  gentleman.  Thy  taste  evidently  leads  thee  to  this, 
as  well  as  to  despise  low  and  debasing  pleasures  and  associa- 
tions. Equally  avoid  low  and  debasing  subjects  of  conversa- 
tion, vulgar  jokes,  &c. ;  which,  more  than  almost  anything, 
undermine  virtuous  principle. 

"  Third]}'.  —  As  to  thy  objects  of  pursuit,  thou  wilt  be 
chiefly  regulated  by  Mr.  Rogers,  and  to  him  I  wish  thee  to 
look,  in  the  first  instance,  for  every  thing  of  the  kind.      *      * 

In  thy  leisure  hours  have  a  decided  object,  either  of  exercise 
and  recreation,  or  of  intellectual  amusement;  and  if  the 
choice  of  books  depends  at  all  on  thyself,  choose  the  best, 
and  those  of  the  most  established  repute  of  every  kind ;  and 
if  it  is  only  frofti  a  principle  of  honour  towards  me,  refi'ain, 
dear  Joseph,  from  reading  any  that  are  said  to  have  a  licen- 
tious tendency. 

"  Whether  or  not  it  is  Mr.  Rogers'  plan  with  his  pupils  for 
them  to  rise  early,  I  recommend  thee  to  keep  to  the  practice 
of  it.  I  have  mentioned  it  to  him  as  one  of  thy  good  quali- 
ties, and  I  have  no  doubt  thou  wilt  find  it  more  and  more 
beneficial  as  thy  employments  increase  upon  thee.  General 
temperance  and  sobriety  of  conduct  I  scarcely  need  mention  ; 
but  I  must  observe,  that  as  years  increase,  temptations  in- 
crease ;  temptations  to  pleasure  under  various  forms ;  and  as 
temperance  is  the  law  which  forbids  all  kinds  of  immoderate 
or  unlawful  pleasures,  it  becomes,  as  we  advance  in  life,  a  most 
miportant  duty  to  cultivate  this  principle  in  our  hearts.  *  * 
All  unnecessary  indulgence  degrades,  while  the  reverse  ennobles 
our  nature. 

" '  My  son,  forget  not  my  law ;  but  let  thy  heart  keep  my 
commandments.'  'For  length  of  days  and  long  life  and  peace 
shall  they  add  to  thee.'  '  Let  not  mercy  and  truth  forsake 
thee ;  bind  them  about  thy  neck,  write  them  upon  the  tabic 


28  SISTERLY    SOLICITUDE.  1803. 

of  thine  heart.'    'So  shalt  thou  find  favour  and  good  under- 
standing, in  the  sight  of  God  and  man :'  "     Prov.  iii. 

To  this  striking  illustration  of  sisterly  love,  the 
following  extract  may  be  subjoined  as  an  additional 
proof  of  the  place  which  the  young  student  had  in 
the  hearts  of  his  sisters,  at  this  critical  period.  It 
is  from  the  journal  of  his  sister  Eachel : — 

"  Evening — walking  and  talking  -with  Kitty  of  dear  Joseph's 
going  to  Oxford.  It  is  a  trial  to  us  both.  I  \\ewt  to  bed  under 
the  sweet  influence  of  religious  hope,  and,  therefore,  with  more 
comfort  about  him.  I  humbly  endeavour  to  tranquillize  my 
mind  by  committing  him  to  the  merciful  care  of  the  Searcher 
of  all  hearts,  who  alone  knows  our  earnest  desire  for  this 
dear  boy."     . 

Was  this  solicitude — were  these  prayers  in  vain  ? 


iET.  16  ARRIVAL    AT    OXFORD.  29 


CHAPTER  II. 

1803—1808.     ^T.  16—20. 

JOHN  ROGERS  ;  EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS  j'LIFE  AT  OXFORD  J  STUDIES  J 
"  REST  WEEK  j"  RETURN  HOME  ;  SETTLEMENT  IN  THE  NORWICH 
BANK  ;"  "  QUARTERLY  REVIEW  ;"  DEATH  OF  HIS  BROTHER  JOHN's 
WIFE ;  EXTRACT  FROM  THE  JOURNAL;  EDWARD  EDWARDS;  FRIENDS' 
WEEK-DAY   MEETINGS. 

Joseph  John  Gurnet  continued  at  Oxford  two 
years,  with  the  exception  of  the  vacations,  which  he 
spent  mostly  at  home.  His  tutor,  though  resident 
at  Oxford,  was  not  in  that  character  connected  with 
the  university,  or  with  any  of  the  colleges.  "He 
was,"  in  the  words  of  the  autobiography,  "  a  very 
worthy  man,  but  in  no  small  degree  singular." 
His  eccentricity  had  manifested  itself  early.  "  Born 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  London,  he  had  been  accus- 
tomed, when  young,  to  ride  about  Epping  Forest, 
standing  on  his  horse,  and  spouting  Homer  as  he 
went."  Previously  to  the  present  period  he  had 
been  the  incumbent  of  a  considerable  living  in  Dor- 
setshire, which  he  had  resigned  from  conscientious 
motives,  but  had  again  joined  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, and  besides  his  labours  in  private  tuition,  he 
was  now  the  corrector  of  Greek  for  the  Clarendon 
press. 

"For  him,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "I  soon  felt  a 
warm    affection.      He   was    an    admirable    tutor,    taught    us 


30  ARRIVAL  AT  OXFORD.  1803. 

tliorouglily,  worked  us  liard,  and  gave  us  variety  of  study  by 
way  of  recreation.  We  often  read  fourteen  hours  in  the 
course  of  the  day.  The  habits  -which  he  enjoined  upon  us 
corresponded  with  my  taste.  *  *  [Under  him]  I  pursued  my 
classical  and  other  studies  with  a  delightful  relish,  and  was 
enabled  to  form  the  habit  of  persevering  literary  labour." 

"Whilst  at  Oxford  Joseph  John  Gurney  was  accus- 
tomed to  write  a  weekly  account  of  his  proceedings 
to  one  of  his  sisters.  Most  of  these  letters  have 
been  preserved.  They  are  full  of  liveliness  and 
good  feeling,  and  as  characteristic  of  the  youthful 
student,  a  few  extracts  may  be  not  unsuitably  given. 
He  highly  prized  the  opportunities  which  his  jour- 
neys to  and  from  Oxford  afforded  him  of  more 
frequent  intercourse  with  his  sister  Elizabeth,  who 
had  been  married,  three  years  before,  to  Joseph 
Fry,  and  was  now  settled  at  Mildred's  Court,  in 
London.*  The  decided  change  had  already  taken 
place  which  had  been  marked  by  her  adoption  of 
the  principles  and  practices  of  Friends,  but  her 
example  in  this  respect  had  not  as  jQt  been  followed 
by  any  of  her  family. 

Soon  after  his  arrival  he  writes 


TO    HIS   SISTER   CATHERINE. 

Oxford,  Friday  evening,  Sept.  10th,  1S03. 

My  examination  took  place  this  morning ;  I  can  hardly 
say  what  it  was  to  me.  Mr.  Rogers  put  into  my  hands 
Cicero's  Offices ;  I  read  and  construed  some  lines  to  him. 
He  then  made  me  construe  an  ode  of  Horace.  I  got 
through  with  the  Latin  better  than  I  expected ;    but  I  am 

*  See  Life  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  ch.  5. 


BT.    16.  LIFE   AT    OXFORD.  SI 

sure  I  should  have  been  much  better  off,  if  I  had  not  been  in 
such  a  trepidation.  Greek  came  next,  a  still  harder  trial. 
He  gave  me  Xenophon's  Mera^orabilia ;  I  luckily  construed 
three  or  four  sentences  without  much  hesitation,  and  with  no 
mistakes.  He  then  set  me  directly  into  a  difficult  part  of 
Euripides,  which  I  had  never  read ;  but  by  summoning  up 
my  fortitude,  I  got  through  as  well  with  that  as  with  -Xeno- 
phon :  afterwards  he  made  me  write  Greek  and  Latin,  in 
which  I  made  no  mistakes.  As  soon  as  this  long  and  terrible 
examination  was  over,  Mr.  Rogers  began  quite  a  discourse : 
he  said  that  he  had  never  had  a  boy  who  had  been  so  well 
taught,  and  thought  I  had  made  great  progress  under  ^Ir. 
Browne's  care,  which  he  heard  was  aided  by  my  own  industry, 
&c.  As  I  feel  disposed  to  tell  thee  the  real  state  of  every 
thing,  I  thought  I  ought  to  put  this  in  with  other  tbings,  and 
I  cannot  say  what  a  relief  it  was  to  me  when  his  judgment 
was  pronounced.  As  to  Gurney,  I  Begin  to  like  him  extremely ; 
he  is  really  clever,  very  agreeable,  and  is  quite  free  in  his 
conversation  from  too  much  joking.  *  *  I  -was  quite  dis- 
couraged when  I  heard  him  talking  of  reading  1000  lines  of  a 
Greek  Play  in  one  morning,  but  as  Mr.  Rogers  says  that  I 
am  very  nearly  equal  to  him,  I  hope,  by  application,  in  time 
to  be  entirely  so.  *  *  As  to  my  own  feelings,  I  see  no  reason 
for  being  uncomfortable :  but  still  the  parting  from  you  has 
had  a»  great  effect  upon  me.  •  I  am  sure  I  feel  all  that  you 
have  done  for  me,  though  I  was  not  able  to  express  it.  *  *  I 
value  thy  writing  more  than  any  thing  I  have,  and  shall  often 
road  it. 

TO   THE   SAME. 

Oxford,  Friday,  Sept.  17,  1803. 

"We  began  our  regular  studies  on  Monday.  *  *  *  Mr. 
Rockers  has  fixed  seven  o'clock  to  be  the  time  of  bcffinnincj 
before  breakfast,  but  Gurney  and  I  get  up  a  little  before  six, 
and  take  some  exercise  in  the  public  walks  to  fortify  us 
against  the  literary  fatigues  of  the  day.  We  stay  in  the 
ptudy  till  nine  o'clock,  which  is  our  breakfast  hour ;  the  time 
is  employed  in  algebra,  geometry,  writing,  and  ciphering  in 


32  LIFE   AT   OXFORD.  1804. 

their  turns ;  and  we  constantly  read  a  chapter  of  [the]  Greek 
Testament  before  we  go  up  to  breakfast.  We  are  allowed 
an  hour,  from  9  to  10,  for  breakfasting  and  taking  a  run. 
We  then  go  in  and  settle  to  Greek,  &c.,  till  one.  At  ofte 
we  either  take  a  walk,  or  go  to  bathe  till  two,  when  we  settle 
to  our  studies  till  three,  which  is  our  dining  time.  The 
remaining  two  hours  are  taken  from  the  afternoon,  and  much 
to  my  comfort,  the  evening  is  leisure.  Perhaps  eight  hours 
may  seem  too  little,  but  we  are  kept  so  close  to  study  during 
these  eight  hours,  that  I  seem  to  do  more  than  I  did  at  Mr. 
Browne's.  *  *  There  is  not  the  least  probability  of  my  get- 
ting acquainted  with  any  of  the  young  collegians,  so  thee 
need  have  no  anxiety  on  that  head.  *  *  I  read  thy  writing 
over  last  Sunday,  and  intend  to  do  it  every  week,  as  nothing 
does  me  so  much  good,  and  I  shall  endeavour  as  much  as  I 
can  to  keep  to  thy  injunctions.  , 

TO    HIS   FATHER. 

Oxford,  Sept.  25,  1S03, 

*  *  *  Mr.  Rogers  is  a  very  pleasant  and  learned  gentleman ; 
he  makes  us  fag,  but  treats  us  very  kindly  and  sociably. 
Altogether  I  like  him  extremely.  *  *  We  write  copies  every 
other  morning,  besides  exercises  and  themes,  which,  according 
to  thy  injunctions,  he  makes  me  write  neatly.-\  *  *  On 
Sunday  we  go  to  meeting  about  11  o'clock.  There  i^  only 
one  family  besides  Gurney  and  me,  and  we  sit  in  a  private 
room.  The  family  is  very  respectable,  and  I  see  no  reason 
for  not  having  as  good  meetings  there  as  any  where  else. 

TO   HIS  SISTER   CATHERINE. 

Oxford,  Sunday  Morning,  May  28th,  1804. 

I  often  think  that  I  never  lived  more  pleasantly  anywhere 
than  I  do  here,  for  in  such  continued  occupation,  I  have  really 
no  time  to  think  of  anything  uncomfortable.     We  are  going 

fSee  the  remarks  on  writing  well,  in  the  Thoughts  on  Habit, 
p.  123,  8vo.  edition. 


5:T.    16.  LIFE    AT  OXFORD.  33 

on  better  than  ever  in  our  different  pursuits.  In  Latin  we  are 
wading  through  Tacitus,  and  have  almost  got  to  the  end  of 
Lucretius.  *  *  What  time  I  have  to  spare,  which  has  been 
actually  none  for  the  last  week  or  two,  I  employ  in  writing 
Latin."}"  *  *  In  Greek  we  have  read,  this  half  year,  a  great 

f  He  thus  describes  his  daily  habits  in  a  Latin  epistle,  which  he 
wrote  about  this  time  to  his  sister  Louisa.^  As  the  production  of  a 
boy  not  yet  sixteen,  the  extract  may  not  be  without  its  interest  to 
Bcme  readers. 

*  *  *  *  procedo  semper  iisdem 
In  studiis  constans ;  tempusque  volubile  currit. 
Cum  primum  Phoebus  dispergit  lumina  grata, 
Assiduus  surgo ;   recipit  me  bibliotheca ; 
Lectito,  vel  scribo;  cerebrum  geometrica  vexant. 
Sobria  post  haec  solantur  jentacula  fessum; 
Butyrum  panisque  novus  cum  lacte  recenti. 

*  *         *         * 

Mox  iterum  petimus  ^lusis  sacrata  sacella, 

Ac  modo  Thucydides,  Sophocles  modo  conterit  boras. 

Cum  vero  Phoebus, — namque  is  mensura  diei, — 

Cceruleam  cocli  curru  jam  transiet  arcem, 

Et  declinat  equos,  libros  dimittimus;  atque 

Aut  animum  recreanb  corpusque,  virentia  rura, 

Aut  apud  Oxonii  collegia  sancta  vagamur. 

Ad  libros  tandem  rcdimus;  doctrinaque  rursum 
Gaudia,  sudorcs  prabet.     I\Iox  advenit  bora 
Laetarum  dapium,  mensaeque  struuntur  opimaj. 
Vescimur;  atque  focum  pransi  circumdamus  omnes, 
Dulci  colloquio  major  pars  tum  fugit  boras. 
Jam  Rogera  sales,  jam  nunc  Gumeius  edit 
Germanus  noster;  Rogerus  et  ipse  relaxat. 

Csetera  pars  studiis  solitis  devota  diei; 
Annales  Taciti  Icgimus,  Carumque  profundum, 
Aut  Popius  noster  delcctat  carmine  mentem. 
Adveniunt  tandem  tenebrosae  tempora  noctis, 
Tempera  dcfcssis,  credas,  gratissima  nobis  ! 

*  *         *         * 

Vol.  L  — 3 


34  "REST    WEEK."  1804. 

ileal  of  Thucydides  and  Sophocles.  What  we  do  least  of  is 
Mathematics.  *  *  We  attend  a  good  deal  more  to  the  different 
kinds  of  Philosophy,  Law,  and  History.  *  *  I  have  finished 
reading  Ecclesiasticus  on  Sundays ;  I  like  it  very  much,  but 
not  nearly  so  well  as  the  New  Testament. 

TO    THE    SAME. 

Oxford,  June  11th,  1804. 

I  have  not  spent  my  time  quite  so  pleasantly  since  I  last 
wrote;  for  our  tedious  "rest  week"  pursuits  have,  as  usual, 
thrown  a  gloom  over  our  party,  particularly  over  poor  Gurney, 
who  is  certainly  liable  entirely  to  lose  his  spirits,  by  being  too 
much  fagged.  To  explain  this  to  thee  in  the  most  concise 
manner  : — we  have  been  reading  aloud  constantly  every  day  to 
Mr.  Rogers,  and  writing  down  sheet  after  sheet  of  what  he  has 
dictated  to  us,  from  about  seven  before  breakfast  till  nine  or 
half-past  nine  at  night,  at  least  with  but  few  intermissions. 
Thee  may  imagine  how  tedious  this  must  be.  ■ 

The  following  extract  from  the  Autobiography  will 
throw  further  light  upon  this  singular  misnomer. 

Sometimes  the  eccentricities  of  my  preceptor  puzzled  me 
not  a  little.  I  well  remember  that  when  we  were  reading 
Livy  together,  he  insisted  on  our  writing  down  the  patinotic 
harangues  which  he  poured  forth  at  every  lesson,  in  defence 
of  the  People,  versus  the  Patricians.  It  was  an  unprofitable 
task,  until  I  bethought  myself  of  writing  down  in  Latin  the 
■effusions  which  my  teacher  spouted  in  English.  This  im- 
promptu translation  was  of  course  extremely  inaccurate, 
but  it  gave  me  a  facility  in  writing  Latin,  of  which  I  find 
myself  even  now  not  wholly  destitute.  I  observed  that 
Rogers  allured  us  into  industry,  by  frequently  va.rying  our 
lessons.  One  exception  to  this  rule,  however,  fell  to  our  lot 
during  the  closing  week  of  the  half  j'ear,  which  went  by  the 
name  of  "rest  week,"  when  he  insisted  on  our  re-construincj 
to  him  the  whole  of  the  Latin  or  Greek  which  we  had  been 


MT.   16.  HOLIDAY    PURSUITS.  35 

reading  for  months  previous!}'.  Never,  wliile  memory  iasts, 
shall  I  forget  our  thus  translating  to  him  the  whole  of  Lon- 
ginus  in  a  single  day.  I  knew  the  book  pretty  well,  and 
went  on  glibly  enough  with  the  work,  but  my  companion 
stumbled  sadly,  and  at  last  lost  his  temper  and  half  kicked 
down  the  table  at  which  we  were  sitting,  but  it  was  all  in 
vain ;  our  master  was  peremptory,  and  the  task  was  finished 
before  we  retired  to  bed. 

TO   HIS   SISTER   CATHERINE. 

Oxford,  8th  July,  1804. 

I  had  kept  my  learning  Italian  a  secret,  in  order  to  sui'prise 
Priscilla  with  a  letter  in  that  language.  I  like  it  extremely, 
and  am  reading  Davila  and  Tasso.  *  * 

He  thus  notices  his  holiday  pursuits  in  a  letter 
to  his  future  brother-in-law  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton, 
then  a  student  at  the  University  of  Dublin,*  who 
had  recently  returned  thither  after  spending  his 
vacation  at  Earlham. 

5th  September,  1^04. 

I  have  passed  another  very  pleasant  month  with  my  sistei*s, 
Dan  came  home  from  Cromer,  and  I  was  appointed  his  master 
in  classical  studies ;  but  this,  though  pleasant,  was  but  a  poor 
substitute  for  reading  Xenophon's  Memorabilia  with  you. 
With  Priscilla  I  continued  to  study  Italian  during  the  course 
of  the  morning,  and  in  the  afternoon  the  whole  party  used 
generally  to  assemble  in  the  dressing  room  and  listen  to 
some  interesting  work.  My  father  headed  these  parties  and 
seemed  highly  to  enjoy  them.  *  *  We  continued  our  nightly 
wanders  in  the  garden,  but  really  their  spirit  had  well  nigh 
fled  away  with  you  to  Ireland.  *  *  I  stayed  at  Earlham 
over  the  1st  of  September,  carried  my  gun,  and  shot — nothing. 
How  I  long  to  borrow  a  little  of  your  power  in  that  line  ! 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  chap.  2. 


36  LIFE   AT    OXrORD.  1805. 

TO   HIS    SISTER   CATHERINE. 

Oxford,  Sanday,  10th  February,  IS05. 

We  began  on  Tuesday  with  putting  all  our  things  in 
order,  after  which  I  once  more  commenced  fagging.  1 
walked  a  good  deal  about  the  town  in  order  to  find  one 
of  Dr.  Kidd's  advertisements,  but  as  I  saw  none,  in  any 
hole  or  corner,  all  good  judges  considered  it  as  a  proof 
that  he  had  not  begun  his  lectures,  and  therefore,  by  their 
advice,  I  staid  quietly  at  home,  employing  myself  chiefly 
with  Greek  and  Hebrew.  *  *  On  Thursday  evening, 
the  next  lecture  night,  I  sent  the  boy  to  the  Cellar,  as 
it  is  called,  in  order  to  make  myself  quite  certain  that  Dr. 
Kidd  had  not  yet  begun,  when,  to  my  surprise  and  mortifica- 
tion, he  brought  me  word  that  he  had  seen  a  light  and  heard 
a  voice.  I  flew  directly  to  the  place,  and,  sure  enough,  found 
the  Dr.  in  the  midst  of  his  harangue.  I  was  really  disap- 
pointed to  find  I  had  missed  three  lectures  upon  the  Nitric, 
Muriatic,  and  Carbonic  Acids  ;  but  have  partly  made  up  for 
my  loss,  by  studying  an  account  of  them  in  chemical  books. 

TO   HIS   SISTER   RACHEL. 

Oxford,  23rd  February,  1805. 

My  studies  go  on  in  rather  a  flourishing  way.  I  have  read 
this  week  almost  half  through  one  of  .^schylus'  plays,  a 
great  deal  of  Thucydides  and  Josephus,  two  or  three  acts  of 
Plautus,  a  great  part  of  Caligula's  reign  in  Suetonius,  four 
cantos  of  Dante,  and  a  proportionate  quantity  of  Davila ; 
a  tolerable  number  of  verses  in  the  Hebrew  Bible,  some  Eu- 
clid, and  a  great  deal  of  algebra ;  a  crowd  of  German  gram- 
marians, with  portions  of  Locke,  Gregory,  and  Ferguson. 
Besides  these  things,  I  have  been  employed  by  exercises  of 
all  kinds,  Latin  verses,  chemical  lectures,  and,  to  conclude 
the  whole,  the  composition  of  a  long  dissertation  in  Greek : — 
vather  a  good  week's  work. 


*T.    17 — 18.  RETURN    HOME.  37 

TO   HIS    BROTHER   DAXIEL. 

Oxford,  «&  July,  1805. 

I  am  trulj  glad  to  hear  of  the  very  satisfactory  manner 
in  -which  you  are  now  going  on  with  your  studies.  Never 
despair;  fag  on,  and  you  will  soon  have  your  reward.  I 
know  I  have  not  made  much  proficiency  myself  in  different 
languages;  yet  little  as  I  may  have  made,  there  is  not  one 
of  them  that  does  not  now  afford  me  real  pleasure.  Learning 
Greek  is  so  arduous  an  undertaking,  that  I  should  not  wonder 
if  you  now  and  then  felt  a  little  damped  about  it.  Never 
imagine  yourself  more  backward  than  you  really  are.  I  hope 
Mr. does  not  follow 's  method  of  not  laying  suffi- 
cient stress  upon  the  grammar.  Unless  you  know  that  per- 
fectly, you  will  always  find  Greek  difficult.  *  *  Kever  Jet  a 
word  pass  without  knowing  every  circumstance  belonging  to  it. 
You  will  find  this  method  tedious  at  first,  but  it  will,  I  assure 
you,  soon  smooth  down  your  difficulties. 

He  was  scarcely  seventeen  when  lie  was  removed 
from  the  care  of  John  Rogers,  in  the  8tli  month, 
1805.  He  had  become  attached  to  his  tutor  and 
to  his  studies,  and  quitted  tire  place  with  regret; 
but  there  w^as  brightness  in  the  thought  of  settling 
at  home. 

"In  three  months  I  shall  be  with  you,"  he  wrote  to  one  of 
his  sisters,  "  What  a  delightful  prospect !  I  have  set  my 
mind  upon  cutting  some  figure  in  business  !" 

The  bank,  in  which  his  father  was  a  partner,  had 
been  established  in  Norwich,  in  the  year  1770. 
Since  that  time  the  concern  hod  l^een  considerably 
extended,  and  several  branch  banks,  at  Lynn, 
Fakenham,  Yarmouth,  and    other   places,  were  now 


38  SKTTLEMEXT    IX    THE    NORWICH    BANK.       1805-1807. 

connected  with  it.  His  elder  brother  John  had 
been  phxced  in  the  establishment  at  Lynn.  His 
brother  Samuel  had  been  sent  up  to  London,  Avhere 
he  finally  became  the  head  of  a  distinct  concern;  so 
that  circumstances  had  prepared  the  way  for  that 
which  Joseph  John  Gurney  had  himself  all  along 
desired, — a  place  in  the  bank  at  Norwich.  Here,  in 
the  enjoyment  of  daily  communication  with  his 
father,  and  a  home  at  Earlham  with  his  sisters,  the 
ensuing  three  years  passed  in  what  then  appeared  to 
him  almost  uninterrupted  happiness.  The  famih- 
circle  was,  for  some  time,  but  little  broken  in  upon. 
Of  his  sisters,  Elizabeth  only  was  married.  The 
two  elder  ones  continued  to  w^atch  over  the  progress 
of  his  mind,  and  the  gradual  formation  of  his 
character,  Avith  an  almost  maternal  solicitude.  All 
were  ardent  in  their  thirst  for  knowledge,  and 
anxious  for  self-improvement,  and  their  society  was 
at  once  delightful  and  stimulating  to  their  younger 
brother. 

In  the  year  1806  he  accompanied  his  father,  and 
a  large  family  party,*  in  the  tour  through  Scotland, 
and  the  English  Lakes.  Several  important  changes 
in  the  family  circle  quickly  followed.  His  sister 
Louisa  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  Hoare,  of  Hamp- 
stead  and  his  sister  Hannah  was  soon  afterwards 
married  to  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton.  A  warm  friend- 
ship had  long  subsisted  between  himself  and  his 
new  brothers-in-law,  which  more  frequent  associa- 
tion and  closer  intimacy  served  only  continually  to 
strengthen  as  they  advanced  in  life.  Bright,  indeed, 
appeared  these  days  of  his  early  manhood.  Happj^ 
in  his  famil}^  circle,  the  world  around  seemed  to 
him  to  partake  of  its   loveliness.     His   fondness  for 


^T.  18 — 19.    •       "quarterly  review."  so 

music  and  dancing  gave  an  additional  fascination 
to  some  of  the  more  specious  allurements  of  pleasure, 
and  whilst  the  duties  of  business  were  not  neglected, 
and  his  studies  were  pursued  with  unremitting 
eagerness,  he  became  at  this  period  a  frequent 
visitor  at  balls  and  other  similar  entertainments, 
where  his  engaging  manners  and  person,  and  varied 
accomplishments  rendered  him  an  object  of  general 
attraction.  It  is  plain,  however,  from  his  private 
memoranda,  that  Divine  Grace  was  through  all 
secretly  working  in  his  heart.  He  had  early  accus- 
tpmed  himself  to  the  habit  of  self-examination, 
and  soon  after  his  return  from  Oxford  he  com- 
menced the  practice  of  periodically  reviewing  his 
conduct  upon  paper.  The  following  are  from  the 
earliest  that  have  been  preserved  of  these  "Quarterly 
Reviews,"  as  he  called  them : — 

22nd  February,  1807.  *  *  Alas !  I  am  still  a  prey  to  evil 
desires.  But  thanks  be  to  God,  his  grace  has  visited  me  at 
seasons.  I  do  feel  and  know  my  own  great  weakness,  and 
have  been  enabled  at  times  to  pray  fervently  to  the  Lord  of 
our  salvation  for  his  gracious  assistance.  *  *  *  He  knoweth 
the  frailty  of  our  natures,  and  I  am  humbly  led  to  hope  that 
the  spiritual  light  with  which  he  has  lately  favoured  his  sinful 
servant  may  be  the  beginning  of  his  work  on  my  heart, 
and  may  fortify  me  in  time  against  the  many  temptations 
that  surround  me.  0  may  a  continual  watchfulness  and  un- 
shaken perseverance  on  my  part  bi'ing  down  upon  me  the  in- 
crease of  his  grace  and  prepare  me  for  the  more  constant 
influence  of  his  Holy  Spirit.  *  *  *  *  My  studies  have  been 
subject  to  family  interruptions.  But  since  the  marriages 
have  been  completed,  and  a  few  of  us  have  been  left  at  home 
in  delightful  quiet,  I  have  accomplished, a  great  deal,  and  that 
with  much  satisfaction  to  myself.  I  have  not  yet  by  any 
means  perfected  mjself  in  the  habit  of  digesting,  and  reason- 


40  ■  "  QUARTERLY    REVIEW."  *  1807. 

ing  upon  what  I  read.  I  am,  however,  improved  in  this 
respect,  and  am  more  than  ever  sensible  of  its  importance. 
As  to  mj  manners ;  would  that  I  could  stamp  that  doctrine 
more  firmly  on  my  heart,  of  preferring  others  in  all  things 
little  and  great  to  ourselves.  This,  I  have  often  thought,  is 
the  true  spring  of  politeness.  Another  consideration  which 
has  lately  occupied  much  of  my  attention  is  this,  whether  or 
no  I  should  give  up  the  amusem.ent  of  field  sports.  I  have 
often  taken  great  delight  in  the  pursuit  of  them,  but  am  in 
my  heart  convinced  that  they  are  morally  vrrong.  I  have 
this  day  come  to  my  determination,  and  have  solemnly  re- 
nounced them  for  ever.  May  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  support 
me  in  this,  as  in  all  other  good  resolutions,  for  of  myself  I  am 
nothing. 

December  20th,  1807.  *  *  *  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  ex- 
press how  deeply  I  feel  that  the  grace  of  God  has  been  ex- 
ercised towards  me.  I  ascribe  to  myself  no  merit.  The 
Saviour  of  the  world,  and  the  Lord  of  Light  has  been  my 
comfort  and  my  cure.  0  that  my  gratitude  may  be  com- 
mensurate with  his  gift.  0  that  I  may  continue  to  be  con- 
scious in  deep  humility  of  my  own  entire  insufficiency,  and 
of  the  excellence  and  necessity  of  his  redeeming  grace.  *  * 
From  the  experience  which  I  have  now  had,  I  am  sure  that 
if  I  do  really  humble  myself  before  my  gracious  Creator  he 
will  continue  to  protect  me,  and  that  all  my  failings  will  be 
expelled,  at  last,  by  the  power  of  his  grace.  *  *  For  if  our 
nature  were  not  capable  of  perfection,  Jesus  would  never  have 
commanded  us  to  be  perfect,  even  as  our  Father  which  is  in 
heaven  is  perfect.  But  how  impossible  for  us  to  attain  to 
such  a  state  without  the  merits  of  our  Redeemer  and  the  grace 
of  our  God. 

iMarch  20th,  1808.  *  *  *  It  has  struck  me  most  forcibly 
this  day  how  constantly  the  thoughts  of  all  mankind  are 
occupied  about  their  worldly  business,  and  though  many  may 
believe  in  Christ,  yet  how  little  they  think  of  him.  0  that 
our  souls  could  be  enlightened,  so  that  we  might  not  only 
believe,  but  know,  not  only  know  but  feel  that  we  are  now 
existing  in  a  state  of  trial,  that  it  signifies  little  whether  we 


JET.  19-20.      DEATH  OF  HIS  BROTHER  JOHN's  WIFE.  41 

are  rich  or  poor,  fortunate  or  unfortunate,  that  the  peiiod  of 
this  life  is  but  as  a  speck  in  eternity,  and  that  if  we  continue 
to  he  thoughtless  through  that  Httle  life  we  lose  our  chance 
of  happiness  for  EVER.     0  think  what  these  words  imply. 

0  Father  all-merciful,  be  thou  pleased  to  lighten  our  dark- 
ness so  that  we  may  be  couAanced  that  the  things  of  this  world 
are  as  a  flower  that  withereth,  as  a  shadow  that  fleeth  away 
Be  pleased  to  make  us  careful  of  our  eternal  welfare,  and  so 
to  order  our  lives  that  we  may  walk  in  thy  way,  and  through 
Christ  obtain  thy  mercy.  Establish  us  upon  the  rock  of  thy 
faith,  that  when  the  floods  beat,  and  the  winds  blow,  we  may 
stand  fast,  and  be  thine  for  evermore  ! 

Tt  was  not  long  before  an  event  occurred  which 
was  made  the  means  of  effectually  confirming  these 
impressions.  His  sister-in-law  Elizabeth,  the  lovely 
and  accomplished  w^ife  of  his  eldest  brother  John,  the 
daughter  of  his  uncle  Richard  Gurney,  and  the 
favourite  of  the  whole  circle,  sank  into  a  rapid  de- 
cline, and  died  about  a  year  after  her  marriage,  on 
the  12th  of  the  5th  mo.  1808. 

"  This,"  he  writes  in  the  Autobiography,  "was  our  first 
grand  draught  of  family  afiliction,  since  my  mother's  death — 
a  draught,  which,  in  the  bitterness  and  dismay  of  our  spirits, 
we  all  drank  together  to  the  very  dregs.  Never,  I  believe, 
shall  I  forget  the  solemn  summer  evening,  when  our  sister's 
remains  arrived  at  Earlham,  the  hearse  slowly  advancing  to  the 
house  through  the  avenue  of  lime  trees.  Never  shall  I  forget 
the  overwhelming  woe  of  our  beloved  brother.  Ilis  bodily 
health  was  dangerously  afi'ected  by  his  long  watching  and 
nursing ;  but,  thanks  be  to  the  Author  of  all  good,  the  afflic- 
tion was  blessed  to  his  soul,  and  was  the  means  of  bringing 
him,  m  repentance  and  humiliation  of  spirit,  to  the  Saviour'a 
feet.  There  he  found  his  home,  for  this  world,  and  I  humbly 
trust  for  that  which  is  to  come." 


42  HIS   REFLECTIONS   ON  1808. 

Joseph  John  Gurney's  "  Quarterly  Eeview," 
written  soon  after  this  event,  records  in  a  striking 
manner  the  state  of  his  mind  at  this^  period. 

June  l^th,  1808.  Many  tilings  have  conduced  to  render 
tliis  last  quarter  deeply  interesting.  In  March,  I  was  in 
London,  attending  a  brother's  wedding  ;*.  in  May,  how  dif- 
ferent was  the  scene  produced  by  a  sister's  death !  I  pray  God 
that  the  impression  of  this  last  sad  event  may  never  be  lost 
on  the  minds  of  any  of  us  ;  at 'least  that  the  effects  of  it  may 
last  for  ever.  I  may  truly  say,  it  has  left  upon  me  a  comfort- 
able impression.  While  it  has  convinced  me  by  bitter 
experience  of  the  instability  of  every  human  thing,  it  has  led 
me  to  look  forward,  at  times,  in  deep  humility,  to  that  eternal 
rest,  which  is  aAvardcd  to  the  righteous  by  "  the  Father  of 
lights,"  and  which  ought  to  be  the  constant  object  of  oui* 
desires  and  our  energies. 

0  may  this  blessed  prospect  incite  me  and  all  of  us,  not 
only  to  call  Lord,  Lord  !  but  to  do  the  will  of  our  Father 
which  is  in  heaven.  Indeed  I  have  strongly  felt  lately  that 
it  is  not  by  word  alone,  not  by  making  profession,  but  in 
acting  up  to  the  precepts  of  a  Sa\'iour  in  all  humility,  that  we 
must  expect  salvation.  We  have  the  comfort  to  think  that 
the  mind  of  our  dear  departed  Elizabeth  had  long  been 
influenced  by  the  religion  of  life :  we  may  reasonably  hope, 
therefore,  that  she  is  blessed  in  the  sight  of  God  ;  and  if  we 
also  strive  in  the  same  good  cause,  we  may  trust  through  the 
grace  of  God  that  we  shall  be  reunited  to  her,  and  that  in 
bliss  ;  not  in  this  motley,  passing,  and  unsatisfying  scene,  but 
in  the  pui'ity  of  heaven,  and  the  everlasting  presence  of  our 
Lord. 

How  light  is  affliction,  if  Christ  be  our  refuge — "  Come 
unto  me,  all  ye  that  laboui'  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will 
give  you  rest;  for  my  yoke  is  easy,  and  my  bui'den  is  light." 

But  I  must  turn  to  the  review  of  myself.  It  is  discourag- 
-  ing,  amidst  such  lessons,  to  find  myself  still  a  prey  to  many 

*  The  marriage  of  his  brother  Samuel  Gurney. 


.  • 


^T.    20.  HER   DEATH.  43 

imperfections:  —  but  I  am  imjDroved.  I  have  been  less 
addicted  to  my  various  faults  this  quarter  than  I  was  before : 
may  I  not  say  that  I  have  been  more  devoted  to  Jesus  my 
Saviour  ?  May  I  be  patient,  therefore,  under  all  my  dis- 
couragements till  the  Lord  shall  have  perfected  his  work. 
My  principal  faults  I  have  enumerated  in  my  nightly 
questions  ;*  they  are  still  with  me,  but  I  trust  they  are 
diminished  in  substance,  though  not  in  number.  They  arise 
from  my  nature,  which  is  very  weak,  far  weaker,  I  beUeve, 
than  that  of  my  neighbours.*  Thence  it  is  that  I  do  not 
always  boldly,  adhere  to  the  plain  unaltered  truth  —  thence 
that  I  am  immoderate  in  my  diet  or  unseemly  in  my 
thoughts — thence  that  I  am  personally  vain — thence  that  I 
am  ever  afraid  of  the  rebukes  and  accidents  of  life.  In  pro- 
portion as  I  become  in  any  degree  more  devoted  to  religion,  I 
find  these  defects  decrease ;  which  convinces  me  that  religion 
and  only  that,  affords  a  remedy ;  and  that  in  religion  I  may 
finally  experience  a  complete  remedy.  It  remaineth,  then, 
that  I  should  more  and  more  fervently  pray  for  the  assistance 
of  my  Saviour — more  and  more  earnestly  endeavour  to  do  his 
will. 

Almighty  and  everlasting  Father !  I  thank  thee  that  thou 
hast  been  pleased  to  chastise  me,  because  I  know  that  thou 
chastisest  him  whom  thou  lovest.  I  thank  thee  that  thou 
hast  vouchsafed  to  draw  me  one  step  nearer  to  thee ;  to  wean 
me  in  some  measure  from  the  transitory  scenes  of  this  life ; 
and,  0  Lord,  I  entreat  thee  to  perfect  the  work  which  thou 
hast  begun,  to  make  me  daily  more  humble,  more  pure,  more 
godly ;  and  not  me  only,  but  all  those  whom  I  tenderly 
love;  that  in  union  of  spirit  we  may  serve  thee  here,  and 
together  partake  hereafter  of  thy  rest  eternal  in  the  heavens  ! 

Business. — I  have  but  little  to  say  on  business.  It?  has 
gone  on  much  as  usual.  I  am  not  sufficiently  diligent.  In  a 
late  instance  I  fear  I  have  exulted  in  the  misfortunes  of 
others.     This  must  not  be. 

Studies. — On  a  roview  of  my  studies,  I  find  that  they  havo* 

*  See  ivfra,  p.   51. 


44  EDWARD  EDWARDS.  1808. 

been  much  interrupted  bj  my  journey  to  London,  my  sad 
sojourn  at  Lynn,  and  other  succeeding  circumstances ;  but 
they  have,  at  times,  unusually  prospered,  and  on  the  average, 
have  been  very  fairly  getting  on.  I  hope  I  begin  to  learn 
not  to  consider  study,  that  is  to  say,  literature,  my  first 
object.  May  I  more  and  more  keep  the  first  of  all  objects  in 
view,  through  this  and  all  other  of  my  pursuits.  I  have  felt 
great  satisfaction  lately  in  many  of  my  studies,  themselves 
conducing  to  the  furtherance  of  the  great  cause  in  my  own 
heart. 

As  a  consequence  of  the  above  event,  liis  brother 
John  was  brought  into  an  intimate  acquaintance 
with  Edward  Edwards,  of  Lynn,  a  pious  minister  of 
the  Church  of  England,  the  friend  of  Charles 
Simeon  and  of  Henry  Venn,  who  became  a  prin- 
cipal means  of  drawing  him,  together  with  his 
sister  Catherine,  and  several  other  members  of  the 
family,  into  a  more  decided  religious  course  in  con- 
nexion with  the  Church  of  England.  Joseph 
John  Gurney's  own  course,  however,  continued 
for  some  time  undecided,  though  every  year 
strengthened  the  hold  of.  religion  upon  his 
mind. 

"  Daily  prayer,"  says  he  in  his  Autobiography,  "  was,  I 
believe,  my  unfailing  practice  at  this  time.  Possibly,"  he 
adds,  "  it  might  sometimes  be  too  much  in  my  own  strength ; 
but  I  am  thoroughly  convinced  that  the  duty  of  private 
devotion  demands,  on  our  part,  a  real  diligence ;  and  that 
very  great  care  is  requisite,  that,  under  the  plea  of  our 
natural  inability  to  seek  the  Lord,  we  do  not,  in  this  primary 
concern,  fall  into  neglect  and  indolence.  The  promise  re- 
mains to  be  sure,  "  Ask  and  ye  shall  receive,  seek  and  ye 
shall  find,  knock  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you." 


iET.  20.  WEEK   DAY   MEETINGS.  45 

Further  on  he  remarks,  in  allusion  to  his  attend- 
ance of  the  Meetings  of  Friends,— 

In  the  retrospect  of  the  period  now  alluded  to,  and,  indeed 
of  my  whole  life  since  my  return  home  from  Oxford,  I  can 
with  truth  acknowledge  that  no  greater  means  of  usefulness 
and  happiness  have  fallen  in  my  way,  than  our  week-day 
meetings.  These  I  have  regularly  attended  from  my  seven- 
teenth year  to  the  present  time.  Deeply  am  I  responsible 
for  the  refreshment  and  edification  which  I  have  often 
derived  from  them.  Their  quietness,  the  seriousness  of  those 
Friends  who  were  in  the  regular  habit  of  attending  them,  the 
sweet  feeling  of  unity  in  our  worship,  and  the  liveHness  of  the 
ministry  sometimes  uttered  on  these  occasions,  are  all  hal- 
lowed in  my  mind  and  feelings ;  and  were  I  asked,  what  has 
been  the  happiest  portion  of  my  life,  I  believe  I  should  not 
be  far  wrong  in  replying,  the  hours  abstracted  from  the 
common  business  of  the  world  for  the  purpose  of  public 
worship.  The  sacrifice  is  greater  than  that  which  Me  have 
to  make  on  the  First  Day  of  the  week,  when  all  business 
ceases ;  and  the  reward  graciously  bestowed  has  been  to  me, 
and  I  believe  to  many  others,  great  in  proportion.  May  none 
of  my  young  friends  and  relations,  who  belong  to  the  Society, 
ever  throw  themselves  out  of  the  way  of  so  precious  a 
privilege.* 

*  On  this  subject,  see  also  his  remarks  in  the  Thoughts  on 
Habit  and  .Discipline,  p.  210,  8vo.  edition,  a  work  which  can  hardly 
be  too  strongly  recommended  to  the  youthful  reader. 


46  STUDIES.  1808 


CHAPTER  III. 

1808—1809.     ^T.  20—21. 
studies;  butler's  analogy;  his  literary  associations ;  habit 

OP     self-examination  ;     QUiESTIONES       NOCTURNE  ;      EXTRACTS 
FROM    HIS   JOURNAL   AND   LETTERS;    DEATH   OF    HIS    FATHER. 

Notwithstanding  his  regular  attendance  at  the 
Bank,  and  his  other  frequent  interruptions,  the  first 
few  years  after  Joseph  John  Gurney's  return  from 
Oxford  had  been  characterised  by  considerable 
literary  effort.  "  I  do  not  know,"  he  writes  in  his 
Autobiograph}^,  "that  I  ever  exerted  myself  in  this 
way  more  than  during  the  first  two  years  of  my 
residence  at  home."  Whilst  maintaining  his 
acquaintance  with  the  Greek  and  Latin  poets,  his 
attention  appears  to  have  been  at  the  same  time 
steadily  directed  to  the  ancient  historians,  most  of 
whose  works  he  carefully  perused  in  the  original. 

"The  course  of  Greek  History,"  he  remarks,  ■R-riting  l^o  a 
young  friend  many  years  later,*  "  which  I  adopted  for  myself, 
and  which  I  went  through  with  great  pleasure,  was  nearly,  if 
not  exactly,  as  follows : — Diodorus  Siculus,  up  to  the  time  at 
which  Herodotus  commences ;  Herodotus,  Thucydides,  Xeno- 
phon's  Hellenics,  Xenophon's  Anabasis,  Polybius,  Diodorus 
Siculus  again,  filling  up  all  the  gaps  with  him.  He  is  a  de- 
lightful historian.  *  *  I  forgot  to  mention  Josephus,  the 
latter  part  of  whose  work  ought  to  be  read." 

*  Under  date  ord  mo.  17th,  1820. 


^T.    20.  STUDIES.  47 

Graduallj^,  however,  his  attention  became  in- 
creasingly devoted  to  Biblical  literature,  Avhich 
continued  for  many  years  to  absorb  much  of  his 
leisure.  To  an  enlarged  knowledge  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments  in  the  original  languages,  he  added 
a  diligent  study  of  Jewish  history  and  antiquities, 
and  a  critical  acquaintance  with  the  ancient  trans- 
lations of  the  Scriptures,  more  particularly  with  the 
Septuagint  and  the  Syriac  version  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament. His  ardour  in  these  pursuits  led  him  to 
the  study  of  the  Chaldee  Targuras,  and  of  the 
works  of  Philo  and  Mnimonides  and  parts  of  the 
Talmud;  and  to  the  careful  perusal  of  most  of  the 
extant  monuments  of  the  early  Christian  Church. 
The  writings  of  Justin  Martyr,  Clement  of  Alexan- 
dria, Irena3us,  Tertullian,  Origen,  Eusebius,  and 
Athanasius,  with  the  Commentaries  of  Cluysostom 
and  Theo[)hylact,  may  be  named  among  those  with 
which  he  became  more  or  less  familiar.  These, 
however,  were  the  labours  of  maturer  years.  The 
picture  of  him  at  the  present  time,  given  by  Edward 
Edwards,  wdio  was  introduced  to  him  soon  after  the 
decease  of  his  sister-in-law,  is  that  of  ''an  extra- 
ordinary young  man,  about  twenty,  actively  em- 
ployed in  the  bank  at  Norwich,  yet  in  the  habit  of 
devoting  so  much  time  to  study  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, as  to  have  read  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Old 
Testament  in  the  original  Hebrew\" 

His  habits  of  study  were  eminently  methodical, 
exemplifying  his  favourite  maxim,  which  he  was 
afterwards  accustomed  strongly  to  inculcate  upon 
his  3oung  friends,  " Be  a  whole  man  to  one  thing  at 
a  time."     The  facility  at  composition  which  charac- 


48  bl-tler's  analogy.  1S08. 

terised  him  in  later  years,  was  doubtless,  mainly  the 
result  of  the  severe  training  to  which  he  thus  early 
disciplined  his  mind.  Among  the  works  of  English 
authors,  few,  perhaps,  impressed  him  more  deeply 
at  this  period  than  those  of  Bishop  Butler.  He 
was  introduced  to  them  by  his  sister  Catherine,  who 
had  long  known  their  worth. 

"My  first  recollection  of  this  valuable  old  bookj"  (to  use 
the  words  of  a  memorandum  written  by  her  in  the  fly-leaf  of 
her  copy  of  the  '  Analogy,')  "  is  seeing  my  mother  reading  it 
in  her  early  morning  walks  on  the  Earlham  lawn.  I  do  not 
remember  that  she  ever  mentioned  or  recommended  it  to  mo. 
but  several  years  afterwards,  when  she  was  no  more,  and  I 
was  groping  my  way  to  find  the  truth,  I  read  many  books  in 
search  of  it,  and  being  greatly  perplexed  by  '  philosophy  and 
vain  deceit,'  I  was  led  to  take  up  Butler,  which  immediately 
fastened  me.  My  inquiring  mind  was  met  by  his  just  and 
comprehensive  view  of  the  truth  of  religion.  I  was  fully 
convinced,  and  my  future  course  became  decided.  *  *  I  read 
Butler  over  and  over  again,  and  always  with  profit,  so  that  I 
have  ever  considered  it  as  one  of  the  marked  providences  of 
my  life  that  I  was  first  instructed  by  so  sound  and  compre- 
hensive a  writer.  From  my  recommendation,  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  family  took  to  it,  especially  Louisa  and  Joseph. 
The  latter  profited  greatly  by  it,  and  infused  much  of  its 
spirit  into  some  of  his  own  writings,  the  Portable  Evidences 
in  particular." 

His  position  and  tastes  introduced  him  to  the 
highly  cultivated  society  for  which  Norwich  was  at 
that  time  remarkable.  At  the  house  of  his  cousin 
Hudson  Gnrney,  in  particular,  he  was  accustomed 
to  meet  many  persons  eminent  for  their  parts  and 
learning. 


mi.    20.  LITERARY   ASSOCIATIONS.  49 

Among  these,  he  wiites  in  the  Autobiography,  were  "the 
late  Dr.  Say.er,  the  poet ;  Dr.  Middleton,  afterwards  the 
first  Bishop  of  Calcutta ;  Walpole,  the  author  of  '  a  Tour 
in  Greece' ;  "VVm.  Taylor,  abounding  in  learning,  but  very 
unsound  in  sentiment;  Pitchford,  a  pious  and  -well-informed 
Roman  Catholic,  and  several  others.  After  I  became  a  de- 
cided Friend  I  lost  my  interest  in  this  kind  of  society,  and 
it  soon  ceased  of  itself.  Dr.  Sayer,  the  brightest  and  the 
•wittiest  of  the  cu'cle,  died.  Middleton  and  Walpole  left 
Norwich ;  Taylor's  infidelity  became  intolerable  to  me ;  and 
Pitchford  settled  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London.  Thus 
the  whole  afiiiir  passed  away  just  after  my  own  change  had 
given  a  new  turn  to  my  thoughts  and  feelings." 

He  had  early  become  a  favourite  with  Dr.  Batli- 
urst,  then  Bishop  of  Norwich ;  and  their  intercourse 
gradually  rii3ened  into  a  warm  friendship,  which  was* 
maintained  unbroken  until  the  Bishop's  decease  in 
1837,  at  the  advanced  age.  of  93. 

"lie  was  a  man,"  remarks  Joseph  John  Gurney,  writing 
soon  after  his  decease,  "  of  singular  liberality  of  mind,  an 
orthodox  Christian,  and  friendly  to  the  cause  of  religion ; 
a  staunch  advocate  of  the  Bible  Society,  over  which,  in  Nor- 
folk, he  presided;  remarkable  for  a  tenacious  memory,  a 
great  quoter,  much  read  in  the  ancient  ■classics,  and  general 
'  belles  lettres,'  full  of  anecdote  respecting  olden  times, 
and  one  of  the  most  amiable  and  gentlemanlike  persons, 
with  whom  I  have  ever  communicated.  Ilis  memory  will 
always  be  dear  to  me." 

AVhilst   at   Oxford,  and    ibr   some    time    after   his 

return,    Joseph    John    Gurney's    motives   for    study 

were    not    unconnected  with  literary  ambition.     But 

religion   failed  not   to  bring  with  it  humbler  views. 

Vol.  L  — 4 


50  PRACTICE   OF  SELF-EXAMIXATIOX.  1808. 

Writing  to  one  of  bis  sisters,  under  date  "December 
1st,  1809,"  be  says:— 

"I  once  thought  of  establishing  a  learned  name.  I  now 
see  I  have  no  chance  of  doing  any  thing  more  than  very  par- 
tially to  instruct  myself.  But  I  often  think  that  fifty  years 
hence,  and  perhaps  far  less,  it  will  signify  nothing." 

From  tbe  time  of  bis  sister-in-law's  decease  bis 
periodical  reviews  of  bis  religious  and  literary  pro- 
gress T3ecome  more  instructive. 

"  This  practice  of  self  examination,"  he  writes  in  his  Auto- 
biography, "was,  I  think,  useful  to  me,  and  afterwards  re- 
sulted in  my  keeping  a  regular  journal,  the  writing  of  a  per- 
petual letter  to  myself  for  my  own  private  use.  Thoroughly 
as  I  am  aware  of  my  own  deficiencies,  I  may  venture  warmly 
to  recommend  to  all  my  young  friends,  the  two  practices  to 
which  I  thus  early  habituated  myself; — the  reading  of  the 
Scriptures  in  the  original  languages,  especially  the  New 
Testament,  and  the  keeping  of  a  private  journal  chiefly  with  a 
view  of  close  self-examination  before  Him  who  'searcheth  the 
reins  and  the  heart ;'  and  who  will  render  to  every  one  of  us 
according  to  our  works." 

Tbe  most  remarkable  feature  of  bis  private  memo- 
randa at  tbis  period  consists  in  tbe  anxiety  wbich 
they  manifest,  tbat  wbilst  study  is  pursued  with 
regularity  and  diligence,  tbe  culture  of  tbe  heart 
and  tbe  formation  of  moral  and  religious  habits  may 
ever  be  the  first  object  of  desire.  With  this  view 
we  find  him  accustomed  to  test  himself  by  a  series 
of  heart-searching  questions,  often  recording  with 
humiliation    a  variety  of  faults,  and  at  other  times 


2ET.    20.  QU^STIONES   NOCTURNiE.  51 

thankfully  noting  apparent  improvement.  The 
following  will  illustrate  the  general  character  of  the 
questions.  They  are  from  an  isolated  page  of  the 
Journal,  headed 

QU^STIONES   NOCTURN.^ 

Have  I  tliis  day  been  guarded  in  all  my  conversation, 
saying  not  one  thing  inconsistent  with  truth,  purity,  or 
charity  ? 

Have  I  felt  the  love  towards  my  neighbour  ? 

Have  I  done  my  part  towards  my  own  family  ? 

Have  I  been  temperate  in  all  respects,  free  from  unlawful 
desires,  habits,  and  anxieties  ? 

Have  I  been  diligent  in  business  ?  Have  I  given  full  time 
to  eflfectual  study  ? 

Have  I  admitted  any  other  fear  than  that  of  God  ? 

Have  I  passed  through  the  day  in  deep  humility,  depending 
constantly  upon,  and  earnestly  aspiring  after  divine  assist- 
ance ? 

And  have  I  in  every  thing  acted  to  the  best  of  my  know*- 
ledge  according  to  the  will  of  God  ? 

Have  I  worshipped  him  morning  and  evening  ? 

It  is  possible  that  in  the  early  stages  of  his  experi- 
ence, there  may  have  been,  in  the  habitual  use  of 
these  questions,  somewhat  of  a  bondage  to  form ; 
but  the  honest  diligence  and  earnestness  which  they 
manifest  are  highly  instructive.  Gradual  as,  from 
his  own  description,'''  the  work  of  conversion  in  his 
case  appears  to  have  been,  his  Journal  affords  con- 
vincing evidence  of  its  reality  and  depth.  Faith 
and  holiness  are  here  every  where  spoken  of  in 
their    mutual    and    essential    connexion.      No    less 

*  See  supra,  p.  22. 


52  ^  EXTRACTS  FROM  HIS  JOURNAL.  1808. 

emphatic  is  the  testimony  borne  to  the  absolute 
necessity  of  the  inward  and  immediate  operations 
"of  the  Spirit  of  God,  With  no  object  in  view  but 
his  own  improvement,  and  not  knowing  the  things 
which  should  befall. him  in  later  years,  he  here  speaks 
with  plainness  and  simplicity  of  what  he  himself  had 
heard  and  seen  and  handled  of  the  Word  of  Life. 
High  indeed  is  the  standard  of  moral  excellence 
which  is  set  before  us  in  the  Gospel.  And  in  pro- 
portion as  the  mind  is  raised  to  it,  so  does  the 
judgment  upon  the  thoughts,  words,  and  actions, 
become  more  and  more  severe.  This  may  in  part 
account  for  the  depression  that  appears  predominant 
in  some  of  the  following  extracts;  yet  it  is  instruc- 
tive to  observe  how  hope  breathes  through  all,  still 
cheering  onwards  in  the  path  of  faith  and  holiness. 
Doubtless  there  is  something,  may  it  not  be  said,  of 
sacredness,  belonging  to  such  communings  of  the 
soul  with  itself,  and  with  its  Maker,  and  It  is  right 
that  this  should  be  felt.  The  sense  of  it  is  calcu- 
lated to  awaken  that  seriousness  in  which  alone  we 
can  profit  by  their  jDcrusal.  And  happy  will  it  be 
for  the  reader  if  he  be  thereby  stimulated  to  seek 
with  ec|ual  diligence,  that  through  the  power  of  the 
same  Spirit  his  mind  and  heart  may  become  as 
effectually  disciplined  to  "  the  habitual  exercise  of 
love  to  God.'* 


July  Sth,  1808.  It  is  really  wonderful,  after  even  the 
little  experience  I  have  had  in  a  Christian  course,  that  I 
should  be  in  the  state  I  now  am.  *  *  I  feel  no  longer ;  be- 
lieve no  longer ;  remember  no  longer ;  I  seem  entirely  a 
prey  to  the  weak  and  wicked  inclinations  of  mV  own  self; 


mi.  21.  JOURNAL.  4S 

and  as  mj  spiritual,  so  my  temporal  concerns  —  all  go  on 
badly ;  late  in  the  morning ;  lazy  in  the  afternoon ;  little 
study,  and  no  relish  for  that  little ;  and  an  inattention  to  all . 
that  is  good.  I  put  myself  down  upon  paper  that  I  may  see 
my  deformity  more  clearly.  I  feel  as  if  I  could  not  look  for 
the  divine  help,  because  I  do  not  deserve  it.  Indeed  I  do 
not  deserve  it ;  yet  whither  else  can  I  fly  ?  0  cleanse  my 
foul  heart,  Lord !  that  it  may  [be]  rendered  a  fit  vessel  to  « 
receive  thy  mercy.  I  can  indeed  say  with  the  publican, 
"have  mercy  upon  me,  a  miserable  sinner." 

I  feel  a  spring  within  rae  at  this  moment,  as  if  I  could 
return  to  the  right  path ;  may  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  attend 
it,  and  I  shall  prosper  once  more. 

August  8th.  I  often  think  of  that  passage  in  the  [New] 
Testament,  "  not  those  who  say  unto  me  Lord !  Lord !  but 
those  who  do  the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven,  shall 
enter  the  kingdom."  To  do  my  duty  surely  is  to  do  his  will ; 
and  what  is  my  duty  ?  My  duty  appears  to  be  threefold 
—  to  myself,  to  my  neighbour,  and  to  my  God. 

My  duty  to  myself  is  to  keep  myself  pure,  avoiding 
every  thought  that  comcth  of  evil,  and  keeping  my  spirit 
fixed  upon  the  one  simple  and  principal  thing.  It  is  also  a 
part  of  my  duty  to  myself  to  attend  diligently  to  my  studies 
and  private  pursuits,  inasmuch  as  they  clearly  tend  to  en- 
lighten and  improve  me. 

Secondly.  My  duty  to  my  neighbour.  To.  fulfil  this,  let 
me  be  diligent  in  business,  and  careful  of  the  interests  of  those 
under  whom  I  act ;  let  me  attend  to  social  claims,  by  cheering 
my  father,  and  being  constantly  yielding,  obliging,  and  polite, 
in  my  family  circle :  let  this  extend  in  the  proper  proportion 
to  other  relations  and  friends.  Above  all  let  me  become 
more  and  more  active  in  serving  the  distressed  and  poor ;  and 
let  me,  on  all  occasions,  prefer  others  to  myself;  walking 
with  all  humility  in  the  sight  of  my  fellow  creatures. 

In  my  duties  to  God,  are  included  all  that  I  have  classed 
under  the  [other]  two  heads ;  but  my  devotional  duties  are 
those  peculiarly  due  to  Him.      To  fulfil  these  I  must  study 


64  HYMN.         *  1808. 

the  Scriptui'es    diligently ;   pvay  every  morning  and  evening 

with  a  fervent  and  honest  spirit,  adding  the  tribute  of  thanks- 

_  giving    and    praise    to    the    Almighty.     Moreover,    I    must 

"Constantly   humble    myself    before    him,    acknowledging   my 

weakness  and  sinfulness,  and  giving  glory  to  my  Redeemer, 

through  whom    I   hope  for  pardon.      I   must   bear  a  steady 

testimony   to    the    truth    in    this    world,    I   must   bow   with 

•  perfect  resignation  to  the  will  of  my  God  in  all  temporal  and 

spiritual  trials.     In  short  I  must  draw  near  unto  Christ,  and 

if  need  be,  take  up  my  cro&s  to  follow  him. 

The  hymn  which  immedriately  follows  the  above 
extract,  although  subsequently  published,  is  too 
characteristic  of  his  present  feelings  to  be  here 
omitted. 

HYMN. 

Whilst,  lost  in  universal  dream, 

The  giddy  crowd  is  hurl'd 
Along  the  gaily  eddying  stream 

Of  this  deceitful  world; 

Jesus,  in  secret  still  to  thee 

0 !  point  my  holier  way ; 
Bid  me  from  each  gay  chain  be  free 

To  own  a  Saviour's  sway : 

Bid  me,  beneath  thy  parent  wing, 

Still,  Loi-d,  in  peace  remain ; 
That  every  charm  the  world  can  bring 

May  tempt  my  soul  in  vain. 

So  shall  that  soul  to  heaven  above, 

To  thee  in  heaven  aspire ; 
And  thy  celestial  light  and  love 

Be  all  that  soul's  desire. 

August  19th,     1808. 

He  thus  alludes  to  the  progress  of  his  studies  in  a 


mT.  21.  JOURNAL.  55 

letter  to  his  brother-in-law,  Tliomas  Fowell  Buxton, 
under  date 

September  4th,  1808. 

*  *  *  My  time  is  occupied  by  the  minor  prophets,  Greek 
poetry  in  Sophocles  and  Brunck's  Analecta,  some  Italian 
reading,  Josephus,  Livy,  and  the  Eastern  Travellers.  Besides 
these,  I  am  endeavouring  thoroughly  to  study  the  Greek  Tes- 
tament, writing  notes  and  making  extracts  as  I  go  along.  I 
sincerely  hope  you  will  not  absolutely  give  up  Greek,  if  it  be 
only  that  you  may  read  the  New  Testament  in  the  original. 
Schleusner's  Lexicon  of  the  Greek  Testament  is  a  book  I  have 
just  bought,  and  find  of  the  greatest  use.  *  *  I  do  not  go  on 
with  Arabic,  which  is  a  work  of  fifteen  years ;  but  have  enough 
of  it  to  be  of  considerable  use  to  me.  *  * 

Notwithstanding  this  apparent  diligence,  he  writes 
in  his  Journal : — 

September  22nd.  I  was  to  have  passed  September  in  tlie 
most  industrious,  steady  manner ;  alas  !  how  frail  are  all  our 
resolutions.  I  have  done  scarcely  anything  for  the  last  three 
weeks.  *  *  I  will  endeavour,  if  possible,  for  the  remaining 
week,  to  make  a  great  exertion,  be  up  at  four  every  morning, 
doing  at  least  a  chapter  of  Hebrew,  one  of  Luke,  and  then 
Josephus  till  breakfast ;  beginning  in  the  afternoon  at  five, 
Livy  till  half-past  six,  Josephus  till  half-past  eight,  and  Sandys 
till  bed  time ;  endeavour  not  to  go  out  once,  and  to  be 
extremely  temperate  all  the  Avhile,  which  will  render  the 
effort  easier. 

The  memorandum  appended  is  instructive. 

Not  done,  nor  anything  like  it.  0,  the  folly  of  an  extra- 
vagant resolution ! 

September  25th.  *  *  I  have  felt  not  only  an  indifference, 
but  an  antipathy  to  religion.  I  have  been  disposed  to  look  in 
a  gloomy  point  of  view  upon  that  which  at  this  moment  I  feel 
to  be  the  source  of  all  light  and  comfort,  and  joy  and  peace. 


56  LETTER   TO   TIIOS.    FOWELL   BUXTON.  1808. 

Now  that  my  eyes  are  more  open  to  the  truth,  I 'see  that 
there  is  nothing  in  the  Christian  religion  which  warrants 
either  gloom  or  discontent.  *  *  If  therefore  I  have  looked 
tipon  revelation  with  a  gloomy  mind,  it  must  be,  because  that 
mind  has  been  misled  by  the  temptation  of  worldly  and  sinful 
pleasures.  This  is  the  explanation  and  the  fact.  I  have  [been] 
in  a  worldly  state,  and  when  in  such  a  state,  it  is  impossible 
to  look  upon  religion,  which  condemns  it,  but  in  a  gloomy 
point  of  view.  Religion  has  no  comforts  for  the  unrepenting 
sinner.  It  is  to  this  worldly  spirit,  which  has  been  unusually 
predominant  in  my  mind,  that  I  trace  all  the  evils  of  the  past 
quarter.  I  speak  it  with  sorrow  —  I  am  not  improved ;  I  am 
gone  backward.  I  mean  more  particularly  in  those  duties 
vrhich  respect  myself;  in  that  duty,  I  should  say,  for  the 
whole  may  be  comprised  in  one  word,  "  Temperance."'^  0 
the  blessing,  the  beauty  of  temperance  !  how  ardently  do  I 
desire  it,  and  how  constantly,  through  the  weakness  of  my 
soul,  do  I  fail  from  the  attainment  of  my  object.  I  have  been 
intemperate  in  my  love  of  worldly  dissipation.  I  believe  and 
hope  that  it  is  not  our  duty  to  give  up  general  society.  .  We 
are  made  to  live  in  it ;  but  we  should  enter  into  it  with  pure 
hearts  and  clean  hands,  with  all  the  caution  of  careful 
Christians,  lest  it  should,  at  any  time,  steal  away  our  hearts 
from  that  which  ought  to  be  our  primary,  nay,  only  object. 

TO   THOMAS    FOWELL    BUXTON. 

December  1st,  1S08. 

*  *  *  *  I  am  obliged  to  attend  at  the  Bank  at  nine 
o'clock  every  morning,  which  cuts  oflf  a  good  houi*  from  my 

*  The  comprehensive  meaning  attached  by  Joseph  John  Gurney 
to  the  word  temperance^  may  be  best  illustrated  by  the  following 
extract  from  his  Thoughts  on  Habit  and  Discipline.  ''  The  '  tempe- 
rate '  man  of  the  New  Testament,"  says  he,  "  is  iyxi;)airi<;,  which 
means,  'the  man  who  has  power  in  hhuself  aver  himself.'  Hence 
it  follows  that  the  temperance  (tyxgdnio.')  of  Sci'ipture  is  a  most  com- 
prehensive virtue,  cmbi'acing  the  whole  scope  of  that  internal 
government,  which,  under  grace,  it  is  our  duty  to  exercise  over  our 
own  propensities."     8vo.  edition,  p.  182. 


mi.  21.  JOURNAL.  67 

time  before  breakfast,  and  tends  not  a  little  to  prevent  my 
getting  on  with  anything.  Whatever  be  the  cause,  I  am  sorry 
to  inform  you  I  get  on  Avith  nothing.  It  is  well  that  learning 
is  not  absolutely  essential,  for  I  begin  to  discover  I  shall  never 
be  learned.  *  *  Nor  am  I  conscious  of  being  really  improving 
in  my  moral  capacity,  which  fills  me  at  this  moment  with 
rather  despondent  feelings,  but  I  trust  in  time  I  shall  be 
enabled  to  make  a  little  progression.  Of  one  thing  I  am 
certain,  that  I  much  require  it.  I  am  reading  Butler,  whom, 
as  far  as  I  now  know  him,  I  exceedingly  admire. 

January  Ist^  1809.  I  sit  down  in  a  weak  state  of  mind  to 
perform  a  duty,  which  would  only  become  heavier  by  being 
deferred.  It  is  the  first  day  of  the  new  year.  This  is  to  me 
a  most  serious  consideration.  I  wish  I  could  feel  it  more  than 
I  do.  But  as  it  is,  it  imperiously  demands  of  me  to  think 
where  I  am,  what  I  have  been  doing,  and  what  I  am  going  to 
do — whether  I  am  advancing  or  going  backwards  in  that  path 
Avhich  alone  leads  to  eternal  life.   *  *  * 

During  the  last  three  months,  my  external  temptations 
have  been  such  nothings,  that  there  is  little  excuse  for  my 
not  having  conducted  myself  entirely  to  the  approbation  of 
my  conscience.  I  have  at  many  times  had  deep  religious 
feelings ;  I  have  felt  faith  in  the  Saviour  of  the  world ; 
true  love  to  God,  and  the  things  of  God ;  and  liave  often 
prayed  to  him  fervently,  that  he  would  vouchsafe  to 
visit  me  with  his  Spirit,  that  I  might  in  all  things  be 
obedient  to  his  Avill.  But  then,  0  how  Avonderful  it  is,  that 
in  the  time  of  trial  I  stand  no  longer  with  the  Lord.  I  have 
in  several  instances  yielded  to  present  temptations,  and  have 
been  so  blinded  as  not  to  see  during  those  seasons  of  proba- 
tion, how  infinitely  preferable  is  the  light  and  purity  of  a 
Christian  soul  to  the  foul  deceitfulness  of  sin.  0  how  hate- 
ful is  sin  in  its  nature,  yet  hoAv  does  it  tempt  us  and  carry  us 
away. 

It  is  a  consideration  of  the  utmost  importance,  that  sin,  in- 
dependently of  the  punishments  Avhich  are  due  to  it  from  the 
justice  of  God,  must,  in  its  nature,  unfit  us  for  heaven.     A 


58  JOURNAL.  1808. 

sinful  man,  a  sensual  man,  must  be  incapable  of  heaven.  *  * 
May  lie  who  is  powerful,  vouchsafe  to  supply  my  weakness. 
May  he  do  that,  which  I  can  never  do  myself — renew  a  right 
spirit  within  me,  and  so  regenerate  my  foul  heart,  as  to  ren- 
der it  truly  incapable  of  sin. 

Who  shall  say  that  we  may  not  be  perfect,  even  in  this 
world  ?  We  may,  by  the  divine  grace,  or  otherwise  we  should 
never  have  been  commanded  to  "be  perfect,  even  as  our 
Father,  which  is  in  heaven,  is  perfect." 

I  proceed  with  the  order  of  my  nightly  queries.*  Have 
I,  in  honesty  of  heart,  constantly  adhered  to  the  truth  ? 
Not  entirely.  I  have  at  times  fallen  into  equivocation.  I  am 
not  straightforward  enough;  I  am  not,  m  this  respect,  like 
Edwards,  John,  Hudson,  my  uncle  Joseph.  Let  me  propose 
them  to  myself,  as  examples  on  this  head. 

Have  I  been  charitable  ?  This  query  embraces  much — 
very  much.  *  *  I  observe  a  want  of  politeness  ;  a  want  of 
activity,  in  exerting  myself,  in  very  little  things,  in  the  service 
of  others.  *  *  My  calling  prevents  my  making  exertions  for 
the  poor,  which  I  should  otherwise  wish  to  make.  I  fear  I 
have  not  sufficiently  counteracted  this  effect  of  business.  As 
to  the  widest  notion  of  charity,  I  am  not  Christian  enough  to 
be  always  charitable.  I  am  still  incautious  in  my  manner  of 
speaking  of  other  people ;  and  surely  my  feelings  towards 
them  have  been,  very  often,  far  other  than  brotherly.  Yet  is 
not  this  one  of  my  heaviest  trials,  because  my  temper  is 
smooth,  and  very  little  teased  by  others.  *  * 

Have  I  been  free  from  vanity  and  worldly  pride  ?  Far 
from  it.  The  more  I  think  on  this  subject,  the  more  I  see 
that  Christianity  is  the  only  remedy  for  the  evils  in  ques- 
tion. Christian  humility  is  indeed  rarely  attained  to,  yet, 
doubtless,  absolutely  necessary  to  prepare  us  for  the  blessings 
of  heaven.  May  the  Lord  abase  me  to  the  very  earth ;  show 
me,  with  full  light,  what  an  insignificant,  corrupt,  worth- 
less creature  I  am.  Then  may  I,  indeed,  become  ripe  for 
exaltation — for   the    true    honour,  which  cometh   from    God 

only.  *  * 

*See  svproj  p.  51. 


^T.    21.  STUDIES.  59 

I  begin  this  year  with  an  earnest  desire  to  be,  throughout 
its  course,  careful  in  business,  diligent  in  study,  straight- 
forward in  speaking  the  truth,  careful  to  perform  my  social 
duties,  moderate  in  my  diet,  temperate  in  all  things,  charitable 
to  all  men,  without  fearfulness  and  without  vanity,  trusting 
in  the  Lord,  obedient  to  his  will,  and  full  of  his  Spirit ;  and 
whenever  he  is  pleased  to  call  me  away  from  this  transient 
scene,  may  I  be  ready  to  give  up  all  for  him. 

TO   HIS    SISTER   HANNAH   BUXTON. 

January  27th,  1809. 

*  *  *  I  do  not  know  when  I  have  felt  more  easy  and 
happy.  *  *  I  am  reading  Daniel,  the  Greek  Testament, 
Apollonius  Rhodius,  Prideaux,  (an  excellent  book  in  its  "vvay,) 
Livy,  and  Ariosto.  I  have  lately  finished  Butler,  from  whom 
I  hope  I  have  derived  real  advantage.  His  comprehensive  and 
clear  view  of  religion,  and  his  unanswerable  arguments  arc 
very  confirming  to  me  as  far  as  they  go.  Though  at  the  same 
time  I  deeply  feel  the  extremely  superior  importance  of  the 
religion  of  the  heart,  over  the  religion  of  the  head,  and  that, 
after  all,  the  doctrines  of  religion  are  of  importance  to  us 
now,  only  as  they  affect  practice.  But  then  I  fully  see  of  how- 
much  practical  importance  these  doctrines  are,  because  the 
relations  which,  according  to  them,  exist  between  the  Deity 
and  us,  have  the  most  positive  duties  annexed  to  them. — But 
Fowell  will  kindly  tell  me  I  am  stealing  out  of  Butler.  So 
farewell  my  dearest  II. 

The  practical  tendency  of  his  mind,  indicated  in 
the  foregoing  letter,  is  also  instructively  apparent, 
notwithstanding  some  obscurity  of  conception,  in 
the  following  extract  from  his  Journal.  His  pub- 
lished writings  abundantly  manifest  the  increased 
clearness,  though  not  less  practical  character  of  his 
views  in  later  years,  on  the  points  more  particularly 
adverted  to  in  the  first  paragraph. 


CO  LETTER   TO    HANNAH    BUXTON.  1809. 

April  2nd,  1809.  I  believe  I  am  prejudiced  against  tliat 
set  of  people  who  call  themselves  Evangelical.  But  inde- 
pendently of  all  prejudice,  I  certainly  clearly  differ  from  them 
in  some  points.  I  differ  from  them  in  their  favourite  doctrine 
of  the  inefficacy  of  good  works ;  though  my  opinions  may 
bear  towards  the  same  point.  St.  Paul  frequently  tells  us 
that  no  man  is  saved  by  his  Avorks,  and  why?  not  because 
cood  works  are  inefficacious  to  salvation,  but  because  no  man 
has  good  works  sufficient  for  salvation.  *  *  * 

As  to  prejudice,  it  is  a  sin,  and  I  pray  that  I  may  be  de- 
livered from  it.  Pain  I  certainly  have  felt,  in  the  inclination 
of  our  family  towards  Calvinism  and  Calvinists.  At  the  same 
time,  I  deeply  feel,  that  as  long  as  the  grand  thing — practical 
Christianity — is  kept  in  vicAV  by  us  all,  we  have  no  reason  to 
be  discontented  at  differing  from  one  another  on  secondary 
points.  *  * 

This  is  now  the  time  for  reviewing  my  own  conduct  during 
the  last  quarter.  How  inexpressibly  do  I  long  for  a  manly 
spirit,  that  I  may  fear  nothing  but  God,  and  for  a  heart  so 
pure,  as  to  be  incapable  of  corruption.  I  can,  at  this  moment, 
say  that  I  am  humbled  under  the  sense  of  my  own  sins  and 
weakness.  At  what  an  infinite  distance  am  I  from  doing  all 
that  Christ  has  commanded.  May  the  Lord  bring  it  home  to 
my  heart  that  of  myself  I  am  nothing.  This  is  the  first  step 
towards  confidence  in  him,  towards  that  faith  whereby  I 
may  be  saved. 

TO   HIS   SISTER   HANNAH   BUXTON. 

Earlham,  Sunday,  April  30th,  1809. 

I  rather  think  the  family  have  given  up  their  old  habit  of 
writing  letters  on  a  Sunday,  but  I  confess  I  do  not  feci  alive 
to  the  impropriety  of  the  practice,  especially  if  our  letters  are 
made  the  means  of  our  communication  on  those  subjects 
which  are  of  infinitely  greater  importance  than  any  thing 
else.  I  was  very  much  struck  at  Meeting  an  hour  ago,  by 
the  extreme  injudiciousness  which  there  is  -in  our  not  commu- 
nicating more  freely  with  one  another  on  those  points  which  I 


^T.  21.  LETTER   TO   HANNAH   BUXTON.  61 

trust  we  all  feel  to  be  our  chief  concern.  How  plainly  is  it  a 
matter  of  importance  that  we  should  endeavour  to  help  one 
another  along  in  our  spiritual  path,  or  at  least,  that  we  should 
be  open  and  intimate  on  the  subject !  If  it  does  not  lie  in 
this,  in  what  does  lie  our  intimacy  and  brotherly  love  ?  I 
was  induced  to  write  to  you,  my  dearest  brother  and  sister, 
by  reading  a  sermon  of  Paley's  with  John  this  mornmg, 
which  is  most  strikingly  applicable  to  me,  and  to  you,  Fowell, 
and  to  all  of  us  as  men  of  business.  It  is  that  in  which  he 
lays  down  in  such  clear  colours,  the  danger  there  is  lest 
men  of  business  should  be  brought  by  a  continued  round  of 
temporal  interests  and  occupations,  to  a  state  of  religious  in- 
difference. *  *  *  John  and  I  both  agreed  that  it  was  abso- 
lutely essential  to  us  all,  that  we  should,  while  engaged  in 
business,  even  at  the  most  hurried  times,  abstract  the  mind 
from  the  cares  of  this  world,  if  it  were  only  for  a  few  mo- 
ments, to  think  of  those  of  the  next.  Forgetfulness  and 
torpor  are  tlie  evils  wiiich  of  all  others,  we  are  in  the  most 
danger  of  incurring. — I  am  ready  to  make  an  apology,  even 
to  you  for  writing  on  these  subjects,  yet  I  am  sure  this  is  a 
false  feeling.  It  appears  to  me  to  be  a  crust  which  it  is  our 
positive  duty  to  break  through  ;  only  you  must  not  imagine 
me  from  this  to  be  much  advanced  in  my  own  spiritual 
course.  *  *  I  am  fully  conscious  of  the  need  I  stand  in  of 
improvement,  and  that  my  own  endeavours  are  not  alone 
sufficient ;  I  may  also  say  that  I  do  look  for  help  to  him 
from  whom  cometh  every  good  and  perfect  work. 

My  father  is  certainly  better,  and  much  more  comfortable, 
though  I  believe  him  to  be  still  fully  persuaded  that  he  is  in 
great  danger.  This  idea  is  most  groundless,  according  to  all 
the  best  opinions,  but  it  is  impossible  to  root  it  out  of  his 
mind.  Priscilla  is  thoroughly  engaged  by  her  poor,  the 
school,  and  her  bible.  As  for  myself,  I  am,  as  you  know> 
rather  an  unsteady  reed,  but  have  seldom  been  more  com- 
fortable in  all  respects  than  at  present.  My  studies  really 
flourish  very  tolerably,  though  I  give  up  the  idea  of  being  a 
colossus  in  learning.  I  wish  to  say  before  I  conclude,  that  I 
am  Mr  from  approving  the  practice  of  never  writing  to  each 


62  COMPLETION  OF  HIS  TWENTY-FIRST  YEAR.  1809. 

other  without  filling  our  letters  with  religion  ;  but  when  our 
minds  are  alive  to  the  subject,  I  do  not  see  why  we  should 
not  communicate  on  our  highest,  as  well  as  on  our  lowest 
interests. 

On  the  2nd  of  tlie  8tli  month,  Joseph  John  Gurney 
completed  his  21st  year.  A  few  days  afterwards  he 
writes  : — 

August  Qth.  *  *  It  has  been  foi-cibly  brought  to  my  mind 
this  morning,  that  my  manifold  transgressions  and  defects, 
though  known  only  to  myself  and  my  Maker,  are  sufficient 
to  weigh  me  down  for  ever,  had  I  not  a  merciful  Saviour  to 
whom  to  look  for  support.  I  deeply  feel  that  I  have  no 
power  in  myself,  to  extricate  me  from  my  present  imperfect 
state,  but  that  there  is  a  Spirit,  and  a  Comforter,  who  will 
lead  me  in  time,  if  I  put  a  humble  reliance  in  his  mercy, 
through  a  pure  path  to  eternal  rest ;  who  will  dissipate  these 
dark  clouds  of  indifference  and  insensibility,  and  fill  my  soul 
with  light.  *  *  Certain  it  is  that  much  of  our  dissatisfaction 
on  religious  points,  much  of  our  impious  doubting,  is  owing 
to  our  not  sufficiently  yielding  up  our  reason  and  our  souls  to 
the  word  and  to  the  will  of  God.  *  *  *  * 

I  have  not  yet  learnt  to  keep  strictly  on  every  little  occa- 
sion to  the  straight-forward  path  of  truth.  I  feel  as  if  I 
possessed  integrity,  yet  in  very  little  things,  and  in  a  hurry, 
without  thinking,  I  sometimes  exaggerate  or  equivocate. 
This  is  mean  and  pitiful,  a  disgrace  to  the  religion  I  profess, 
and  to  myself;  it  arises  entirely  from  the  fear  I  have  of  other 
people.  This  fear  is,  I  think,  subsiding.  May  the  grace  of 
God  so  strengthen  mo,  that  in  future  I  may  totally  banish  it. 

I  am  improved  with  respect  to  the  manner  in  which  I 
speak  of  others.  The  tongue  is,  indeed,  the  sign  of  our  faith. 
Nothing  can  be  more  unlike  a  Christian  than  to  blab  the 
faults  of  others,  and  [it]  is  infallibly  joined  to  forgetfulness 
of  our  own. 

Worldly  pride  and  vanity,  I  trust,  have  not  been  increasing 
in  my  mind.     I  see  their  folly,  and  earnestly  pray  that  I  may 


^T.    22.  DEATH   OF   HIS   FATHER.  63 

indeed  become  a  humble  follower  of  him  -who  liumWed  him- 
self for  us. 

I  am  often  uncomfortable,  when  I  think  how  little  I  do  for 
the  distressed.  I  have  only  one  or  two  objects  under  my  care. 
Yet  I  trust  I  have  not  lost  what  opportunities  I  have  had  of 
doing  good  to  others,  and  I  am  comforted  when  I  think  [that] 
every  man  does  good  by  filling  up  his  own  station  in  hfe,  as  he 
feels  to  be,  each  day,  his  duty.  *  * 

I  am  just  come  of  age.  I  feel  it  a  striking  period,  and  am 
thankful  to  the  Almighty  giver  of  all  good  things,  that  he 
has  vouchsafed  to  bring  me  into  it,  through  a  path  of  peace  and 
prosperity. 

Most  merciful  Father,  succour  thou  the  weak-hearted. 
Help  me,  for  I  know  that  I  am  a  sinner,  and  that  of  myself 
I  cannot  stand.  I  thank  thee  for  all  the  spiritual  blessings 
wherein  thou  hast  mercifully  vouchsafed  to  lead  me  unto  this 
age,  and  I  pray  thee  that  they  may  daily  increase,  so  that  I 
may  be  truly  born  again  of  thy  Spirit,  that  I  may  become,  in 
all  things,  devoted  unto  thee,  as  a  little  child,  in  simplicity 
and  submission  of  soul ;  that  no  impurity  may  lead  me  away 
from  thy  paths,  which  only  are  the  paths  of  pleasantness  and 
peace ;  but  that  I,  and  all  of  us,  in  union  of  spirit,  may 
receive  the  one  faith,  and  hold  it  fast,  and  so  walk  in  activity 
and  watchfulness,  that  we  may  be  ready,  at  thy  call,  to  con- 
sign ourselves  into  thy  hands,  that  we  may  live  the  life  and 
die  the  death  of  the  righteous ;  even  in  Christ  Jesus  the 
Lord. 

In  the  autumn  of  tliis  year  he  was  deprived  of 
his  beloved  father,  who  sank  under  the  efiects  of  a 
surgical  operation,  on  the  28th  of  the  10th  month. 
The  whole  family  assembled  at  Earlham  on  the 
occasion  of  his  funeral,  which  was  rendered  addi- 
tionally touching  by  the  few  words  o?^  solemn 
thanksgiving,  which  his  daughter  Elizabeth  Fry, 
was  strengthened  to  utter  at  the  side  of  his  grave; 


04  DEATH  OF  HIS  FATHER.  1809. 

being  her  first  public  ofiering  in  the  ministry.* 
To  this  Joseph  John  Gurney  alludes  in  a  memoran- 
dum penned  a  few  days  after  the  funeral. 

Sunday,  November  5th.  "  Marvellous  are  thy  works,  0  God, 
most  merciful,  thou  King  of  Saints  !  Accept  thou  the  thanks- 
giving of  our  hearts."  May  I  he  enabled  heartily  to  join  in 
this  prayer,  which  was  pronounced  by  dear  Elizabeth,  at  my 
father's  grave  !  Is  it  not  indeed  marvellous  ?  He  who  was 
my  greatest  pleasure,  and  greatest 'stimulus  in  life,  the  con- 
stant object  of  every  day,  whom  I  fondly  hoped  to  have  re- 
tained with  us  yet  many  years,  is  gone  for  ever. 

On  Tuesday,  the  10th  October,  he  submitted  to  the  opera- 
tion. It  was  too  much  for  his  nervous  system  —  he  was 
thrown  into  spasms,  and  on  Saturday,  the  28th,  he  died. 
"While  he  was  on  his  death-bed  I  was  seized  with  the  scarlet 
fever,  which,  though  not  severe,  has  thrown  my  feelings  into 
a  distressing  maze,  from  which  they  are  only  now  beginning 
to  recover.  Yet  shall  I  ever  look  back  with  joy,  to  "Wednes- 
day, the  25th,  the  day  before  I  was  ill,  and  during  which  I 
attended  him  constantly.  It  was  a  day  of  joy.  His  mind, 
which  has  passed  through  the  deepest  contrition,  on  that  day 
rested  in  the  assurance  of  hope,  rested  on  the  mercy  of  God 
through  Jesus  Christ. 

How  unspeakably  great  has  been  thy  mercy  0  God,  in  thus 
preparing  his  soul  for  the  last  stroke  of  thy  providence.  May 
we  also  be  mercifully  led  to  an  end  as  blessed,  through  lives 
of  purity,  charity,  and  peace  ! 

*  See  Life  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  vol.  i,  p.  144. 


iET.  22.      REFLECTIONS  AFTER  HIS  FATHER'S  DECEASE.  65 


CHAPTER  IV. 

1809—1811.   ^T.  22—23. 

REFLECTIONS  AFTER  HIS  FATHER'S  DECEASE;  REVIEW  OF  HIS  OBJECTS; 
STUDIES  HIS  FIRST  ESSAY  AS  AN  AUTHOR  ;  CORRESPONDENCE  WITH 
SIR  "WILLIAM  DRUMMOND;  GRADUAL  ATTRACTION  TOWAKUS 
friends;  ATTENDS  THE  YEARLY  MEETING;  EXTRACTS  FROM 
HIS   JOURNAL. 

Joseph  John  Gurnet  was  but  just  21,  when,  as 
one  of  his  father's  executors,  as  a  partner  in  the 
Bank,  and  his  father's  representative  at  Earlhani, 
new  and  grave  responsibilities  devolved  upon  him. 
That  he  felt  the  blow  most  keenly,  is  sufficiently 
evident  from  his  Journal.  But  reli2;ion  had  alreadv 
instructed  him  to  seek  relief,  not  in  "nursing  his 
sorrow,"  but  in  zealously  turning  his  mind  to  the 
performance  of  duty.  His  father  upon  his  deatii- 
bed,  had  exhorted  him  "  to  persevere,"  and  nobly 
did  he  strive  to  respond  to  the  exhortation. 

Thus  he  writes  two  days  after  the  funeral : — 

Now  that  the  funeral  is  over,  and  every  earthly  trace  of 
my  beloved  father  is  gone  far  ever,  I  begin  most  painfully  and 
deeply  to  feel  the  void  that  is  left.  It  is  indeed  a  wide  void, 
und  God  alone  can  supply  it.  But,  under  all  circumstances,  I 
feel  it  my  duty  to  enter  with  spirit,  once  more,  into  the  en- 
gagements of  life.  To  begin  to-morrow,  at  an  early  hour,  and 
re-commence  my  studies,  to  attend  carefully  and  with  activity 
to  the  gloomy  oflBces  of  an  executor,  and  resolutcly*to  apply 
to  business. 
Vol.  I.— 5 


6Q  OBJECTS    IN    LIFE.  1809. 

All  extract  from  a  letter  addressed  to  his  sister 
Hannah  Buxton,  dated  "  December  1st,  1809,"  will 
introduce  the  reader  to  the  family  party  at  Earlham 
under  their  altered  circumstances. 

We  are  going  on  remarkably  comfortably ;  Catherine, 
Rachel,  Richenda,  Priscilla,  and  I,  form  so  harmonious  a 
party,  and  are  so  entirely  united  in  all  our  cares,  pleasures, 
and  pursuits.  *  *  I  am  extremely  busy,  having  my  time  and 
mind  f|uite  crammed  with  the  variety  of  my  pursuits.  The 
.  executors'  accounts,  banking,  and  study,  are  alternately 
uppermost.  In  the  last  item,  I  go  on  as  usual,  sometimes 
flourishing,  more  often  thwarted  and  unsuccessful.  *  *  Last 
week  I  was  interrupted  every  day.  *  *  We  had  a  delightful 
visit  from  Edwards.  I  never  enjoyed  his  company  so  much 
before,  and  never  felt  so  much  at  ease  with  liim.  I  strongly 
feel  how  invaluable  a  blessing  it  is,  to  have  such  friends,  now 
we  are  so  bereft.  The  loss  of  one  hold  makes  one  cling  to 
the  supports  which  are  left  behind.  I  am  sure  the  afflicting 
event  has  had  a  powerful  effect  in  bringing  us  more  closely 
together.*  * 

His  objects  in  life  are  thus  reviewed  in  his  Journal : — 

November  19th,  1809.  Launching  afresh  into  life,  as  I 
now  am,  under  totally  new  circumstances,  and  in  a  situation 
wherein  I  shall  always  be  obliged  to  act  for  myself,  I  feel  the 
various  objects  of  my  life  crowding  upon  me  so  thickly,  as  to 
render  it  absolutely  necessary  to  make  a  proper  and  strict 
arrangement  of  time. 

My  objects  are  these : — 

1st.       Prayer,  reflection,  and  waiting  upon  God. 

2ndly.  My  studies. 

Srdly.  The  bank. 

4thly.  The  business  •  devolving  on  us  by  my  father's 
decease.   * 

othly.  The  poor. 


^T.  22.  JOURNAL.  6T 

6thly.  Bodily  exercises. 

7thlj.  Recreation  and  social  pleasures. 

L'et  the  regular  time  allotted  for  the  first  head,  be  when  I 
first  rise  in  the  morning,  and  last  before  I  lie  down  to  sleep. 
Also  the  time  of  public  worship,  on  a  Sunday  and  a  Tuesday,* 
which  I  desire  more  and  more  to  prize  and  turn  to  account. 
Let  me  also  throughout  the  day,  wherever  I  am,  and  whatever 
I  am  doing,  be  mindful  of  the  Lord,  and  from  time  to  time, 
silently  turn  my  soul  to  him  in  prayer,  doing  all  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  Jesus.  *  *  * 

January  1th,  1810.  *  *  Li  reviewing  myself  during  the 
last  quarter,  I  humbly  trust  that  the  deeply  affecting  scenes 
it  has  presented,  and  carried  away  for  ever,  have  left  somewhat 
of  a  right  impression  upon  my  soul  —  have  in  some  measure 
brought  me  nearer  to  the  fountain  of  light  and  life.  Yet 
many  have  been  the  imperfections  in  my  conduct  during  that 
period.  It  is  not  only  in  particular  actions,  but  in  the  spirit 
of  every  action,  great  or  small,  that  I  want  and  desire  an 
improvement.  To  wear  in  all  things  the  spirit  of  Christ 
Jesus  ;  and  to  do  all  in  his  name.  In  this  general  spiritual 
manner  of  acting,  which  is  something  I  know  but  cannot 
describe,  I  desire  to  make  dear  Elizabeth  my  example.  *  * 

April  1st.  0  Thou,  that  art  light  in  our  darkness,  grant 
me  a  single  and  enlightened  eye,  that  I  may  see  and  know  thy 
truth  ;  and  an  obedient  and  courageous  spirit,  that  I  may 
be  enabled  to  follow  its  precepts.  Grant,  0  Father  !  that  my 
will  may  more  and  more  be  subjected  unto  thine ;  that  I  may 
not  fear  to  make  sacrifices  for  thy  sake.  Whatever  be  the 
temptations  and  trials  which  assail  me,  be  pleased  to  uphold 
me  with  thy  right  hand,  and  finally  to  bring  me  to  thine 
everlasting  kingdom,  for  the  sake  and  merits  of  thine  only 
Son,  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

April  22nd.  —  Sunday  after  meeting.  *  *  *  I  do  indeed 
live  amongst  those  who  are  faithful  to  the  Lord  Jesus  — 
whose  conduct  is  regulated   by  the   principles   of   Christian 

*  The  day  on  which  the  meeting  for  worship  of  Friends  at  Nor- 
wich, during  the  week,  was  usually  held. 


68  «  STUDIES.  1810. 

truth.  A  most  affecting  and  striking  instance  I  have  had  of 
this  in  one  of  mj  beloved  sisters*  this  morning.  May  I  bo 
enabled  to  follow  her  example  ;  may  I,  like  her,  walk  through 
this  world  without  selfishness ;  willing  to  bear  the  burthens 
of  our  neighbours,  for  the  Lord's  sake ;  and,  without  fear, 
willing  to  risk  anything  in  the  cause  of  duty,  and  humbly 
walking  in  the  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.  *  *  *  I  thank 
God  that  he  has  given  me  many  objects  in  life ;  and  I  pray  that 
he  may  be  pleased  to  enable  me  so  to  give  them  my  diligent 
attention  that  my  course  may  not  be  run  in  vain ;  at  the  same 
time  that  I  may  always  remember,  it  is  but  a  short  course, 
that  eternity  is  at  hand  ;  that  all  I  do  here,  is,  or  ought  to  be 
but  a  preparation  for  what  follows :  that  I  may  do  all,  there- 
fore, in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

iliay  20th.  I  thank  my  Almighty  and  All-merciful  Father 
that  he  has  been  pleased  to  preserve  me  through  this  past 
week  in  the  path  wherein  I  should  tread.  My  nightly 
catechisms,  with  one  or  two  small  exceptions,  have  been 
satisfactorily  answered.  I  have  been  uniformly  diligent,  and 
I  humbly  trust,  generally  speaking,  under  the  wing  of  the 
Lord.  I,  indeed,  know  that  it  is  he  that  Avorketh  in  us  both 
to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure.  *  *  I  desire  to  humble 
myself  more  and  more  before  him,  that  he  may  be  willing 
more  and  more  to  exalt  me  with  that  true  honour  which 
Cometh  from  God  only. 

The  ardour  with  which,  amidst  the  other  numerous 
engagements  now  pressing  uix)n  him,  he  continued 
to  pursue  his  varied  studies  at  this  period,  is 
evident  from  many  passages  in  the  Journal. 
The  following  may  suffice  as  an  example.  It  is 
under  date 

January  Ith,  1810.  I  wish  to  complete  the  Psalms,  attend- 
incr  a  little  to  Syriac  and  Chaldee  as  I  go  along.     After  that, 

*  Elizabeth  Fry,  then  on  a  visit  at  Norwich. 


^T.    23.  FIRST    ESSAY   AS   AN   AUTHOR.  69 

to  read  Solomon,  then  Job  again;  to  make  myself  master 
of  the  Jewish  laws,  and  translate  the  "  Yad  Haehazekah,"  of 
Maimonides ;  to  study  the  New  Testament  critically,  and  with 
a  particular  view  to  the  great  doctrines  of  the  Trinity  and  the 
atonement ;  to  finish  Ancient  History  in  Plutarch, .  Sallust, 
Cicero,  Cassar,  &c.,  after  that  to  read  Tacitu^,  then  Gibbon  ; 
to  read  every  afternoon  a  hundred  lines  of  Greek  Poetry,  and 
go  on  with  Pindar.  After  I  finish  Michaelis  I  shall  launch  into 
English  History,  and  follow  it  up,  if  possible,  with  English 
Law. 


It  was  at  this  period,  when  he  was  little  more 
than  22,  that  he  made  his  first  essay  as  an  author, 
in  an  article  published  in  the  Classical  Journal,  in 
the  9tli  month,  (September,)  1810,  under  the  title 
of  a  Critical  Notice  of  Sir  William  Drunnnond's 
Dissertations  in  the  Herculanensia.  The  late  Sir 
William  Drummond,  a  name  well  known  in  literary 
circles,  was  for  some  years  the  representative  of 
the  British  Government  at  the  Court  of  Naples, 
and  had  long  cherished  the  idea  of  editing  the 
Herculanean  Manuscripts,  and  with  that  view  he 
had  published  the  dissertations,  which  thus  became 
the  object  of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  animadversion. 
It  was  the  first  and  the  last»time  that  the  latter 
appeared  in  the  character  of  a  critic.  The  article 
extends  over  twenty-three  octavo  pages,  and  contains 
an  elaborate  exjiosure  of  Sir  AVilliam  Drummond's 
mistakes  and  shortcomings,  which  are  detected 
with  great  acuteness.  The  comments  upon  them 
are  pungent,  and  at  times  severe;  displaying 
on  the  part  of  the  youthful  critic  no  common 
acquaintance  with  Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew 
learning,    and   with    the    remains   whifch    had    then 


70  FIRST    ESSAY   AS    AN    AUTHOR.  1810 

been  discovered  of  the  old  Etruscan.  His  numerous 
references  and  quotations,  made  apparently  without 
effort,  evince  a  surprising  familiarity  not  only  with 
the  great  writers  of  antiquity,  but  also  with  those 
whose  w^orks  are,  by  ordinary  students,  but  -little 
read  or  consulted,  such  as  Apuleius,  Macrobius, 
Aulus  Gellius,  Maximus  Tyrius,  Pausanias,  &c. 
Whilst  regretting  the  small  degree  of  attention 
paid  in  England  to  the  cultivation  of  Hebrew, 
he  will  not  admit  this  as  any  justification  of  Sir 
■William  Drummond's  errors;  observing,  with  some 
Avarrath,  "  Nor  are  the  boldness  of  his  assertions, 
or  the  inaccuracy  of  his  quotations,  the  less  to  be 
lamented,  because  they  are  characteristic  of  the 
age."  He  even  ventures  severely  to  .criticise  Sir 
William's  Arabic,  producing  several  quotations  to 
show  that  "it  is  still  more  extraordinary  than  his 
Hebrew."  The  whole  is  written  in  a  style  at  once 
forcible  and  graceful,  neat  and  easj',  devoid  of 
mannerism,  clear,  and  very  pleasing.  Though  not 
in  its  spirit  and  object  what  in  his  calmer  judg- 
ment he  even  then  fully  approved,  the  effort  may 
be  re2;arded  as  some  index  of  what  he  might  have 
accomplished,  had  he  ^-ielded  to  the  fascination  of  a 
mere  literary  ambition. '='  In  consequence  of  the 
ability  which  the  article  displayed.  Sir  William 
Drummond  was  induced  to  submit  for  Joseph 
John  Gurney's  perusal  an  essaj*  which  he  had 
subsequently  prepared  for  publication. 

*  The  article  is  in  the  Classical  Journal,  Vol.  II,  No.  3,  p.  524. 
Having  been  myseH"  unable  to  procure  a  copy  of  it,  I  am  indebted 
for  the  substance  of  the  above  account  to  my  friend  James  Grant,. 
(*f  the  Middle  Temple,  barrister-at-law. 


JET.    23.  SIR   WILLIAM    DRUMMOND. 


SIR   WILLIAM    DRUMMOND   TO   JOSEPH    JOHN    GURNET. 

*  ■      Xo.  47,  Ilarlcy  Street,  London, 

Se].tcmber  29th,  1810. 

Sir — I  take  advantage  of  the  liberty  which  you  gave  me  to 
send  you  the  proof  sheets  of  my  essay.  I  flatter  myself  that 
you  will  have  the  goodness  to  correct  any  errors  which  may 
strike  you.  *  *  * 

Upon  coming  to  town  I  looked  over  some  of  my  notes,  which 
prove  to  me  beyond  a  doubt,  tliat  some  of  tlie  errors  which 
you  have  pointed  out  have  resulted  from  errors  of  the  press, 
to  which  I  did  not  sufficiently  attend,  when  I  transmitted  tlje 
printed  sheets  from  Palermo.  *  *  In  your  critique  upon  my 
"  dissertations"  you  have  been  more  fortunate  in  a  printei-. 
You  made  a  mistake,  however,  about  that  same  Arabic 
word  for  which  you  have  given  me  so  sharp  a  reprimand. 
V\'hen  I  was  with  Mr.  Yalpy,  yesterday,  I  told  him  of  tla- 
erroi'.  lie  informed  me  that  it  had  been  already  corrected  : 
but  not  by  you.  Do  not  suppose,  however,  that  I  shall 
not  do  justice  to  your  acutcness  and  learning,  of  which  I 
really  think  very  highly.  I  liave  not  yet  had. time  to  consiik 
my  books,  nor  do  my  notes  furnish  me  with  mea,ns  by  which 
I  can  account  for  some  of  the  misquotations  which  I  have 
made ;  but  with  respect  to  some  particular  words  I  have  found 
some  of  my  papers  which  have,  in  some  measure,  explained 
the  causes  of  the  niistakes.  *  *  In  deference,  however,  to 
your  opinion,  I  mean  to  cancel  the  I'OOth  page  of  my  present 
opusculum,  I  am  afraid  you  will  think  that  my  suggestions 
concerning  Hannibal,  in  my  letter  to  Lord  Aberdeen,  (prefixed 
to  the  Essay,)  are  too  bold.  I  think  them  so  myself,  but 
some  of  my  friends  have  encouraged  me  so  much  as  to  make 
me  leave  the  statement  as  I  first  drew  it  out. 

"When  you  have  a  little  leisure  I  shall  be  happy  to  hear 
from  you. 

I  remain,  Sir,  your  most  faithful, 
humble  servant, 

W.  DRUMMOND. 


72  ATTRACTION  TOWARDS  FRIENDS.         1810. 

Sir  William  Brummond  subsequently  \C^rites, 
under  date 

October  5th,  ISIO. 

*  *  *  I  feel  that  I  have  taken  a  great  liberty  in  troubling 
you  with  my  work  in  its  present  state,  and  in  begging  you  to 
examine  and  correct  it.  I  cannot  conceive  that  much  of  it 
goes  beyond  the  sphere  of  your  learning,  unless  it  be  that 
}jart  which  relates  to  the  Ethiopian.  Of  the  inscription  you 
are  quite  competent  to  judge. 

Gratifying  as  these  expressions  must  have  been  to 
a  young  man,  Joseph  John  Gurney  could  afterwards 
thankfully  acknowledge  that  the  restraining  hand 
was  near  to  preserve  him  from  being  allured  out  of 
his  own  proper  field  of  labour  into  one  more  floweiy, 
perhaps,  but  far  less  usefully  productive.  In  his 
Journal  luider  date  "  September  2nd,  1810,"  he 
thus  adverts  to  the  subject : — 

During  this  time,  besides  business,  the  school,  and  somewhat 
of  my  usual  studies,  I  have  been  much  employed  in  finishing 
my  critique  on  Sir  W.  Drummond.  In  this  I  am  apprehensive 
I  have  not  strictly  followed  the  light  that  was  given  me.  I 
ROW  sincerely  wish  I  had  never  engaged  in  it,  for  it  has  not 
been  a  work  of  Christian  love.  I  have  offered  to  withdraw  it : 
whether  it  is  too  late  or  not  I  do  not  yet  know,  but  I  am 
resolved,  if  it  please  the  Lord,  never  more  to  engage  in  a 
similar  undertaking,  unless  it  be  in  the  simple  ser\dce  of  God 
and  religion. 

His  mind  was  now  becoming  increasingly  drawn 
towards  the  principles  of  the  Society  of  Friends, 
and  many  of  his  allusions  to  his  feelings  on  this 
subject  are  peculiarly  interesting  and  instructive. 
"My  course  in  religion,"  he  writes,  in  his  Journal,* 

*  Urdcr  date  ''July  14th,  1811." 


^T.   23.  JOURNAL.  73 

"  is  a  matter  of  great  weight  to  me.  It  is  my 
indispensable  duty  to  stir  myself  up  to  greater 
diligence,  to  more  earnest  investigation.  Above 
all,"  he  emphatically  adds,  "  may  I  never  fail  to 
iiKitch  and  iway.  For  I  believe  he  will  guide  us, 
if  we  look  to  him  as  the  Shepherd  of  the  flock." 

The  example  of  his  sister  Elizabeth  Frj-,  as  well 
as  of  his  sister  Priscilla,  who,  like  her,  became  a 
decided  Friend  and  a  minister  of  the  gospel, 
strengthened  his  growing  convictions.  But  the 
influence  of  the  other  members  of  the  fimily  who 
resided  at  Earlham,  as  well  as  of  many  other 
estimable  persons  with  wliom  he  was  intimately 
associated,  tended  in  an  opposite  direction.  This 
peculiarity  of  his  position  should  not  be  overlooked 
by  those  who  would  trace  the  gradual  course  of  his 
mind.  The  change  was  to  him  emphatically  a  work 
of  conviction  and  of  faith. 

July  \sty  1810.  During  the  last  week  I  have  derived  some 
spiritual  advantage,  by  God's  grace,  from  the  preaching  and 
influence  of  Friends,  particulaidy  Priscilla  Hannah  Gurnej, 
and  Ann  Crowley.  I  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  through- 
out, with  much  satisfaction  and  peace  of  mind ;  and  I  trust  I 
am  more  and  more  desirous  of  subjecting  my  will  to  that  of 
my  heavenly  Father.  At  the  same  time  I  am  not  yet  a 
believer  in  the  peculiar  pretensions  of  Friends ;  nor  has  any- 
thing which.  I  have  witnessed  this  week,  tended  to  make  me 
so.  Yet  if  it  be  the  will  of  God,  to  bring  me  »iorc  nearly  to 
them,  I  earnestly  pray  that  no  countervailing  dispositions  of 
my  own  may  stand  in  his  way.  This  day  I  am  going  to  Lon- 
don. Most  merciful  Father !  grant  me  thy  protection  during 
this  journey;  that  I  may,  in  no  one  thing,  disobey  thy 
heavenly  will ;  but  that  T  may  cautiously  and  diligently  keep 
in  the  path,  wherein  thou  wouldst  that  I  should  walk. 


74  JOURNAL.  1810. 

September  2nd.  "  Shew  me  thy  ways,  0  Lord !  teach  me 
thy  paths  !  lead  me  in  thy  truth  and  teach  me,  for  thou  art 
the  God  of  my  salvation." 

"  The  secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  him,  and  he 
will  shew  them  his  covenant."     . 

That  I  may  experimentally  know  the  ways  of  the  Lord,  his 
truth,  his  teaching,  his  secret,  and  his  covenant,  I  may  say  is 
the  desire  of  my  soul.  Shall  I  not  know  them  if  I  fear  him, 
that  is  if  I  so  fear  him  as  to  become  humble  in  his  sight,  and 
subjected  to  his  holy  will  ?  *  * 

The  last  four  months  contain  a  motley  history.  From 
April  22nd  to  July  1st,  I  was  much  employed.  At  home  I 
made  some  progi"ess  in  my  studies  ;  abroad,  I  was  much  occu- 
pied with  business  of  all  sorts.  In  June,  Ann  Crowley,  and 
other  Friends  were  at  Norwich.  Their  preaching  animated 
and  affected  me ;  but  I  am  apprehensive  that  I,  in  measure, 
deceived  myself  into  throwing  off  the  effect,  by  entering  soon 
after,  into  gay  and  dissipated  scenes,  at  Oxford  and  Chelten- 
ham. I  think  I  have  had  experience  enough  to  shew,  that 
this  sort  of  dissipation  improves  not  the  heart,  Jbut  rather, 
that  it  forcibly  turns  it  away  from  things  of  infinitely  greater 
importance. 

*  *  I  have  been  a  good  deal  under  the  influence  of 
Friends  ;  and  am  more  aware  of  their  opinions,  and  better 
understand  their  system  than  before.  I  have  also  great 
doubts  about  the  sacraments ;  and  am  at  this  moment 
perfectly  un,certain,  whether  it  will,  or  will  not,  be  required  of 
me  to  become  more  of  a  Friend.  It  would  indeed  be 
diflacult  to  the  outward  man.  It  is  [the]  path  of  [the]  cross. 
I  humbly  desire  that  the  Lord  may  be  willing^  to  help  me 
through  all  external  and  spiritual  conflicts,  with  which  it  may 
please  him  to  visit  me,  —  that  I  may  become  victorious  over 
myself,  in  whatever  way  it  may  be  required  of  me,  through 
the  Spirit  and  grace  of  Christ. 

Dost  thou  desire  to  have  eternal  life  ?  Then  must  thou 
do  the  commandments ;  thou  must  take  up  the  cross,  and 
follow  the  Lord  Jesus,  denying  thyself.  St.  John  *says, 
"And  I   looked  and    lo,  a  Lamb  stood  on  the  Mount  Zion, 


aET.   23.  JOUEXAL.       .  75 

and  with  him  an  hundred  and  forty  and  four  thousand,  hanng 
his  Father's  name  written  on  their  foreheads.  And  I  heard  a 
voice  from  heaven  ; — These  are  they  which  follow  the  Lamb 
whithersoever  he  leadeth  them." 

Sejytember  dth.  In  the  first  part  of  this  week,  which  has 
been  spent  undisturbedly  at  home,  except  one  day's  company, 
I  was  blessed  with  the  presiding  wing  of  divine  Providence 
sensibly  protecting,  enlightening,  and  comforting  my  soul. 
I  have,  I  believe,  endeavoured,  throughout  the  week,  to  pray 
for  divine  aid,  and  to  follow  divine  guidance ;  yet  I  certainly 
mark  a  relaxation  in  the  last  three  days.  0  how  deeply  does 
it  impress  me  with  the  knowledge  of  my  own  weakness,  that 
I  cannot,  even  for  one  week,  persevere  in  holiness  unbroken, 
before  God !  That,  at  the  very  moment  after  earnest  prayer, 
and  eager  desires  after  righteousness,  I  should  be  ready  to 
sink  into  indifference  and  false  rest.  This  false  rest  is  the 
greatest  danger  to  which  I  am  exposed.  I  long  to  have  my 
soul  more  alive  to  the  infinite  pewl  of  doing  wrong,  or  for- 
getting the  Lord.  The  natural  and  infallible  consequence 
of  continued  sin  is  death.  There  is  but  one  means  of  escape, 
— justification  through  the  blessed  Saviour.  And  in  this 
justification  we  have  no  part  if  we  are  not  sanctified  by  his 
Holy  Spirit,  and  ahvays  walk  in  obedience  to  his  will. 

January  6th,  1811.  *  *  I  believe  I  may  say  that  my  de- 
sire to  live  under  subjection  to  the  only  safe  Guide  is  increased. 
May  He  be  pleased  to  render  this  desire  cfiectual.  I  have 
had  some  powerful  doubts  on  my  mind,  whether  or  not  it  was 
my  duty  to  adopt  the  phraseology  of  Friends ;  whether  in 
not  doing  it,  I  was  not  payhig  something  like  a  false  tri- 
bute to- other  people.  I  desire  that  I  may  not  drive  away 
those,  or  any  other  scruples,  and  yet  that  I  may  be  favoured 
with  a  clear  discernment  of  what  is  really  my  duty.  At  pre- 
sent, as  such  a  step  would  involve  large  consequences,  and  as 
the  thing  itself  is  not  now  very  forcibly  on  my  mind,  I  believe 
I  may  rest,  till  I  have  more  closely  investigated  the  differences 
which  exist  between  Friends  and  others.  For  this  purpose  I 
wish,  (d.  V.)  to  read  Barclay  and  Hooker,  and  to  renew  a  dili- 
gent search  into  the  Scriptures.     But  in  this  research,  I  know 


7()  ATTENDS.  THE   YEARLY   MEETING.  1811. 

how  important  it  is,  not  to  lean  to  ray  own  powers  of  under- 
standing, nor  to  suffer  in  my  own  mind  anything  like  sophism, 
but  to  be  willing  to  be  moulded,  even  as  the  Lord  would 
mould  me.  *  *  I  pray  that  I  may  be  quite  independent  of  all 
the  world,  doing  simply  that  which  is  right. 

March  4:th.  For  the  last  few  weeks,  I  believe  I  may  say,  I 
have  striven  against  my  sins  and  imperfections.  But  I  still 
labour  under  the  same  want  of  feeling  and  want  of  power. 
In  keeping  to  my  resolution,  [as  to  early  rising]  I  have  found 
it  necessary  to  be  pretty  firm,  and  I  desire  to  have  a  renewed 
care  this  week  about  it,  and  to  guard  myself  if  possible 
against  discouragement.  0  for  more  of  the  life,  and  the 
spirit,  and  the  faith  !  Gird  me,  0  Lord,  to  a  diligent  and 
watchful  conduct  throughout  this  week,  that  in  all  my  works 
begun,  continued,  and  ended  in  thee,  I  may  have  peace. 

Mai/  19th.  I  am  this  day  going  to  London,  chiefly  for  the 
purpose  of  attending  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends ;  also 
with  much  business  on  my  hands. 

It  is  my  earnest  desire,  that  I  may  keep  myself  alive, 
whilst  I  am  there,  to  a  humble,  religious,  and  diligent  state  ; 
that  I  may  remember,  that  I  am  only  an  inquirer,  and  that  I 
may  conduct  my  inquiry  under  the  wing  and  protection  of 
Almighty  God.  Above  all,  I  desire  that  nothing  human  may 
influence  my  judgment,  that  my  ej»es  may  be  open  to  the' 
truth,  my  heart  sensible  of  the  life  of  the  gospel,  and  my 
whole  soul  brought  under  subjection  to  the  Author  of  all 
good ;  and  may  he  be  pleased,  graciously  to  regard  the  ex- 
treme weakness  of  his  servant,  to  lighten  his  eyes,  confirm 
his  steps,  and  finally  accept  him,  for  the  sake  of  his  ever 
blessed  Redeemer ! 

June  25th.  I  came  down  this  morning  [at]  a  quarter  past 
seven,  after  haying  determined  to  be  down  always  at  a  quarter 
past  six.  I  am  sensible  this  is  a  transgression,  an  act  of  dis- 
obedience to  the  Spirit  of  light  within,  and  I  desire  to  impress 
upon  myself  the  necessity  of  obeying  that  call  more  punctually 
in  these  little  things,  (which  in  themselves,  however,  are  to  me 
of  great  importance,)  lest  the  Spirit  be  grieved  and  my 
strength  impaired. 


mT.  23.  REFLECTIONS  ON  FKIENDS'  PRINCIPLES.  77 

Juli/  1-^th.  It  is  now  more  than  half  a  year  since  I  regu- 
lar! j  reviewed  myself  on  paper.  It  has  been  a  half  year,  full 
of  business  of  many  sorts,  and,  I  trust,  not  cntii'ely  unpro- 
ductive of  good.  *  *  At  some  times  during  this  period  I  have 
known  what  it  is  to  live,  as  it  were,  in  the  presence  of  the 
Beloved ;  and  0  may  that  blessed  and  only  satisfying  lot  be- 
conje,  through  faith  and  patience,  more  my  constant  portion  I 
*  *  *  I  believe  that  if  I  do  more  humbly  and  more  sed- 
ulously endeavour  to  observe  and  to  follow  the  Avill  of  my 
Great  Master,  he  will  in  his  own  good  time  give  me  more 
power  and  more  light.  In  the  meantime  let  me  humble  myself 
in  his  presence,-  acknowledging,  with  contrition  of  spirit,  that 
of  myself  lean  do  nothing ;  and  let  me  come  unto  Jesus,  as 
a  little  child,  desirous,  in  simplicity  of  heart  and  eye,  to  know 
and  to  do  his  will. 

In  May,  I  went  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends.  It 
was  an  interesting  time,  and  I  think  wholesome  to  me  in 
many  ways.  In  the  first  place  it  afforded  me  a  fresh  stimulus, 
on  general  grounds,  to  seek  the  Lord  with  all  my  heart ;  and 
secondly,  it  introduced  me  to  a  more  particular  acquaintance 
with  the  Society.  I  thought,  some  time  since,  I  was  advancing 
to  a  greater  agreement  with  this  most  excellent  religious 
body ;  but  I  now  feel  a  little  thrown  back ; — but  this  is  at  a 
time  of  general  weakness. 

I  can,  in  theory,  agree  with  them  in  much  of  their  doctrine 
of  spiritual  guidance ;  but  I  fear  greatly  that  my  practice  is 
contrary  to  the  precepts  they  build  upon  it.  If  it  be  true, 
that  tliere  is  this  liuing  power  which  will  direct  us,  under  all 
circumstances,  in  the  sure  path  which  leadeth  to  life,  0  what 
a  liappiness  to  know  it;  and  what  a  misery  to  be  without  it  I 
0  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleased  to  give  me  this  holy  gift  in 
larger  measure,  and  to  bestow  upon  me  a  heart  to  follow  and 
obey  him. 

I  also  think,  that  Friends  have  reason  on  their  side  with 
respect  to  the  ministry  ;  because  I  can  hardly  conceive  any 
other  authority  for  the  ministry,  than  the  direct  gift  of  tlic 
Spirit.  *  *  Their  testimonies  about  oaths  and  war,  put  them.  I 
think,  upon  a  very  high  ground  :  and  their  ecclesiastical  dis- 


78  REFLECTIONS  ON  FRIENDS'  PRINCIPLES.  1811. 

cipline  is  very  admirable.  I  also  think  there  is  some  reason 
in  their  minor  testimonies,  about  plainness  of  speech  and 
dress.  Indeed,  I  have  felt  so  much  about  the  forn^ier,  that  I 
have  adopted  their  modes  in  some  degree.  How  far  the 
reason  of  the  thing  will  bear  me  out  I  know  not ;  but  my 
having  made  such  a  change,  should  induce  a  state  of  watch- 
fulness and  prayer,  in  a  far  greater  degree  than  is  at  present 
my  portion.  If  it  be  the  Lord's  pleasure  that  I  should  adopt 
these  things,  may  I  be  enabled  to  do  so  with  all  Christian 
boldness.  Let  me  not  be  afraid  of  approaching  my  Saviour 
in  solemn  waiting  to  know  his  will.  With  respect  to  the 
sacraments,  I  own  they  are  matters  of  great"  doubt ;  may  I 
use  all  my  efforts  to  discover  the  divine  will  respecting 
them ! 

0  Ijjessed  Lord  and  Saviour,  who  wiliest  not  the  death  of  a 
sinner,  but  rather  that  he  should  turn  from  his  wickedness 
and  live,  redeem  me  by  thy  holy  power  and  Spirit  from  the 
lusts,  cares,  and  affections  of  this  life ;  and  be  thou  pleased, 
0  Lord,  to  centre  my  soul  on  thee,  the  eternal  rock  of  sa,lva- 
tion ;  that  I  may,  with  fuller  purpose  of  heart,  dedicate  my- 
self to  thy  service,  which  is  perfect  freedom. 


iET.    24.  LANCASTEKIAN    SCHOOL.  79 


CHxiPTER  V. 

1811—1812.     ^T.  24—25. 

GROWING  INTEREST  IN  THE  WELFARE  OF  OTHERS ;  LANCASTERTAN 
school;  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  THE  NORFOLK  AND  NORWICH 
AUXILIARY  BIBLE  SOCIETY  J  PARTIES  AT  EARLHAJI ;  COURSE 
ON   BECOMING    MORE   OF   A   FRIEND. 

Whilst  Joseph  John  Gurnej's  religious  convictions 
were  thus  gradually  drawing  him  into  a  narrower 
path  in  connexion  with  the  Society  of  Friends,  his 
lieart  was  becoming  increasingly  enlarged  in  Chris- 
tian- concern  for  the  welfare  of  others.  He  had 
already  warmly  interested  himself  in  the  formation 
of  a  Lancasterian  School  in  Norwich,  an  institution 
which  long  continued  to  have  his  effective  support. 
The  establishment  of  an  Auxiliarj^  Bible  Society  in 
that  city,  was  an  object  into  -which  he  now  entered 
with  youthful  ardour.  The  General  Meeting  for  its 
formation  was  held  on  the  11th  of  the  9th  mo,,  1811. 

"We  had  a  rare  day  indeed  on  Wednesday,"  he  writes,  two 
days  afterwards,  to  his  Aunt  Jane  Gurney ;  "  nothing  could 
pass  off  more  pleasantly  than  our  Bible  Society  Meeting. 
Understanding  that  considerable  numbers  would  attend,  we 
were  obliged  to  transfer  ourselves  from  the  Market  Hall  to 
the  Hall  of  St.  Andrew's.  Every  thing  was  prepared ;  a 
scaffolding  for  the  speakers,  and  seats  for  the  company,  which 
was  most  respectable,  unexpectedly  clerical,  and  mustered 
about  six  hundred  in  number.     John  Owen  and  myself  con- 


80  AUXILIARY   BIBLE    SOCIETY.  1811. 

trived  the  order  of  business  with  the  Bishop  in  the  morning. 
*  *  The  Bishop  first  harangued,  and  admirably  well,  upon 
the  excellence  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  its 
objects,  constitution,  and  effects.  He  then  introduced  the 
Secretaries.  Steinkopff,  a  most  interesting  German  and 
Lutheran,  and  (as  far  as  I  can  judge  from  an  acquaintance  of 
three  days)  a  remarkably  simple  and  devoted  character,  first 
came  forward.  He  told  the  tale  of  what  the  society  had 
done  in  Germany  and  other  parts  of  Europe,  in  broken  but 
good  English;  and  by  degrees  warmed  the  meeting  into 
enthusiasm.  He  was  followed  by  Hughes,  the  Baptist  Secre- 
tary, an  eloquent,  sohd,  and  convincing  orator.  The  c'orapany 
Avas  now  ready  for  the  resolutions.  The  Bishop  proposed 
them,  I  seconded  them ;  and  after  I  had  given  a  little  of  their 
history  and  purport,  they  were  carried  with  acclamation. 
Eellowes  moved  thanks  to  the  Bishop;  Kinghorn  seconded, 
with  some  excellent  remarks  upon  the  Bishop's  liberality. 
The  Bishop  replied,  and  said  some  fine  things  of  Kinghorn. 
It  Avas  really  delightful  to  hear  an  old  Puritan,  and  a  modern 
Bishop,  saying  every  thing  that  was  kind  and  Christian-like 
of  each  other.  The  Bishop's  heart  seemed  quite  full,  and 
primitive  Kinghorn,  when  the  Bishop  spoke  of  him  so  Avarmly, 
seemed  ready  to  sink  into  the  earth  with  surprise  and  terrified 
modesty.  Owen  closed  the  meeting,  Avith  an  unnecessarily 
splendid,  but  most  effectiA'O  address.  More  than  ^700  was 
collected,  before  the  company  left  the  Hall.  *  *  * 

FROM   JOHN   TALWIN   SHEAVELL   TO   A   FRIENC. 

Ipswich,  9th  mo.  13th,  1811. 

*  *  The  opening  of  the  Auxiliary  Bible  Society  at  Nor- 
wich has  been  delightful  and  most  satisfactory  in  every 
respect,  and  we  haA^e  returned  much  encouraged  to  try  and  do 
likewise.  *  *  *  *  The  union  of  all  denominations  of 
Christians,  in  this  great  and  glorious  AVork,  was  very  interest- 
ing ;  and  has  left  an  impression  upon  the  minds  of  most 
present,  not  likely  to  be  soon  effaced.  At  five  we  adjourned 
to  Earlham  Hall  to  dinner,  where  we  sat  down  to  a  bountiful 


^T.  24.  CHRISTIAN   FELLOWSHIP.  81 

entertainment,  thirty-three  or  thirtj-four  in  number,  a  mix- 
ture of  different  sects  and  persuasions,  eminent  for  their  parts, 
their  piety,  and  their  virtue.  Words  cannot  adequately  express 
the  delightful  feeling  that  reigned ;  so  pure  in  its  nature  and 
object,  it  seemed  somewhat  like  a  foretaste  of  that  blessed  com- 
munion which  the  just  of  all  generations  shall  finally  partake 
of.  Soon  after  the  cloth  was  removed,  our  dear  friend,  Eliza- 
beth Fry,  knelt  down  in  supplication,  in  a  most  sweet  and 
impressive  manner  imploring  the  divine  blessing  upon  the 
present  company,  upon  the  peculiar  labours  of  the  day,  and  for 
the  general  promotion  of  truth  upon  the  earth.  On  her  rising, 
the  Secretary,  Joseph  Hughes,  observed  in  a  solemn  man- 
ner— "  Now,  of  a  truth,  I  perceive  that  God  is  no  respecter 
of  persons,  but  that  in  every  age  and  nation,  those  who  fear 
him  and  work  righteousness,  are  accepted  of  him" — and  the 
conversation  becoming  more  general,  flowed  on  in  so  pleasing 
and  edifying  a  strain,  as  surely  "  had  less  of  earth  in  it  than 
heaven."  The  wine  and  dessert  were  kept  back,  and  the 
servants  dismissed  for  half  an  hour,  that  nothing  might 
interrupt  the  soul-refreshing  current".  The  like  was  never 
witnessed  by  most  of  us  before, 

"For  this  was  converse,  such  as  it  behoves 
Man  to  maintain,  and  such  as  heaven  approves." 

After  tea,  most  of  the  company  still  remaining,  we  again 
assembled,  and  that  chapter  of  Isaiah  being  read  which  begins, 
"Arise!  shine,  for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  is  risen  upon  thee,"  the  Foreign  Secretary,  C.  F.  Stein- 
kopff,  in  his  usual  affectionate  and  simple  manner,  knelt 
down  in  extempore  supplication,  and  we  all  retired  to  rest. 
Amongst  the  family  present  on  this  occasion,  were  Samuel 
and  Louisa  Hoare,  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Fry,  and  Catherine, 
Rachel,  Priscilla,  and  Joseph  John  Gurney.  Of  Priscilla  I 
had  known  a  little  previously,  but  she  appears  to  more 
advantage,  if  possible,  at  home  than  abroad.  She  is  the 
nearest  to  Hannah  More's  Lucilla,  of  any  one  I  ever  saw, 
in  person  and  manners,  in  benevolence  and  piety.  "We  left 
Vol.  I.  — 6 


82  CHRISTIAN   FELLOWSHIP.  1811. 

tins  interesting  and  peculiar  group  witli  feelings  of  regret, 
mingled  "with  a  belief,  that  lie  who  is  guiding,  them  in 
different  ways,  no  doubt  for  purposes  of  his  own  glory, 
will  conduct  them  to  peace  and  happiness,  as  his  wisdom 
sees  best,  for  although  they  do  not  "  walk  by  the  same  rule," 
they  "  mind  the  same  thing,"  and  appear  all  equally  earnest 
to  follow  their  Guide  and  Pattern  in  all  simplicity  and  lowli- 
ness of  mind. 

The  simplicity  and  deep  Christian  importance  of 
the  objects  of  the  Bible  Society  attached  Joseph 
John  Gurney  warmly  to  it,  and  henceforward  it 
ranked  amongst  the  objects  nearest  to  his  heart. 
He  was  appointed  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  the 
infant  Association,  and  for  many  3'ears  he  was 
accustomed  to  devote  the  principal  part  of  several 
weeks  in  each  year,  to  visiting,  on  its  behalf, 
various  places  in  his  own  county,  besides  not  unfre- 
quently,  as  occasion  offered,  advocating  the  cause 
in  other  parts.  The  anniversaries  at  Norwich 
became  connected  with  Earlham  by  associations 
which  imparted  to  them  a  peculiar  interest.  The 
large  dining  room  at  the  Hall,  which  had  been 
built  by  a  former  occupier  for  electioneering  pur- 
poses, was  now,  to  use  Joseph  John  Gurney's 
words,  "devoted  to  the  friends  of  Christ  and  his 
precious  cause."  Here,  for  a  full  quarter  of  a 
century,*  a  large  company  of  Christians  of  various 
denominations,   the    party   sometimes    amounting   to 

*  These  meetings  at  Earlham  were  continued  from  the  year  1811 
to  1836  inclusive,  when  they  were  given  up  during  Joseph  John 
Gurney's  lengthened  absence  in  America.  In  the  latter  years  of 
his  life,  after  his  return,  he  usually  invited  large  companies  of  the 
friends  of  the  cause  to  breakfast  at  Earlham  previously  to  the 
Annual  Meeting. 


ST.  24.  AT   EARLHAM    HALL.  83 

eighty  persons,  were  accustomed  to  meet  on  the  day 
of  the  anniversary,  many  of  them  remaining  as  guests 
in  the  house  for  several  days,  to  attend  other 
meetings  usually  held  about  the  sam-e  time.  His 
beloved  daughter,  in  a  short  sketch  written  during 
the  brief  interval  between  his  decease  and  her 
own,  thus  vividly  recalls  her  impressions  of  these 
anniversaries : — 

"  From  the  time  that  my  dearest  father  put  me  as  a  little 
child  on  the  table  at  dessert  to  look  at  a  party  of  90,  (the 
largest  we  ever  had,)  until  they  were  discontinued,  I  looked 
forward  to  them  as  a  great  treat.  But  they  were,  for  better 
reasons,  occasions  of  extreme  interest,  and  I  have  no  doubt  were 
the  means  of  great  good  in  uniting  many  in  Christian  fellow- 
ship, who  would  otherwise  have  known  each  other  only  by  name. 

Though  my  father  steadily  maintained  his  own  views  as  a 
Friend,  he  was  always  ready  to  give  a  warm  welcome  to  the 
individuals  who  came  down  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the 
Mis^onary  and  Jews  Societies ;  which  were  held  in  the  same 
week  with  that  of  the  Bible  Society.  He  treated  the  mission- 
aries and  agents  with  the  greatest  kindness,  and  helped  them 
in  those  parts  of  their  objects  in  which  he  could  do  so  con- 
sistently with  his  principles,  especially  in  the  distribution  of 
the  Hebrew  Scriptures  to  the  Jews,  and  in  the  schools  of  the 
missionaries.  He  certainly  had  a  remarkable  power  of 
showing  love  and  friendship  towards  his  fellow-christians, 
while  he  always  openly  acknowledged  and  maintained  his  own 
opinions  on  particular  points.  A  more  complete  illustration 
of  this  part  of  his  character  there  could  not  be,  than  in  his 
mode  of  conducting  the  very  large  parties  at  Earlham  of  which 
I  am  speaking.  There  were  always  three  dinner  parties  on 
the  3d,  4th,  and  5th  days  of  the  week  of  the  meetings.  His 
brothers-in-law  (my  uncle  Buxton  and  my  uncle  Cunning- 
ham) were  generally  his  helpers"  on  such  occasions,  and 
invited  whom  they  pleased ;  and  certainly  the  dining  room 
filled   on   those    days   was   no   common   sight.      There  were 


^  CHRISTIAN   FELLOWSHIP.  1811    . 

persons  of  all  denominations ;  among  the  rest,  many  of  the 
Norwich  Friends,  most  of  them  indeed,  on  one  of  the  three 
days.  It  was  so  different  from  a  party  called  together  for 
mere  amusement ;  so  fine  a  feeling  pervaded  the  whole,  while 
he,  as  master,-  was  wonderfully  enabled  to  keep  up  the  tone  of 
conversation,  so  that  I  should  think  it  never  sank  to  a  mere 
chit-chat  level.  My  impression  is  that  while  he  greatly  felt 
the  responsibility  of  these  occasions,  he  most  truly  enjoyed 
them,  having  often  around  him  those  whose  conversation  was 
a  feast  to  him,  such  as  Wilberforce,  Simeon,  Legh  Richmond, 
John  Cunningham,  and  many  others.  I  never  saw  my 
dearest  father  look  more  beautiful,  than  he  did  at  the  bottom 
of  those  long  tables-  As  soon  as  the  cloth  was  removed,  he 
would  extract  from  his  guests  their  varied  stores  of  information 
in  the  most  happy  manner.*  Thus  the  time  was  turned  to 
account,  and  I  have  no  doubt  these  days  were  often  very 
profitable  to  many,  as  it  was  his  most  earnest  desire  they 
should  be.  He  was  careful  to  be  attentive  to  guests  of  every 
degree,  and  was  particularly  kind  to  those  whom,  from  their 
position  in  life  or  otherwise,  he  thought  liable  to  be  over- 
looked." 

His  ^yatcbful  endeavours  fo  maintain,  with  stead}' 
consistency,  his  own  religious  principles  was  not  the 
least  striking  feature  of  these  anniversarj^  meetings. 
To  this  they  doubtless  owed  no  small  measure  of 
their  peculiar  interest,  and  many  who  have  been 
privileged  to  meet  there  can  recur  with  genuine 
satisfaction  to  the  sweet  and  tranquillizing  influence 

*  "  I  recall  one  day,"  writer  one  of  his  nieces  who  was  frequently 
present,  ''  when  the  sitting  at  the  breakfast  table  was  prolonged  half 
the  morning,  by  a  deeply  interesting  conversation,  and  comparing  of 
notes  between  him  and  the  present  Bishop  of  Calcutta,  on  the  im- 
portant subject  of  the  Christian  ministry,  the  late  Sir  Fowell  Buxton 
also  taking  a  lively  part,  and  pointing  out  the  defects  to  which  he 
considered  the  delivery  of  the  message  the  most  liable." 


MI.    24.  SELF-EX AMINATIOX.  85 

that  has  appeared  to  preside  over  the  large  and 
varied  party,  when  the  liveUness  of  conversation  has 
been  succeeded  by  the  calm  of  an  impressive  silence^ 
and  they  have  been  permitted  to  feel,  amidst  all 
Qutward  separations,  something  of  that  communion 
which  subsists  between  the  members  of  the  '-one 
fold,"  under  the  "  one  Shepherd."  "  Very  sweet 
and  solemn,"  he  writes  in  his  Autobiography,  ''  have 
the  family  readings  and  other  religious  opportunities 
been  found  at  these  times.  It  has  been  a  rallying 
point,  a  point  of  union  to  many,  in  this  world  of 
uncertainty  and  dispute."  Rare  indeed  were  the  cir- 
cumstances in  which  so  many  individuals,  sejDarated 
hy  so  many  differences  of  character  and  position, 
coulji  be  thus  drawn  together  as  to  a  common  centre. 
Rarer  still  was  that  peculiar  combination  of  learn- 
ing, talent,  and  refinement,  dignified  by  the  graces 
of  the  humble  Christian,  and  exercised  under  the 
powerful  influence  of  Christian  love,  which  was  re- 
quired in  the  host  who  could  give  the  tone  to  so 
varied  an  assemblage,  making  the  occasion  of  their 
meeting  at  once  delightful  and  instructive. 
To  turn  once  more  to  the  Journal : — 

November  10th,  1811.  I  am  now  in  my  twenty-fourth 
year,  and  surely  it  behoves  me  to  delay  no  longer  coming 
into  the  fold  of  my  Saviour,  there  to  remain  in  his  service 
established  for  evermore.  *  *  I  feel  deeply  the  weakness 
of  my  nature,  which  is  constantly  retarding  all  my  efforts 
to  enter  in  at  the  narrow  gate.  I  labour,  and  mav  say, 
mourn,  at  this  moment,  under  a  sense  of  deplorable  indolence 
and  want  of  power ;  of  a  sluggish  inability  to  receive  and 
dwell  on  the  sacred  truths,  upon  which  are  founded  all  my 
hopes.  I  grievously  fear  lest  the  foundation  I  have  laid 
should  at  length  be  found  sandy.     !My  principles  want  clear- 


B6  SELF-EXAMINATIOF.  1811. 

ness,  strengtli,  and  depth.  I  long  for  that  well-grounded 
undeviating  faith,  which  will  produce  a  persevering  and 
unalterable  course  of  righteousness,  and  bear  [me]  up  beyond 
all  the  trials  of  this  world  and  death  itself.  "  This  is  life 
eternal,  to  know  thee,  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ 
whom  thou  hast  sent."  To  have  an  experimental  knowledge 
of  God  our  Saviour,  to  feel  that  we  are  kept  by  his  power, 
and  thus  solidly  to  trust  in  his  living  grace  and  the  multitude 
of  his  tender  mercies — this  is  indeed  life  eternal ;  this  is  that 
joy  which  the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take  away.  0  the 
entanglements  of  the  world !  I  have  many  pursuits ;  many 
cares ;  and  though  these  cares  are  generally  of  a  nature 
pertaining  to  the  duty  of  a  Christian,  yet  in  these  very  things 
I  fall  from  the  Lord.  *  *  "  My  spirit  cleaveth  unto  the  dust ; 
quicken  thou  me  according  to  thy  word.  My  soul  melteth 
for  heaviness;  strengthen  thou  me  according  unto  thy  word." 
How  can  we  walk  in  peace  on  the  waves  of  this  troubled,  sea ; 
this  sea  of  hopes,  and  fears,  and  cares ;  unless  Ave  have  faith  in 
him  upon  whom  help  is  laid  ?  *  *  0  thou,  in  whose  presence 
is  fulness  of  joy,  merciful  Redeemer,  thou  Lamb  without 
blemish  and  without  spot,  may  it  please  thee  to  purify  thy 
servant.  Burn  up  the  chaff,  0  Lord.  Let  not  thine  hand 
spare,  nor  thine  eye  pity,  till  thou  hast  made  me  that  which 
thou  wouldst  have  me  to  be :  that  when  this  world  and  all  its 
vain  cares  and  lusts  are  passed  away  for  ever,  thou  mayest  still 
be  my  Light,  my  Lord,  my  present  Saviour,  and  my  God. 

In  allusion  to  the  meeting  of  the  Bible  Society, 
at  Norwich,  he  says  : — 

It  was  a  profitable  thing  to  be  thrown  into  the  company  of 
so  many  good  and  zealous  persons ;  though  I  fear  I  did  not 
reap  that  benefit  from  it  which  some  experienced.  During 
the  whole  of  this  period  my  dear  sister  Fry's  example  and 
ministry  were  affecting  to  me,  and  I  hope  useful.  But  how 
is  every  earthly  help  in  a  religious  life  apt  to  become  of  no 
avail,  unless  the  mind  is  thoroughly  awake  to  receive  the  gift ! 


JET.  24.  IMPRESSIONS   FROM   FRIENDS.  87 

His  convictions  in  fixvour  of  the  principles 
of  Friends  were  now  gradually  deepening,  thouglj 
it  was  his  lot  for  some  time  longer  to  struggle 
with  many  conflicting  feelings.  It  is  instructive 
to  mark  how  strongly  he  continued  to  feel 
the  discovery  of  the  truth  to  be  chiefly,  or 
indeed  only  important,  as  it  affected  his  prac- 
tice; how  the  earnest  disciplining  of  his  heart  in 
righteousness  appears,  through  all,  as  his  primary 
object. 

Novemler  10<A.  *  *  When  I  wrote  my  last  review,*  I  had 
been  under  strong  impressions  from  Friends ;  these  impressions 
were  increased  by  all  that  passed  about  the  time  of  my  uncle's 
funeral.f  Henry  Hull,  Ann  Burgess,  and  Elizabeth  Robson. 
weref  in  Norwich.  The  first  a  most  excellent  simple-hearted 
American,  was,  I  think,  very  deep  in  his  religious  experience ; 
wonderfully  devoted  to  his  Master's  service,  and  embracing  a 
large  and  orthodox  view  of  religion ;  but,  for  my  own  part,  I 
was  chiefly  impressed  by  the  ministry  of  Ann  Burgess,  which, 
on  one  Tuesday  morning,  in  particular,  was  delightfully 
encouraging  to  me,  when  I  was  in  a  state  of  doubt  about  m}- 
religious  course.  I  was  now  plainer  in  my  dress  and  using 
Friends'  language  in  part.  The  month  of  August  I  spent 
with  John  at  Yarmouth  and  Aldborough.  Priscilla,  with 
Louisa  and  her  children,  joined  us  at  Aldborough.  I  read 
some  of  Butler's  Analogy  with  Louisa,  and  had  many 
opportunities  of  becoming  more  nearly  acquainted  with  the 
sweetness  and  greatness  of  her  character.  During  this  time 
the  impression  fi-om  Friends,  certainly,  I  believe,  through  my 
own  weakness  subsided. 

December  loth,  Sunday.  The  present  day  has  been  passed 
satisfactorily.  *  *  The  burden  of  it  has  been  the  necessity  of 
regeneration;  of  the  knowledge  which  is  from  the  Spirit;  and 

♦See  extract,  supra  p.  77.  f  His  uncle  Richard  Gurney. 


88  BIBLE    SOCIETY.  1812 

of  more  complete  dedication  of  heart  to  the  service  of  Jesus 
Christ  my  Lord.  0  may  I  be  enabled  to  pass  the  coming 
week  in  the  presence  and  fear  of  the  Lord.  May  it  be  my 
only  pleasure  and  object  to  do  his  will ;  and,  aided  by  his 
Spirit,  to  apply  myself  effectually  to  the  different  departments 
of  my  business  in  life ;  still  looking  forwards  to  the  city  not 
built  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 

January  3r(f,  [1812.]  [On]  Thursday,  [26th  December,] 
to  Lynn.  Spent  a  week  there  with  John  and  Daniel :  a 
pleasant  and  satisfactory  time.  At  church  on  Sunday  after- 
noon, where  E.  Edwards  preached  a  striking  sermon  on  the 
shortness  of  life.  On  Tuesday  night,  the  31st,  Edwards  with 
us;  the  last  hour  or  two  of  the  old  year  introduced  an 
interesting  conversation  and  prayer  from  E.  Edwards. 

TO    JOHN    TALWIN    SHEWELL. 

I.ynn,  1st  January,  1812. 

"When  we  were  strolling  together  last  summer  upon  Ald- 
T»orough  shingle,  we  little  expected  that  we  should  so  soon  see 
two  flourishing  Bible  Associations  in  Norfolk  and  Suffolk. 
The  important  work  has  prospered  under  our  hands  more 
than  we  could  have  hoped  for,  and  in  a  manner  which  ought 
to  lead  us  humbly  to  return  thanks  to  him  from  whom  cometh 
"  every  good  and  perfect  gift."  You  appear  to  have  managed 
your  concerns  better  than  we  did.  You  are  evidently  right 
in  having  at  once  set  to  work  to  increase  your  funds  by  per- 
sonal applications,  and  the  establishment  of  minor  associa- 
lions.  I  trust  we  shall  ultimately  effect  the  same  thing. 
The  committee  at  Norwich,  has  been  lately  occupied  by  the 
subject  of  home  distribution,  which  it  has  at  last  determined  to 
effect  through  the  subscribers.  "We  began  with  Norwich 
where  there  were  more  than  1500  families  containing  readers, 
entirely  without  the  Scriptures.  Many  of  these  have  already 
been  supplied  by  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Know- 
ledt^e,  and  I  hope  that  when  our  distribution  is  effected,  no 
(Treat  deficiency  will  remain.  Our  school  at  Norwich  has 
taken  up  still  more  of  my  time  than  the  Bible  Society.     It  is 


2ET.  24.  JOURNAL.  '       80 

already  brought  into  excellent  order,  and  I  am  at  last  pretty 
confident  of  its  ultimate  success. 

I  heartily  unite  with  thee  in  the  sincere  desire,  that  •vvhvle 
■we  are  looking  to  the  good  of  others,  we  may  not  be  neglect- 
ing ourselves.  May  we  all  be  advancing  in  obedience  to  the 
will  of  God,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  his  Son,  Jesus  Christ : 
—  the  latter  is  the  consequence  of  the  former.  "He  that 
hath  my  commandments  and  kcepeth  them,  he  it  is  that 
loveth  me ;  and  he  that  loveth  me,  shall  be  loved  of  my  Father, 
and  I  will  love  him,  and  will  manifest  myself  to  him.''  This 
fext  affords  great  consolation  to  those  who  are  very  sensible, 
as  I  own  I  am,  of  the  darkness  which  surrounds  us  here.  If 
we  humbly  endeavour  to  do  our  Master's  will,  he  will  manifest 
himself  to  us.  I  humbly  hope  and  pray,  that  this  new  year 
may  bring  us  both  nearer  to  the  Fountain  of  living  waters.  I 
write  it  with  a  deep  impression  of  my  own  instability ;  but  may 
we,  through  divine  assistance,  not  be  "of  them  who  draw  back 
unto  perdition,  but  of  them  that  believe  to  the  saving  of  the 
Eoul." 

The  following  are  from  his  Journal :  — 

Sunday,  5th  January.  The  new  year  is  now  before  me, 
and  I  can  truly  say,  that  I  earnestly  desire  it  may  be  spent 
more  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  more  to  my  own  peace,  than 
the  year  which  is  gone  by.  My  objects  are  numerous  and  im- 
portant. 0  may  I  not  fail  from  my  duty  in  any  of  them,  and 
may  my  heart  be  so  fixed  on  my  Maker,  that  all  things  may 
be  carried  on  in  subjection  to  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  with  a  view 
to  serving  him. 

The  Bible  Society  lies  pretty  easy  upon  me.  The  school 
will  require  constant  attention  ;  so  will  the  Bank ;  so  will  the 
cultivation  of  my  own  mind.  *  *  Before  breakfast  I  purpose 
to  employ  myself  with  quotations  ;*  [the]  critical  study  of  the 
New    Testament ;    and    Tomline's    refutation   of    Calvinism. 

*  This  refers  to  the  comparison  with  the  Hebrew  original  of  the 
quotations  from  the  Old  Testament  occurring  in  the  New,  in  which 
he  was  now  engaged.     See  infra,  p.  111. 


90     •  JOURNAL.  1812. 

For  the  present,  to  be  at  the  Bank  regularly  at  nine ,  to  visit 
the  school  daily ;  to  fill  up  my  leisure  every  afternoon  with 
English  History  and  Greek.  I  deeply  feel  how  uncertain  it 
is  whether  my  life  and  health  will  enable  me  to  execute  my 
plans.  Truly  I  hold  everything  at  the  hand  of  my  God ;  he 
giveth,  and  if  he  taketh  away,  blessed  be  his  name. 

Sunday  J  l^th  January.  Read  with  Rachel  before  breakfast ; 
attended  at  the  Sunday  school,  where  I  tasted  pure  pleasure  ; 
a  striking  visit  after  Meeting  to  an  insane  person ;  at  Kino-- 
horn's  chapel  in  the  afternoon,  tedious  but  striking  sermon 
upon  Isaiah  liv.  13:  "All  thy  children  shall  be  taught  of  th^ 
Lord." 

Saturday,  %th  February.  *  *  I  have  great  doubts  whether 
I  have  not  disregarded  Quaker  scruples  to  my  hurt.  May  I 
be  enabled  simply  to  perform  the  Lord's  will  in  this  and  all 
other  respects  ;  and  may  it  please  thee,  0  Lord,  to  strengthen 
me  in  that  which  is  right,  and  to  shine  once  more  upon  my 
wandering  mind.  Let  me  remember,  that  it  is  the  very  pur- 
pose of  multiplied  trials,  whether  little  or  great,  to  loosen  our 
hold  of  this  world,  and  to  fix  our  prospects  upon  the  world 
which  is  to  come. 

Sunday,  21st  March.  To-day  twice  at  Meeting.  Beautiful 
testimony  borne  by  dear  Elizabeth  to  the  power  and  offices  of 
our  Saviour  ;  —  reading  satisfactory.  Next  week  must  be  a 
busy  one.  Improved  exertion  will  be  necessary  before  break- 
fast ;  let  me  never  enter  upon  the  day  without  the  due  pre- 
paration. The  Bible  Society,  the  school,  the  Bank,  Friends, 
my  studies,  will  I  hope  find  respectively  their  right  places. 
May  I,  by  a  closer  walk  with  God,  enjoy  in  all  things  a  sweet 
communion  with  him ;  and  that  direction,  safe  and  clear,  which 
is  given  to  all  who  seek  it  in  sincerity.  Let  my  watchwords 
be  temperance,  diligence,  watchfulness,  prayer. 

April  12f^,  Sunday.  *  *  To-day  has  through  mercy  been 
peaceful  and  refreshing.  Read  life  of  Penington  with 
Priscilla  before  breakfast ;  walked  to  Norwich ;  two  very 
reviving  meetings.  *  *  May  the  good  impressions  given  this 
day  continue  with  me  for  my  benefit  during  the  week  to 
come.      17th.     [After   alluding   to  a  religious  visit  from  his 


^T.    24.  JOURNAL.  91 

uncle  Joseph  Gurney  and  another  friend,  he  remarks,]  I  have 
felt  that  if  ever  I  go  forth  in  the  Lord's  service,  I  must  first 
pass  through  tribulation  and  deep  trials  of  faith.  *  *  I  am 
conscious  of  my  own  manifold  past  transgressions ;  I  am 
conscious  of  the  instances  in  which,  I  believe,  I  have  fought 
against  the  Lord's  Spirit ;  and  am  truly  conscious  of  my  pre- 
sent weakness  and  ignorance.  I  believe,  I  may  add,  that  I 
feel  a  simple  and  sincere  desire  to  be  actuated  by  his  grace  in 
the  heart,  to  bow  befofe  him  and  to  do  his  will,  whithersoever 
he  may  be  pleased  to  lead  me. 

0  Lord,  enable  me  to  be  faithful  unto  thee ;  try  me  not 
with  greater  temptation  than  I  can  bear.  Give  me  the 
knowledge  of  thy  holy  truth,  and  finally  accept  us  all,  for  the 
sake  of  thy  beloved  Son  Jesus  Christ. 

31aij  Zrd.  Since  I  wrote,  it  has  been,  I  fear,  a  dark  and 
unfruitful  time  in  my  own  mind.  The  Edwardses  here  from 
Monday  the  20th,  to  Tuesday,  the  28th  of  April.  Their  visit 
very  delightful,  and  I  trust  not  unprofitable,  though  I  fear 
ray  soul  was  very  barren.  On  Sunday,  the  26th  April, 
Edwards  preached  in  the  afternoon  on  forgetfulness  of  God, 
and  pronounced  a  very  striking  comment  in  the  evening,  upon 
the  3rd  chapter  of  John.  Priscilla,  Rachel,  he,  and  I,  read 
his  and  dear  Elizabeth's  correspondence  upon  the  doctrinal 
faith  of  Friends.  May  the  Lord  graciously  enable  me,  in  my 
course  with  them,  to  hold  fast  to  Jesus  Christ  crucified,  the 
only  hope  of  glory.  *  *  Tuesday,  parted  with  E.  E.,  after  a 
solemn  prayer  from  him.  0  the  vail,  the  phlegm,  the 
poverty  of  my  spirit,  which  prevented  my  reaping  more 
benefit  from  the  society  of  this  dear  friend. 

May  11th.  [After  alluding  to  a  Bible  meeting  at  Faken- 
ham.]  There  is  great  danger  lest  self  should  be  exalted  in 
these  public  matters.  I  desire  to  be  preserved  from  this 
danger.  May  the  Lord  be  pleased  yet  to  guide  me,  though  I 
have,  indeed,  to  confess  myself  a  poor  wandering  sheep. 

To-morrow  I  intend  going  to  the  Yearly  Meeting.  *  *  My 
wish  is — 1st.  To  stand  fast,  on  fundamentals,  in  general  Chris- 
tianity. 2nd.  To  conform  to  Friends  wherever  it  may  appear 
my  duty.    3rd.  To  seize  this  opportunity  of  laying  my  heart 


92  JOURNAL.  1812. 

open  to  God ;  to  get  upon  good  ground ;  to  expose  my  chaff 
to  the  fire. 

0  thou  Saviour  who  changest  not,  be  pleased  to  comfort 
and  restore  thy  servant.  Do  with  him  as  thou  wilt ;  enable 
him  on  this  occasion  to  do  his  duty ;  cleanse  him  from  all  im- 
purity ;  teach  him  thy  ways ;  clothe  him,  gracious  Lord,  in  the 
robe  of  thy  righteousness ;  give  him  faith,  and  present  him 
spotless  in  holiness  to  the  throne  of  grace. 

June  6th.  Returned  this  day  from  London,  where  I  have 
passed  eighteen  busy  and  interesting  days.  The  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, which  engrossed  me  almost  entirely,  has  been  interesting, 
and  I  hope  profitable.  I  have  been  enabled  to  unite  with 
Friends  in  their  spirituality,  and  have  thought  I  had  reason 
to  be  satisfied  with  their  mode  of  spiritual  worship.  The 
first  few  days  were  to  me  a  season  of  humiliation  and  peace ; 
little  communication  with  particular  individuals,  but  great 
satisfaction  in  observing  generally  the  striking  manner  in 
which  the  character  of  Christ,  and  the  doctrine  of  the  cross, 
were  frequently  brought  forward. 

JuIt/  12th,  Sunday.  *  *  *  I  desire  to  thank  my  God  for 
his  unmerited  blessings  this  day ;  during  which  I  have 
experienced  the  necessity  of  humiliation  and  watchfulness ; 
a  willingness  to  obey  the  Lord,  and  a  humble  desire  to  be 
led  about  and  instructed  by  him.  The  principal  point  in  my 
mind,  the  necessity  of  greater  and  more  complete  integrity. 
A  questioning,  whether  it  may  not  soon  be  right  for  me  to 
conform,  in  other  little  matters,  to  the  habits  of  Friends. 

Sunday,  July  2Qth.  Another  week  passed  in  considerable 
indolence,  the  effect  of  visiting  far  from  profitable ;  very 
little  done,  and  this  morning  my  mind  very  low.     Yesterday 

I  went  to 's,  and  doubted  whether  it  was  not  my  duty  to 

20  into  the  room  with  mv  hat  on.  I  did  not  do  it,  and 
believe  it  was  not  absolutely  required  of  me ;  still  I  was 
afraid  of  trusting  the  impression  on  my  mind.  Be  pleased, 
0  great  God,  to  deliver  this  poor  worm  from  the  workings 
and  scruples  of  his  own  creation,  but  graciously  enable  him, 
by  thy  mighty  power,  to  do  whatsoever  thou  wilt ;  yea,  Lord, 
create  an  honest  and  an  upright  heart  within  me,  and  deliver 


MI.  24-25.  CLOSER    UNION   WITH    FRIENDS.  93 

me,  for  thou  art  God :  this  I  pray,  for  the  sake  of  thy  beloved 
Son  Jesus  Christ. 

TO    ONE   OF   HIS   SISTERS. 

Cromer,  Sunday  Afternoon,  July  26th. 

I  am  just  arrived  at  this  place  on  a  visit  to  the  Grove 
family.  While  part  of  the  family  are  walking,  Jane  and  I 
are  seated  by  a  window  looking  upon  the  sea,  and  I  thought  I 
might  as  well  employ  myself  by  sending  thee  a  few  lines.  *  * 
Every  day's  experience  serves  to  prove  that  the  Lord  leads 
his  children  by  diiferent  ways  to  the  same  end.  For  my  own 
part,  though  just  now  faint  and  discouraged,  and  feeling 
with  more  than  common  force  the  obstructions  which  my 
nature  is  opposing  to  divine  grace,  yet  I  believe  I  am  moving 
on  slowly,  and  in  a  line  somewhat  diverging  from  thine. 
Far  as  our  external  paths  may  diverge,  if  we  each  can  but  bo 
faithful  to  the  light  given  us,  I  believe  our  hearts  and  our 
religious  sympathies  will  always  remain  strong  and  near. 

I  am  much,  and  increasingly  under  the  power  of  some  of 
the  minor  difficulties  which  Friends  have  to  .bear ;  my  judg- 
ment is  also  increasingly  accordant  with  them  on  some  very 
important  points,  particularly  about  ministry.  I  have  been 
engaged  lately  in  reading  the  Bible,  with  the  desire  of  form- 
ing a  scriptural  view  of  the  mode  of  the  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  I  must  own  that,  whether  it  be  a  warped 
mind,  or  whether  it  be  the  truth,  the  result  of  my  researches 
is  much  in  favour  of  the  opinion  of  Friends.  At  the  same 
time  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  I  have  not  many  doubts.  I 
only  wish  that  I  more  watchfully  and  completely  acted  up  to 
the  knowledge  given. 

The'  entry  in  the  Journal  which  follows,  written 
upon  his  25th  birthday,  a  few  days  after  he  had 
penned  the  foregoing  letter,  is  the  first  which  is  dated 
according  to  the  usage  of  Friends. 

Fh'st  day,  Sth  mo.,  2nd,  1812.  I  believe  I  may  rejoice  in 
having  had  the  assistance  of  the  Lord  in  the  past  week.     On 


94  CLOSER   UNION   "WITH   FRIENDS.  1812, 

sixth  day,  on  my  return  from  Cromer,  I  made  up  my  mind, 
I  humbly  trust,  with  the  divine  blessing,  to  conform  more 
entirely  with  Friends  in  plainness  of  speech  and  apparel. 
Another  little  difficulty,  which  I  mentioned  last  week,  (great 

in  prospect  to  so  poor  a  creature,  but  surmounted  at 's 

on  sixth  day,  I  believe  for  the  best,)  has  been  the  only  thing 
which  has  caused  me  much  pain,  though  my  mind,  through- 
out the  week,  has  been  a  good  deal  oppressed.  I  now  feel 
thankful  and  at  ease,  and  I  trust  the  experience  of  the  last 
week  has  been  confirming,  through  mercy,  to  my  general 
faith.  I  do  humbly  desire  to  be  enabled  to  look  to  Christ,  as  a 
precious  Saviour,  who  has  shed  his  blood  for  my  justification, 
and  giveth  his  Spirit  for  my  sanctification.  I  desire  to  love 
and  obey  him  without  reserve ;  conscious,  however,  that 
nothing  can  be  done  in  my  own  strength. 

Many  years  later,  in  his  Autobiography,  he  thus 
reviews  this  important  period  of  his  life  : — 

I  am  not  sure  of  the  precise  time,  but  I  think  it  was  very 
soon  after  my  father's  decease,  and  after  a  visit  from  my 
dearest  sister  Fry  to  our  family  and  meeting,  that  as  I  lay  in 
bed  one^  night,  light  from  above  seemed  to  beam  upon  me 
and  point  out  in  a  very  explicit  manner,  the  duty  of  sub- 
mitting to  decided  Quakerism,  more  particularly  to  the 
humbling  sacrifice  of  "  plainness  of  speech,  behaviour,  and 
apparel."  The  visitation  was  strong,  but  my  will  was 
stronger ;  I  would  not,  I  did  not  comply ;  putting  off 
what  appeared  to  me  almost  unbearable,  to  a  more  "  con- 
venient season."  I  was  then  rather  more  than  twenty-one 
years  old,  and  the  morning  sacrifice  was  not  bound  to  the 
horns  of  the  Lord's  altar  with .  the  integrity,  boldness,  and 
simplicity,  which  the  case  required.  Many  persons  might 
say  that,  taking  into  view  the  danger  of  imagination  in  such 
measures,  I  did  well  in  resisting  this  call.  After  a  space  of 
nearly  thirty  years,  full  of  a  variety  of  experience,  I  am  not 
of  this  judgment ;  for  I  believe  that  nothing  is  more  profit- 
able   than   the   ready  obedience  of  faith,  and  nothing  more 


ST.  24-25.  CLOSER    UNIOX   WITH   FRIENDS.  95 

dangerous  than  the  contrary.  In  my  own  case,  the  effect  of 
irresolution  was  a  painful  state  of  spiritual  weakness ;  and 
when  at  last  I  made  the  sacrifice,  it  was  but  lamely  done,  and 
under  circumstances  of  still  greater  humiliation  to  the  pride 
and  vanity  of  my  own  heart  than  it  would  have  been  at  first. 
In  the  mean  time  I  enjoyed  some  very  precious  religious 
privileges,  two  of  which  deserve  to  be  particularly  recorded. 
The  first  was  a  visit  to  our  meeting  from  our  friend  Ann 
Jones,  (then  Ann  Burgess.)  I  was  powerfully  affected  and 
subdued  under  her  ministry,  almost,  if  not  quite  constrained 
to  surrender  at  discretion  by  the  love  of  Christ.  The  second 
was  an  attendance  at  the  Yearly  Meeting,  to  which,  in  despite 
of  my  youth  and  lapelled  coat,  I  was  appointed  representative. 
I  well  remember  insisting  in  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  on  the 
reading  of  the  advice  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  respecting  what 
ought  to  be  the  character  of  representatives,  by  way  of  show- 
ing myself  unfit,  but  the  Friends  prevailed.  *  *  The  Yearly 
Meeting  was  to  me,  in  this  as  in  other  years,  -an  occasion  of 
inexpressible  Solemnity — I  hope  of  edification. 

Soon  after  my  return  home,  I  was  engaged  to  a  dinnei 
party  at  the  house  of  one  of  our  first  county  gentlemen. 
Three  weeks  before  the  time  was  I  engaged,  and  three  weeks 
was  my  young  mind  in  agitation,  from  the  apprehension,  of 
which  I  could  not  dispossess  myself,  that  I  must  enter  his 
drawing  room  with  my  hat  on.  From  this  sacrifice,  strange 
and  unaccountable  as  it  may  appear,  I  could  not  escape.  In 
a  Friend's  attire,  and  with  my  hat  on,  I  entered  the  drawing 
room  at  the  dreaded  moment,  shook  hands  with  the  mistress 
of  the  house,  went  back  into  the  hall,  deposited  my  hat, 
spent  a  rather  comfortable  evening,  and  returned  home  in 
some  degree  of  peace.  I  had  afterwards  the  same  thing  to 
do  at  the  Bishop's ;  the  result  was,  that  I  found  myself  the 
decided  Quaker,  was  perfectly  understood  to  have  assumed 
that  character,  and  to  dinner  parties,  except  in  the  family 
circle,  was  asked  no  more. 

To    some   readers    such    an   incident   may  appear 
almost   inexplicable.     That  true  religion  leads   into 


96  CLOSER    UNION   WITH   FRIENDS.  1812." 

no  wayward  eccentricities  may  be  readily  admitted. 
Yet  if  there  be,  as  every  believer  in  the  New 
Testament  must  acknowledge,  a  reality  in  the 
being  and  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  it  cannot 
surely  be  denied  that,  under  such  a  guidance, 
adapted  as  it  is  to  all  the  varieties  of  individual 
character  and  circumstances,  there  may  be  cases  in 
which  the  awakened  soul  is  constrained  to  do  or 
to  leave  undone,  things  which,  at  other  times,  and 
under  other  circumstances,  may  be  felt  to  be 
matters  of  indifference.  The  workings  of  imagi- 
nation, leading  into  the  ever  varying  forms  of 
"  will  worship,  and  voluntarily  humility,"  have  been 
doubtless,  at  times,  mistaken  for  divine  illumina- 
tion. But  it  is  not  imagination — it  is  the  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  alone  —  which,  whilst  calling  for 
the  sacrifice,  humbles  the  soul,  draws  it  from  evil, 
and  establishes  it  in  holiness;  which,  apart  from 
all  excitement,  can  inspire  living  faith  in  Christ, 
true  love  to  God,  and  simple  resignation  to  his  will 
in  all  things.  And  shall  the  errors  of  a  mis- 
guided fancy,  or  the  mistakes  even  of  good  men, 
lead  any  to  doubt  the  truth  or  the  safety  of  his 
heavenly  direction  when  so  evidenced.  To  the 
religious  mind  the  view  here  presented  of  the 
young  disciple,  but  a  few  years  before  conspicuous 
for  his  elegant  accomplishments  in  the  ball  room, 
now  made  willing,  in  obedience  to  the  call  of  appre- 
hended duty,  to  "  become  a  fool"  amongst  his  for- 
mer acquaintance  for  the  sake  of  his  Divine  Master, 
cannot  fail  to  furnish  matter  for  profitable  reflection. 

"The  wearing  of  the  hat  in  the  house,"  continues  Joseph 
John  Gurney,  "  is  not  my  practice.     I  have  no  "svish  to  re- 


^T.    24-25.  CLOSER    UNION   WITH    FRIENDS.  9T 

peat  what  then  happened ;  but  I  dare  not  regret  a  drcum- 
stance  -which  was,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  made  the  means 
of  fully  deciding  my  course,  and  thus  of  facilitating  my 
future  progress.  Here  I  would  observe  that  when  scruples  on 
points  of  a  religious  and  practical  nature  are  well  founded, 
they  abide  the  test  of  time  and  experience.  This  has  been 
completely  the  case  with  me,  as  it  relates  to  plainness.  Never 
have  I  regretted  the  change  which  I  then  made ;  never 
have  I  doubted,  that  in  that  direction  precisely,  lay  my 
appointed  course  of  religious  duty.  I  might  have  taken  a 
more  dazzling  course  in  the  world,  or  even  in  the  "  religious 
world ;"  but  I  believe  that,  in  proportion  to  my  willingness 
to  be  circumscribed  within  these  someAvhat  humihating  boun- 
daries,  has  been,  in  fact,  the  scope  both  for  usefulness  and 
happiness.  Let  it  always  be  remembered,  that  the  restraints 
of  the  Spirit  are  most  abundantly  recompensed  by  its  blessed 
liberty." 

The  passage  in  the  Journal  under  date  8th  month, 
2nd,  after  recording  his  decision  as  above  noticed, 
closes  with  the  following  reflections  :* — 

In  thus  entering  more  completely  into  a  small  society  of 
Christians,  I  feel  satisfied  on  the  ground  of  beheving  that 
they  hold  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  in  many  respects,  more  in 
its  original  purity  than  any  other  sect.  At  the  same  time, 
my  judgment  differs  from  them  about  some  particulars  ;  I 
think  I  may  say,  it  docs  about  the  sacraments ;  and  I  seem 
to  see  how  much  Friends  would  be  improved,  by  a  more  ex- 
tensive knowledge  and  profession  of  the  great  offices  of  a 
Saviour's  love.  I  also  think,  that  there  is  a  danger  in  the 
Society  of  laying  too  great  a  stress  upon  trifles.  Thus  im- 
pressed, I  earnestly  hope  I  shall  ever  be  able  to  stand  upon  a 
broad  basis,  whereon  I  can  heartily  unite  with  all  Christians. 

*  The  extract  given  at  p.  93  supra,  with  that  here  inserted,  consti- 
tute the  whole  of  this  important  eptry.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add 
that  it  is  printed  verbatim  as  it  stands  in  the  Journal. 

Vol.  L  — 7 


98  CLOSER    UNION   WITH   FRIENDS.  1812 

I  desire  a  catholic  spirit ;  a  truly  humble  and  dependent 
mind  ;  an  increase  of  faith,  hope,  watchfulness,  and  knowledge 
of  Scriptural  truth. 

This  day  completes  my  24th  year.  I  can  -with  sincerity  re- 
turn my  humble  and  hearty  thanks  to  the  Author  of  all  good, 
that  he  has  been  pleased  graciously  to  look  upon  one  who  has 
greatly  sinned.  May  he  still  preserve  me  upright  and  free 
from  error.  May  he  lead  me  and  all  of  us  in  the  way  of  life 
everlasting. 

They  who  have  accompanied  Joseph  John  Giirney 
thus  far,  conversing  with  his  most  retired  thoughts, 
may  have  been  not  unfrequently  reminded,  how  gra- 
dual is  often  the  growth  of  conviction,  how  varied 
are  the  phases  which  the  mind  assumes  during  its 
progress ;  and  that  even  after  the  judgment  has 
ripened  on  some  points,  there  may  be  others,  hardly 
less  important,  which  remain  to  be  matured  under 
the  influence  of  increased  light  and  experience.  In 
further  illustration  of  this  remark,  it  may  not  perhaps 
be  unfitting  to  close  the  present  chapter  with  a 
striking  passage  of  the  journal,  written  many  years 
later,*  w^here  he  thus  sums  up  the  convictions  of 
maturer  years :  — 

"I  own  no  priesthood,  but  the  priesthood  of  Christ:  no 
supper  in  worship,  but  in  spiritual  communion  with  him  and 
his  followers  at  his  own  table  in  his  kingdom;  no  baptism, 
as  an  introduction  to  the  hopes  and  citizenship  of  the  Chris- 
tian believer,  but  that  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;"  adding  emphati- 
cally ;  "  I  heartily  crave  and  pray  that  the  blessed  principle 
in  me  of  light  and  life  and  love,  (even  the  perceptible  opera- 
tive influence  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,)  may  consummate  its 
victory." 

*  Under  date  8th  month,  Ist,  1840. 


^T.  25.  RETROSPECT.  '9S 


CHAPTER  VI. 

1812—1817.     ^T.  25—29. 

HIS   REVIEW    OF    HIS    PROGRESS   UP    TO    1815;    HIS    UNCLE   JOSEPH 
QURNEY;     BRISTOL;     LETTER    TO   A   FRIEND   ON    HIS    MARRIAGE; 

THOMAS  Foster's  appeal  ;  death  of  his  brother  john  ;  his 

COUSINS  JOSEPH   AND    HENRY  GURNEY  ;   CAPITAL   PUNISHMENTS ; 
WILBERFORCE;    retrospect   FROM   AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 

The  following  reflections  from  Josepli  John  Gurney's 
Journal,  written  in  his  twent3'-seventh  year,  may 
form  an  appropriate  introduction  to  the  present 
chapter : — 

2nd  mo.,  27th,  1815.  *  *  Occupied  several  hours  since 
yesterday  afternoon  in  perusing  my  Journals  up  to  this  period. 
I  could  hardly  read  them  without  pitying  myself.  When  a 
mere  lad,  from  18  to  19^,  T  appear  to  have  been  much  the 
prey  of  some  evil  habits  and  passions,  to  my  own  distress ;  in 
some  degree  open  to  the  utility  and  charm  of  the  truth ;  but 
still  yielding,  yielding  ;  and  never  estabhshed  on  a  suflficiently 
firm  foundation.  From  the  time  of  my  father's  death,  in  the 
10th  mo.,  1809,  to  the  present,  many  relapses,  and  very  many 
uncomfortable  seasons  of  weakness  and  non-performance  of 
duty  are  noted ;  but  with  increasing  stability  as  to  practice,  in 
later  years,  which  is  some  encouragement  to  me.  In  the 
autumn  of  1810,  I  was  forcibly  impressed  with  its  being  my 
duty  to  use  the  language  of  Friends.  I  resisted  this  im- 
pression, which  was  graciously  repeated  about  seven  months 
afterwards,  when  I  yielded  to  it ;  and  since  that  time  I  have 


100  EETROSPECT.  1812-1813. 

been  drawn  pretty  close  to  the  Society  in  religious  sentiment 
and  habit.  I  believe  that  this  resistance  has  been  one  of  my 
great  errors  in  life ;  and  that  want  of  timely  obedience  to  clear 
manifestation^  [of  duty]  has  probably  been  one  cause  of  my 
vision  having  been  so  long  and  so  much  obscured.  The  years 
1810,  11,  12,  13,  and  14,  have  been  marked  with  a  constant 
tide  of  employment,  which  has  brought  with  it  an  unfixed 
and  ineffective  condition  of  mind,  to  my  frequent  trial  and 
distress.  Greater  steadiness  and  quietness  have  of  late,  in 
some  measure,  arisen  ;  and  I  am  inclined  to  hope  that,  after 
much  stormy  weather,  my  gracious  Master  will  indulge  me 
with  a  little  calm.  In  my  sense  of  rehgion  I  am  somewhat 
clouded ;  and  I  still  feel  the  power  of  silent  waiting  to  be  a 
principal,  if  not  the  principal  desideratum.  Nevertheless  I 
hope  to  remember  that  I  am  a  traveller ;  that  heaven  is  the 
object  of  my  journey;  and  that  my  Saviour  is  my  master, 
leader,  and  counsellor.  The  objects  which  life  presents  are 
the  duties  in  which  I  have  to  seek  to  know  and  execute  his 
will.  These  objects  are  much  the  same  as  formerly,  though  a 
little  varied  and  altered  in  their  proportions.  I  shall  consider 
it  an  unspeakable  favour  if  the  Lord  will  enable  me  to  eye 
him  in  all  that  I  do ;  and  if  he  will  graciously  keep  me  more 
abased  in  my  own  eyes  than  my  proud  heart  would  have  mc 
be.  *  *  [^l^y]  the  practical  result  of  my  restrospection  be  a 
deeper  feeling  that  I  deserve  nothing ;  and  a  more  constant, 
and  ardent,  and  faithful  aspiration,  for  the  grace  which  availeth 
to  sanctification,  redemption,  and  eternal  life .' 

His  pursuits  and  engagements  during  this  period, 
numerous  as  they  were,  and  calling  for  close  atten- 
tion, do  not  present  much  variety  of  incident,  though 
the  register  of  them  in  the  Journal  affords  abundant 
evidence  of  his  steady  diligence.  Without  fatiguing 
the  reader  by  too  minute  a  detail,  the  following 
selection  may  perhaps  sufficiently  indicate  the  course 
of  his  mind,  and  the  more  important  circumstances. 


^T.    25.  JOSEPH   GURNET.  101 

9t?i  mo.,  21st,  [1812.]  The  stream  of  life  has  been  full  and 
rapid.  Bible  Society  ;  school ;  banking ;  Richard  Phillips ;  the 
Buxtons;  Hoares  ;  much  pleasure  ;  much  business.  Yesterday 
(first  day)  was,  I  trust,  not  without  its  blessings.  Thomas 
Clarke  at  the  afternoon  meeting.  His  sermon  came  home  to 
me :  addressed  to  those  who  were  labouring  under  a  sense  of 
not  being  able  to  reach  divine  things.  God  is  faithful  who 
promises  ;  these  feelings  and  diflSculties  are  not  his  work  ;  the 
deficiency  is  all  on  our  side ;  the  true  way  to  meet  it  is  to 
humble  ourselves,  aifd  become  poor  in  spirit : — "  Blessed  are 
the  poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

4th  mo.,  25th,  1813,  First  day  evening.  This  day  has  been, 
I  trust,  in  some  measure,  filled  with  the  things  of  God.  In  the 
morning  meeting  I  was  enabled  to  take  a  clear  view  of  my 
sins,  of  my  hope  in  Christ,  and  of  the  necessity  of  clinging  to 
the  rock  of  my  salvation.  The  afternoon  meeting  very  solemn  ; 
a  deep  feeling  of  the  terrors  of  the  Lord,  and  something  of  an 
aching  anxiety  for  the  preservation  of  every  individual  in  our 
family.  Powerful  testimony  borne,  both  by  my  uncle  Joseph 
and  my  dear  sister  Fry,  to  the  sinner's  hope  of  salvation  in 
Jesus  Christ. 

There  were,  perhaps,  few  among  his  immediate 
connexions  by  whom  he  was,  at  this  period,  more 
cheered  and  assisted  in  his  religious  course  than 
his  uncle  Joseph  Gurney,  his  father's  younger 
brother,  and  a  minister  in  the  Society  of  Friends. 
''  He  had,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney  in  his  Auto- 
biography, "  as  much  of  native  charm  of  character 
about  him  as  any  person  I  have  ever  known;  and 
was  a  man  of  original  thought,  always  prepared  to 
look  at  the  '  other  side  of  the  question,'  when  any 
point  was  presented  to  him,  and  particularly  when 
it  was  strongly  urged.  We  lived  on  tlie  most  easy 
and  happy  terms  together,  and  I  was  in  the  uniform 
practice  of  dining  with  him  at   least  once  a  week. 


102  DOCTRINE  OF  THE  ATONEMENT.         1813. 

He  was  lively  in  his  ministry,  though  seldom  tread- 
ing any  beaten  path ;  sometimes  a  little  obscure,  but 
ahvays  interesting,  and  increasingly  evangelical  as 
he  advanced  in  years  and  experience." 

6th  mo.,  26th.  My  uncle  Joseph  desired  me  to  give  him 
in  twelve  lines,  the  account  of  my  faith  with  respect  to  the 
Atonement.     I  have  written  the  following : — 

Under  some  sense  of  my  own  poverty,  and  a  desire  not  to 
handle  deep  doctrines  without  divine  help,  I  trust  I  may  safely  ' 
make  the  following  confession  of  faith. 

Had  I  been  during  the  whole  course  of  my  life,  perfectly 
obedient  to  the  Divine  law,  I  should  still  be  an  unprofitable 
servant,  without  surplus  of  merit.  But  since,  on  the  contrary, 
I  have  grievously  offended  in  many  particulars,  I  not  only  de- 
serve no  favour,  but  have  become  subject  to  God's  just  wrath. 
Under  the  effects  of  this  just  wrath,  I  believe  I  must  have 
fallen,  had  not  God  provided  for  me  a  way  of  escape  in  his 
own  free  pardoning  grace,  through  the  sufferings,  death,  and 
sacrifice  of  his  son  Jesus  Christ. 

I  believe  that  God  hath  appointed  this  sacrifice,  in  its 
nature  propitiatory,  as  the  means  of  atonement  or  recon- 
ciliation, and  that  he  hath  therein  at  once  displayed  his  mercy 
to  the  sinner  and  his  judgment  upon  sin.  This  pardoning  of 
sinners,  for  Christ's  sake,  is  what  I  understand  by  the  term 
"justification." 

In  order  to  partake  of  these  mercies,  I  believe  I  must  pos- 
sess a  living  faith,  which  shall  lead  me,  first,  to  place  my  whole 
hope  of  acceptance  with  God  in  the  merits  of  my  Redeemer ; 
and,  secondly,  to  obey  the  dictates  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  whom 
Christ  has  sent'  to  bring  me  to  repentance,  to  purge  me  from 
all  sin,  and  to  guide  me  in  the  way  to  life  eternal.  This  work 
of  the  Spirit,  by  which  we  become  freed  from  sin,  born  again, 
new  creatures,  is  what  I  understand  by  the  term  "  sanctifica- 
tion." 

These  two,  justification  and  sanctification,  I  believe  to  be 
necessary  and   sufficient   for  the    salvation  of  my  soul — the 


iET.    26.  KULES   FOR   HIS    OWN   GUIDANCE.  103 

first,  the  cause — the  second  the  condition;  both  the  result  of 
the  grace  of  God,  in  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord. 

8th  mo.,  8th.  *  *  This  day  has  been  very  peaceful  and  quiet, 
and  I  hope  profitable.  At  the  morning  meeting  I  endeavoured 
to  examine  my  conduct  in  life  a  little  more  methodically  than 
I  have  for  some  time  been  accustomed  to  do,  and  have  several 
things  to  note. 

In  the  sight  of  him,  vrho  calleth  thee  to  be  holy  as 
he  is  holy,  and  whom  without  holiness  it  is  impossible  to 
please,  take  care  never  to  entertain  an  impure  idea.  Dismiss 
it,  the  instant  it  occurs  to  thee.  Endeavour  to  be,  in  this 
respect,  as  an  infant ;  knowing  nothing  and  thinking  no 
evil. 

Be  strong  in  the  Lord.  Cultivate  a  close  dependence  both 
on  the  providence  and  promises  of  God.  Then,  if  thou  art 
blessed  with  a  deep  sense  that  the  Lord  governeth  all  things 
for  good,  and  with  a  certain  expectation  that  "whosoever  liveth 
and  believeth  in  him  shall  never  die,"  thou  wilt  live  in  quiet- 
ness and  hope,  and  fear  no  evil. 

Never  act  from  motives  of  fear,  contrary  to  thy  judgment. 
When  thou  art  anxious  on  any  subject,  do  not  magnify  evil  in 
anticipation,  and  learn  to  expect  good  rather  than  evil.  Let 
the  presence  of  the  Lord  restrain  and  counsel  thee  in  thy  choice 
of  employment ;  and,  having  found  thy  right  place,  whatsoever 
thou  doest,  do  it  heartily,  as  unto  the  Lord  and  not  unto 
man. 

Give  thy  mind  to  one  thing  at  a  time ;  nevertheless,  in  all 
things  maintain  thy  recollection  of  heaven.  For  this  purpose 
allow  thyself,  during  the  hours  of  busiij.ess,  occasional  short 
pauses  for  devotional  meditation.  Take  care  also,  not  to  suffer 
thy  time  for  recreation  to  be  disturbed  by  the  thoughts  and 
cares  of  business. 

"Whatsoever  is  committed  to  thy  care  demands  thy  atten- 
tion. Be  watchful,  therefore,  not  to  forget  thy  lesser  me- 
moranda. But  load  not  the  mind  with  memoranda ;  rather 
execute  without  delay  whatsoever  can  be  effected  as  well  at 
the  present  as  at  a  future  moment.     Nevertheless,  think  twice 


104  RULES    FOR.  HIS    OWN    GUIDANCE.  1814. 

about  everything,  and  in  all  thy  concerns  endeavour  to  dwell 
under  the  direction  of  the  best  Guide. 

Keep  thy  secrets  carefully ;  and,  in  conducting  business  with 
any  one,  be  sure  to  speak  no  more  words  than  the  case  re- 
quires. Above  all  things,  be  strictly  honest  and  upright  in  all 
thy  dealings.  Rigidly  adhere  to' the  truth  on  little  as  well  as 
great  occasions. 

If  thou  art  careful  never  to  act  except  upon  good  grounds, 
thou  wilt  afterwards  have  no  temptation  to  be  otherwise  than 
candid,  fair,  and  open  in  thy  communications  with  others. 
Let  thy  light  shine  therefore  ;  be  transparent ;  let  thy  neigh, 
hour  see  through  thee,  that  there  is  no  evil  way  in  thee. 

"  Let  thy  moderation  be  known  unto  all  men.  The  Lord  is  at 
liand."  Present  thy  body  "a  living  sacrifice,  holy  and  accept- 
able unto  God."  Sleep  and  food  are  mercifully  bestowed  on 
thee  for  the  preservation  of  thy  health.  Enjoy  them,  as  far 
as  they  are  required  for  that  purpose ;  no  further.  Judge  not, 
lest  thou  be  judged.  Never  expose  the  faults  and  infirmities 
of  others,  except  for  a  decidedly  good  purpose.  Let  it  be  thy 
general  rule,  never  to  mention  what  is  amiss  in  thy  neighbour 
to  a  third  person,  until  thou  hast  been  faithful  in  communi- 
cating thy  sentiments  to  the  individual  himself. 

Be  in  love  and  charity  with  all.  Love  "  thinketh  no  evil," 
and  speaketh  no  evil,  "is  not  pufied  up  and  is  kind."  Be  kind 
in  sentiment,  kind  in  manner,  kind  in  action ;  yet  aAvay  with 
all  ostentation.  Take  care  that  thy  left  hand  knoweth  not 
■what  thy  right  hand  doeth.  In  all  things  let  self  be  abased. 
Be  willing  to  suffer  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  His  word  will  be 
'•  a  lamp  unto  thy  feet  and  a  light  unto  thy  path."  Watch  for 
his  guidance,  follow  ii  with  a  firm  and  manly  step  ;  dwell  deep 
in  the  power  of  his  love ;  live  not  to  thyself,  but  live  as  Christ 
liveth  in  thee. 

The  increasing  illness  of  his  brother  John  now 
called  him  to  Clifton.      After  his  return  he  writes:  — 

1st   mo.,  2drd,   1814.    *   *  *    l  continued  with    my  dear 


€:T.    26.  VISIT   AT   BRISTOL.  105 

brother  at  Clifton  till  fourth  day,  the  12th  of  this  month,  a 
highly  interesting  three  weeks.  When  in  his  company,  we 
were  chiefly  employed  in  reading  together,  Pascal,  Fox's 
History,  Plato,  Greek  Testament,  Milner. 

I  was  glad  to  know  Bristol.  It  is  a  noble  place,  full  of 
zeal,  of  almsgiving,  and  of  good  works.  It  was  pleasant  to 
form  an  acquaintance  with  many  individuals — John  Hilton, 
Richard  Reynolds,  "William  Lewis,  John  Wai-ing,  &c.  Of 
Mary  Ann  Schimmelpennink  we  saw  much,  and  with  real 
pleasure.  With  oui'  cousin  Priscilla  Hannah  Gurncy,  who 
was  staying  at  Richard  Reynolds's,  Ave  had  much  intimate 
communication.  *  *  Upon  the  whole,  I  trust,  that  my 
sojourn  at  Clifton  has  been  attended  with  some  spiritual 
edification.  It  was  a  time  of  leisure,  and  my  mind  had,  in 
every  way,  opportunity  for  religious  progress.  I  have  strongly 
felt  the  necessity  of  having  all  that  belongs  to  the  creature, 
humbled  and  laid  prostrate  at  the  footstool  of  the  Ci'eator. 
Yet  I  have  too  truly  found  the  great  difficulty  of  being 
really  set  free  from  self-love.  I  would,  it  seems,  be  some- 
body of  importance  in  the  Church,  and  can  hardly  reconcile 
myself  to  the  idea  of  being  kept  in  the  back-ground.  I  do, 
notwithstanding,  heartily  pray  that  I  may  be  made  willing 
to  do  and  to  be  that  and  that  only  which  scemeth  right  to 
him  "  who  seeth  not  as  man  seeth." 

2nd  mo.,  6th.  *  *  I  have  been  of  late  in  the  practice  of 
waiting,  morning  and  evening,  in  silent  attempts  at  worship. 
Though  sensible  of  much  weakness  in  it,  I  have  experienced 
some  beneficial  result,  and  desire  to  persevere  in  this  impor- 
tant duty.  *  *  In  my  many  communications  with  my  beloved 
uncle,  I  have  lately  remarked  the  weight  of  sound  and  real 
sense  to  be  observed  in  all  he  says.  0  for  that  true  wisdom 
profitable  for  this  world,  as  well  as  for*  that  which  is  to 
come. 

2nd  mo.,  \2th.  *  *  My  endeavours  to  wait  on  God 
in  silence  have  increased.  I  desire  that  they  may  in- 
crease and  that  in  patience  I  may  possess  my  soul.  I 
have  felt  this  afternoon  a  willingness  to  fill  any  station, 
however  low,   m  religious  society ;  but   to  fill  any,  to  be  in 


106  LETTER   ON   MARRIAGE.  1814. 

any  degree  the  servant  of  Christ,  I  must  fairly  bear  the  cross 
and  the  yoke.  How  often  have  I  flinched  from  bearing  it ! 
May  I  be  led  therein,  by  the  power  of  the  Lord  my  God. 

TO   A   FRIEND   UPON  HIS   MARRIAGE. 

Yarmouth,  3rd  mo.,  18th,  1814. 

*  *  One  thing  I  am  convinced  of,  that  your  happiness, 
my  dear  friend,  in  married  life,  will  depend  much  less  upon 
external  circumstances,  than  upon  your  uniting  "  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord,  and  in  walking  in  his  ways."  *  *  I  often  think 
of  the  blessing  which  David  pronounces  upon  the  man  who 
walks  "  in  the  fear  of  God."  (See  Psalm  128th.)  Few  things 
are  so  likely  to  afford  comfort  to  persons  setting  off  in  life 
under  a  right  influence,  (as  I  believe  you  are  now  doing,)  as  a 
just  view  of  the  doctrine  of  providence,  which  is  beautifiilly 
unfolded  in  the  psalm  I  have  mentioned.  With  the  Jews,  the 
moral  government  of  God,  as  it  relates  to  this  life  only,  was, 
perhaps,  carried  into  more  exact  fulfilment,  than  is  the  case 
under  the  present  dispensation.  With  them,  definite  sins, 
both  national  and  individual,  appear  to  have  been  punished, 
by  definite,  temporal  calamities.  Although  our  views  are 
more  exclusively  du'ected  to  reward  and  punishment  in  a 
world  to  come,  I  believe  we  cannot  too  firmly  trust  in  that 
providence  which  cares  for  us  here  as  well  as  hereafter. 
I  give  literal  credit  to  David's  declaration  "  that  he  never 
saw  the  righteous  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  begging  bread;" 
and  that  the  saying  is  in  as  great  a  degree,  at  least,  applicable 
to  our  times,  as  it  was  to  his.  Neither  of  us,  to  be  sure, 
have  lived  very  long,  but  I  question  whether  we  have  ever 
seen  an  instance  of  real  misery  which  may  not  be  traced  to 
some  deficiency  q^  principle.  *  *  No  doubt  the  most  righteous 
have  to  bear  affliction,  but  it  is  the  affliction,  not  of  punish- 
ment, but  of  discii)line,  and  can  only  be  intended  to  promote 
their  more  essential  happiness.  *  * 

Srd  mo.,  27 th.  *  *  This  week  I  have  been  favoured  with  a 
portion  of  the  Lord's  sweet  presence.     Yet  I  have  to  acknow- 


Ml.  26.  YEARLY   MEETING.  107 

ledge  the  weakness  and  doubtfulness,  the  clouds,  the 
indifference  which  still  beset  me.  I  still  find  it  very,  perhaps 
increasingly,  diflficult  not  to  seek  my  own  glory.  Lord  !  what 
am  I,  that  I  should  thus  be  mindful  of  myself?  Do  thou  so 
display  unto  me  my  real  self,  that  I  may  be  bowed  at  thy 
footstool,  as  in  dust  and  ashes ;  to  live  only  as  Christ  liveth 
in  me. 

First  day  morning,  ^th  mo.,  11th.  *  *  The  day  has  been 
comfortable.  After  meeting  held  satisfactory  counsel  about 
a  school  for  men.  I  desired  a  blessing  upon  our  undertaking. 
May  the  instrument  in  all  things  be  kept  low. 

4:th  mo.,  14ith.  I  long  to  be  so  ordered  by  the  pre- 
vailing influence  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  that  the  tendency  to 
creaturely  activity  and  self  exaltation  which  is  still  strong 
in  my  mind  may  be  utterly  destroyed.  *  *  How  acceptable 
would  it  be  to  me,  how  like  a  sliower  of  rain  to  dry  ground, 
were  I  enabled  truly  to  wait  on  God,  were  I  enabled  to  reach 
that  deeply  internal  principle  which  can  alone  hold  com- 
munion with  the  Author  of  life  and  light!  Until  this  point 
is  attained,  I  can  never  be  fit  to  serve  God  in  his  temple. 

Kith  mo.,  Ist.  *  *  My  expedition  to  Yarmouth  is  worth 
remembering.  As  I  rode  thither  on  the  outside  of  the  coach, 
reading  parts  of  Romans  vii,  and  1  Corinthians  xiii,  I  was 
favoui-ed  with  more  insight  into  the  truth,  than  is  often 
my  lot.  The  depravity  of  human  nature,  the  purpose  of  re- 
demption, and  the  extent  and  tendency  of  love,  were  in  some 
degree  opened  to  my  view,  and  sweetly  impressed  on  my 
mind.  The  latter  part  of  the  7th  of  Romans  appeared  to 
me,  contrary  to  my  former  opinion,  to  describe  a  state  of  one 
not  without  grace,  and  I  felt  it  clearly  applicable  to  my  own 
condition.  0  may  I  be  delivered  by  the  prevalence  of  the 
true  principle  of  divine  life,  even  in  Christ  Jesus,  my  Lord. 

In  the  5th  month  of  this  year,  he  attended  the 
Yearly  Meeting  in  London;  where  he  took  part  in 
a  deeply  interesting  deliberation  upon  a  case  in- 
volving the  important  question  whether  Friends,  as 


108  THOMAS  Foster's  appeal.  1814. 

a  body,  could  sanction  the  promulgation  of  Uni- 
tarian doctrine.  The  case  will  be  best  understood 
from  his  own  account  written  a  few  years  later. 

"  In  the  year  1814,  Thomas  Foster,  a  man  of  talent  and  edu- 
cation, was  disowned  by  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Ratcliffe,  for 
subscribing  to  the  Unitarian  Book  Society.  He  had  long  been 
supposed  to  entertain  low  views  of  the  person  of  Christ ;  and  had 
he  kept  those  views  to  himself,  he  would  probably  have  been 
left  by  Friends  to  pursue  his  own  course.  But  no  sooner  did  he 
publicly  assist  in  the  diffusion  of  them,  than  he  became,  from 
this  overt  act,  a  proper  object  of  the  discipline  of  the  Society, 
and  accordingly  lost  his  membership.  The  Monthly  Meeting 
among  Friends  sometimes  acts  in  a  judicial  capacity,  from  the 
decision  of  which  the  appeal  lies  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  as 
the  superior  body,  and  from  that  to  the  general  assembly  of 
Friends  at  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

Thomas  Foster  appealed  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Lon- 
don and  Middlesex,  which  confirmed  his  disownment ;  but, 
still  dissatisfied,  he  carried  forward  his  appeal  to  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  »t  which  I  had  the  privilege  of  being  present. 
Such  cases  come,  in  the  first  instance,  before  the  Committee 
of  Appeals,  which  is  composed  of  one  of  the  representatives 
of  each  Quarterly  Meeting,  the  Quarterly  Meeting  appealed 
against  alone  excepted.  I  was  appointed  for  Norfolk  and 
Norwich,  and  acted  as  clerk  to  the  committee.  After  hearing 
a  long  speech  from  Thomas  Foster,  and  the  answer  of  the 
respondents  from  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  London  and 
Middlesex,  we  were  left  to  make  our  decision.  I  drew  up  a 
plain  series  of  resolutions,  which  terminated  with  one,  con- 
firming the  disownment.  The  resolutions  were  read  seriatim 
to  the  committee.  Each  in  its  turn  met  their  unanimous  ap- 
probation; and  never,  I  trust,  shall  I  forget  the  feeling  of 
unity  of  mind  with  which,  during  a  most  solemn  pause,  we 
all  gave  our  silent  assent  to  the  concluding  resolution.  We 
were  twenty-seven  in  number,  collected  out  of  every  part  of 
the  kingdom,  and  previously  but  little  acquainted  with  each 
other's  sentiments :  but  it  was  as  if  we  were  moulded  together 


iET.  26.  THOMAS   FOSTER'S  APPEAL.  109 

into  cue  man.  At  length  the  silence  was  broken  by  Jonathan 
Hutchinson,  who  expressed,  in  a  few  pointed  words,  his  entire 
concurrence  with  the  decision  of  the  committee.  "  I  do  not 
know,"  he  added,  "what  may  have  been  the  experience  of  mv 
brethren,  but  for  myself  I  can  truly  say,  that  without  Christ 
I  should  be  of  all  men  most  miserable."  Our  unanimity  being 
ascertained  by  the  signatures  of  the  'whole  committee,  our 
report,  confirming  the  disownment,  was  presented  to  the  Yearly 
Meeting. 

Against  our  decision,  Thomas  Foster,  as  in  right  entitled 
to  do,  made  his  final  appeal  to  the  body  at  large,  con- 
sisting of  about  1200  men  Friends,  of  various  ages  and 
conditions,  without  any  written  creed,  and  without  any 
human  president.  Then,  indeed,  came  on  the  trial  of  the 
Society's  faith,  the  great  question  being  immediately  before 
us,  whether  orthodox  Christianity  or  Unitarianism  was  the 
belief  of  Friends.  The  ajipellant's  speech  was  long  and 
insinuating,  calculated  to  amuse  the  young  and  perplex 
the  old.  The  reply  of  the  respondents  was  plain  and 
luminous,  and  accompanied  by  abundant  evidence,  selected 
from  the  writings  of  the  early  Friends,  of  the  uniform  ad- 
herence of  the  Society  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Deity  and 
Atonement  of  Christ.  These  extracts  were  compared  with  the 
notes  of  the  Unitarian  New  Testament,  and  it  soon  appeared 
thDt  the  contrast  between  them  was  as  palpable  as  between 
day  and  night.  After  the  appellant  had  replied,  both  parties 
withdrew,  and  oui*  large  assembly  was  left  to  form  its  decision 
on  the  vital  and  all-important  question.  A  solemn  silence 
overspread  the  whole  meeting,  and  continued  for  a  consider- 
able time  uninterrupted.  At  length  William  Grover  arose ; 
an  elderly  man,  as  remarkable  for  his  clearness  of  mind,  as  he 
was  striking  from  his  pleasing  and  venerable  appearance.  In 
a  single  expressive  sentence  he  pronounced  his  judgment 
against  the  appellant.  After  him  our  elder  Friends  rose  one 
after  another,  all  with  the  same  sentiment  in  their  mouths ; 
then  Friends  in  the  middle  stages  of  life,  then  the  young,  the 
more  and  the  less  serious,  the  plain,  and  those  whom  we  some- 
what technically  call  the  gay.     I  never  heard  so  many,  or  so 


110  SLAVE  TRADE.  1814. 

various  Friends  speak  to  any  point  in  our  annual  assembly , 
and,  blessed  be  tbe  name  of  him  whom  alone  we  acknowledge 
to  be  our  Saviour  and  our  Head,  all  were  of  one  accord.  I 
am  almost  ready  to  question  whether  1200  men,  gathered 
together  without  previous  concert,  from  so  many  different 
places ;  persons  of  such  various  ages,  circumstances,  and 
characters,  were  ever  before  known  to  manifest,  on  a  theo- 
logical subject,  so  perfect  an  unanimity.* 

Soon  after  his  return  from  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
he  thus  briefly  notices  his  first  public  effort  on  the 
subject  of  slavery. 

"th  mo.,  4:t7i.  The  latter  part  of  the  week,  especially  sixth 
day,  has  been  occupied  by  the  slave  tra(}e  business.f  The 
petition  is  now  signing  largely,  and  on  sixth  day  morning,  we 
were  favoured  with  complete  success,  after  much  opposition, 
at  the  public  meeting.  I  pleaded  for  the  cause  very  earnestly, 
but  have  since  had  to  understand,  with  too  much  "posture," 
and  probably  too  little  simplicity.  *  *  0  that  the  quieting, 
humbling  spirit  of  divine  love  may  be  permitted  to  guide  me 
safely,  through  the  troubles,  cares,  and  occupations  of  the 
present  week. 

1th  mo.,  Slst.  On  Fourth  day  to  Holt  with  Brereton. 
The  meeting  of  the  Bible  Society  not  at  all  elevating  to  my- 
self. I  had  to  reproach  myself  for  too  hastily  using,  in  my 
speech,  the  name  of  the  Almighty.  May  I  henceforward 
never  pronounce  or  write  that  name,  without  awe  and  rever- 
ence. 

8th  mo.,  21st.  *  *  On  the  9th  I  left  home,  and  was  occu- 
pied on  the  10th,  11th,  and  12th  by  the  arbitration  in  the 
case  of  .     Francis  Gibson  was  my  able  and  exemplary 

*  See  Chalmeriana,  pp.  51 — 55.  The  Journal  contains  only  a 
reference  to  a  "  paper,"  which  probably  contained  the  account  of 
these  proceedings,  but  which  has  not  been  found. 

t  See  Life  of  William  Allen,  vol.  i,  p.  192. 


-ST.  27.  DEATH    OF   HIS   BROTHER    JOHN.  Ill 

coadjutor.  The  business,  tlirougli  the  divine  blessing,  ended 
;n  the  restoration  of  harmon3^  On  the  evening  of  the  12th  to 
Brampton,  [Lady  Olivia  Sparrow's.]  There  I  staid  till  First 
day  morning,  the  14th,  among  many  of  the  great  of  this  world  ; 
not  I  trust,  excluding  the  next.  This  peep  at  high  life  was 
curious  and  instructive,  and  I  hope  not  hurtful  in  the  main, 
thousrh  it  set  me  a  little  afloat. 

His  brother  John,  whose  declining  state  of  health 
had  been  for  some  time  an  occasion  of  much  solici- 
tude, breathed  his  last  on  the  8th  of  the  9th  mo. 
He  had  never  recovered  from  the  effect  of  his 
anxious  watching  and  nursing  during  his  wife's 
illness.  Partial  paralysis  soon  began  to  appear, 
which  was  accompanied  by  a  general  state  of  bodily 
feebleness.  Notwithstanding  his  increasing  infir- 
mity he  successfully  applied  himself  to  recover  his 
knowledge  of  Greek,  with  a  view  to  reading  the 
New  Testament  in  the  original ;  the  study  of  which, 
together  with  the  perusal  of  the  ancient  Greek  his- 
torians and  poets,  became  an  object  of  deep  interest 
to  him  during  his  protracted  illness. 

""We  were  occasionally,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  his 
Autobiography,  "united  very  pleasantly  in  these  pursuits. 
The  last  few  months  of  his  life,"  he  continues,  "though 
liumbling  to  the  view  of  his  friends,  were  to  him  without  a 
thorn.  Obscured  as  his  fine  intellect  now  was  on  all  other 
topics,  it  was  clearer  and  brighter  than  ever  on  the  subject  of 
religion.  The  part  that  was  to  live  for  ever  shone  with  a 
mellowed  lustre  like  the  setting  sun.  As  the  day  of  his  death 
approached,  his  happiness  increased.  Everything  was  beautiful 
in  his  eyes;  the  hymn  sung  by  one  sister,  and  the  prayer 
uttered  by  another,  were  to  him,  in  his  childlike  condition, 
like  the  orisons  of  angels.  *  *  I  loved  him  dearly,  but  the 
cup  of  sorrow  was  mingled  to  us  all  with  hope  and  peace  and 
joy." 


112  DEATH  OF  HIS  BROTHER  JOHN.         1814. 

A  few  days  after  the  funeral  he  thus  writes  in  his 
Journal : — 

9th  mo.,  12th.  *  *  *  The  event,  which  has  just  occurred, 
is  a  precious  talent,  of  which  I  have  much  use  to  make. 
First :  let  me  consider  it  as-  affording  an  evidence  of  the  truth 
of  religion. 

What  is  practical  religion  ?  Is  it  not  the  work  of  God's 
Spirit  upon  the  soul  of  man,  bringing  it  to  a  spiritual  know- 
ledge of  the  Saviour,  and  redeeming  it  from  all  sin  ?  Has  it 
not  been  marvellous  to  observe  this  work  carried  on,  and, 
humanly  speaking,  perfected  in  my  dear  brother,  at  a  time 
when  his  merely  rational  faculties  were  so  decayed  ?  Does  it 
not  evince  that,  independently  of  the  rational  faculties,  there 
is  a  soul  capable  of  being  filled  with  faith,  and  hope,  and  love  ? 
Does  it  not  also  evince  that  there  is  an  influence,  which  works 
upon  the  soul,  which  sows  the  seed,  and  rears  the  plant,  and 
produces  the  fruit?  Our  dear  brother  afforded  us  a  striking 
instance  of  the  assurance  which  the  Spirit  of  God  gives  of  the 
things  of  God.  He  was  truly  brought  to  the  simplicity  of  a 
child.  In  that  simplicity  he  saw  the  things  of  God,  not  clouded 
and  perplexed  as  we  see  them,  through  a  maze  of  fleshly  feel- 
ings and  Avorldly  cares,  but  clearly,  and  in  theh  real  bright- 
ness. He  doubted  not.  He  appeared  to  have  that  sort  of 
evidence  about  the  truth  that  the  eye  gives  us  of  things  visi- 
ble. *  *  Another  great  point,  which  has  been  particularly 
manifested  in  his  case,  is,  that  "  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
taketh  away  all  sin."  He  knew  it !  May  I  be  permitted  to 
know  it  more  and  more  !  *  * 

Referring  to  his  own  position,  he  adds,— 

My  worldly  situation  is  altered.  I  am  become  the  master 
of  Earlhara  and  have  received  some  addition  to  my  old  stock 
0^ ^curanda.  I  am  very  sensible  of  the  importance  of  order, 
and  true  economy  of  mind  and  time,  rather  than  of  money,  in 
all  my  concerns.    What  can  I  say,  but  that  I  desire  direction  ? 


MI.  27.  JOURNAL.  118 

10th    mo.,    10th.     On    fifth    day    went    to    the    Yarmouth 

Bible  Society  Meeting,  with and .     Nothing  couhi 

be  less  successful  than  my  attempt  as  it  regarded  myself. 
Otherwise  I  trust  it  answered  some  purpose.  Their  company 
was  interesting,  though  I  am  sorry  to  find  them  such  (7alvin- 
ists.  *  *  Is  there  not  a  predestination  according  to  fore- 
knowledge ?  And  does  this  afiect  the  freedom  *of  man's  will  ? 
Surely  not. 

lltlb  mo.,  21»^  *  *  I  exceedingly  desire  to  grow  every  day 
in  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  May  I  live  this  week  with 
renewed  care  and  watchfulness,  remembering  that  every  day 
ought  to  make  me  one  degree  fitter  for  heaven  ;  as  it  brings 
me,  I  trust,  one  step  nearer  to  it. 

First  day,  12th  mo.,  IStJi.  *  *  I  hope  I  am,  in  some 
decree,  brought  to  a  wilhngness  to  be  little  —  to  bo  nothing, 
if  it  be  the  will  of  God.  There  is  at  the  bottom  of  my  heart 
a  lurking  desire  to  obtain  the  praise  of  man.  It  certainly  is 
so ;  it  is  a  drying,  limiting,  paltry  feeling.  It  is  a  great 
enemy,  and  one  which  adheres  closely  to  me ;  but  may  I  not 
yet  encourage  a  hope  that  my  Lord  and  Master  hath  power 
even  over  the  inmost  evils  of  my  soul  ? 

TO    ONE    OF   HIS    SISTERS. 

Norwich,  Ist  month,  14,  1815. 

*  *  What  are  we  to  say  to  this  full  and  rapid  stream  of 
worldly  employment  which  hurries  us  along  so  quickly  that 
we  cannot  even  stop  for  a  minute  to  speak  to  one  another  ? 
I  am  half  ashamed  of  saying  that  I  have  as  much  on  my 
hands  as  ever,  perhaps  more ;  and  were  it,  not  for  being 
favoured,  just  now,  with  a  tolerably  quiet  mind,  I  think  I 
should  be  quite  swallowed  up.  I  hope  and  believe  that  I  am 
more  able  than  I  used  to  be  to  give  my  undivided  self  to  one 
thine:  at  once.  This  is  a  lesson  which  we  shall  all  do  well  to 
learn.  And  if  we  can,  at  the  same  time,  attain  the  habit  of 
more  constantly  looking  forward  to  the  end  of  our  journey, 
we  may  pass  through  life  pleasantly  and  profitably,  even 
amidst  multitudinous  worldly  cares.  I  have  often  felt  lately 
Vol.  L  — 8 


114  DILIGENCE    IN    STUDY.  1814, 

that  I  do  not  sufficiently  bear  in  mind  the  true  object  of  a 
religious  course,  namely,  the  attainment  of  a  heavenly  reward. 
Religious  progress  itself  is  too  apt  to  be,  as  it  were,  the  final 
object  of  my  wishes.  *  * 

0  ^hat  a  fine  thing  it  would  be  really  to  get  rid  of  self, 
and  of  self  dependence,  and  self  seeking.  We  may  talk  a 
great  deal  about  atonement,  and  yet  secretly  and  in  the  centre 
of  our  hearts,  entertain  a  feeling,  if  not  a  notion,  of  merit. 
We  may  talk  of  humiliation  in  the  presence  .of  God  to  the  ex- 
clusion of  all  human  pride,  and  yet  secretly  desire  our  own 
glory.  We  may  talk  of  our  dependence  upon  the  guidance 
of  our  Lord,  and  yet  allow  our  own  imagination  and  under- 
standing privately  to  hold  the  rudder.  So  it  is  at  tinies  with 
me ;  perhaps  always ;  and  yet  I  do  not  wish  to  complain, 
hoping  that  there  is  that,  which,  if  sought,  will  more  and  Aiore 
deliver  from  the  bondage  of  corruption. 

His  continued  diligence  in  study,  amidst  the  pres- 
sure of  his  varied  engagements,  is  remarkable. 

"  Our  business  being  extensive,"  he  writes,  in  the  Auto- 
biography, in  allusion  to  this  portion  of  Jbis  life,  "  and 
requiring  great  care,  and  public  objects  of  a  philanthropic 
kind  pressing  upon  me  a  good  deal,  my  literary  leisure  was 
more  curtailed  than  I  could  have  wished  ;  but  study  was  not 
altogether  neglected ;  and  at  the  period  of  which  I  am  now 
speaking,  and  for  a  few  years  afterwards,  I  read  and  wrote 
much,  and  continued  to  be  greatly  interested  in  my  biblical 
pursuits.  One  object  which  I  pursued  with  some  industry 
was  to  compare  the  quotations  from  the  Old  Testainent, 
contained  in  the  Gospels  and  Epistles,  with  the  present  text 
of  the  Hebrew  Original,  and  of  the  Septuagint ;  and  to  show 
what  are  the  collateral  evidences  wliich  confirm  the  evangelical 
use  made  of  many  of  these  passages  in  the  New  Testament. 
I  have  by  me  some  rather  long  manuscripts  on  this  subject; 
but  they  were  the  work  of  a  young  student,  and,  though  use- 
ful to  myself,  quite  unfit  for  publication." 


^T.  26.  BIBLICAL   STUDIES.  115 

"Now  is  the  time,"  he  writes  in  the  Journal,*  "for  whole 
mindedness  and  industry.  The  Old  Testament ;  the  New 
Testament  with  quotations;  Herodotus,  and  Bacon's  Novum 
Organum,  after  Clarendon  is  finished,  I  -intend  shall  be  mj 
intellectual  pursuits." 

"  I  wish  to  push  Justin  Martyr,"  is  his  observation  a  few 
months  later. 

The  spirit  in  which  he  studied  is  admirably 
indicated  in  the  following  sentences  from  a  work 
ascribed  to  the  last  mentioned  author,  which  he 
copied,  in  the  original,  on  the  cover  of  one  of  the 
early  volumes  of  his  Journal. 

Oj(5i  ya^  ^wig  aveu  yvwtffiwg,  oods  yvucig  ddcpak'^s  c^vgu  ^w^S  dXigdous. 
*0  ju^  vofjoi'^wv  si(5s'vai  ti,  avsu  yvuaeus  oikyidovs  xa«  f«.a|Tuf(>0|m.sviij   13*0 
c%  ^w^S,  oux  iyvw  u<7ro  rou  oipews  ifXavarai.  # 

Epistle  to  Diognetus,  c.  xii. 

"  For  neither  is  there  life  without  knowledge,  nor  is  there 
any  sure  knowledge  without  the  true  life." 
.    "For  he  that  thinketh  that  he  knoweth  any  thing  without 
the  knowledge  that  is  true,  and  borne  witness  to  by  the  life, 
knoweth  not,  but  is  deceived  by  the  serpent,  "f 

He  thus  notices  his  "designs,"  under  date  — 

^th  mo.,  11th,  1814.     [After  alluding  to  the  Banks.] 
•     Public    objects.  —  Bible    Society  —  Norwich    Association; 
Branch   Meetings;    School;   the    Scriptures  with   the   Boys; 
Adult  school  twice  a  week;   Benevolent  Society — to  raise  a 

*  Under  date  lOth  mo.  31st,  1818. 

"}•  It  has  been  lately  suggested,  with  some  appearance  of  probability, 
that  the  conclusion  of  this  Epistle,  in  which  the  foregoing  passages 
occur,  formed  part  of  a  Treatise  of  Hippolytus.  Sec.  1,  Bunsen's 
Hippolytus,  186—195. 


116  HIS    COUSINS   JOSEPH   AND   HENRY.  1814. 

fund ;    Coals    for    the   winter ;    Provident   Society ;    Public 
Houses. 

Literature. — To  press  on  in  "  the  Quotations"  and  in  the 
Hebrew  Bible,  with  particular  reference  to  the  subject  of  the 
Spirit ;  Texts  regularly ;  Family  reading  as  before  ;  Robertson 
to  be  studied ;  (Edipus  Tyrannus ;  Demosthenes  de  Corona ; 
Lucretius. 

He  characteristically  adds, — 

And  what  does  this  castle  in  the  air  signify,  if  I  do  not  hold 
the  foundation  ? 

In  addition  to  these  objects,  it  had  been  of  late 
one  of  his  recreations,  to  assist  his  uncle  Joseph 
Gurnej's  two  sons,  Joseph  and  Henry,  who  were 
now  growing  up  to  manhood,  in  the  further  im- 
provement of  their  minds.  Referring  to  a  visit  of 
his  two  cousins  at  Earlham,  he  writes 

TO   HIS   AUNT   JANE    GURNET. 

Norwich,  11th  mo.,  18th,  1814. 

*  *  Thou  wilt  think  me  a  preceptor  of  some  influence, 
when  I  tell  thee  that  I  have  induced  them  every  morning  to 
exchange  their  beds  in  pretty  good  time,  for  my  study  fire- 
side, and  the  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians.  This  Epistle,  of 
which  we  have  read  about  half,  has  occupied  us  before  break- 
fast ;  and  I  have  been  agreeably  surprised  to  find  Joseph  so 
much  at  home  in  his  Greek.  Harry's  scholarship  I  did  not 
doubt,  and  he  has  it  evidently  in  his  power  to  become 
thoroughly  accomplished  in  classical  literature.  *  *  In  the 
afternoon  we  have  been  reading  Cicero's  orations,  and  Juvenal. 
In  the  evenino;  Richenda  assumes  the  character  of  drawing 
mistress,  and  something  is  read  aloud  for  general  edification. 
It  is  pretty  clear  from  my  account  that  we  have  not  been  fag- 
ging very  hard ;  but  it  is  something  to, encourage* a  taste  for 
intellectual    pursuits.     This,    indeed,    is    my    chief    desire    in 


iEI'.  27.  DEATH    OF   HIS    COUSIN   HENRY.  117 

reading  with  them,  because  I  see  that  it  is  the  chief  thing 
wanted.  *  *  No  employment  is  more  gratifying  to  me,  and  I 
feel  it  quite  a  relief,  after  Bible  Society  speeches,  banking 
jom-neys,  &c.  Daniel  has  been  with  us  for  a  few  days,  which 
was  the  highest  delight  to  the  Iboys,  though  it  was  not  without 
the  effect  of  throwing  me  and  my  books  into  somewhat  dis- 
tant background.  *  * 

Upon  the  whole,  I  am  sure  they  find  the  Earlham 
atmosphere  cheerful,  though  a  little  inclined  to  be  serious. 
Not  that  Joseph  objects  to  seriousness  in  its  place,  for  he 
has  volunteered  several  sentiments  which  have  given  me  real 
pleasure,  and  which  prove  that  his  mind  is  a  good  deal  directed 
to  the  most  important  objects ;  and  I  trust  the  same  may  be 
fairly  believed  of  Harry.  *  * 

DreBsing  Room,  alone  at  homo,  2nd  mo.,  27tb,  1815. 

The  Lord  has  been  pleased  to  throw  a  gloom  over  our 
family,  by  an  event  scarcely  exceeded  in  melancholy  by  any 
that  had  before  taken  place  amongst  us.  On  the  very  day  * 
when  I  last  wrote  in  this  book,  my  beloved  cousin  Ilcnry  died. 
"We  were  summoned  to  the  Grove  after  breakfast,  and  found 
liim  completely  overcome  by  a  violent  apoplectic  attack,  and 
in  the  strift  of  death.  The  scene  was  overwhelming.  The 
anguish  of  oui'  spirits,  as  we  surrounded  his  bed  side,  was 
lelieved,  at  length,  by  earnest  and  deeply  impressive  prayer 
from  Priscilla.  Then  indeed  was  the  time  to  know  the  value 
of  a  Saviour !  About  half  an  horn'  afterwards,  he  quietly  and 
almost  imperceptibly  breathed  his  last,  leaving  us  all  with  a 
sweet  impression,  that  his  spirit  was  returned  to  the  bosom  of 
the  Father,  and  centred  in  the  presence  of  the  everlasting 
Shepherd.  *  *  The  stroke  came  home  to  my  tenderest  affec- 
tions. I,  too,  have  lost  an  object  which  I  fondly  and  dearly 
cherished. 

During  the  spring  of  tliis  year,  his  friend  William 
Forster    visited    Norwich    in    the    character    of    a 

*  2nd  mo.,  10th,  1815. 


118  WILLIAM   rORSTER.  1816'. 

minister  of  the  gospel  amongst  Friends,  and  held 
many  religious  meetings  in  that  city  and  its  neigh- 
bourhood. The  mind  of  Joseph  John  Gurney  was 
powerfully  impressed,  and  he  afterwards  spent 
several  weeks  as  William  Forster's  companion  iu 
a  journey  through  parts  of  Lincolnshire,  Cambridge- 
shire, and  the  Eastern  Counties ,  an  engagement 
which  laid  the  foundation  of  a  warm  and  lasting 
friendship  between  them,  and  was  the  means  of 
deepening  his  attachment  to  the  principles  and 
practices  of  Friends.  A  few  days  after  his  return 
from  this  journey,  he  writes, 

1th  mo.,  drd,  1815.  *  *  My  excursion  has  greatly  refreshed 
me.  *  *  I  have  felt  an  increase  of  faitli  in  Christ ;  more  in- 
clination and  ability  to  stay  myself  upon  his  merits  and  mercy. 
To  siravaKavsadai  tw  X^ifw,  is  I  trust  a  desire  increasing 
in  me.     This  is  a  great  favour. 

The  year  1816  opens  with  the  following  entry  in 
his  Journal : — 

1st  mo.,  S7-d,  1816.  I  desire  not  to  commence  a  new  year 
without  some  effort  at  self-examination.  With  regard  to  my 
religious  state,  if  I  were  not  so  insensible  to  everything,  I 
think  I  should  be  sensible  of  more  alarm  about  it.  It  is,  in 
fact,  alarming,  not  to  attain  to  more  of  the  life  and  reality  of 
religion ;  and  not  a  little  so,  that  the  habit  of  a  wandering 
mind  continues  to  impede,  almost  constantly,  that  spiritual 
communion  with  God,  which  I  feel  to  be  essential  to  my  true 
interest.  Sometimes,  indeed,  I  have  felt  a  good  deal  alarmed, 
and  the  prayers  of  my  perturbed  spirit  have  been  permitted 
to  bring  the  blessing  of  peace :  on  the  whole,  I  have  just 
now  a  good  hope,  that,  notwithstanding  the  many  discourage- 
ments which  I  have  so  long  felt,  I  may  yet,  through  abundant 
mercy,  be  amongst  the  few  who  shall  be  led  by  the  narrow 


ALT.   28.       MEEKNESS  WITH  NONCONFORMITY.         119 

way  to  everlasting  life.  *  *  jf  J  l^ave,  with  any  degree  of 
right  vision,  seen  the  guidance  of  Providence  respecting  me, 
I  certainly  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  Lord  cast  my  lot 
among  Friends^  and  it  is  on  this  account  that  I  may  well  feel 
discouraged  at  my  peculiar  infirmities.  More  simplicity  !  Oh, 
for  more  simplicity  !  I  believe  that  if  I  did  but  dwell  more  as 
a  little  child,  I  should  more  find  and  feel  my  right  place  in  the 
church.  *  *  Lord  draw  me  nearer  to  thyself,  and  keep  me 
from  evil.  Make  me  sensible  that  my  only  safe  position  of 
soul,  is  that  of  complete  prostration  before  thee.  Grant  that 
in  this  humiliation  I  may  so  be  permitted  to  depend  livingly 
upon  thy  mercy,  that  my  joy  in  thee  may  more  and  more 
abound.  Once  more  I  entreat  thee  to  set  my  heart  upon  the 
kingdom  of  thine  everlasting  rest  and  glory,  and  mayest  thou 
be  pleased  so  to  deal  with  me  during  my  pilgrimage  here,  that 
I  may  accomplish  that  whereunto  thou  sendest  me ;  and  con- 
tinue to  ascribe  unto  thy  holy  name  all  honour,  praise,  and 
thanksgiving,  for  ever  and  ever. 

On  his  return  from  a  short  visit  to  London  at 
the  beginning  of  the  year,  lie  passed  a  few  days 
at  the  house  of  Lord  Calthorpe.  From  thence  he 
writes  — 

Ampton,  1st  mo.,  23d,  181 C. 

*  *  Though  I  could  not  kneel  at  their  prayers,  I  was  really 
cheered  by  the  seriousness  and  simplicity  with  Avhich  this  duty 
was  performed ;  and  by  the  apparent  order  of  the  household. 
May  we,  whilst  we  display  our  nonconformity,  ever  remember 
to  what  a  holy  conversation,  to  what  a  spirit  of  love,  meekness, 
and  watchfulness,  our  profession  calls  us.  If  we  were  but 
sufficiently  alive  to  this  call,  I  think  our  little  peculiarities 
would  be  merged,  as  it  relates  to  others,  in  the  savour  of  our 
Spirits,  so  that  they  would  offend  no  one;  and  as  for  ourselves, 
they  certainly  help  to  keep  us  humble,  if  rightly  adopted ;  for 
they  are  very  mortifying  to  the  natural  man. 

Whilst  at  home  during  the  preceding  autumn  he 
had  entered  upon  the  composition  of  a  work,  which, 


120  MANUSCRIPT   HISTORY    OF   CHRIST.  1816. 

though  '  never  published  in  its  original  form,  after- 
wards furnished  the  material  for  several  important 
chapters  in  the  Essays  on  Christianity  and  the  Biblical 
Notes. 

"It  •was,"  to  use  his  own  words,  "the  history  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  in  its  largest  character  and  bearings,  as  set 
forth  in  Scripture.  It  consisted  of  three  parts  :  Christ  in  his 
pre-existence  ;  during  his  abode  on  earth ;  and  in  his  reign  of 
glory.  Each  part  was  divided  into  chapters,  and  illustrated 
by  copious  notes.  This  work  formed  the  principal  object  of 
my  literary  attention  for  some  years, '  and  led  into  no  small 
extent  of  collateral  investigation  and  study.  My  chief  aim  in 
it  was,  clearly  to  set  forth  the  sci'iptural  proofs  of  the  glorious 
doctrine  of  our  Saviour's  proper  Deity ;  and  I  can  truly  say, 
the  more  I  scrutinised  the  evidence,  the  more  largely  I  col- 
lected, Qompared,  and  assorted  it,  the  more  complete  became 
my  own  convictions  of  this  blessed  truth.  The  manuscript  of 
the  work  was  long,  and  completed  with  great  care ;  but  had  I 
pubhshed  it,  it  would,  I  doubt  not,  have  betrayed,  in  various 
points  of  view,  the  inexperience  of  a  young  writer." 

TO   HIS   SISTER-IN-LAW   ELIZABETH   GURNEY. 

Norwich,  3d  mo.,  5th,  1816. 

*  *  I  am  deeply  interested  in  my  book,  which  however 
proceeds  slowly.  *  *  A  large  field  is  opening  before  me  ;  the 
undertaking  is  truly  an  arduous  one.  *  *  May  I  have  my 
dependence  rightly  placed  with  respect  to  it.  *  * 

The  subject  of  Capital  Punishments  had  already 
claimed  much  of  his  serious  attention,  and  ever 
afterwards  continued  to  be  a  matter  of  deep  and 
pjtinful  interest  to  him.  Under  date  4th  mo.,  8th, 
1816,  he  particularly  alludes  to  his  attendance  "on 
poor  Lea,"  a  convict,  before  his  execution,  and  later 


;^T.  28-29.  CAPITAL   PUNISHMENTS.  121 

in  the  year  lie  felt  it  his  duty  to  make  a  vigorous 
effort  to  save  the  life  of  a  prisoner  under  sentence 
of  death  for  burglary.  Gunton,  the  prisoner  in 
question,  had  been  convicted  on  the  .evidence  of  a 
young  woman,  who  had  lived  as  servant  in  the 
house  which  had  been  robbed,  and  some  circum- 
stances transpired,  which  led  to  the  belief  that  her 
evidence  had  been  misapprehended  either  by  the 
court  or  by  the  jury.  A  re-consideration  of  the 
case  appeared  to  be  most  important,  but  this  could 
not  be  obtained,  unless  the  witness  could  be  brought 
before  the  proper  authorities.  In  the  mean  time 
the  period  for  the  execution  was  approaching; 
immediate  exertions  were  necessary,  but  the  young 
woman,  after  whom  inquiry  had  been  made  in  every 
direction,  could  not  be  found.  The  case  now 
nppeared  hopele.«s.  At  length,  however,  the  witness 
was  traced,  and  Joseph  John  Gurney  took  her 
to  London,  travelling  with  all  practicable  speed 
through  the  night.  lie  quicklj'  obtained  a  respite, 
wliich  was  immediately  forwarded  to  the  sheriffs  at 
Norwich ;  and  on  the  following  morning  he  hitnself 
arrived,  bringing  with  him  a  reprieve ;  and  Gunton's 
sentence  was  commuted  to  transportation  for  life. 
But  though  his  efforts  in  this  case  were  happily 
successful,  three  other  prisoners  were  left  under 
sentence  of  death.  On  the  day  of  their  execution 
he  thus  addressed  his  fellow  citizens  in  a  letter 
published  in  the  Norwich  Mercury  : — 

Norwich,  8th  mo.,  3l8t,  1816. 

I  have  observed  vast  flocks  of  people — men,  women,  and 
children,  apparently  of  various  conditions,  but  chiefly  of  the 
lower    orders,    passing    through   the    streets,    crowding   with 


122  CAPITAL   PUNISHMENTS.  1816. 

eagerness,  and,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  not  without  feelings  of  a 
pleasurable  nature,  to  witness  a  scene  the  most  dreadful  and 
melancholy,  when  properly  considered,  that  the  mind  of  man 
can  conceive !  They  are  now  returning  in  large  numbers. 
What  is  the  sigh't  which  they  have  been  beholding  ?  Three 
poor  victims  of  folly,  vice,  and  crime,  put  to  a  cruel  and 
untimely  death. 

It  is  by  such  sights,  and  by  the  repetition  of  them,  that  we 
become  callous  to  the  woes  and  torments  of  our  fellow 
creatures  !  The  momentary  compassion  which  they  excite,  is 
soon  exchanged  fo.r  a  feeling  of  pleasure  in  the  excitement  it- 
self, and  a  most  stupid  indifference  to  the  sufferings  of  others  ! 
Thus  that  hard  heart,  which  is  the  source  of  every  crime,  be- 
comes harder  and  harder  still ;  and,  therefore,  yet  more  pro- 
ductive of  the  same  results.  The  deterring  influence  of  the 
"example"  is  seldom  felt  by  obdurate  sinners.  At  any  rate, 
it  becomes  weaker  and  weaker  by  repetition ;  and  were  it  even 
much  stronger  than  it  is,  would  be  little  in  point  of  real  effect, 
in  comparison  with  the  contrary  tendency  of  a  spectacle  which 
strengthens  criminality  in  its  root ! 

Let  us,  as  Christians,  look  at  the  facts  of  these  cases. 
Men  who  have  immortal,  accountable  souls,  are  suddenly 
transferred  from  their  only  state  of  probation  to  their 
eternal,  unalterable  state,  by  the  hands  of  other  men.  '  These 
sufferers  are  generally  persons  of  depraved  character ;  and 
as  the  tree  falls  it  must  lie.  The  facts,  therefore,  involve 
doubts  and  probabilities  of  most  tremendous  magnitude. 
And  is  poor  frail  man  to  take  the  responsibility  of  these 
doubts  upon  himself  ?  Is  he  to  .throw  the  die  by  which  the 
awful  question  is  decided  ?  Are  there  any  considerations  of  a 
merely  temporal  nature,  relating  either  to  individuals  or  to 
nations,  which  can  possibly  justify  it,  especially  in  a  Christian 
country  ?  The  religion  which  teaches  us,  that  the  •  eternal 
allotment  of  one  soul  is  of  greater  importance  than  the  tem- 
poral prosperity  of  a  M'hole  nation,  prohibits  us,  by  its  very 
principles,  from  taking  upon  ourselves  the  responsibility  of 
that  allotment,  for  any  purposes  which  terminate  on  this  side 
of  the  grave. 


iBT.  28-29.  WILLIAM   WILBERFOIICE.  123 

To  return  to  the  Journal :  — 

6th  mo.,  1th.  *  *  [After  spending  a  few  days  in  London.] 
The  "Yearly  Meeting  was  refreshing,  confirming,  and  comfort- 
ing to  my  spirit.  Let  me  record  my  full  belief,  that  the 
affairs  of  the  society  have  been  conducted,  under  the  weight 
and  power  and  in  the  spirit  of  divine  truth.  Love  and  unity 
have  been  the  portion  of  the  body.  I  am,  I  trust,  thankful 
for  this  renewed  evidence  of  -having  found  my  right  place  in 
the  Christian  church.  May  the  Lord  be  pleased  to  preserve 
the  savour  of  divine  truth  on  my  mind.  How  do  I  desire  to 
be,  indeed,  one  of  his  servants  and  children ;  in  all  my  life  to 
magnify  and  glorify  his  holy  name. 

Sth  mo.,  nth.  *  *  My  own  experience,  which  has  certainly 
of  late  partaken  considerably  of  pain,  is  suflRcient  to  prove 
that  there  is  no  peace  in  placing  our  dependence  upon  the 
world,  no  peace  whatever  but  in  a  living  faith  in  God,  and  in 
a  real  participation  of  his  promises  in  Christ  Jesus.  *  *  Oh, 
there  is  no  safety  but  in  the  lowest  spot.  When  our  own 
plans,  which  seem  to  be  the  right  plans,  are  unexpectedly 
overturned,  it  is  a  trial  of  faith  and  patience.  Then  we»must 
get  lower.  Lord  do  all  things  according  to  thy  will !  Help 
thy  children  and  thy  servants.  Be  pleased  to  extend  the 
wing  of  thy  pity  over  us  !  Relieve  the  pressure  which  we  are 
not  able  to  bear !  Above  all,  grant  us,  we  beseech  thee,  such 
a  sense  of  thy  truth,  that,  whether  in  heights  or  in  depths,  in 
prosperity  or  in  trouble,  we  may  ever  rejoice  in  thy  love,  which 
is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

The  ninth  month  of  this  year  was  rendered  me- 
morable to  him  by  a  visit  which  laid  the  foundation 
of  an  intercourse,  that  was,  at  intervals,  in  after  years, 
the  source  of  much  lively  interest  and  pleasure.  The 
circumstance  is  thus  graphically  related  in  a  Familiar 
Sketch  of  the  late  William  Wilberforce,  which  he  sub- 
sequently published. 

"  I  was  introduced  to  "Wilberforce,"  writes  Joseph  John 
Gurney,  "in  the  autumn  of  1816.     He  was  staying  with  his 


124  WILLIAM  TVILBERFORCE.  1816. 

family  by  the  seaside  at  Lowestoft,  in  Suffolk.  I  well  remember 
going  over  from  Earlham,  partly  for  tbe  purpose  of  seeing  sc 
great  a  man,  sjnd  partly  for  that  of  persuading  him  to  join 
our  party  at  the  time  of  the  approaching  anniversaries  of  the 
Norfolk  Bible  and  Church  Missionary  Societies.  I  was  then 
young,  but  he  bore  my  intrusion  with  the  utmost  kindness  and 
good  humour ;  and  I  was  much  delighted  with  the  affability 
of  his  manners,  as  well  as  with  the  fluency  and  brightness  of 
his  conversation.  Happily  he  acceded,  to  my  solicitations,  nor 
could  I  hesitate  in  accepting  his  only  condition,  that  I  should 
take  into  my  house  not  only  himself,  but  his  whole  family 
group,  consisting  of  his  amiable  lady  and  several  of  their 
children,  two  clergymen  who  acted  in  the  capacity  of  tutors, 
his  private  secretary,  servants,  &c.  We  were,  indeed,  to  be 
quite  full  of  guests,  independently  of  this  accession  ;  but  what 
house  would  not  prove  elastic  in  order  to  receive  the  abolisher 
of  the  Slave  Trade  ?  In  point  of  fact,  by  dint  of  various  con- 
trivances, Ave  managed  the  affair  with  tolerable  facility.  It  was 
a  large  party,  composed  of  persons  of  several  denominations,  who 
were^all  anxious  to  promote  the  extension  of  the  kingdom  of  their 
Redeemer ;  and  Wilberforce  was  the  star  and  life  of  our  circle."* 

A  few  days  after  this  visit,  he  writes  in  the 
Journal : — 

9th  mo.,  SOth.  The  last  has  inde.ed  been  an  eventful  and 
interesting  week.  We  have  had  a  vast  party  in  the  house. 
Francis  and  Richenda,f  Samuel  Hoare,  Fowell  and  Hannah, 
the  Carrs,  John  Cunningham,  the  Wilberforce  Family, 
Langton,  Rolleston,  G.  Kett,  &c.  No  society  could  have  been 
much  more  pleasant,  and  I  hope  it  has  also  been  profitable. 
The  Bible  Society  Meeting  on  fifth  day  passed  off  delightfully ; 
Wilberforce's  speaking  most  interesting  ;  about  sixty  at  dinner, 
at  Earlham.  Since  that  time,  we  have  been  almost  entirely 
occupied  by  the  Wilberforces ;  his  mind  is  indeed  rich,  and 

*See  Minor  Works,  vol.  ii.,  p,  228.  See  also  Life  of  Wilberforce, 
vol.  iv.,  p.  .298. 

f  His  sister  Riehenda  had  been  recently  married  to  Francis  Cun- 
ningham. 


MT.  29.  JOSEPH   GURNET,   JUN.  125 

varied,  and  elevated.     It  is  equally  pleasant  and  instructive 
to  enjoy  his  company. 

I  hope  I  have  not  materially  departed  from  my  testimonies 
during  this  week.  0,  I  desire  to  see  clearly  what  and  where 
I  am,  and  though  the  heavens  have,  at  times,  felt  around  me 
as  brass,  impenetrable  and  inaccessible,  I  still  hope  that  the 
Lord  will  help  me.  Sure  I  am,  that  an  attentive  inspection 
of  my  own  great  infirmities  is  suflScient  to  prevent  all  pride  or 
vain  glory.  0  Lord,  sanctify  me  I  pray  the^e  with  thy 
truth,  that  my  impost  corruptions  may  be  reached  by  the 
cleansing  eflBcacy  of  thy  Spirit.  Create  in  me,  I  beseech  thee, 
more  of  a  willingness  to  give  up,  for  thy  sake,  whatsoever  thou 
mayest  require  at  my  hands. 

His  cousin  Joseph,  the  only  surviving  son  of  his 
uncle  Joseph  Gurney,  had  been  in  declining  healtli 
since  his  brother  Henry's  death.  Joseph  John 
Gurney  writes  — 

12th  mo.,  2nd,  1816.  The  past  week  has  been  rendered 
deeply  interesting  by  the  last  scenes  of  dear  Joseph's  life.  lie 
died  on  sixth  day  evening,  as  the  clock  was  striking  nine,  in 
great  peace  and  perfect  quietude,  after  a  day  of  much  suffering. 
What  heart-rending  scenes  are  we  called  upon  from  time  to  time 
to  witness !  To  day  we  are  immersed  in  all  the  cares,  the 
pleasures,  and  the  business  of  life ;  to-morrow  we  are  dead : 
and,  what  is  still  more  wonderful,  the  survivors  go  on  nearly  as 
before,  the  wheel  never  stops  !  How  watchful,  how  diligent, 
are  we  called  upon  to  be,  by  the  uncertainty  of  our  tenure ! 

His  review  of  this  and  the  preceding  period  of  his 
life,  written  many  years  later  in  the  autobiography, 
may  properly  close  tlie  present  chapter. 

My  spiritual  condition  from  my  twenty-second  to  my 
twenty-ninth  year  was  by  no  means  a  high  one, — generally 
very  much  the  contrary.  Notwithstanding  all  the  a<lvantages 
of  my  situation  I  often  went  mourning  on  my  way,  atliirst  for 


126  RETROSPECTION.  1816. 

the  "waters  of  eternal  life.  Many  disconsolate  hours  after  this 
sort  used  to  fall  to  my  lot.  and  in  looking  back  upon  this 
period  of  my  course,  I  have  frequently  compared!  it  to  a  journey 
in  the  wilderness  after  passing  through  the  Red  Sea.  I 
ascribe  this  state  of  things  to  two  causes ;  first,  my  own 
unwatchfulness ;  for  the  enemy  too  often  prevailed  over  me 
with  his  secret  temptations,  so  that  as  a  convert,  I  trust,  to 
the  truth,  yet  not  far  advanced  towards  "the  measure  of  .the 
stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ,"  I  could  apply  to  myself 
the  plaintive  language  of  the  apostle,  "I  delight  in  the  law  of 
God  after  the  inward  man,  but  I  see  another  law  in  my 
members,  bringing  me  into  captivity.  0  wretched  man  that 
I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death!"* 
But  secondly,  I  doubt  not  that  this  dispensation  was  allotted 
me  for  the  trial  of  my  faith  and  patience,  and  for  my  further 
humiliation,  by  way  of  preparation  for  future  service. 

Nor  can  I  deny  that  my  gracious  Lord  and  Master  was  at 
times  pleased  to  speak  comfortably  to  me.  "  I  will  allure  her 
(the  church)  into  the  wilderness,  and  will  speak  comfortably 
to  her,  and  will  give  her  her  vineyards  from  thence,  and  the 
va!ley  of  Achor  for  a  door  of  hope."!  The  valley  of  my  soul's 
humiliation  was,  at  times,  made  a  door  of  hope  to  me ;  and 
although  I  was  very  weak  and  wandering,  a  poor  struggler 
after  worship  at  many  or  most  of  our  meetings,  they  were,  at 
times,  seasons  of  great  refreshment  to  me.  The  ministry  of 
Friends  affected  me  greatly,  and  was  often  a  means  of  comfort 
and  strength.  I  never  suffered  myself  to  criticise  it,  but  acted 
on  the  uniform  principle  of  endeavouring  to  obtain  from  what 
I  heard  all  the  edification  which  it  afforded.  This  is  a 
principle  which  I  would  warmly  recommend  to  my  young 
friends  in  the  present  day ;  for  nothing  can  be  more  mis- 
chievous than  for  learners  to  turn  teachers,  and  young  hearers, 
critics.  I  am  persuaded,  that  it  is  often  the  means  of  drying 
up  the  waters  of  life  in  the  soul ;  and  sure  I  am,  that  an  exact 
method  of  weighing  words  and  balancing  doctrines,  in  what  we 
hear,  is  a  miserable  exchange  for  tenderness  of  spirit,  and  for 
the  dews  of  heaven. 

*  Kom.  vii,  22,  2i.  t  Hos.  ii,  14,  15. 


&T.    29  AN    IMPORTANT   YKAR.  127 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1817—1818.     ^T.  29—30. 

EXTRACTS    FROM    AUTOBIOGRAPHY   AND   JOURNAL;  JONATHAN  HUT- 
CHINSON;    ENGAGEMENT    IN     MARRIAGE;     FIRST     SPEAKS    AS    A 

minister;    HIS   marriage;    letter    to    william    forster; 

CHARLES    SIMEON  ;    CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  JONATHAN    HUTCHIN- 
SON ;    JOURNEY  ON  THE  CONTINENT;    VISIT  TO  LONDON;    \  ISIT  OF 
THE   MAYOR   AND    CORPORATION    OF    NORWICH   TO   EARLHAM ;    HE 
■    IS   ACKNOWLEDGED   A   MINISTER. 

"  The  year  1817,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney  in 
his  Autobiography,  "was  one  of  great  importance 
to  nie  —  my  29th  year.  The  early  part  of  it  was 
characterized  by  no  small  measure  of  mental  weakness 
and  lowness;  but  the  Lord  who  saw  me  in  my 
adversity,  had  two  precious  gifts  in  store,  both  of 
which  were  freely  and  bountifully  bestowed  upon  me 
in  the  course  of  that  year;  a  fiiithful  partner  of  my 
joys  and  sorrows,  and  a  part  in  the  ministry  of  the 
glorious  gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.x 
The  two  thinors  were  connected  in  a  manner  which 
might  ap.pear  very  singular  to  those  who  have  not 
been  accustomed  to  watch  the  harmonious  workings 
of  external  providence  and  inward  grace.  But 
*  whoso  is  wise  and  will  observe  these  things,  even 
they  shall  understand  the  loving  kindness  of  the 
Lord.'"  The  course  of  his  mind  is  thus  exhibited  in 
the  Journal. 

1st  mo.,  Ith,  [1817.].  *  *  To-day  I  leave  home  on  a  bank- 
JTx^  expedition  to  Halesworth  and  Yarmouth.     How  beautiful 


123  JOUKNAL.  1817. 

is  tliat  text,  "  Tlie  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  in  thy  going  out 
and  in  thy  coming  in,  from  henceforth  and  even  for  evermore." 
Ist  mo.,  IBtJi.  Second  and  third  days  and  part  of  fourth, 
Lord.  Gosford  here  ;  very  pleasant  party  in  the  house  ;  after- 
noons swallowed  up  by  it.  *  *  Most  earnestly  [do  I]  desire 
to  be  preserved  and  redeemed  from  all  evil,  and  to  be  clothed 
with  that  pure  spirit  of  faith  and  love,  which  will  be  ever 
seeking  heaven  supremely,  and  which  leadeth  a  man  to  seek 
also  another  man's  weal,  rather  than  his  own.  But,  indeed,  I 
have  found  myself  painfully  immersed  in  the  world  and  the 
flesh,  and  at  a  distance  from  the  Lord.  0  this  unstable 
heart !  this  wandering  imagination  !  I  have  no  other  plea,  0 
Lord  God  Almighty,  for  approaching  thy  holy  presence,  but 
this  plea :  that  thou  wiliest  not  the  death  of  a  sinner,  but 
rather  that  he  should  turn  from  his  wickedness  and  live. 
"  Turn  me  0  Lord  and  I  shall  be  turned ;  heal  me  and  I  shall 
be  healed." 

2nd  mo.,  16th.  [Last]  Third  day  morning  meeting,  and  the 
Monthly  Meeting  were  favoured  and  consoling  Opportunities. 
That  afternoon  I  passed  an  interesting  time  with  poor  Aram 
Mackie  on  his  deathbed.  I  did  not  feel  easy  without  com- 
mending him  to  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  and 
afterwards  found,  to  my  encouragement,  (having  been  depressed 
on  the  subject,)  that  my  visit  was  acceptable  to  him.  He  died 
the  next  morning,  and  I  trust  is  at  rest. 

Second  day  morning,  [2nd  mo.,  24?^.]  Yesterday  on  the 
♦whole  satisfactory.  Rather  an  unusual  concern  felt  for  the 
body  [of  Friends] ;  a  doubt  on  my  mind,  whether,  notwith- 
standing all  my  sins  and  infirmities,  it  may  not  lea.d  to  speak- 
ing in  meeting.  I  have  felt  this  morning  an  earnest  desire 
that  my  life  henceforward  may  be  to  Christ,  and  not  to  the 
world. 

The  name  of  Jonathan  Hutchinson  has  been 
already  mentioned.  The  close  intimacy  which  so 
long  subsisted  between  him  and  Joseph  John 
Gurney,  seems  to  claim  for  him  a  little  further 
notice  in    this   memoir.     Thous^h   he   had    been    for 


S.T.  29.  JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON,  129 

many  years  the  friend  and  correspondent  of  his 
uncle  Joseph  Gurney,  and  they  had  previously  met 
more  than  once  in  London,  it  was  whilst  travelling 
in  Lincolnshire,  with  AVilliam  Forster,  in  the  course 
of  the  preceding  year,  that  Joseph  John  Gurney 
had  been  first  brought  to  a  nearer  acquaintance 
with  the  sterling  worth  of  his  character.  Born  at 
Gedney,  in  the  fens  of  Lincolnshire,  a  respectable 
yeoman  in  station,  he  was  a  man  under  whose  re- 
markably simple  and  unadorned  appearance  lay 
concealed  a  thoughtful  and  well-cultured  mind, 
and  a  heart  subdued  and  chastened  by  the  power  of 
divine  grace.  Though  a  skilful  practical  grazier, 
and  carefully  attentive  to  the  business  by  which 
he  maintained  his  family,  he  had  read  much  and 
variously,  and  thought  deeply  and  largely  on  many 
subjects ;  and  his  lively  imagination  was  no  stranger 
to  the  walks  of  poetry.  As  a  minister  of  the  gospel 
amongst  Friends  his  communications  were  usually 
short,  but  full,  pertinent,  and  lively;  his  prayers 
fervent,  simple,  and  emphatic.  He  had'  known 
what  it  is  to  doubt,  and  almost  to  despair,  and  was 
prepared  by  a  somewhat  peculiar  and  severe  course 
of  discipline  to  sympathise  with  others.  "Our 
close  agreement,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney,*  "on 
all  points  of  a  religious  nature,  and  on  many  of  a 
merely  intellectual  character,  was  the  means  of 
bringing  us  into  a  near  and  easy  friendship,  which 
I  shall,  I  believe,  always  look  back  upon  as  one  of 
the  choicest  privileges  of  my  life." 

*  In  a   Short  Tribute  to  the  Memory  of  Jonathan  Hutchinson  ; 
prefixed  to  a  volume  of  his  letters,  published  in  1841.      London  : 
Harvey  and  Darton. 
Vol.  L— 9 


130  JONATHAN  HUTCHINSON.  1811 


FROM  JONATHAN  HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  3rd  mo.,  17th,  1817. 

*  *  Thy  letter  confirmed  me  in  a  thouglit,  at  Avhick  perhaps 
I  hinted  in  my  last,  that,  however  different  in  some  things  -we 
may  be. — in  age  this  difference  is  doubtless  great, — yet  that 
there  are  certain  experiences  common  to  each  of  us,  and 
certain  sentiments  wherein  we  are  agreed ;  and  that  thus  it 
should  be,  ■vrith  travellers  on  the  same  road,  and  -vvith  the 
bame  object  in  view,  need  not  surprise  us.  I  was  so  far  from 
thinking  thee  "too  open,"  that,  on  the  contrary,  I  really  have 
considered  myself  benefited  by  those  very  passages  in  thy 
letter,  wherein  thou  seemed  to  apprehend  some  danger  of 
being  thus  thought.  There  is,  though  one  can  hardly  tell 
why,  as  thy  dear  deceased  relation,  Joseph  Gurney  Bevan,  in 
a  letter  once  said  to  me,  a  "kind  of  consolation  in  finding 
that  others  are  no  better  off  than  ourselves,"  especially  if  we 
have  imagined  very  differently ;  and  I  truly  felt  something  of 
this,  on  discovering,  by  thy  affecting  complaints,  that  I  had 
at  least  one  companion  in  a  way  wherein  I  have  been  often 
ready  to  consider  myself  alone.  *  *  Well,  "be  of  good 
cheer,"  for  I  believe  the  Master  has  called,  and  is  calling 
thee,  and  whatever  difficulties  thou  mayest  meet  with  in 
endeavouring  to  obey  his  call,  yet  as  thou  art  concerned  to 
follow  him  in  simplicity,  and  as  entire  dedication  is  thy  only 
aim ;  as  thus  thou  perseverest,  thou  shalt  ultimately  witness 
that  "  overcoming"  to  which  so  many  precious  promises  are 
annexed.  *  * 

To  continue  the  Journal : — 

'^rd  mo.,  24:th.  My  corrupt  nature  has  again  suffered 
violent  temptation.  Thence  has  arisen  the  deepest  depression 
I  have  felt  unable  to  help  myself,  and  have  cried  out,  "  The 
enemy  hath  smitten  my  life  down  to  the  very  ground."  *  * 
During  this  painful  season  I  fear  I  have  been  too  ready  to 
complain.     What  little  hope  I  have    had  has,  I   trust,  been 


-ET.  29.  JANE    BIRKBECK.  131 

directed  to  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified.  This  morning  I 
feel  more  hopeful,  and  I  earnestly  pray  that  the  hand  of  dis- 
cipline may  bring  me  into  a  state  of  greater  holiness  and  near- 
ness to  God.  May  he  condescend  yet  to  purify,  help,  and 
guide  me. 

4th  mo.,  6th.  Visited  two  poor  lads,  who  are  to  be  executed 
for  highway  robbery.  How  awful  and  afflicting  do  I  feel 
their  doom  to  be,  and  how  inconsistent  with  the  tenor  of 
Christian  humanity ! 

He  had  long  cherished  a  warm  regard  for  Jane 
Birkbeck,  daughter  of  John  Birkbeck,  of  Lynn, 
The  bond  of  a  somewhat  distant  relationship  had 
been  strengthened  by  frequent  intercourse. 

"We  had  known  each  other,"  to  use  his  own  words  in  his 
autobiography,  "  from  early  childhood ;  our  pursuits  were 
similar,  and  she,  like  myself,  had  become  a  decided  Friend 
from  conviction.  In  some  other  respects  [our  characters] 
were  different.  Generous,  steadfast,  and  lively,  she  had  one  of 
those  hardier  souls,  on  which  weakness  is  prone  to  lean,  but 
her  feelings  were  nevertheless  warm  and  acute.  She  knew 
and  adored  her  Saviour,  and  remarkably  walked  by  that  rule, 
'  Whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  giving  thanks  unto  God  and  the  Father  by 
him.'" 

Her  father  was  now  deceased,  and  she  was  resid- 
ing with  her  widowed  mother,  Martha  Birkbeck, 
when  she  accepted  Joseph  John  Gumey's  proposals 
of  marriage  in  the  5th  month  of  this  year.  He 
afterwards  writes : — 

Gth  mo.,  1th.  How  extraordinary  is  the  change  wrought 
in  my  circumstances,  and  in  my  mind,  since  I  last  wrote  i 
How   beautifully   has    the    atmosphere    cleared !    and   after 


1B2  PROSPECT  01    MARRIAGE.  1817. 

Bome  of  the  deepest  conflicts,  which  I  have  ever  yet  gone 
through,  how  delightful  a  calm  am  I  introduced  into  !  How 
do  I  desire  to  be  bowed  down  in  thankfulness  to  the 
God  of  my  life,  for  his  abundant  blessings  !  How  do  I 
desire  to  receive  from  him  renewed  ability  to  love  and  serve 
him  with  my  whole  heart !  Ah  I  may  I  never  prefer  the 
creature  to  the  Creator,  nor  any  earthly  delight,  to  the  cause 
of  the  crucified  Jesus  1 

I  left  home  about  the  20th  of  4th  month ;  arrived  at 
Runcton  very  unwell;  remained  a  full  fortnight,  my  mind 
deeply  absorbed  by  the  subject  of  marriage.  Inexpressibly 
deep  were  the  conflicts,  and  as  gi^eat  the  happiness  and  peace, 
which  were  my  allotment  during  that  memorable  fortnight ;  I 
believe  the  Lord  was  with  me,  and  laid  his  hand  upon  me,  in 
a  remarkable  manner.  Never  have  I  so  experienced  and 
known  the  reality  and  the  power  of  the  religious  principles 
which  I  had  adopted.  After  acute  suffering,  I  had  to  rejoice 
SIS  in  the  presence  of  my  God.  I  hope  I  shall  never  forget 
the  sweet  peace  and  genuine  happiness  I  enjoyed  at  Hun- 
stanton,* in  the  society  of  one,  who  is  now  likely  to  be 
brought  into  such  near  union  with  me.  This  step  seems  to 
have  been  closely  connected  with  something  like  a  change  for 
the  better  in  ray  spiritual  course;  something  of  a  clearer 
atmosphere  and  brighter  view ;  more  of  the  liberty  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ ;  less,  I  hope,  of  the  intolerable  impertinence 
of  self. 

He  adds, 

I  think  it  right  to  record  that  my  mouth  has  been  several 
times  opened  in  ministry. 

On  the  third  day  evening,  at  Hunstanton,  after  I  had  been 
wonderfully  delivered  from  conflict,  I  expressed,  in  dear 
Rachel's  room,  two  or  three  sentences  of  thanksgiving ;  the 
next   morning  in  our  little  meeting  in  the  summer  house,  I 

*  The  country  residence  of  Martha  Birkbeck,  on  the  sea  coast  of 
Norfolk. 


Ml.  29.         FIRST  ENGAGEMENTS  IN  THE  MINISTRY,  133 

had  something  to  say  on  the  searching  of  heart,  which  we  had 
all  gone  through,  and  of  my  confidence  that  the  Lord  would 
rightly  direct  us,  did  we  put  our  whole  trust  in  him.  The 
follo-A'ing  first  day  afternoon,  at  the  Lynn  Meeting,  I  simply 
said,  "  I  cannot  feel  satisfied  to  leave  this  little  gathering, 
without  expressing  the  affectionate  salutation  of  my  heart; 
grace  be  with  you  all  that  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in 
sincerity."  Whether  this  is  likely  to  go  on,  I  know  not.  I 
feel  it  will  be  to  my  encouragement  if  it  do ;  but  I  heartily 
desire  to  commit  my  way  unto  the  Lord-  *  *  My  chief  fear 
is,  lest  I  should  not,  on  this  head,  be  sufficiently  simple ;  but 
may  I  watch  and  pray,  lest  I  enter  into  temptation. 

Often  did  he  afterwards  recur  to  his  feelings  in 
the  Meeting  at  Lynn  above  noticed;  the  first  in 
which  he  was  publicly  engaged  as  a  minister  of  the 
gospel.  "0  the  delightful  How  of  quiet  happiness," 
is  his  exclamation  many  3ears  later  in  reference  to 
it,  "which  continued  to  be  my  portion,  through  the 
whole  of  that  day.  No»  words  can  adequately  set  it 
forth ;  and  the  savour  of  it  is  even  now  fresh  in 
my  remembrance.  Few  such  days  have  I  yet  spent 
on  earth.  Similar  feelings,"  he  adds,  "  though  not 
in  so  high  a  degree,  followed  the  further  exercise  of 
the  gift;  and  the  Lord  led  me  gently  forward  in  his 
work,  giving  me  to  feel  the  sweetness  of  obedience 
to  his  commands,  and  of  a  surrender  of  soul  to  his 
service." 

Qth  mo.,  15tk.  Last  first  day  was  interesting,  *  *  In  the 
afternoon  I  had  to  encourage  the  faithful  to  closer  dedication, 
*  *  It  was  very  difficulL  I  afterwards  rejoiced  that  I  did 
not  bring  my  burden  away.  On  fifth  day  I  had  something 
on  my  mind  at  meeting,  but  did  not  feel  obliged  to  express  it. 
Yesterday,  before  dinner,  at  the  foundry,  I  fear  I  Avas  not 
ready  for  the  service,  and  have  painfully  felt  the  deficiency 


I34r  LETTKR   TO    HIS  1817. 

since.     But  I  trust,  unwox'tby  and  unwilling  as  I  am,  I  shall 
not  be  cast  oiT. 

8^7i  vio.,  Ibth.  *  *  My  ministerial  gift,  wliich  I  have  felt 
rery  precious  to  me,  though  it  is  attended  by  its  conflicts  and 
crosses,  has  continued  to  show  itself.  It  is  wonderful  to  me, 
to  find  myself  actually  under  such  an  influence.  Truly  it  is 
"as  the  wind  that  bloweth  where  it  listeth."  So  far  the 
work  has  been  attended  by  a  deeper  feeling  than  I  ever 
before  experienced,  of  my  own  unworthiness,  incompetency, 
and  nothingness ;  and  of  the  power,  love,  and  present  wisdom 
of  the  Almighty.  Wonderful,  indeed,  is  his  condescension  to 
us  and  care  for  us  ! 

From  Ackworth,  where  lie  was  engaged  on  one  of 
those  visits  the  results  of  which  will  be  hereafter 
noticed,  he  wrote  to  his  sister  Hannah  Buxton, 
who,  with  her  husband,  was  then  deeply  feeling  the 
recent  death  of  their  brother  Charles  Buxton.* 

Ackworth,  Sth  mo.,  1st,  1817. 

My  dearest  Hannah, 

*  *  *  For  thee,  for  Fowell,  for  dear  Martha,  and  for  all 
who  have  more  immediately  entered  into  this  deep  cloud  of 
suffering,  I  feel  most  sincerely,  and  earnestly  desire  that  it 
may  be  the  means  of  bringing  you  individually  into  a  closer 
dependence  upon  Israel's  everlasting  Shepherd.  *  *  I  am 
deeply  convinced  that  nothing  will  do,  that  nothing  will  stand 
us  in  stead,  but  yielding  ourselves  wholly  to  the  guidance  and 
protection  of  our  heavenly  Master.  And  when  we  consider 
how  greatly  we  have  all  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory 
of  God,  may  we  not  acknowledge  that  his  love  in  shedding 
his  precious  blood  for  us,  in  redeeming  us  from  sin  by  the 
influence  of  his  Spirit,  in  dealing  with  us  and  disciplining  us 
after  the  tenderest  mercy,  and  in  speaking  peace  to  us  from  time 
to  time,  in  the  midst  of  the  necessary  conflicts,  and  finally  in 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton^  chap,  v,  p.  66. 


^T.  29.  SISTER   HANNAH   BUXTON.  1-jJ 

preparing  for  us  an  everlasting  inheritance,  ^vllcre  the  joys  of 
thQ  righteous  are  far  above  all  that  hath  yet  entered  into  our 
hearts :  can  we  not  acknowledge  that  such  love  is  indeed  mar- 
vellous ;  and  ought  we  not  individually  to  enter  into  solemn 
covenant  to  serve  him  with  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity  in  all 
our  ways?  *  * 

As  regards  myself,  my  experience  during  ,the  last  fe.v 
months  has  been  a  little  out  of  the  usual  course,  or  at  least 
my  usual  course.  I  wish  to  say  it  in  reverence,  but  I  seem  t;» 
have  got  out  of  a  thick  wood,  into  a  verdant  and  beautiful 
plain,  where  the  riches  of  the  Lord's  bounty  are  displaying 
themselves  on  every  side.  Deeply  and  totally  unworthy  am  I 
of  such  a  favour.  I  have  indeed  cause  for  thankfulness  under 
the  sense  which  is  just  now  permitted  me,  of  my  cloude<l 
atmosphere  being  cleared,  of  my  loins  being  more  girt  up ;  of 
a  light  within  me,  not  of  my  own  creating,  being  commanded 
to  burn  a  little  for  my  spiritual  improvement  and  consolation. 
I  may  add  to  the  list  of  divine  mercies,  my  near  prospect  of  a 
settlement  in  life,  after  my  own  heart's  desire.  Yet  I  have 
had  my  conflicts  to  pass  through  as  well  as  my  joys.  May 
we  all  abide  in  true  humiliation,  and  when  the  sunshine 
becomes  overcast,  (for  its  being  so  occasionally  is,  I  doubt 
not,  necessary  for  us  all,)  may  patience  equal  to  the  day  be 
afforded.  *  *  I  have  several  times  felt  it  my  indispensable  duty 
to  break  the  silence  of  our  meetmgs,  and  the  work  appears 
more  likely  to  proceed  than  to  wither  away,  if  I  am  faithful  to 
its  requisitions.  But  my  gift  is  at  present  very  small ;  and 
perhaps  thou  art  little  aware  how  entirely  it  appears  to  be  out 
of  my  power  to  choose  for  myself  [in  it,]  I  may  acknowledge 
that  I  find  it  not  only  a  deeply  interesting,  but  a  purifying 
work.  That  it  is  one  calling  for  pecidiar  dedication,  and  sub- 
mission, must  be  fully  admitted.  I  feel  that  I  must  wholly  re- 
sign myself  to  the  Spirit  which  "  bloAveth  where  it  listeth,'" 
and  if  it  be  not  given  me  to  know  '"whence  it  cometh  or 
wliither  it  goeth,"  I  must  be  content.  *  *  * 

On  tlie  10th  of  the  9th  mo.,  he  was  married  to 
Jane  Birkbeck.    He    was    scarcely   settled    at    Earl- 


136  HIS   MARRIAGE.  1817. 

ham  after  the  event,  before  other  interests  crowded 
upon  him.  » 

TO    WILLIAM    rORSTER. 

Norwich,  9th  mo.,  30th,  1817. 

*  *  Strange  and  new  things  have  indeed  happened  to  me ; 
and  I  am  but  Just  finding  my  footing  on  the  new-found  land 
of  married  hfe  and  ministerial  duty.  It  makes  me  feel  as  if 
I  could  not  understand  myself;  but  I  trust  that  thankfulness 
is  the  prevailing  feeling  of  my  heart.  I  know  that  I  have 
been  greatly  helped,  blessed,  and  comforted ;  and  I  know  also, 
from  having  passed  through  depths  unknown  before,  that  I 
have  needed  the  help,  the  blessing,  and  the  consolation  which 
I  have  received. 

But  to  proceed  to  more  historical  information,  I  am 
married,  happily  and  satisfactorily  married.  The  event  took 
place,  as  was  intended,  at  Wells  Meeting,  on  the  10th  of  this 
month.  The  meeting  and  the  day  were  I  think  highly 
favoured  by  the  owning  and  cheering  presence  of  the  Master 
whom  I  desire  to  serve.  The  former  was  very  solemn.  *  * 
I  was  constrained  by  a  most  sweet  influence  to  supplicate 
that  we  might  be  enabled,  on  that  solemn  occasion,  to  enter 
into  covenant  with  God,  to  serve,  honour,  and  obey  him  in  all 
our  ways ;  and  that,  in  things  temporal  and  things  spiritual, 
in  heights  and  in  depths,  we  might  be  more  and  more  taught 
to  place  an  unqualified  dependence  upon  his  mercy  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  lodged  at  a  nice  country  inn  about 
seven  miles  from  Hunstanton,  and  arrived  at  Earlham  to 
dinner  on  the  following  day.  The  sun  shone  sweetly  upon  us, 
and  that  dear  place  received  us  with  open  doors  in  all  its 
brightest  colours.  There  we  speftt  some  quiet  days  of  solitude 
before  our  friends  came  in  upon  us.  For  the  last  week  we 
have  had  the  house  full,  a  dehghtful  party  of  brothers  and 
sisters,  my  mother-in-law,  and  some  interesting  friends  of  the 
Bible  Society,  especially  Charles  Simeon,  of  Cambridge,  a  man 
eminent  for  talent,  for  piety,  and  for  singularity.  This  is  a 
brief  sketch  of  our  external  history :  with  regard  to  the 
esoteric  part  of  it,  it  has  been  deeply  interesting,  and  I  think 


^T.  30.  HIS   MARRIAGE   AND    MINISTRY.  137 

I   may  add,  affecting   to   me.     The    change   is    so  great,  so 
important,  the  union  so  close,  so  heart-tendering. 

After  alluding  to  his  part  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  he  proceeds, — 

I  believe  the  baptisms  I  have  had  to  pass  through  have 
been  intended  to  prepare  me  for  this  work,  but  they  have  not 
taken  the  shape  of  discouragement  about  the  work  itself:  yet 
indeed  I  know  and  have  felt  its  humiliations.  How  does  it 
behove  me  to  be  watchful  and  dedicated  to  the  Lord's  will. 
I  do  indeed  feel  the  awfulness  of  my  profession. 

The  following  are  from  his  Journal. 

9/^  7W0.,  15th.  [After  briefly  describing  his  marriage] — 
and  now  I  may  record  the  thankfulness  I  have  felt,  and  do 
feel,  to  the  Author  of  every  blessing,  for  the  marvellous  manner 
in  which  he  has  first  suffered  my  faith  to  be  tried,  and  then 
delivered  me  from  conflict,  and  set  my  foot  upon  the  rock. 
In  my  wife  he  has  been  pleased  to  bestow  upon  me  a  most 
precious  treasure,  exactly  suited  to  my  need,  and  I  feel  his 
presiding  wing  mercifully  extended  over  us. 

9th  mo. J  2Srd.  It  has  been  our  Quarterly  Meeting.  The 
meeting  for  worship  was  highly  favoured  by  the  divine  pre- 
sence. It  was  upon  me  to  pray  at  considerable  length,  and 
under  a  very  solemn  influence,  Avhich  continued  after  my 
prayer  was  finished.  What  a  blessing, — how  high  a  privilege 
is  the  spirit  of  prayer  ! 

FROM   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  9th  mo.,  29th,  1817. 

*  *  WitTi  an  affection  and  a  solicitude  which  are  as  foreign 
to  mere  compliment  as  it  is  a  stranger  to  them,  I  now  congratu- 
late you  on  a  union  which  has  so  much  of  mind  in  it,  as  well 
as  of  outward  advantages,  as  to  promise  the  greatest  share  of 
temporal  felicity.      And  yet  I  would  apprize  you  that  even 


138       LETTER  FROM  JONATHAN  HUTCHINSON.      181T 

these  satisfactions  and  privileges  should  be  enjoyed  in  reference 
and  subordination  to  the  Giver  of  "  every  good  and  perfect 
gift ;"  that  they  ought  frequently  to  be  offered  in  sacrifice  at 
his  footstool ;  and  that  whilst  you  admit  no  inferior  competi- 
tor into  your  hearts,  he,  the  Creator  of  the  heart,  must  reign 
unrivalled  there.  I  would  also  apprize  you,  that,  without  any 
fault  of  ours,  the  sweetest,  the  most  innocent  earthly  enjoyment, 
is  liable  to  frequent  and  unexpected  interruptions.  In  this 
ordeal,  this  prison  of  the  soul,  many  things  combine  against  our 
present  happiness.  The  war  of  elements,  the  more  fierce  and 
cruel  war  of  men's  passions,  prejudices,  and  interests,  all  aggi-a- 
vated  by  the  malice  of  an  unwearied  and  potent  enemy,  will  one 
or  other  of  them  be  frequently  reminding  the  most  prosperous 
and  the  most  happy  that  this  world  affords  not  the  ultimate 
rest  of  an  immortal  spirit, — that  earth  is  not  its  final  home. 
Of  these  things,  beloved  pair,  though  you  knew  them  before,  I 
have  thought  it  might  not  be  amiss,  even  in  the  zenith  of 
your  allowable  enjoyment,  to  put  you  again  in  remembrance. 
But  there  is  another  thing,  which  perhaps  you  may  not  so 
readily  admit,  or  so  easily  credit,  but  which  I  think  it  may  be 
at  least  safe  for  me  to  communicate,  and  that  is  a  belief  which 
has  attended  me,  particularly  since  your  marriage,  that  the  way 
cast  up  for  you  is  rather  an  arduous  than  an  easy  one ;  and 
whilst  I  hope  it  will  have  many  roses  in  it,  I  am  apprehensive 
it  will  also  have  its  thorns;  —  amidst  other  causes,  on  this 
especial  and  scriptural  ground,  that  "  they  who  will  live  godly 
in  Christ  Jesus,  shall  suffer  persecution  ;" — for  though  racks 
and  other  torments  of  the  body  are,  for  the  present,  excluded 
our  favoured  land,  yet  there  remain  in  it,  in  pretty  full  play, 
two  small  but  powerful  engines  of  mental  disquietude,  the 
tongue  and  the  pen.  The  former  of  these,  in  certain  heads, 
and  under  a  certain  direction,  is  strongly  characterized  by  the 
Psalmist  and  the  apostle  James ;  and  the*  latter,  as  perhaps 
some  of  us  think,  is  not,  when  serving  the  same  Master,  either 
less  mischievous  or  poignant. 

Sixth  day  morniny,  lO^A  mo.,  IQth.  Yesterday  was  a  happy 
day.  In  the  morning  meeting  I  believed  it  my  duty  to  pray 
ai  the  followinor  words : — 


iET.  30.  PUBLIC   PRAYER   AXD   MINISTRY.  lo9 

"  We  reverently  thank  thee,  0  Lord  God  Almighty,  *  *  be- 
cause thou  art  healing  all  our  diseases,  forgiving  all  our  in- 
iquities ;  because  thou  art  redeeming  our  life  from  destruction, 
and  crowning  us  with  loving  kindness  and  tender  mercies.  We 
beseech  thee,  0  Lord,  so  to  impress  upon  our  spirits,  a  sense 
of  thine  abundant  loving  kindness  in  Christ  Jesus,  that  we  may 
be  constrained  by  his  love,  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate  ;  to 
walk  in  the  narrow  way ;  to  take  up  our  daily  cross  in  sim- 
plicity and  godly  sincerity  ;  and  to  follow  the  Lamb  whitherso- 
ever he  goeth.  Thus,  0  Lord,  though  we  are  indeed  unworthy 
in  thy  sight,  suffer  thine  own  works  to  praise  thee ;  and  whilst 
thou  art  makino:  us  sensible  that  of  ourselves  we  can  do  nothinj;, 
enable  us  to  acknowledge,  that  great  and  marvellous  are  thy 
works,  Lord  God  Almighty,  just  and  true  are  all  thy  ways, 
thou  King  of  Saints." 

I  felt  it  a  privilege  thus  to  be  brought  to  the  sense,  and  to 
the  expression  of  thanksgiving ;  but  I  have  since  felt  in  the 
midst  of  our  large  and  pleasant  party,  and  abounding  luxuries, 
and  indolent  tendencies,  a  fear  lest  the  narrow  path  should  be 
forgotten.  May  this  never  be  the  case.  I  do  feel  a  genuine 
desire  that  all  may  be  kept  in  true  and  right  order,  by  the 
Spirit  and  power  of  my  Lord  and  Master. 

TO   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  10th  mo.,  lltb,  1817. 

How  is  the  Christian's  faith,  at  times,  permitted  to  be  tried, 
even  to  a  hair's  breadth,  and  after  these  seasons  of  probation, 
how  wonderfully  is  relief  afforded,  when  perhaps  least  expected, 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord !  I  am  writing  to  one  who 
knows  far  more  of  these  things  than  I  do,  but  I  believe  thou 
mayest  receive  me,  if  thou  wilt,  as  a  fellow  traveller  in  suffer- 
ing, as  well  as  in  rejoicing.  To  open  my  mouth  in  public 
ministry,  is  a  duty  which  I  have  had  deep  reason  to  believe 
has  been  required  at  my  hands  not  unfrequently.  It  has 
seemed  to  me  impossible  to  do  otherwise,  consistently  with  my 
own  peace,  than  to  go  straight  forward  in  it,  Avithout  much 
looking  to  the  judgment  of  others.     What  others  think  of  me 


140  TOUR   ON  THE  CONTINENT.  1817 

I  know  not,  but  I  heartily  desire  to  live  more  simply  in  this 
and  everything  else,  to  the  Lord,  and  not  to  man. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  in  company  with 
his  wife,  his  brother  Samuel  Gurney,  his  brother 
and  sister  Buxton  and  Francis  aiid  Richenda 
Cunningham,  he  took  a  short  tour  upon  the  conti- 
nent of  Europe,  their  principal  objects  being  to 
establish  a  Branch  Bible  Society  in  Paris,  and  to 
procure  information  as  to  the  systems  of  prison 
discipline  adopted  in  the  jails  of  Antwerp  and 
Ghent.  In  crossing  over  to  Calais  they  were 
surrounded  by  a  dense  fog,  in  which  they  drifted 
about  for  two  days  and  nights,  and  narrowly  escaped 
running  the  vessel  ashore.  Joseph  John  Gurney's 
own  account  of  this  journey  has  not  been  preserved, 
but  the  reader  will  find  several  interesting  details 
respecting  it,  in  the  life  of  Sir  Thomas  Fowell 
Buxton.*  Having  accomplished  their  objects,  they 
returned  home  after  an  absence  of  about  a  month. 

TO   HIS  SISTER-IN-LAW  ELIZABETH   GURNEY. 

Norwich,  12th  mo.,  9th,  1817. 

*  *  We  arrived  late  on  seventh  day  evening.  A  hearty 
welcome,  and  a  warm,  bright  house  awaited  us ;  dear  Catherine 
and  Priscilla  looking  charmingly,  and  all  the  household  in  good 
order.     What  a  blessing  is  there  in  such  an  arrival  at  home  ! 

*  *  It  was  very  comfortable  yesterday  to  find  ourselves 
once  more  seated  in  Goat  Lane.f  Our  morning  meeting  was 
solemn.  The  afternoon  meeting  was  also  comfortable,  and  a 
satisfactory  reading  at  Earlham,  and  cheerful  evening  over  the 
great  parlour  fire,  concluded  the  day.     Yesterday  brought  the . 

•  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  chap.  v. 

I  One  of  the  Meeting-houses  of  Friends,  in  Norwich. 


JET.  30.  PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  141 

usual  round  of  banking,  MTiting,  reading,  &c.     How  pleasant 
is  the  settlement  into  regular  domestic  life  ! 

Mj  wife  and  I  spend  our  evenings  alone  together.  I  do  not 
think  our  dear  sisters  will  be  the  least  interruption  to  us.  *  * 

The  occasions  on  which  he  felt  called  to  speak  as  a 
minister  were  now  more  frequent,  "  though  often,"  as 
he  says,*  "  attended  with  unusual  conflict,  and  much 
in  the  cross  and  fear."  "  How  vain,"  he  remarks  in 
another  place,f  "  would  be  my  own  efforts  to  minister 
without  the  command  !" 

Early  in  the  year  1818,  private  business  called  him 
to  London.  His  sister  Elizabeth  Fry  had  previously 
entered  upon  her  important  labours  for  the  benefit  of 
the  prisoners  in  Newgate,  and  for  the  improvement  of 
prison  discipline  generally.  Joseph  John  Gurney 
warmly  entered  into  his  sif?ter's  views,  accompanied 
her  to  the  Committee  of  the  House  of  Commons  on 
the  occasion  of  her  giving  her  evidence,  and  after- 
wards to  Lord  Sidmouth,  then  Secretary  of  State  for 
the  Home  Department.^  On  his  return,  he  thus 
briefly  alludes  to  his  visit. 

M  mo.,  9th,  1818.  The  [last]  fortnight  has  been  a  very 
interesting  one.  After  two  busy  days  of  preparation,  we  left 
home  on  fourth  day,  (the  25th  ult.)  by  day  coach,  and  arrived 
that  night  at  Upton.   *  * 

Sixth  day,  to  London,  to  the  Committee  of  the  House  of 
Commons,  with  dear  Elizabeth ;  afterwards  to  dine  with  W. 
Smith,  M.  P.,  where  we  met  Wilberforce  and  Sir  S.  Romilly. 
A  very  interesting  time. 

*  Jouma>i  under  date  2nd  mo.,  1st,  1818. 

t  Under  date  2nd  mo.,  11th,  1818. 

I  See  Life  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  vol.  i,  p.  292—313. 


142  MAYOK  AND  CORPORATION  VISIT  EARLHAM.  1818. 

Seventh  day,  breakfasted  with  William  Smith ;  corrected 
my  sister's  evidence;  returned  with  her  in  the  ev^ening  to 
Upton. 

First  day  began  in  lowness,  follovred  by  deep  exercise  of 
spirit,  and  a  great  flow  in  the  ministry  at  Plaistow :  in  the 
morning,  on  giving  up  the  world  to  come  to  Christ;  "who  hath 
believed  our  report?"  &c.,  with  prayer  for  the  different  states 
in  the  meeting :  in  the  afternoon,  comfort  and  advice  to  the 
discouraged,  and  prayer  for  them.  *  * 

Second  day,  interesting  visit  to  Newgate ;  solemn  meeting 
there.  *  * 

Third  day  with  my  sister  to  Lord  Sidraouth. 

Fourth  day,  breakfasted  with  Wilberforce  ;  met  Lord  Rock- 
savage.  *  * 

His  visit  to  London,  and  the  pamphlet  on  Prison 
Discipline,  soon  afterwards  published  by  his  brother- 
in-law,  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  tended  to  deepen 
in  his  own  mind  a  sense  of  the  importance  of  that 
subject;  and  an  opportunity  soon  occurred  for  en- 
deavouring to  influence  the  authorities  at  Norwich 
to  some  exertion  respecting  it.  The  Mayor  and 
Corporation,  attended  by  the  Sheriffs  and  other 
citizens,  whilst  perambulating  the  boundaries  of  the 
county  of  the  city,  were,  by  his  desire,  invited  to 
partake  of  refreshment  in  passing  by  the  hall  at 
Earlham.  Besides  those  immediately  connected 
with  the  magistracy,  many  others  assembled,  the 
whole  company  consisting  of  about  800  persons- 
On  this  occasion,  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  an 
address  to  the  Maj^or  and  Corporation,  urged  the 
erection  of  a  new  jail,  and  its  establishment  on 
better  principles,  w^itli  a  view  to  the  employment  of 
the  prisoners  and  the  improvement  of  their  morals ; 


XT.  30.  POLITICS.  143 

enforcing  his  appeal  by  a  reference  to  the  extra- 
ordinary change  that  had  then  recently  taken  place 
in  Newgate  through  the  exertions  of  a  committee 
of  ladies,  and  concluding  by  offering  a  donation  of 
£100  towards  the  object.  The  effort  was  not 
without  fruit,  though  the  result  was  not  immediately 
apparent. 

In  the  spring  of  1818,  a  dissolution  of  Parliament 
took  place,  which  was  followed  by  a  general  elec- 
tion. Upon  religious  and  philanthropic  grounds  he 
had  long  desired  to  see  his  brother-in-law,  Thomas 
Fowell  Buxton,  in  Parliament,  and  now  rejoiced 
with  him  in  his  success  at  Wej-mouth.  Jlis  letter 
to  him  on  the  occasion,  which  is  already  before  the 
public,*  is  sufficiently  expressive  of  the  hopes  which 
he  indulged  ns  to  his  parliamentar}^  career,  hopes 
not  of  political  distinction,  but  of  the  powerful  and 
successful  advocacy  of  the  cause  of  righteousness 
and  love.  As  regarded  himself,  he  was  called  into 
a  different  sphere.  His  advocacy  of  this  cause  was 
to  be  elsewhere  than  in  the  House  of  Commons. 
Much,  however,  as  he  disliked  the  strife  of  politics, 
he  Avas  involved  in  some  effort  at  the  election  at 
Norwich,  in  consequence  of  the  illness  of  a  near 
relative,  who  was  one  of  the  candidates.  "  It  was 
iny  endeavour,"  he  writes  in  his  Journal,  "not  to 
yield  myself  up  to  the  interests  of  the  election,  but 
being  called  upon,  I  made  one  speech  to  the  electors^ 
in  which  I  communicated  my  whole  mind  on  the 
subject  before  us,  and  endeavoured  to  raise  their 
minds    to    something     higher     than    mere    politics. 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  chap,  vi,  p.  78. 


144  HE   IS   ACKNOWLEDGED    AS   A   MINISTER.  1818. 

The  whole  effect,"  he  adds,  "  has  been  rather 
lowering  to  the  best  things."  "  When  we  look,  on 
the  one  hand,"  is  his  subsequent  reflection  in  the 
Autobiography,  in  allusion  to  this  incident,  "  to  the 
party  spirit,  the  dissipation,  and  corruption  which 
attend  these  political  strifes,  and,  on  the  other  hand, 
to  the  meekness,  quietness,  impartiality,  and  purity, 
which  ought  to  mark  the  character  of  Christians, 
we  can  scarcel}''  avoid  the  conclusion  that  the  less 
we  have  to  do  with  such  affairs  the  better;  at  the- 
same  time  we  are  not  to  forget  our  character  as 
citizens  of  the  state,  and  ought  neither  to  despise 
our  rights,  nor  neglect  our  duties  in  that  capacity. 
'  Let  all  things  be  done  decently  and  in  order.' " 

It  was  in  the  sixth  month  of  this  year,  that  the 
Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  in  Norwich  recognized 
him  as  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  called  to  the  work 
by  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church.  Referring  to 
this  and  to  his  previous  attendance  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  London,  he  writes  in  his  Journal : — 

Qth  mo.,  20th.  *  *  The  Yearly  Meeting  was  exceedingly 
interesting,  and,  in  most  respects,  quite  satisfactory.  To  me 
it  was  a  period  of  much  religious  exercise  ;  I  had  frequently 
to  speak,  and  both  to  open  and  conclude  the  Yearly  Meeting 
in  supplication.  I  met  with  much  kind  encouragement  and 
some  useful  warnings.  *  *  On  fifth  day,  the  11th,  at  our 
Monthly  Meeting,  I  was  acknowledged  a  minister ;  much 
was  felt,  and  the  unity  of  Friends  appeared  complete.  This 
has  been  a  consolation  to  me.  I  feel  the  necessity  of  being 
very,  very  watchful,  that  my  practice  may  not  linger  behind 
my  high  profession. 

First  day  morning,  [Qth  mo.,  21s<.]  I  feel  a  good  deal  at 
sitting  [as  a  minister]  in  the  gallery,  not  being  to  my  own 


2ET.  30.       HIS  FEELINGS  ON  THAT  EVENT.  145 

apprehension,  adequately  spiritual ;  but  I  believe  help  will  be 
afforded.  May  I  be  enabled  to  enter  afresh  into  covenant 
with  my  Redeemer,  to  renounce  the  whole  spirit  of  the  world, 
and  to  serve  him  faithfully  ! 

Night.  I  feel  thankful  for  the  day's  experience.  In  the 
afternoon  I  uttered  a  few  sentences  in  supplication ;  the  first 
time  of  opening  my  mouth  in  ministry,  in  my  new  situation. 
It  has  afforded  me  relief.  * 


Vol.  I.— 10 


146  EARLHAM.  *  1818. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

1818—1819.     ^T.  31. 

EARLHAM;  FAMILY  MEETINGS;  POSITION  IN  BUSINESS  AND  AS  A 
CHRISTIAN  MINISTER  ;  JOURNEY  TO  SCOTLAND  AND  THE  NORTH  OP 
ENGLAND  WITH  HIS  SISTER  ELIZABETH  FRY;  EDINBURGH; 
GLASGOW;  FIRST  "PUBLIC  MEETING;"  VISIT  TO  THE  EARL  OF 
DERBY  AT  KNOWSLEY ;  PUBLISHES  HIS  FIRST  BOOK;  "NOTES 
•  UPON  PRISONS;"  LETTERS  FROM  WILLIAM  WILBERFORCE  ;  COR- 
RESPONDENCE WITH  EDWARD  HARBORD;  EXERTIONS  TO  SAVE 
THREE    prisoners;    BIRTH    OF    HIS    SON. 

After  his  marriage  Joseph  John  Gurney  continued 
at  Earlham,  and  the  hall  where  his  father  had 
resided,  and  in  which  he  had  himself  lived  from  his 
birth,  may  be  henceforth  regarded  as  his  settled 
residence.  To  this  place,  "  with  its  lovely  lawn, 
nested  among  large  trees,"  possessing  within  itself 
those  ample  accommodations  which  it  was  his  enjoy- 
ment to  share  with  his  friends,  and  combining  a 
convenient  proximity  to  a  large  and  important  cit}'^, 
with  great  quietness  and  retirement,  he  was  strongly 
attached.  And  they  who  knew  him  there  can  still 
picture  hira  in  his  study  among  his  books ;  or  in 
his  drawing  room  amongst  his  friends,  his  coun- 
tenance beaming  with  love  and  intelligence,  the 
life  of  the  whole  circle  ;  or  in  his  garden  amongst 
his  flowers  with  his  Greek  Testament  in  his  hand, 
still  drawing  from  the  books  *' of  nature  and  of 
grace"  that  lay  open  before  him,  new  motives  to 
raise  the  heart  to  the  Author  of  all  his  blessings. 


fi 


.iET.  31.  FAMILT   MEETINGS.  147 

Placed  by  circumstances,  though  not  the  elder 
brother,  in  the  position  which  his  father  had  (Xicu- 
pied  in  Norfolk,  as  master  of  Earlham  and  a  partner 
in  the  Bank,  it  was  his  delight  as  far  as  possible,  to 
continue  Earlham  as  the  family  house.  Even  after 
his  marriage,  his  sisters  Catherine,  Rachel,  and 
Priscilla  continued  to  live  with  him,  occupying 
their  own  apartments;  and  it  was  the  custom  of 
the  other  members  of  the  family  frequently  to  meet 
there  as  under  a  common  roof.  "  How  often,"  (is 
his  characteristic  exclamation,)  "  has  the  large 
family  circle  assembled  there ;  and  how  often  have 
we  found  occasion  when  so  collected  to  acknowledge 
the  loving  kindness  of  the  Shepherd  of  Israel !" 
Up  to  the  period  of  his  brother  John's  decease,  and 
for  some  time  afterwards,  it  was  the  habit  of  his 
Ijrothers  and  himself,  with  their  brothers-in-law 
Thomas  Fowell  Buxton  and  Samuel  Hoare,  to  im- 
prove these  occasions  by  a  mutual  impartial  exami- 
nation of  their  conduct,  in  which  each,  with 
brotherly  openness,  stated  what  he  conceived  to  be 
the  others'  faults.  Happy  indeed  was  such  an  inter- 
course between  such  minds.  ''  It  has  inspired  me," 
remarks  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  allusion  to  it  on 
one  occasion,*  (and  his  Journal  contains  many 
similar  allusions,)  '•'  with  a  fresh  desire  to  be  bold, 
resolute,  honest,  straightforward." 

Beside  this,  to    him,  delightful    band  of   brothers 
and  sisters,  his  house  was,  as  must  have  been  already 
apparent  to  the  reader,  freely  opened  to  a  large  circle 
Whilst  every  year  strengthened  his  conviction  of  the 
soundness    and   importance   of  the  Christian  princi- 

*  Journal,  under  date  10th  mo.,  25th,  1812. 


148  HIS  PosiTio:^  AS  a  friend.  1818. 

pies  which  he  professed,  he  rejoiced  in  "that 
liberty  wherewith  Christ"  had  made  him  '•  free"  to 
embrace  as  brethren  all  those  in  whom  he  thought 
he  could  discern  traces  of  his  heavenly  image.  His 
natural  character  doubtless  led  him  to  dwell  rather 
on  the  points  of  union  than  of  difference  with  those 
around  him.  With  his  expansive  feelings,  it  was  to 
him  peculiarly  painful  to  be  separated  in  outward 
religious  fellowship  from  some  whom  he  much 
loved,  from  many  whom  he  highly  valued,  and  from 
the  great  bulk  of  his  fellow  professors  of  the  Chris- 
tian name.  Nothing,  it  may  be  said  with  truth, 
but  a  deep  sense  of  duty,  an  absolute  necessity  laid 
upon  him,  would  have  reconciled  him  to  such  a 
separation.  It  is  in  this  point  of  view  that  his 
decision  is  entitled  to  the  greater  weight ;  and, 
under  his  circumstances,  the  degree  in  which  his 
natural  sensitiveness,  almost  amounting  to  timidit}-, 
was  gradually  overcome,  the  courage  and  firmness 
with  which  he  was,  on  various  occasions,  enabled  to 
act  out  his  convictions,  were  not  the  least  striking 
evidences  of  the  work  of  divine  grace  upon  his  heart. 
Whatever  may  be  the  advantages  of  smaller 
circles,  it.  may  be  a  question  whether  these  advan- 
tages have  not  been  sometimes  overrated.  To  the 
tender  plant  they  are  often  highly  serviceable,  if  not 
absolutely  essential.  But  are  there  not  instances  in 
which,  if  there  has  been  less  to  obstruct  the  forma- 
tion of  the  character,  there  has  been,  on  the  other 
hand,  less  to  develope  and  invigorate  it,  where, 
instead  of  growing  up  to  a  healthful  maturity,  it 
has  been  either  permanently  crippled,  or  what  is 
equally  disastrous,  permanently  deformed;  one 
limb  or  member    growing    out    of  its  due    place    or 


^T.  31.  ,  AND   AS    A    MINISTER.  149 

proportion,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  rest.  They  who 
have  been  accustomed  always  to  associate  with 
those  of  similar  opinions,  and  who  are  acquainted 
only  with  the  habits  and  modes  of  thought  of  their 
own  particular  circles,  are  naturally  but  ill  prepared 
to  understand  and  sympathize  with  the  difficulties 
of  others.  That  which  is  known  is,  in  far  too  many 
cases,  all  that  exists,  to  them  that  know  nothing 
beyond.  Ignorance  is  thus  apt  to  beget  exclusive- 
ness,  and  the  mind  and  the  heart  become  contracted 
together.  And,  even  assuming  the  educational 
opinions  of  such  individuals  to  be  strictly  correct,  it 
may  well  be  doubted  whether  the  discipline,  or 
rather  the  absence  of  discipline,  through  which 
these  opinions  have  been  imbibed,  has  led  them  to 
so  deep  an  understanding  and  heartfelt  an  appre- 
ciation of  them  as  he  possesses  who  has  "bought 
the  truth"  at^the  price  of  much  inward  and  out- 
ward conflict,'  and  has  had  to  contest,  as  it  wer^ 
every  inch  of  the  ground  on  which  he  stands. 

The  reader  has  now  to  view  Joseph  John  Gurney 
not  only  in  the  varied  relations  of  private  life,  but 
in  the  important  character  of  a  Christian  minister. 
The  work  of  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  is  one  of  the 
most  serious  and  responsible  in  which  man  can  be 
engaged.  In  Joseph  John  Gurney 's  mind  the  sense 
of  its  importance  was  not  diminished  by  the  peculi- 
arity of  his  position.  He  w«as  well  aware  that  it 
was  not  his  learning  or  his  talents  that  had  qualified 
him  for  such  a  service.  He  had  received  no  ordi- 
nation from  human  authority-,  nor  any  "call"  or 
appointment  from  the  congregation.  The  "  acknow- 
ledgment" of  his  friends,  w^as  simply  a  recvgnitiou 
of    the    f/i/t   which    both    he    and    they   felt   to   be 


150  A   MAN    OF   BUSINESS.  .  1818. 

altogether  dependent  upon  the  free  and  unrestrained 
mercy  of  the  glorified  Head  of  the  Church,  bestowed 
through    the    agency  of  that    Spirit    who  '•'  divideth 
severally  to  every  man  as  he  will,"  and  for  the  due 
exercise   of    which    the    steward   entrusted   with    it 
must  give  a  strict  account.     His  course  of  life  bears 
witness  to  the  earnestness  of  his  desire  to  be  found 
faithful  in    this  stewardship.     His  labours  were  ex- 
tensive   and    abundant;  yet  he    did    not  esteem  the 
duties  in  which  he  became  on  this  account  involved, 
incompatible    with    those    of    his    ordinary    calling. 
And    whilst    his  seculur  occupations  led  him  into  a 
closer  intercourse  with  others,  and   made  him  better 
acquainted    with     the    difficulties    and    conflicts    of 
ordinary  life,  thereby  enlarging  his   heart  to  a  more 
extended  sympathy  with   those  among  whom  he  was 
called  to  labour,  they  tended  at   the  same  time  to 
refresh   and   invigorate   his   mind  and^  affections,  by 
the  very  diversion  of  them   from  the 'contemplative 
to  the  more  practical    parts  of  religion.     As  a  man 
of  business  he  was  exact  and  methodical.      Prompt- 
ness   and    dispatch    equally  characterized    him.     It 
was  his    endeavour,  through  that  assistance  without 
which  he  felt  himself  weak  even  in  these  things,  to 
act    out    the    scriptural    maxim,    "whatsoever    thy 
hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might."    Whilst 
this  strikingly  marked   his  conduct  in    the  ordinary 
duties  of  business,  it  became   especially  apparent  in 
times   of  difficulty  and  danger.     And  on  more   than 
one     occasion     of     great    commercial    distress     and 
anxiety,    the    quiet   firmness    and    effective    decision 
which  he  was  enabled    to   evince,  afibrded    practical 
evidence,  of  no  mean  value,  of  the  reality  and  power 
of    his   Christian    principles.     Deeply    was    he    im. 


aiT.  31.  ^  AND   A   CHRISTIAN.  151 

pressed  with  the  responsibilities  of  his  position. 
Deeply  did  he  feel  that  to  perform  duties  so  various 
as  those  of  a  man  of  business,  and  of  a  Christian 
minister,  requires  (may  it  not  be  said)  a  double 
portion  of  divine  wisdom  and  grace.  But  in  his 
example,  as  in  that  of  many  others,  tliere  is  en- 
couraging evidence,  that  the  right  combination  of 
these  services,  so  far  from  tending  to  dim  the  lustre 
of  the  Christian's  armour,  serves  rather  to  brighten 
his  weapons,  and  to  nerve  his  limbs  the  more 
effectively  to  wield  them.  His  comparative  afflu- 
ence doubtless  materially  facilitated  the  carrying  out 
of  his  views,  and  relieved  him  from  those  corroding 
cares  which  are  so  apt  to  absorb  or  wear  down  the 
mind;  but  it  placed  him,  at  the  same  time,  within 
the  reach  of  other  and  not  less  dangerous  tempta- 
tions. Solemn  indeed  is  the  language,  "  Hoav 
hardly  shall  they  that  have  riches,  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven !"  And  whilst  the  assurance 
that  "with  God  it  is  possible,"  ought  to  prevent 
any  from  being  dismayed,  it  should  never  be  for- 
gotten that  the  power  of  divine  grace  is  peculiarly 
exemplified  in  the  character  of  those  who,  amidst 
the  allurements  of  ease  and  pleasure,  and  the  tempta- 
tions of  worldly  ambition,  have  been  enabled, 
throuGjh  unmerited  mercv,  "to  fidit  the  orood  fight 
of  faith,  and  to  lay  hold  on  eternal  life." 

In  the  8th  and  .9  th  months  of  this  year,  (1818,) 
in  company  with  his  wife,  his  sister  Elizabeth  Fry, 
and  one  of  her  daughters,  he  took  a  journey  into 
Scotland,  visiting  many  of  the  prisons  both  there 
and  in  the  north  of  England,  besides  attending 
many  of  the  meetings  of  Friends.  On  this  occasion, 
in  conformity  with   the   Christian  order   established 


152  VISITS    SCOTLAND.  .  1818. 

in  the  Society  of  Friends,  he  was  furnished  with 
a  minute  or  testimonial  expressing  the  concurrence 
of  the  Friends  of  his  own  "  Monthly  Meeting"  in 
his  prospects  of  religious  service.  They  proceeded 
through  Darlington  and  Newcastle  to  Edinburgh 
and  Dundee,  and  thence  by  Montrose  to  Aberdeen, 
where  they  attended  the  General  Meeting  of  Friends 
in  Scotland.  Returning  by  way  of  Perth,  after 
having  visited  the  families  of  Friends  at  Kilmuck, 
the  first  service  of  this  kind  in  which  he  was  engaged, 
and  which  he  describes  as  "  humbling  Jind  difficult," 
—  they  proceeded  to  Edinburgh,  and  thence  to 
Glasgow,  where,  amidst  a  pressure  of  other  duties, 
he  held  his  first  *"  public  meeting."  After  attending 
the  meetings  of  Friends  in  Cumberland  and  at 
Kendal,  they  came  to  Liverpool,  from  which  place 
they  visited  the  Earl  of  Derby  and  his  fomily  at 
Knowsley  Park.  Proceeding  homeward  by  way  of 
York,  they  arrived  at  Earlhani  in  the  early  part  of 
the  10th  month.  The  particulars  of  this  journey 
are  already  so  fully  before  the  public  in  the  Memoirs 
of  Elizabeth  Fry,*  and  through  the  work  upon 
prisons  published  by  Joseph  John  Gurney,  that  it 
seems  unnecessary  to  give  more  than  the  following 
extracts  from  his  Journal. 

Stonehaven,  StJi  mo.,  28th,  1818.  Our  day's  journey  has 
been  remarkably  agreeable.  We  crossed  the  ferry  to  Dundee 
after  an  early  breakfast ;  a  very  pleasant  sail  of  two  miles  ;  a 
fresh  gale  blowing,  and  the  morning  delightful.  The  mouth  of 
the  Tay  makes  a  noble  harbour,  and  Dundee  is  a  place  of  much 
rrade ;  the  number  of  its  inhabitants  35,000.  The  return 
for  salmon  there  is  <£1 00,-000  per  annum,  and  they  manufac- 

*  Memoirs  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  vol.  i,  p.  328 


^T.  31.  WITH    ELIZABETH    FRY.  153 

• 

ture  brown  linen  in  great  quantities.  We  called  upon  two  of 
the  magistrates.  One  of  them  showed  us  the  jail,  Avhich  like 
other  Scotch  jails,  is  quite  defective.  It  contains  no  criminals 
at  this  time.  It  is  a  rare  thing  to  have  a  criminal  in  this 
jail,  which  serves  not  only  for  this  populous  town,  but  for  a 
large  district  of  the  county  of  Forfar.  The  scarcity  of  crime 
in  Scotland,  which  is  very  striking  to  an  Englisli  observer, 
must  be  attributed  to  the  early  and  religious  education  of  the 
whole  people.  The  population  appears  in  a  healthy  state  of 
morals.     Would  it  were  so  with  us ! 

The  road  hither  from  Dundee  by  Aberbrothock,  or  Arbroath, 
Montrose,  and  Bervie,  runs  along  the  coast  of  Forfar,  and  pre- 
sents a  delightful  variety  of  sea  views.  The  towns  are  pleasant 
and  prettily  situated.  At  Arbroath  we  visited  the  jail,  very 
dirty,  though  not  an  old  building,  and  with  the  usual  accom- 
modations of  Scotch  jails,  and  nothing  more.  Not  a  single 
criminal  in  it. 

At  Montrose  we  were  shown  the  prison  by  Provost  Barclay, 
a  distant  relation  of  the  Ury  family,  strongly  resembling 
some  of  the  Barclays  in  person.  Like  every  other  Scotchman 
in  authority  whom  we  have  yet  met  with,  he  was  extremely 
civil.  There  is  a  real  readiness  to  serve  amongst  the  Scotch, 
and  they  often  expect  no  pay  for  many  of  the  little  things 
with  which  they  furnish  us. 

The  drive  between  Montrose  and  Bervie  is  beautiful, 
especially  on  account  of  the  sea  views,  and  the  little  villages 
of  Johnshaven  and  Gordon  situated  at  the  foot  of  lofty  hills, 
and  on  the  rocky  shore  of  the  sea,  quite  sheltered  from  the 
world  but  apparently  populous.  There  is  also  a  highly  beauti- 
ful deep  and  richly  wooded  ravine,  through  Avhich  a  mountain 
stream  runs  over  the  dark  rocks  into  the  sea,  in  one  place 
forming  a  cataract  seventy  or  eighty  feet  in  height.  There  is 
nothing  remarkable  between  the  little  town  of  Bervie  and 
Stonehaven,  except  the  approach  down  the  side  of  a  steep  hill 
to  the  latter  place,  which  is  beautifully  situated  round  a  natural 
basin  of  the  sea. 

^th  mo.,  5th.  We  left  Perth  at  noon  and  were  three  hours 
on  our  road  to  Kinross.     Our  way  lay  through  some  beautiful 


154  AT   EDINBURGH.  1818. 

• 
scenery.  On  leaving  Perth  for  Edinburgh,  the  traveller  as- 
cends a  hill  from  which  there  is  a  delightful  view  of  the  town, 
the  bridge,  the  mountains,  and  the  river  Taj.  The  hill  called 
Kinnoul  on  the  right  of  the  town  is  particularly  beautiful, 
finely  cultivated,  and  adorned  with  pretty  white  houses  on  one 
side,  and,  on  the  other,  a  precipitous  barren  rock.  About 
eight  miles  from  Perth  we  came  to  the  beautiful  rocky  and 
wooded  glen  of  Nairn  through  which  the  road  winds  for  about 
a  mile.  On  our  approach  to  Kinross  we  had  a  fine  view  of 
Lochleven,  and  the  old  castle  Avhere  Queen  Mary  was  confined. 
The  jail  of  Kinross,  and  a  dinner  upon  Lochleven  trout,  de- 
tained us  not  an  hour,  and  we  reached  the  North  Queen's 
Ferry  by  half-past  six,  we  crossed  the  Firth  in  about  an  hour, 
the  wind  being  contrary,  but  the  evening  delightful,  and  did 
not  reach  our  hospitable  quarters  [at  Alexander  Cruickshank's, 
Edinburgh]  before  half-past  ten.   • 

9f/j  7no.,  12th.  First,  second,  and  part  of  third  day 
were  spent  at  Edinburgh.  Second  day  was  one  of  great 
labour  and  religious  exercise.  We  spent  an  hour  pleasantly 
at  the  "deaf  and  dumb  asylum,"  where  the  interesting  com- 
pany of  intelligent  children  struck  .us  very  much.  There 
is  a  naivete  and  cleverness  about  them  which  is  delightful. 
They  are  excellently  taught  to  read,  write,  cypher,  &c. ;  and 
had  evidently  received  good  religious  instruction.  Here  we 
were  met  by  Erskine  of  Mar,  a  generous  old  man,  a  great 
supporter  of  public 'charities  and  very  cordial  to  us.  Ten  or 
eleven  family  visits  occupied  the  remainder  of  the  day.  In 
the  evening  returned  to  supper  at  Alexander  Cruickshank's, 
where  we  were  met  by  John  Wigham,  jun.,  Thomas  Allan, 
Leonard  Horner,  &c.,  and  having  got  well  through  the  labours 
of  the  day,  we  passed  the  first  watch  of  the  night  very 
pleasantly  together.  On  third  day  morning  a  fine  party  col- 
lected at  breakfast,  Leonard  Horner,  Archibald  Constable  and 
family,  my  .friend  Andrew  Hamilton,  Henderson,  an  active 
dissenting  minister.  Sir  George  and  Lady  Grey,  with  their  son 
and  daughter.  I  very  much  enjoyed  their  society,  and 
before  we  parted  my  dear  sister  Fry  was  solemnly  engaged  in 
prayer. 


^T.  31.  MEETING   AT    GLASGOW.  155 

First  day  morning,  [2th  mo.,  14<A.]J  In  allusion  to  the 
public  meeting  at  Glasgow  held  the  preceding  fifth  day.  The 
class  who  met  us  were  of  the  thinking,  and  rather  superior 
kind.  We  were  both  engaged  in  preaching  and  -in  prayer. 
My  text  was,  "  Search  the  Scriptures,  for  they  are  they  which 
testify  of  me."  It  was  a  solemn,  quiet,  and  I  trust  edifying 
time  ;  and  there  seemed  much  openness  and  cordiality  amongst 
the  people.  *  *  I  may  truly  say  that  this  public  meeting, 
and  many  other  occasions  since  I  left  home,  have  been 
abundantly  sufficient  to  convince  me  how  near  the  Lord  is 
to  help  us  if  we  place  our  trust  in  him.  I  have,  from  time  to 
time,  been  made  sensible  of  my  own  entire  poverty ;  but  have 
never  been  disappointed  when  I  have  gone,  with  full  purpose 
of  heart,  to  the  only  true  source  of  help.  *  *  [Last]  fifth 
day  was  the  anniversary  of  my  marriage,  and  was  also  marked 
by  my  first  public  meeting.  On  looking  back  upon  the  past 
twelve  months,  I  have  indeed  much  cause  for  thankfulness. 
How  have  I  been  blessed  and  comforted  in  [my]  union ;  and 
though  we  have  met  with  one  affliction,*  how  much  cause 
have  I,  even  for  this,  to  praise  him  who  has  thus  been 
mercifully  with  us,  both  in  prosperity  and  adversity,  in  heights 
and  in  depths.  My  gift  in  the  ministry  has  been  very  much 
enlarged,  and  I  humbly  trust  there  may  have  been  some 
spiritual  progress  accompanying  it ;  yet  on  looking  into  myself 
impartially,  I  seem  to  find  nothing  but  cause  for  repentance. 
How"  often  am  I  brought  to  feel  the  necessity  of  leaving  that 
which  is  behind,  and  of  clinging  to  him  who  can  save  ! 

9fA  mo.,  19fA  [Referring  to  the  decease  of  a  devoted 
servant  of  Christ.]  The  account  we  heard  of  her  mental 
sufferings  in  her  last  days,  was  affecting ;  and  shows  that  even 
the  most  devoted  of  the  Lord's  servants  are,  at  times,  permitted 
to  know  a  deep  cloud  when  they  pass  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death.  Too  much  stress  ought  not  to  be  laid  on 
death-bed  scenes,  nor  ought  the  expectation  to  be  too  much 
fixed  on  sunshine  in  that  awful  hour ;  though  it  is  sometimea 
my  prayer,  that  sunshine  may  be  my  portion  in  it. 

*In  allusion  to  his  wife's  confinement,  and  the  death  of  the  infant. 


156  KNOWSLEY  HALL.  1818. 

9th  mo.,  26tJi.  *  *  We  have  more  than  once  been  cheered 
in  the  course  of  this  journej  by  meeting  with  dear  friends 
green  in  old  age,  alive  in  the  truth,  and  evidently  fast  ripening 
for  the  garner.  Such  instances  strongly  confirm  the  truth  of 
religion,  and,  as  I  think,  more  particularly  so,  when  they  are 
attended  by  a  decay  of  intellectual  powers.  *  * 

breakfasted  with  us,  and  afterwards  met  us  at  the 

prison,  and  to  dinner.  I  was  much  pleased  with  him.  He  is 
evidently  a  man  of  remarkable  amiability,  uncommon  cultiva- 
tion, and  very  considerable  talent.  His  company  and  conver- 
sation afforded  me  real  pleasure ;  but  it  grieved  me  to  think 
that  he  never  attends  any  place  of  worship,  and  is  probably  not 
thoroughly  convinced  of  Christianity.  Such  characters  may  do 
much  harm.  Here  is  a  man,  presenting  many  charms,  with  a  life 
of  excellent  morals,  and  yet  not  publicly  professing  Christianity, 
and  perhaps,  not  believing  in  it.  There  may  be,  and  I  believe 
there  is,  a  deception  of  the  enemy  in  this  pleasant  picture ! 

Referring  to  their  visit  at  Knowsley,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  writes: — 

Lord  and  Lady  Derby,  with  others  of  the  family,  met 
us  at  the  door,  and  received  us  most  heartily.  Lord  Derby 
is  an  elderly  man,  remarkably  kind  and  attentive,  and 
without  anything  of  manner  to  make  one  feel  his  rank. 
Lady  Derby  is  somewhat  younger ;  a  very  interesting  and 
pleasing  woman ;  her  mind  much  too  great  for  affectation  or 
pride  ;  her  disinterestedness  conspicuous  in  the  little  occurrences 
of  the  day  ;  and  her  conversation  attractive  from  the  force  of 
her  mind,  which  is  evidently  under  the  power  of  religion.  She 
lost  her  only  son  about  a  year  ago ;  a  chastisement  which 
appears  to  have  had  much  effect  upon  her.  They  were 
surrounded  by  a  large  patriarchal  family  party,  consisting 
chiefly  of  the  Stanleys,  and  Hornbys.  The  most  conspicuous 
individuals  were  Lord  Stanley,  his  daughter  Charlotte,  and  his 
son  Edward  ;*  Lady  Mary,  Lady  Derby's  only  remaining 
child;    the   mother   of  the   Hornbys,    Lord   Derby's   sister; 

*  The  present  Earl. 


^T.  31.  KNOWSLEY   HALL.  157 

surrounded  by  several  pleasing  daughters,  besides  sons  and 
sons'  wives.  There  were  also  some  agreeable  guests  in  the 
house  ;  the  whole  party  about  thirty-five  in  number,  exclusive 
of  many  children.  I  have  seldom,  if  ever,  seen  so  much  love 
and  harmony  prevailing  without  any  form,  over  a  large  family 
circle.  Lord  and  Lady  Derby  took  a  walk  with  us  before 
dinner,  and  showed  us  the  pictures  and^  the  house.  The 
afternoon  and  evening  were  agreeably  spent  in  not  trifling 
conversation.  A  crowd  thronged  around  my  sister,  whose 
tales  were  thoroughly  relished.  I  passed  part  of  the  evening 
in  a  very  interesting  conversation  with  Lady  Derby  on  religious 
subjects.  *  *  Before  breakfast  next  morning,  the  ladies  Mary 
and  Charlotte  took  us  in  the  carriage  to  see  their  girls'  schools, 
which  are  in  excellent  order.  They  seem  to  take  great  pains 
with  their  poor  neighbours.  Lord  Derby  gives  prizes  annually 
to  those  of  his  cottagers  who  most  excel  in  neatness,  propriety, 
&c.  After  breakfast  we  ventured  to  propose  that  the  whole 
family  might  be  assembled.  My  dear  sister  had  felt  a  strong 
concern  for  this  object,  and  I  was  ready  to  bear  her  burthen 
with  her.  The  proposal  was  readily  acceded  to,  and  nearly 
the  whole  party,  including  the  servants,  about  seventy  persons 
in  all,  assembled  in  the  dining  room.  After  a  short  pause,  I 
began  by  reading  the  third  chapter  of  John.  The  religious 
opportunity  which  followed  lasted  nearly  an  hour,  and  was 
truly  solemn.  I  have  scarcely  ever  known  a  time  of  such 
apparent  baptism  of  the  Spirit.  My  sister  prayed  almost  as 
soon  as  I  had  concluded  reading ;  much  power  attending 
her.  I  afterwards  felt  unusual  liberty  in  preaching  the  gospel 
to  this  interesting  party,  from  one  of  the  verses  we  had  been 
reading;  "As  Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the  wilderness," 
&c.  My  sister  afterwards  spoke,  and  I  was  enabled  to  pray 
in  conclusion.  We  may  thankfully  acknowledge  that  our 
blessed  Master  was  pleased  on  this  occasion  to  send  us 
"help  from  the  sanctuary."  Almost  all  present,  both  old 
and  young,  appeared  to  be  brought  to  tears ;  some  to  many 
tears.  I  felt  thankful  for  having  so  favoured  an  opportunity 
of  plainly  declaring  the  truths  of  Christianity  to  the  family 
of  a  great  noblem3;n,  and  as  the  ground  was  evidently  pre- 


158  •         QUARTERLY   MEETING  AT  YORK.  1818. 

pared,  I  trust  the  seed  did  not  fall  into  it  in  vain.  I  think  we 
read  of  circumstances  very  much  resembling  this  visit,  in  the 
journals  of  the  earliest  Friends.  May  all  the  praise  be  attri- 
buted where  alone  it  is  due  !  We  left  Knowsley  about  twelve 
o'clock  on  sixth  day  morning,  and  dined  at  Warrington  with 
two  dear  old  friends,  John  and  Elizabeth  Bludwick.  They 
seemed  to  be  ripe  for  eternity!  With  them  also  we  were 
sweetly  engaged  in  waiting  and  prayer.* 

IQth  mo.,  5th,  Fourth  day  [at  York]  was  devoted  to  the 
Quarterly  Meeting,  which  was  large,  but  not  so  large  as  I  ex- 
pected. The  day  was  very  interesting  to  me.  The  meeting  for 
worship  was  marked  principally  by  the  ministry  of  Benjamin 
White,  from  America,  and  Ann  Alexander.  The  meeting  for 
business  appeared  to  me  remarkably  well  conducted.  The  after- 
noon sitting  was  chiefly  taken  up  by  considering  the  best  mode 
of  distributing  and  using  the  Yearly  Meeting's  address  on  the 
subject  of  the  religious  instruction  of  children.  It  was  pecu- 
liarly gratifying  to  me  to  find  in  this  Quarterly  Meeting  so 
great  an  unanimity,  and  such  an  uncommon  weight  of  exercise 
on  this  great  point  of  religious  instruction.  It  was  agreed  that 
a  committee  of  men  and  women  Friends  should  be  appointed 
in  each  of  the  Monthly  Meetings  to  read  the  address,  and  com- 
municate advice  on  the  subject,  in  the  families  of  Friends.  *  * 

On  fifth  day  morning,  10th  mo.,  1st.  we  all  breakfasted 
at  Samuel  Tuke's,  where  a  large  party  of  Friends  and  others 
met  us,  including  J.  Graham,  a  very  active  evangelical  clergy- 
man. He  seemed  much  satisfied  with  a  religious  opportunity, 
Avhich  took  place  before  we  parted.  [The  meeting  for  worship, 
which  followed,]  was  largely  attended,  principally  by  Friends. 
The  ministry  lay  entirely  on  my  dear  sister,  Jonathan  Hutchin- 

*  In  his  autobiography,  Joseph  John  Gurney  adds,  "  I  afterwards 
carried  on  a  correspondence  with  Lady  Derby,  and  some  of  the  young 
people.  I  had  recommended  their  searching  out  texts  on  particular 
subjects  in  the  Bible,  as  a  useful  exercise.  This  became  their  regular 
weekly  practice ;  and,  at  the  close  of  the  week,  some  one  of  the  party 
was  appointed  judge  of  the  selection,  and  expressed  his  decision  in 
writing;  in  the  form  of  a  brief  essay." 


JET.  31.  REXURN   HOME.  159 

son,  and  myself;  and  I  tliink  that  very  many  were  truly 
baptized  that  day  iiito  one  body.  It  was  a  great  consolation 
after  .our  heart  sinkings,  and  low  feelings,  in  Scotland  and 
Cumbei'land,  to  be  brought  amongst  so  many,  who  appeared 
settled  and  established  in  the  blessed  truth.  After  my  sister 
had  been  engaged  very  beautifully  in  supplication,  Jonathan 
Hutchinson  preached  in  a  peculiarly  touching  manner,  on  the 
case  of  those  who  had  at  one  time  been  enabled  to  testify, 
"Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,"  and  were  afterwards  induced  to 
inquire  "Is  this  the  Christ,  or  look  we  for  another?" — also  of 
those  who  were  almost  persuaded  to  be  Christians.  After  he 
sat  down  I  felt  much  liberty  in  speaking  on  the  apostle's 
exhortation :  "  I  beseech  you  therefore,  brethren,  that  ye  walk 
worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  ye  are  called."  It  was  a 
time  of  real  feeling,  and  love  seemed  to  flow  like  a  river.  It 
was  truly  comforting,  thus  to  finish  our  course  with  the  warm 
sympathy  and  concurrence  of  our  friends.  We  left  York 
immediately  after  the  meeting,  and  proceeded  to  the  Arch- 
bishop's palace.  There  we  were  kindly  received  by  the 
Archbishop,  and  Lady  Ann  Vernon,  his  wife,  with  their  son 
and  daughter.  He  is  a  fine  dignified  looking  man,  and  very 
polite.  He  entered  cordially  into  the  prison  cause,  and  Lady 
Ann  is  to  preside  over  the  York  ladies'  committee. 

We  arrived  at  Lynn  after  a  comfortable  and  quiet  journey, 
on  seventh  day,  the  3d.  There  I  left  my  sister  and  my  dear 
wife,  and  reached  Earlham  to  breakfast  yesterday  morning. 
I  feel  like  a  vessel  which  has  been  filled,  but  is  now  empty ; 
quiet  and  not  uncomfortable,  thankful  in  my  small  measure  for 
the  help  and  preservation  experienced  in  the  course  of  our 
long  travel,  and  desirous  to  resume  my  home  duties  with  vigour, 
as  "  unto  the  Lord,  and  not  unto  men." 

10th  mo.,  VJth.  This  week  our  party  [has  been]  almost 
entirely  confined  to  our  own  family.  I  have  felt  it  no  small 
privilege  thus  to  renew  my  old  afi'ection  for  my  brothers  and 
sisters,  and  to  find  these  affections  living  with  unabated  force. 
I  am  indeed  remarkably  and  most  undeservedly  favoured  by  a 
gracious  Master  and  Saviour  ;  a  spiritual  course  open  before 
me  in  a  manner  which  at  one  time  I  little  expected,  and  to 


160  TO   JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  181P. 

■which  I  was  altogether  a  stranger,  and  okl  fears  and  sorrows, 
best  known  to  myself,  completely  done  away.  "0  for  a  closer 
walk  with  God." 

11th  mo.,  8th.  To  Hunstanton  on  second  day;  my  ride  in 
part,  at  least,  profitable  by  reading  and  reflection.  I  thought 
very  intently  for  some  time  on  the  subject  of  religious  instruc- 
tion—  perhaps  the  seed  of  a  future  pamphlet.  Whilst  there, 
I  wrote  a  good  quantity  in  my  prison  book.  F.ifth  day ;  Lynn 
meeting ;  a  comfortable  time,  after  much  feeling  of  lowness. 
I  went  to  meeting  impressed  with  the  sad  account  of  Sir 
Samuel  Romilly's  death,  and  preached  on  the  evils  of  the 
world,  and  on  the  only  remedy.  I  afterwards  prayed  for  all 
in  affliction,  and  particularly  for  the  king  and  queen,  in  which 
I  felt  much  satisfaction.  Home  on  sixth  day:  delightful  to  be 
there  again ;  Fowell,  Hannah,  and  Priscilla,  our  almost  constant 
companions.  I  felt  burthened  this  morning  with  business, 
but  am  now  very  much  relieved.  May  grace  govern  me  through 
the  day.  Second  day  morning ;  I  may  acknowledge  that  this 
was  in  a  degree,  my  case  yesterday,  for  I  was  drawn  out  of 
cares  into  duties  to  my  own  consolation. 

TO   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  12th  mo.,  3rd,  1818. 

*  *  It  is  now  more  than  two  months  since  we  reached  home, 
and  very  swift  and  full  has  been  the  stream  which  during  that 
period  has  been  carrying  us  along.  Almost  the  first  object 
was  the  Bible  Society,  and  a  large  meeting,  not  only  of  our 
own  family,  but  of  several  religious  and  agreeable  guests  at 
Earlham.  This  was  attended  by  some  exertion,  but  the  scene 
passed  off  very  pleasantly,  not  without  real  edification.  *  * 

Amongst  our  guests  was  the  Countess  of  G ,  a  lady 

who,  through  many  sufferings,  internal  and  external,  has  been 
brought  to  a  deep,  and  at  length,  a  consoling  sense  of  religion- 
Our  large  party  has  been  for  some  time  dispersed,  except  that 
Fowell  Buxton  and  his  wife  are  living  for  a  few  months  at 
Earlham  lodge  —  a  house  which  was  occupied  when  thou 
wast  last  here  by  Charles  Brereton.  I  wish  thou  knew  some- 
thing of  Fowell.  He  has  one  of  those  noble  and  excelling 
minds  with  which  it  is  very  useful  and  stimulating  to  come 


JET.  31.  HIS    FIRST   LOOK.  161 

into  contact.  He  is  rathei*  a  singular  instance  of  a  person 
going  into  parliament  for  the  simple  purpose  of  doing  as  much 
good  as  he  can.  *  * 

Not-withstanding  all  my  weaknesses,  I  have  frequently  felt 
the  privilege  of  being  united  in  the  bonds  of  love  with  many 
righteous  servants ;  and  more  especially  have  I  prized  my 
connexion  with  our  own  Society ;  which  though  it  may  be  in 
a  very  low  state,  certainly  contains  much  substantial  worth, 
and  does  not  yet  fail  in  supplying  our  minds  with  a  home,  in 
which  we  are  often  permitted  to  experience  true  rest.  Whetlier 
it  be  declining  or  not,  I  know  not — I  hope  the  contrary, — in 
most  parts  of  the  kingdom.  With  us  certainly,  there  does  not 
at  present,  appear  a  very  bright  prospect ;  our  young  people 
are  so  estranged  from  the  simplicity  which  ought  to  distinguish 
them,  and  seem  to  have  so  little  of  an  ear  open,  that  one  hardly 
sees  what  is  to  become  of  us,  when  the  support  of  our  church 
will  come  to  depend  externally  upon  this  rising  generation. 
But  let  us  not  encourage  a  shortness  of  faith.  "  The  husband- 
man waiteth  for  the  precious  fruit  of  the  earth,  and  hath  long 
patience  for  it,  until  he  receive  the  early  and  the  latter  rain." 
This  is  a  good  example  for  Christian  ministers,  who  are  some- 
times led  to  suppose,  by  external  appearance,  that  their  labour 
of  love  is  nothing  availing. 

"  On  my  return  home,"  he  writes  in  his  Auto- 
biography, after  alluding  to  his  northern  journey, 
"  I  published  my  ./?rs<  hook, — Notes  of  a  Visit  made 
to  some  of  the  Prisons  of  Scotland,  and  the  North 
of  England,  in  company  with  Elizabeth  Fry,  with 
some  general  remarks  on  the  subject  of  prison 
discipline.  Buxton  had  published  his  extraordinary 
pamphlet  on  prison  discipline  the  year  before, 
which  had  met  with  a  warm  and  very  general 
reception;  my  little  work  was  regarded  in  the 
light  of  a  supplement  to  his,  and  three  thousand 
copies  of  it  were  sold.  I  trust  it  might  be  useful 
in  calling  the  further  attention  of  the  public  to  a 
Vol.  L  — 11 


162  TO    ELIZABETH    FKT.  1819. 

subject  of  much  practical  importance,  but  some  of 
the  local  managers  of  the  prisons  whom  I  had  not 
spared,  were  angry  enough.  This  was  of  little 
consequence,  and  I  believe  in  some  cases,  they  were 
shamed  into  reformation."'^ 

2nd  mo.,  1st,  1819.  I  have  been  troubled  about  tlie  Nor-wich 
jail,  but  having  done  what  I  could,  I  must  leave  it  to  Him,  in 
whose  hands  are  the  hearts  of  all  men.  T^he  idea  of  being  the 
object  of  a  sort  of  sour  grumbling  feeling  with  some  of  my 
fellow  citizens,  is  somewhat  depressing ;  but  I  desire  afresh  tc 
live  near  the  source  of  quietude  and  true  peace,  that  I  may  be 
clothed,  far  more  than  I  am,  in  the  righteousness  of  Christ. 

TO    HIS    SISTER   ELIZABETH    FRY. 

Earlham,  1st  mo.,  19th,  1819. 

My  dearest  Betsy, 

"  He  that  giveth,  let  him  do  it  with 
simplicity."  '  In  the  desire  to  fulfil  this  precept,  I  may  state 
that  I  have,  on  the  settlement  of  my  accounts,  £500  to  spare ; 
and  after  some  consideration,  believe  it  my  duty  to  apply  it  to 
the  oiling  of  thy  wheels.  I  therefore  put  it  into  Samuel's 
hands,  to  whom  thou  mayest  apply  for  the  money,  as  wanted. 
My  intention  is,  that  it  should  be  a  little  stock  in  hand,  to 
meet  thy  private  and  personal  exigencies.  My  condition  is, 
that  thou  wilt  not  say  a  word  about  it  to  any  one.  Of  course 
I  take  no  refusal,  and  can  admit  but  very  little  gratitude. 
I  finished  correcting  my  press  last  fifth  day,  and  am  wishing  to 
know  whether  the  book  is  published.  I  have  ordered  copies 
to  John  Smith,  Wilberforce,  and  the  Derby  family. 

In  haste,  thy  very  affectionate  Brother, 

J.  J.  Gurnet. 

P.S.— I  shall  consider  myself  very  ill  used,  if  thou  art  ever 
detected  in  walking,  when  it  is  better  for  thy  health  that  thou 
shouldst  ride,  or  if  thou  art  ever  denying  thyself  any  of  the 
comforts  of  life,  which  are  needful  for  thee. 

*  An  edition  in  8vo.  was  published  in  1847,  uniform  with  Joseph 
John  Gurney's  other  works. 


/ET.  31.  FROM    WILLIAM    WILBERFORCE.  163 


FROM    WILLIAM    AVILBERFORCE, 

(who  had,  three  days  before,  presented  a  petition  from  the  Societj  of  Friends,  against 
the  severe  enactment  of  the  penal  code.*) 

London,  February  12th,  1819, 

My  dear  Friend, 

Your  affectionate  letter,  just   now  perused, 
calls  forth  a  feeling  which  must  have  vent. 

The  Gubject  of  our  criminal  laws,  (more  especially  as  it 
regards  capital  punishments,)  has  long  occupied  my  mind,  and 
I  own,  I  think,  the  just  principles  on  that  subject  are  clearly 
ascertained.  But  [on  presenting  the  petition]  I  sincerely,  as 
well  as  explicitly,  disclaimed  all  idea  of  bringing  any  proposition 
forward  myself;  and  I  called  on  the  House,  not  without  a 
previous  anticipation  that  Sir  James  Mackintosh  would  answer 
the  summons.  He  has  many  of  the  requisites  for  such  a  task ; 
though  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  he  is  so  much  ,a  party  man. 
I  believe  we  never  have  discussed  that  question  of  party.  I 
own  I  have  a  strong  sense  that  when  pushed  to  any  extent, 
(for  of  course  occasional  co-operation  and  concert,  among 
those  who  concur  in  sentiment,  is  advisable  and  even  necessary  ;) 
the  political,  and  not  less  the  moral  evils  of  party,  are  very 
great.  Shall  I  confess  to  you  what  I  assure 

[you]  is  the  honest  truth,  that  I  do  not  recollect  a  single 
occasion  of  any  kind  of  importance,  in  which  I  was  so  dissatisfied 
with  my  own  performance,  as  on  that  of  presenting  the 
petition ;  and  my  surprise  was  as  great  as  my  pleasure, 
when  I  found  that  Mr.  Samuel  Gurney,  and  one  or  two  others, 
had  been  pleased.  The  fact  is,  that  the  House,  before  I  got 
up,  had  been  very  inattentive  and  noisy.  It  grew  latish,  and  it 
appeared  to  me  that  everybody  was  in  haste  to  get  to  dinner. 
Under  this  impression,  though  I  had  ideas  and  principles 
sufficient,  I  did  not  at  all  put  them  together,  or  arrange  them  in 
my  mind,  but  got  up  wholly  unprepared,  as  I  may  say,  meaning 
to  utter  but  a  very  few  words.    But  when  I  had  begun,  I  found 

*  See  Life  of  Wilberforee,  vol  v,  pp.  12 — 14. 


164  EDWARD   HARBORD.  1819. 

a  very  attentive,  and,  contrary  to  my  expectation,  a  very 
sympathising  audience.  So  that  then,  if  I  could  have  collected 
myself  sufficiently,  I  would  have  gone  someAvhat  into  the 
rationale  of  the  subject.  But  like  a  general,  whose  troops 
were  scattered,  I  could  not  at  once  call  them  into  order,  so 
that  I  was  fain  merely  to  pour  forth  what  was  uppermost. 
This  happened  to  be  what  interested  my  own  feelings  deeply, 
and  when  that  is  the  case,  we  often  interest  the  feelings  of 
others. 

Though  I  have  rather  felt  than  seen  my  way  along  my  paper, 
my  eyes  feel  overdone,  and  I  must  say  farewell ; — begging  you 
to  continue  your  prayers  for  me  and  mine,  and  to  believe  me, 
Ever  your  sincere  and  affectionate  friend, 

William  Wilberforce. 

It  was  about  this  period  that  Joseph  John 
Gurney  became  acquainted  with  Edward  Harbord, 
afterwards «  Lord  Suffield,  an  acquaintance  which 
soon  ripened  into  friendship,  and  was  maintained 
at  intervals,  until  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1835. 
^•Connected  as  he  was  by  family  ties,  and  by  the 
predilections  of  education,  with  the  high  party  in 
church  and  state,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in 
allusion  to  the  period  when  Edward  Harbord  first 
offered  himself,  in  1818,  as  'a  candidate  to  serve  in 
parliament  for  the  city  of  Norwich,  "the  internal 
struggle  of  liberal  principles  had  made  great  way 
in  his  mind.  He  was  already  a  friend  to  public 
improvement,  especially  adverse  to  all  kinds  of  war- 
fare, opposed  to  capital  punishment,  and  zealous 
for  the  administration  of  prison  discipline.  These 
common  interests  presently  united  us.  In  company 
with  his  wife,  (a  daughter  of  the  late  Lord  Vernon's) 
he  visited  us  at  Earlham,  and  we  commenced  a 
correspondence  which  lasted  for  many  years." 


ST.  31.  BRIBERY   AT   ELECTIONS.  165 

The  shameless  system  of  bribery  which  then 
unhappily  disgraced  the  municipal  elections  at  Nor- 
wich, had  called  forth  a  public  remonstrance  from 
Joseph  John  Gurney.  This  at  once  excited  the 
attention  of  Edward  Harbord,  who  immediately 
wrote 


TO   JOSEPH   JOHN   GURNET.* 

March  20th,  1819. 


Dear  Sir, 


I  have  this  instant  read  in  the  Norwich 
paper,  with  the  sincerest  pleasure,  your  note,  or  postscript, 
relative  to  certain  ward  elections.  I  willingly  surrender  to 
you  the  glory  of  having  struck  the  first  blow,  but  as  the  field 
is  yet  open,  I  must  beg  leave  to  put  in  my  claim  as  an  ally 
and  coadjutor,  not  of  the  past,  but  of  your  future  efibrts,  in  a 
scheme  which  I  hope  I  may  now  say  we  have  in  view.  *  * 
I  formed  my  determination  while  I  was  last  at  Norwich,  and 
was  once  on  the  point  of  communicating  my  purpose  to  you ; 
but  contemplating  it  as  a  work  of  difiiculty,  and  one  in  which 
the  concurrent  exertion  of  two  hostile  parties,  is  indispensable, 
I  deemed  it  prudent  to  deliberate  a  few  days  upon  the  best 
mode  of  opening  the  campaign,  before  I  hoisted  my  standard- 
I  will  tell  you  candidly  the  course  I  thought  of  pursuing.  *  * 
If  you  should  be  disposed  to  favour  me  with  any  suggestions, 
you  may  draw  upon  me  to  any  amount  of  caution,  for  the 
attainment  of  our  mutual  object.  There  shall  be  no  more 
"  cooping."  *  * 

JOSEPH  JOHN   GURNEY   TO    EDWARD    HARBORD. 

Eailhaoi,  3d  mo^  22nd,  1819. 

*  *  The  corrupting  effects  of  our  ward  elections  I  have  not 
painted  in  too  strong  language.     Nothing  can  exceed  them. 

*  For  this  correspondence  I  am  indebted  to  the  interesting  un- 
published memoir  of  Lord  Suffield,  by  Richard  Mackenzie  Bacoa 
See  pp.  71-81. 


X6S  BPJBERT   AT   ELECTIONS.  1819. 

Independently  of  the  utter  annihilation,  by  dint  of  bribery,  of 
all  right  political  motives  in  the  minds  of  the  poor  men,  the 
dissipation,  drunkenness,  and  confusion  produced  by  this  annual 
battle  are  excessive.  Husbands  are  taken  from  their  families, 
kept  in  a  state  of  intoxication  for  two  or  three  weeks,  and  then 
returned  upon  them  wholly  unfitted  for  the  duties  of  domestic 
life.  Young  men  not  yet  settled  in  life,  are  plunged  into  scenes 
of  dissipation,  from  the  effects  of  which  they  never  recover. 
And  3'Oving  and  old  are  wrought  up  Into  that  state  of  violent 
excitement  and  enmity  one  towards  another,  which  keeps  the 
whole  town  in  almost  constant  fermentation;  and  all  this  really 
for  NOTHING — the  object  being  one  perfectly  unimportant  as  it 
regards  the  general  elections. 

I  fear  that  nothing  now  can  prevent  the  "  cooping"  and  the 
bribery  of  this  season ;  for  it  is  already  begun,  and  I  believe 
each  side  is  already  provided  with  a  purse.  On  this  subject, 
however,  I  mean  to  make  some  further  inquiries  in  the  course 
of  to-day.  With  regard  to  the  future,  perhaps  a  public  de- 
claration, signed  by  everybody  of  any  importance  in  the  two 
interests,  might  prevent  it.  If  both  sides  would  agree  not  to 
open  a  single  public  house,  and  not  to  spend  one  farthing,  the 
object  might  be  effected.  Why  should  not  the  poor  men  go 
quietly  up  to  the  hall  and  vote,  and  then  go  back  again  to 
their  homes?  *  *  I  conceive,  however,  that  it  would  not  be 
thy  wish  to  confine  thy  views  to  the  ivard  elections.  Let  us 
get  rid,  if  we  can,  of  the  whole  system  :  for  at  present,  our 
general  elections  bring  with  them  an  immense  mass  of  corrup- 
tion. Perhaps  thou  art  hardly  aware  to  what  extent  "cooping" 
is  carried  on  on  these  occasions  also.  *  *  * 

EDWARI>   HARBORI>   TO    JOSEPH   JOHN    GURNET. 

Park  Place,  March  23d,  1819. 

My  DEAR  Sir, 

I  received  your  very  obliging  letter  this 
morning,  and  shall  gladly  avail  myself  of  your  suggestion. 
Our  sentiments  are  in  perfect  unison  on  the  subject  of  elections. 
A  declaration  signed  by  principals  on  both  sides,  may  be,  and 


^T.  31-32.  BRIBERY   AT   ELECTIONS.  16T 

certainly  is  desirable,  but  we  must  have  better  security  tbaii 
that  will  afford,  I  fear,  to  accomplish  our  purpose.  Impossible 
as  it  has  been  for  any  man  of  character  to  defend  or  justify  the 
proceedings  alluded  to,  each  party  has  hitherto  reconciled 
itself  to  the  system,  under  the  necessity  of  keeping  pace  with 
the  measures  of  its  opposite.  Each  charges  the  other  with  its 
origin,  and  both  console  themselves  with  the  belief  that  good 
will  be  the  result,  however  bad  the  means. 

Our  endeavour  must  be  to  invert  and  transpose  this  mode 
of  reasoning.  First,  if  the  law  will  enable  us,  we  must  make 
it  the  object  of  both  parties  to  detect  the  other  in  a  breach  of 
covenant ;  and  to  punish  it  when  detected ; — in  this  measure 
the  lamentable  hostility  Avhich  prevails,  Avill  leave  us  little  to 
perform.  Secondly,  we  must  endeavour  to  inculcate  the  errors 
of  the  principle  at  present  acted  upon ;  and  persuade  our 
friends  that,  however  good  the  object  aimed  at,  the  means  used 
in  its  attainment  should  not  be  bad ;  that,  however  bright  the 
gem  laboured  for,  its  lustre  may  be  tarnished  by  the  instruments 
employed  in  procuring  it.  *  *  * 

Some  months  elapsed  before  Joseph  John  Gurney 
again  wrote  upon  the  subject. 

TO    EDWARD    HARBORD. 

Hunstanton,  Sit  mo.,  ISth,  1819. 

My  dear  Friend, 

I  suppose  thou  wilt  deem  it  a  proof  of  some 
neglect,  that  I  have  not  sooner  reported  our  proceedings,  in 
the  matter  of  the  Norwich  elections.  T  can,  however,  assure 
thee  that,  in  the  midst  of  many  engagements,  and  with 
the  interruption  of  a  journey  into  the  North,  our  joint 
important  concern  has  not  been  laid  aside.  I  have 
no  objection  to  the  allowance  of  a  little  time  in  the  case. 
There  is  a  great  deal  of  labour  connected  with  it,  and  as 
far  as  I  am  concerned,  this  labour  must  be  brought  to  bear 
gradually.  I  also  think  that  the  difficulties  which  we  now 
have  with  several  individuals,  will  be  surmounted  by  patient 


168  A   FRIENDLY   HINT.  1819 

perseverance ;  and  that  the  determined  guilty  ones  will  be  at 
length  effectually  blocJcaded.  I  am  inclined  to  hope  that  the 
mere  step  of  getting  the  declaration  generally  signed,  and  the 
subsequent  publication  of  it  ^vith  the  names  attached,  Avill  be 
sufficient  to  give  a  deadly  blow  to  these  corrupt  practices. 
But  this  hope  will  not  prevent  our  forming  in  due  time  a  com- 
mittee of  management  to  draw  up  certain  regulations;  and  in 
the  end  to  carry  forward  the  necessary  prosecutions. 

4:  :i:  *  *  *  * 

I  am  now  going  to  perform  the  office  of  a  true  friend,  and 
to  find  a  little  fault  with  thee.  Thy  heart  is  remarkably  set 
upon  a  variety  of  benevolent  objects;  and  I  can  truly  say, 
Euge  f rater ^  i,  secundis  afflatus  zephyris  ;  but  it  has  appeared 
to  me,  (and  I  have  heard  it  remarked  by  others,)  that  thou 
art  too  much  in  the  habit  of  making  these  matters  the  subject 
of  conversation.  Thou  wilt  perhaps  think  me  heretical,  but 
it  does  not  suit  my  notions  about  these  things  that  they  should 
much  intrude  themselves  into  the  intercourse  of  private  life. 
I  would  not  entirely  exclude  them,  but  I  feel  that  these  things 
are  our  business,  our  labour;  and  that  the  intellectual  and 
social  intercourse  between  friends  is  our  recreation,  our  re- 
freshment, our  play.  I  very  often  have  to  communicate  with 
others  on  these  subjects,  and  when  this  is  the  case,  I  endeavour 
to  take  a  suitable  opportunity  of  saying  "my  say"  rather 
as  a  matter  of  business  and  duty  than  anything  else,  and  the 
"  say"  if  necessary  can  be  repeated,  and  then  there  is  pro- 
bably an  end  of  it.  I  do  not  find  it  answer  with  others  (nor 
do  I  like  it  for  myself)  to  make  these  things  very  prominently 
the  subjects  of  what  may  be  called  social  intercourse.  I  know 
not  whether  thou  wilt  quite  understand  me,  for  I  find  it 
difficult  to  express  my  meaning  clearly ;  but  I  am  confident 
thou  wilt  bear  with  me,  and  we  can  talk  more  about  it  when 
v\-e  meet. 

Believe  me  with  affectionate  regard. 

Thy  sincere  friend, 

J.  J.  GURNEY. 


iET.  32.  BRIBERY  AT   ELECTIONS.  169 


TO    THE    SAME. 

Nonvich,  9th  mo.,  11th,  1819. 

My  dear  FRIE^^D, 

The  exceeding  pressure  of  many  engage- 
ments must  be  my  apology  for  not  proceeding  quite  so  quickly 
as  we  should  both  wish.  I  must  acknowledge  that  my  hopes 
are  somewhat  dashed  by  the  kind  of  suspicious  and  deter- 
minately  prejudiced  feeling,  which  appears  to  prevail  against 
the  object  amongst  the  decided  party  men ;  but  we  must  do 
our  best,  and  leave  the  result  to  him,  in  whose  hands  are  the 
ends  of  it.  I  have  kept  back  the  idea  of  prosecution  because  I 
find  it  very  unpopular.  We  pledge  ourselves  in  the  declaration 
to  no  particular  method,  and  I  have  simply  stated  our  inten- 
tion of  callins;  together  those  who  sis-n  it,  and  of  then  con- 
sidering  the  mode  to  be  adopted.  On  the  other  hand  several 
have  expressed  their  opinion  that  prosecution  is  the  best  mode, 
and  I  have  not  hesitated  to  state,  when  called  upon,  that  this 
is  my  oivn  view. 

I  suppose  that  the  anonymous  letters  in  our  papers  on  the 
subject  of  prison  discipline  are  thine.  I  like  them  exceed- 
ingly, and  have  no  doubt  they  will  do  real  good.  I  truly 
rejoice  in  thy  thus  being  enabled  to  employ  thy  time, 
talents,  and  influence  in  the  cause  of  humanity,  and  may  I 
not  say  Christianity  ?  Most  heartily  do  I  wish  thee  well  on 
thy  way,  and  may  the  preserving  power  of  the  Lord  be  with 
thee  to  protect,  bless,  and  sanctify  all  thy  proceedings,  and  thy 
whole  self,  in  body,  soul,  and  spirit ! 

Notwithstanding  these  efforts,  the  elections  at 
Norwich  still  continued  to  present  disgraceful  scenes 
of  bribery  and  corruption.  Joseph  John  Gurney 
was  more  successful  in  his  exertions,  in  connexion 
with  the  same  zealous  coadjutor,  to  save  the  lives  of 
three  men  who  had  been  convicted  of  burglary  in 
the  spring  of  this  year.  In  allusion  to  this  effort 
he  writes  in  his  Journal : — 


170  CAPITAL   PUNISHMENTS.  1819. 

^th  mo.,  11th.  A  busy,  broken,  and  rather  troubled  fort- 
night ;  the  chief  interest  in  it,  the  case  of  the  three  men  left 
for  execution,  which  took  me  to  Bury  to  see  Judge  Graham 
on  fourth  day  week.  The  case  alluded  to  has  cost  me  much 
labour  of  head  and  heart,  and,  amongst  other  things,  led  me 
into  a  remarkably  interesting  correspondence  with  Edward 
Harbord.  Two  of  the  three  [are]  saved,  the  third  [BelshamJ 
suffered  yesterday. 

JOSEPH    JOHN    GURNEY   TO    EDWAPvD    HARBORD. 

Norwich,  4tli  mo.,  10th,  1819. 

I  spent  some  little  time  with  poor  Belshara  yesterday  after- 
noon, and  was  much  comforted  by  my  visit.  I  was  engaged 
with  him  in  prayer.  *  *  He  wept  much,  but  in  the  midst  of 
his  weeping,  he. displayed  a  quietness  and  a  steadiness  which 
will,  I  believe,  go  far  to  disarm  death 'of  its  terrors.  *  *  May 
God  have  mercy  upon  him,  through  Jesus  Christ. 

I  cannot  conclude  Avithout  saying,  how  much  I  have  rejoiced 
for  thy  sake,  and  the  sake  of  many  others,  in  the  zeal,  energy, 
judgment,  and  feeling,  which  thou  hast  manifested  on  this 
occasion.  To  flatter  thee  is  very  far  from  my  wish,  but  I 
must  say  two  things  on  the  subject.  The  first  is,  that  after 
what  is  past,  it  is  impossible  not  to  feel  a  warm  personal 
interest  in  thee.  The  second  is,  that  such  a  heart  and  mind, 
are  talents  to  be  employed  in  thy  Master's  service. 


TO   HIS    SISTER    ELIZABETH   FRY. 

Norwich,  4th  mo.,  30th,  1S19, 

*  *  With  regard  to  the  attacks  made  upon  our  prison  book, 
they  arc  of  no  importance,  and  do  not  now  trouble  me.  I  have 
ascertained  my  correctness  in  all  the  cases.  The  Yorkshire 
magistrates  are  already  answered.*    I  am  right  in  every  point 

*  This  answer  will  be  found  printed  at  the  end  of  the  last  edition, 
published  in  1847,  of  the  Notes  on  Prisons. 


JET.  31.  THE  CJiAIMS   OF  BUSINESS.  171 

between  us,  and  they  have  made  me  appear  wrong,  only  by 
stating  the  improvements  made  since  our  visit,  as  if  they  had 
existed  at  the  time  when  we  made  it.  I  quite  think  with  thee 
that  there  is  as  much  inclination  to  set  us  down  as  to  raise 
us  up,  but  if  our  motives  are  pure,  our  dependence  rightly 
placed,  and  our  conduct  correct,  neither  praise  nor  blame 
will  hurt  us. 

I  was  much  interested  at  Yarmouth  a  day  or  two  since,  by 
a  mantua-maker,  who  has  been  induced  to  give  up  the  time 
and  earnings  of  one  day  in  every  week,  in  order  to  visit  the 
wretched  prisons  in  that  place.  She  has  surmounted  many 
difficulties  and  has  produced  great  effects.* 

TO  JONATHAN  HUTCHINSON. 

« 
Norwich,  5th  mo.,  8th,  1819. 

*  *  I  cannot  think  that  my  business  claims  a  very  inferior 
share  of  my  attention,  for  it  is  extensive,  and  multifarious, 
and,  if  not  attended  to  sedulously,  would  soon  bring  me  and 
all  my  profession  into  disrepute.  Yet  why  should  I  be  so 
circumstanced  ?  Is  it  right  for  one  who  feels  called  upon  to 
•preach  Christianity  to  occupy  such  a  station  in  life?  Indeed, 
my  dear  friend,  I  must  leave  it  to  thee,  to  answer  these 
questions.  I  can  only  say,  that  such  is  the  situation  in  which 
my  predecessors  placed  me,  in  which  I  have  long  continued, 
in  which  I  now  am,  and  from  which,  as  far  as  I  now  sec,  I 
cannot  extricate  myself.  On  the  other  hand  I  must  acknow- 
ledge, that  if  business  were  less  prevalent  with  me,  I  should 
probably  have  more  both  of  time  and  mind,  to  serve  the 
Lord  and  his  people.  On  the  whole,  I  believe  it  to  be  best 
quietly  to  wait,  and  to  watch  the  divine  dispensation  towards 
me.  Perhaps  the  day  will  come,  when  circumstances  will,  at 
least  in  part,  relieve  me  of  my  burthen.  In  the  mean  time 
let  me  be  thankful  for  all  the  blessings  both  temporal  and 
spiritual  with  which,  though  thoroughly  unworthy,  J  continur) 
to  be  so  bountifully  supplied  !  *  *  * 

*  See  the  brief  but  interesting  sketch  of  the  life  of  the  late 
Sarah  Martin,  of  Yarmouth,  published  there  in  1844. 


172  PARLIAMENTARY  QOMMITTEE.  1819. 

First  day  evening,  5th  mo.,  IQth.  Began  this  clay  yyhh 
several  uncomfortable  impressions,  thoughts  and  feelings  not 
to  be  admitted  ;  but  through  silent,  though  earnest,  prayer  I 
found  my  rest  in  God.  The  day  has  been  spent  leisurely,  for 
I  have  so  far  done  very  little  but  attend  the  two  meetings. 
I  have  felt  "waiting  on  the  Lord"  to  be  my  main  duty, 
connected  with  a  watchfulness  to  fulfil  the  calls  of  my 
•ministry. 

5th  mo.,  25th.  [Last]  thu-d  day,  the  18th,  my  plans  of 
quietude  interrupted  by  a  summons  to  attend  the  Parlia- 
mentary Committee  on  Jails.*  I  determined  to  go,  though  I 
felt  real  difficulty  in  leaving  my  wife.  After  a  hot,  restless 
journey,  I  arrived  on  sixth  day  morning  at  Plashet;  [thence] 
to  Gr^cechurch  Street  meeting,  which  Avas  very  comfortable 
and  restoring.  From  meeting,  rapidly  to  the  House  of 
Commons;  met  by  Buxton,  Bennett,  and  others.  My  ex- 
amination before  the  Committee  lasted  about  two  hours,  and 
was  on  the  whole  satisfactory.  I  found  it  very  much  so,  on 
the  correction  of  my  evidence.  Pleasaut  interview  with  Wil- 
berforce,  F.  Calthorpe,  6rc. 

TO   JOHN   HODGKIN,    JUN. 

Earlham,  7th  mo.,  11th,  1819. 

*  *  *  During  my  very  short  stay  in  London,  my  time 
was  chiefly  occupied  by  the  Parliamentary  Committees,  and  I 
had  not  that  room  left  for  friends  which  I  should  so  much 
have  liked  to  enjoy.  I  was  quite  pleased  to  get  even  a  peep 
of  thee,  and  should  have  been  truly  so  to  have  obtained  more 
of  thy  company.  But  the  world  is  full  of  vortices,  and 
amidst  the  variety  of  circumstances'  which  hurry  every  one  of 
us  separately  down  our  ovjn  stream  of  life,  it  is  well  for  those 
who  love  each  other,  to  have  their  friendship  grounded  on 
that  rock,  which  will  abide  when  the  world,  with  all  its  interests 
and  casualties,  shall  vanish  from  our  view.  I  have  no  very 
important  intelligence  to  communicate  respecting  myself. 
My  time  is  fully  occupied  with  the  usual  variety  of  business, 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  chap,  vi,  p.  87. 


^T.  31.  TO   JOHN    HODGKIN.  ITS 

meetings,  public  objects,  study,  and  home  delights.  In  the 
last  particular  I  believe  I  spend  a  great  deal  more  time  than 
would  be  consistent  with  thy  elevated  standard  of  'perennial 
industry.  But  thou  knowest  how  I  fail  in  this  respect,  and 
whether  it  be  owing  to  the  mental  occupation  which  my  avo- 
cations in  life  occasion  me,  or  to  bodily  constitution,  I  cannot 
help  it.  *  *  A  certain  portion  of  time  after  breakfast  is, 
however,  devoted  to  ray  book*  almost  daily.  I  have  written 
the  dissertation  on  the 'Hebrews  again,  on  a  new  construc- 
tion, and  with  emendations ;  and  have  since  been  employed 
chiefly  by  the  other  notes,  which  I  find  must,  with  little 
exception,  be  written  over  again.  Just  now  I  am  engaged 
by  a  very  laborious  critical  discussion  of  the  readings  5iog, 
OS  and  0,  in  1  Tim.  iii,  16.  I  hope  that  some  good  may  arise 
out  of  this  engagement,  and  I  am  resolved,  if  possible,  to 
persevere.  • 

Xow  for s  manuscript.     It  would  have   been  shameful 

had  I  refused  to  look  it  over  for  tJiee.  I  think  it  interesting, 
and  there  is  something  very  attractive  and  engaging  in  ■  the 
mind  which  produced  it.  "With  regard  to  the  principles  laid 
down  in  the  essay,  this  is  the  only  part  in  which  I  do  not 
fully  unite.  I  cannot  accede  to  the  proposition  that  a  nation 
must  be  civilized  before  the  gospel  ought  to  be  introduced  to 
its  attention.  The  two  things  ought,  in  my  opinion,  to  go  hand 
in  hand.  I  cannot  at  all  understand  how  those  who  know  the 
value  of  Christ  can  settle  amongst  comparatively  savage  tribes 
and  continue  with  them  for  years,  and  yet  make  no  efl'ort  to 
communicate  that  knowledge.  \ 

6th  mo.,  2Ath.  I  have  again  to  acknowledge  some  ex- 
perience of  the  redeeming  and  preserving  love  of  God,  and  I 
trust  that  as  I  am  enabled  to  maintain  humility  and  watch- 
fulness, I  shall  continue  to  find  safety.  *  *  Joseph  AVood 
•  and  his  companion  breakfasted  with  us.  After  breakfast  I 
accompanied   them  as  guide,  they  in  their  wicker  cart,   and 

*  The    allusion    here    is    to    the  unpublished    w6rk    mentioned 
supra,  p.  120. 


174  BIRTH   OF   HIS   SON^.  1819. 

I  on  horseback,  first  to  Attleborough,  and  then  back  to 
Wymondham ;  a  small  public  meeting  at  Attleborough,  and 
a  larger  one  in  the  evening  at  Wymondham ;  both  highly 
favoured.  Returned  home  in  much  peace  about  ten  o'clock, 
leaving  the  dear  friends,  "with  whom  I  felt  closely  united,  at 
Wymondham.  Joseph  Wood  is  a  deep  and  able  minister,  a 
thoroughly  honest,  innocent  man.  Ah  !  what,  in  point  of 
effect,  is  to  be  compared  to  the  forming  hand  of  the  Lord 
willingly  and  completely  submitted  to. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  7th  month,  his  domestic 
happiness  was  crowned  by  the  birth  of  a  son. 

"  May  I  be  preserved,"  is  his  remark  in  allusion  to  this 
event,  "in  a  humble  and  thankful  frame  of  spirit.  What  can 
I  render  ?" 


ET.  31.  ACKWORTH   SCHOOL.  175 


CHAPTER  IX. 

1813—1819.     ^T.  25—32. 

ACKWORTH  school;  JOSEPH  JOHN  GURNEY'S  LABOURS  THERE; 
SCRIPTURAL  INSTRUCTION  ;  EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS  AND  AUTO- 
BIOGRAPHY;   EXTRACTS   FROM   JOURNAL. 

In  the  retired  village  of  Ackworth  near  Pontefract, 
ill  Yorkshire,  stands  a  large  and  commodious  build- 
ing, erected  for  a  branch  establishment  of  the 
London  Foundling  Hospital,  but  now,  and  for  many 
years  past,  occupied  as  a  school  for  the  children  of 
Friends  not  in  affluent  circumstances.  This  latter 
institution  was  founded  about  the  year  1778,  at  the 
suggestion  of  the  late  Dr.  Fothergill,  whose  efforts 
were  warmly  supported  by  the  great  body  of  Friends, 
among  whom,  David  Barclay,  a  grandson  of  the 
*' Apologist,"  and  the  late  AVilliam  Tuke,  of  York, 
were  two  of  his  earliest  and  most  efficient  coadjutors. 
In  this  school,  at  a  very  moderate  charge,  in  most  in- 
stances much  below  the  real  cost,  about  300  children 
of  both  sexes  are  educated.  It  is  under  the  care  of 
a  committee  annually  appointed  by  a  "  General 
Meeting"  composed  of  Friends  from  various  parts 
of  the  nation,  which  every  year  reports  upon  the 
state  of  the  school  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London. 
The  object  of  the  founders  of  this  institution  was  to 
impart  a  sound  literary  and  religious  education  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  princij)les  of  Friends ;    and,  from 


176  ACKWORTH    SCHOOL.  1813-1816 

its  first  establishment,  great  care  was  exercised  to 
shield  the  children  from  evil  example,  and  to  train 
them  in  moral  and  religious  habits,  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord.*  When  Joseph  John  Gurney  com- 
menced his  labours  at  Ackworth,  it  was  the  practice 
to  read  the  Scriptures  at  least  daily,  to  the  children ; 
short  Scripture  passages  illustrative  of  25ai"ticulnr 
truths,  w^ere  required  to  be  committed  to  memorj-; 
a  few  Bibles  were  placed  in  a  library  to  which  the 
pupils  had  access  on  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of 
the  week ;  and  a  copy  w^as  presented  to  each  child  on 
leaving  the  school.  No  arrangement,  however,  ex- 
isted for  ascertaining  the  extent  of  the  children's 
acquaintance  with  the  inspired  volume  on  first 
coming  to  school,  or  for  supplying  each  child  with 
the  Scriptures  during  his  stay  there;  and  it  was  mani- 
fest from  the  examination  which  Joseph  John  Gurney 
instituted,  that  something  more  was  required  than 
the  existing  provis-ion  for  imparting  scriptural  know- 
ledge. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  supervision  exercised 
by  the  managing  committee,  it  was  the  custom, 
once  a  year,  at  the  time  of  the  General  Meeting,  to 
examine  the  children  more  publicly  in  the  various 
Ijranches  of  their  learning.  It  was  to  attend  this 
meeting  in  the  year  1813,  that  Joseph  John  Gurney 
first  visited  Ackworth,  in  company  with  his  sister 
Priscilla.      In  his  Journal   he  describes  the  meeting 

*  An  interesting  narrative  of  the  proceedings  in  relation  to  the 
establishment  of  Ackworth  School,  is  to  be  found  in  Part  3  of  the 
papers  published  by  the  Friends'  Educational  Society,  "  On  the  past 
proceedings  and  experience  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in  connexion 
with  the  education  of  Youth." 


^T.  25-29.  ACKWORTH    SCHOOL.  17Y 

as  "very  interesting;"  and  his  visits  were  subse- 
quently repeated,  but  without  resulting  in  any  par- 
ticular effort  until  the  year  1816.  In  that  year,  he 
again  attended  the  General  Meeting,  and,  upon 
examining  the  children  as  to  their  knowledge  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  he  found  among  them  not  a  little 
ignorance.  Impressed  with  the  great  importance 
of  the  subject,  he  suggested  that,  instead  of  the 
plan  then  acted  upon,  of  giving  a  Bible  to  each 
scholar  on  leaving  the  school,  every  child  should  be 
furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  sacred  volume  immedi- 
ately on  entering  the  institution ;  a  suggestion 
which  was  at  once  cordially  agreed  to.  He  then 
proposed  to  the  children  that  they  should  study  the 
scriptures  during  the  ensuing  year  with  particular 
reference  to  several  important  subjects  which  he 
pointed  out  to  them,'^  offering  to  examine  them 
himself  at  the  close  of  the  year,  and  to  reward  them 
according  to  their  proficiency  and  good  conduct.-j- 

On  his  return  from  the  General  Meeting,  he 
thus  unfolded  his  views  to  Robert  Whitaker,  then 
superintendent  of  the  establishment. 

Lynn,  9th  mo.,  3rd,  1S16. 

Whilst  I  feel  deeply  convinced  that  the  religious  improve- 
ment of  the  children  is  a  subject  of  essential  nmportance  to 

*  These  subjects  were  embodied  in  the  form  of  a  "proposition," 
which  was  eii'culated  among  the  children.  It  had  reference  to  the 
books  of  the  Bible,  their  order,  authors,  contents,  &c. ;  to  the  history 
from  Genesis  to  the  book  of  Acts;  to  the  Prophecies  concerning  our 
Saviour,  and  their  accomplishment  as  shown  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment; to  the  doctrines  and  moral  precepts;  and  to  the  evidence 
from  Scripture  confirmatory  of  the  views  of  Friends. 

^  On  this  and  other  occasions  the  rewards  usually  consisted  of 
books  selected  by  himself  or  the  teachers. 

YoL.  I. —  12 


178  RELIGIOUS    IXSTEUCTIOX.  1816. 

the  well-being  of  the  school  and  of  our  religious  society,  I 
am  sensible  that  great  difficulties  attend  it.  What  is  the 
thing  wanted  ?  To  speak  freely  with  thee,  I  am  of  opinion 
that  the  minds  of  the  boys  are  not  properly  cultivated  on'the 
subject  of  religion.  They  are  remarkably  sheltered  from 
evil ;  but  do  not  appear  to  me  to  be  positively  enough  led  to 
good.  The  common  round  of  reading,  grammar,  writing  and 
ciphering,  does  little  for  the  improvement  of  the  mind ;  and  a 
pursuit  which  would  draw  forth  their  powers  of  thought  and 
reflection,  and,  at  the  same  time,  operate  in  forming  and 
strengthening  their  religious  principles,  would  be  of  incalcu- 
lable advantage  to  them.  Such  a  pursuit  appears  to  me  to 
be  the  study  of  the  Bible.  It  is  a  duty  devolving  on  those 
who  have  the  care  of  youth,  to  give  them  religious  knowledge 
and  form  their  rehgious  principles  ;  and  though  I  am  well 
aware  that  God  alone  can  give  the  increase,  jet  Paul  must 
plant  and  Apollos  must  water ;  and  this  truth  is  peculiarly 
evident  as  it  relates  to  the  education  of  children. 

This  is  a  duty,  a  religious  one  indeed,  but  widely  differing 
in  its  mode  from  that  of  the  Christian  ministry.  It  calls  into 
action  different  powers,  and  a  different  gift ;  and  must  be 
performed  as  a  simple  duty,  in  the  liberty  of  that  Gospel 
which  commands  us  to  bring  up  our  children  "  in  the  nurture 
and  admonition  of  the  Lord."  Now  if  it  be  a  simple  duty 
to  enlighten  and  cultivate  the  minds  of  children,  concerning 
the  one  thing  needful,  it  will  surely  be  allowed  that  the 
Scriptures,  which  contain  the  authorised  account  of  the  whole 
matter,  present  us.  with  the  most  important  means  of  doing 
so.  Forms,  catechisms,  and  compendiums  of  doctrine  may 
probably  be  useful,  when  nothing  better  is  to  be  obtained; 
but  this  is  clearly  an  inferior  mode  of  giving  religious  instruc- 
tion. It  is  besides  open  to  some  strong  objections.  It  is 
dry  and  unedifying.  It  exercises  the  powers  of  memory, 
whilst  it  leaves  those  of  reflection  untouched.  It  flattens  the 
study  of  the  Bible,  from  which  it  selects  the  most  precious 
texts,  and  presenting  them,  in  a  dry  form,  side  by  side,  as 
mere  proofs  of  propositions,  it  takes  away  half  their  value;  and 
renders  the  Bible  itself  far  less  interesting,  by  forestalling  its 


/^T.  29.  SCRIPTURE    BETTER    THAN    CATECHISMS.  179 

chief  beauties.  Children  should  be  taught  to  search  in  the 
original  mines,  to  find  these  jewels  for  themselves,  and  then 
they  would  know  how  to  value  them.  In  short,  I  long  to  have 
the  children  taught  the  Scriptures.  If  they  are  left  entirely 
to  themselves  in  this  study,  something  may  come  of  it,  but  not 
much  :  not  enough,  in  my  opinion,  to  justify  you  in  laying 
aside  your  compendiums,  however  disadvantageous  they  may  be 
in  some  respects.  They  must  be  led  to  the  study  of  the  Bible  ; 
and  helped  in  it  by  those  who  have  the  care  of  them.  If  thou 
couldest  give  up  an  hour  every  morning  to  the  religious  in- 
struction of  the  boys,  much  might  be  done.  I  should  have 
them  all  together,  and  all  with  their  Bibles  in  their  hands.  I 
should  read  the  Bible  through  with  them ;  omitting  such  parts 
as  appeared  unsuitable  for  very  young  persons ;  yet  not  much. 
I  should  make  remarks  as  I  went  along,  explaining  what  was 
difficult,  impressing  what  was  important,  and  comparing,  all 
the  way  through,  such  passages,  from  other  parts  of  the  Bible, 
as  might  throw  additional  light  on  any  occurring  subject. 
When  I  compared  another  passage  with  one  before  me,  I  would 
make  all  the  boys  turn  to  it  and  mark  it.  The  last  quarter 
of  the  time,  or  more,  should  be  employed  in  thoroughly  ques- 
tioning the  children  on  the  lesson  of  the  day.  This  would 
ensure  habits  of  general  attention;  and  give  a  life  to  the 
object  which  no  other  mode  of  instruction  will  impart. 

Such  a  plan  would  give  thee,  or  any  truly  religious  Friend, 
abundant  opportunity  of  fixing  the  best  principles  on  the 
children's  minds,  and  more  especially  of  unfolding  to  them 
the  scriptural  grounds  on  which  we  build  our  faith.  There 
are  one  or  two  other  points  I  should  endeavour  to  introduce. 
Instead  of  compendiums,  the  boys  might  occasionally  get  by 
heart  from  the  Bible  itself.  Many  of  the  most  striking: 
Psalms  and  chapters  of  Isaiah ;  many  of  the  most  pithy  parts 
of  the  New  Testament,  might  thus  be  made  to  form  in  their 
memories  a  store  from  which  much  good  would  afterwards  be 
derived.  They  ought  to  be  encouraged  to  private  devotional 
duties,  morning  and  evening;  to  read  small  portions  of  scrip- 
ture by  themselves,  and  to  lift  up  their  hearts  in  prayer  for 


180  EFFECT      UPON    THE    CHILDREN.  1816-1817, 

tlie  blessing  which  can  alone  preserve  them  clay  and  night. 
AVhether  this  point  can'be  accomplished  more  than  is  now  the 
case,  I  know  not ;  but  it  is  surely  of  importance  to  bring  up 
children  in  this  particular  habit.  Thou  art  aware  by  what  I 
have  already  written,  that  I  do  not  mean  common-place, 
formal,  dry  tuition.  I  mean  the  instruction  which  every 
Christian  parent  is  bound  in  conscience  to  give  to  his  child  ; 
"  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord." 

Thus  encouraged,  the  superintendent  and  teachers 
"vvarmly  seconded  his  views.  The  interest  awakened 
in  the  minds  of  the  children  was  remarkable. 
"  They  received,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney  in  his 
Autobiography,  "every  one  a  copy  of  the  Bible,  and 
well  thumbed  was  that  copy,  in  a  great  plurality  of 
instances,  in  the  course  of  the  appointed  time. 
The  children  took  their  Bibles  to  bed  with  them, 
read  them  by  the  early  morning  light,  pored  over 
them  at  leisure  hours  during  the  day,  and  especially 
on  first  days.  'The  teachers  rendered  them  their 
best  assistance ;  knowledge  of  the  subject  rapidly 
increased,  and  with  it  good;  and  when  I  visited 
them,  at  the  close  of  twelve  months,  the  whole 
aspect  of  affairs  was  changed." 

The  result  is  thus  noticed  in  a  letter 

TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON. 

Ackworth,  8th  mo.,  1st,  1817. 

*  *  '■-  My  journey  has  been  one  involving  both* labour  and 
difficulty,  but  has  been  crowned,  in  rather  a  remarkable 
manner,  with  success  and  peace.  A  few  seeds  which  I  was  the 
means  of  sowing  here  last  year  with  respect  to  religious 
instruction,  have  unexpectedly  and  abundantly  brought  forth 
fruit.  The  children  have  made  great  progress  in  the  know- 
ledge of  Scripture,  and  many  of  them  seem  under  a  very 
serious    influence.       Their    general    deportment    is    already 


ET,  29.  SECOND    PROPOSITION.  181 

changed  by  it.  I  have  hardlyeverbeensensibleof  sosweet  a 
spiritual  influence  as  during  the  last  week  in  this  place.  It 
seems  to  accompany  us  on  all  occasions;  in  meetings;  in  the 
schools,  and  at  table.  It  has  brought  to  my  mind  more  of 
the  communion  of  saints  than  I  have  ever  felt  before,  unless 
perhaps  in  a  few  instances. 

He  now  issued  a  second  "  proposition,"  to  a  number 
of  the  more  forward  boys,  which  formed  the  basis  of 
the  useful  manual,  which  he  subsequently  published, 
under  the  title  of  Guide  to  the  Instruction  of  Young 
Persons  in  the  Holy  Scriptures;  including  the  Lock 
and  Key,  or  passages  of  the  Old  Testament  which 
testify  of  Jesus  Christ,  explained  by  others  in  the  New 
Testament. 

From  this  time  forward  the  Scriptui'e  examina- 
tions were  continued  with  great  regularity  after 
each  General  Meeting;  and  were  for  some  years 
principally  conducted  by  Joseph  John  Gurney 
himself.  Gradually,  however,  the  subject  was 
brought  under  the  care  and  control  of  the  school 
comrjiittee,  after  which  his  visits  were  occasionally 
intermitted,  though  seldom  for  more  than  two 
years. 

"  Many  precious  seasons,"  he  writes  in  his  Autobiography, 
"  of  reverent  waiting  on  the  Lord,  and  of  true  religious 
comfort  and  edification,  have  I  enjoyed  with  my  beloved 
Friends,  in  that  favoured  spot.  Many  a  time  have  we 
rejoiced  together  in  that  Saviour  who  redeemed  us  with 
his  precious  blood.  Yet  natural  cheerfulness  always  had  its 
play  amongst  us  ;  and  with  the  children  especially  I  en- 
deavoured to  maintain  it.  Much  may  be  done  in  this  way  for 
their  benefit ;  and  I  know  of  no  line  of  service,  secondary  as 
it  may  appear,  which  has  yielded  me  more  satisfaction  in  the 
result." 


182  ENDEARING    ISTERCOUESE.  1819 

The  pleasure  which  these  opportunities  seem  to 
have  afiforded  himself,  was  largely  shared  by  his  young 
friends. 

"  The    kind    and  engacrincr  manners  of  our  dear  Friend," 

Ceo  ' 

writes  one  of  the  masters  at  Ackworth,*  the  hearty  and 
innocent  cheerfulness  of  his  intercourse  with  the  scholars 
during  their  play  hours  endeared  him  to  us  all,  and  prepared 
our  minds  to  benefit  by  his  more  serious  engagements 
amongst  us.  Constantly  did  "we  Avatch  for  his  arrival,  and 
greet  his  entrance  on  the  play-ground  by  a  rush  of  earnest 
congratulatioo.  And  ever  during  his  leisure  moments,  did 
■we  love  to  cluster  around  him  to  listen  to  his  cherished  con- 
versation ;  which  from  the  most  lively  familiarity  was  always 
rising  to  a  higher  tone,  carrying  up  our  youthful  thoughts  to 
"whatsoever  things  were  lovely  and  of  good  report."  How 
often,  amidst  groups  of  eager  and  happy  listeners,  would  he 
comment  on  the  importance  of  good  manners  and  good 
habits,  and  the  acquisition  of  useful  knowledge  ;  frequently  re- 
ferring to  George  Fox's  enlightened  desire  that  youth  might 
be  taught  "all  things  civil  anji  useful  in  the  creation,"  and 
not  forgetting  to  inculcate  bis  own  favourite  maxim,  "Be 
a  whole  man  to  one  thing  at  a  time."  The  wonderful 
structure  of  the  human  body  was  a  theme  on  which  he  loved 
to  dwell ;  and  his  last  visit  to  Ackworth,  very  shortly  before 
his  death,  was  distinguished  by  a  familiar  but  beautifully 
lucid  description  of  the  wise  and  curious  proAasion  made  by 
the  Creator,  in  the  formation  of  the  eye.  His  great  aim  was 
to  expand  the  thoughts  of  the  children,  to  excite  the  love 
of  knowledge  and  the  play  of  the  intellect,  as  subservient  to 
the  great  ends  of  man's  being,  and  to  an  enlightened  appre- 
ciation of  religious  truth ;  that  the  young  mind  might  rise 
from  the  wondei's  of  creative  wisdom,  to  the  marvels  of 
redeeming  grace.  His  Scripture  questionings  were  uniformly 
made  occasions  for  illustrating  the  grounds  of  Friends'  princi- 

*  John  Newby,  in  a  letter  to  the  Editor, 


.ET.  31.  SPIRITUAL    INFLUENCE.  183 

pies,  and  the  nature  of  Christian  truth  generally ;  by  the 
sacred  history  itself,  by  selected  texts,  by  the  prophecies  that 
gpoke  before  of  the  better  covenant,  and  by  the  pi'eaching  of 
Christ,  and  the  -writings  of  his  apostles.  The  excellence  of 
the  Christian  character,  and  the  beauty  of  Christian  consis- 
tency were  forcibly  exhibited ;  and  often  did  the  examination 
melt  away  into  religious  silence,  when  the  solemn  prayer 
arose,  or  the  fervent  exhortation  sank  into  hearts  softened 
to  receive  the  seed  of  the  kingdom.  The  remembrance  of  the 
heavenly  influence  which  overshadowed  us  on  some  of  these 
occasions  is  very  precious ;  and  particularly  do  I  recall  one 
very  solemn  meeting  with  the  boys,  which  closed  the  religious 
engagements  of  a  full  week,  in  which  the  beautiful  parable  of 
Christ  the  vine  was  enlarged  upon,  and  the  necessity  and 
blessedness  of  abiding  in  him." 

Joseph  John  Gurney  was  convinced  from  the 
depths  of  his  own  experience,  that  to  render  the 
knowledge  of  scriptural  truth  availing  to  the 
progress  of  the  work  of  religion  in  the  soul,  it 
must  be  accompanied  by  an  humble  subjection  of 
the  heart  and  understanding  to  the  immediate 
operations  of  the  spirit  of  God.  He  was  anxious 
that  religious  instruction,  to  use  his  own  words  in 
the  Autobiography,  "should,  as  far  as  possible,  be 
made  a  pleasure  rather  than  a  task:  that  a  taste 
for  Scripture  should  be  cultivated,  and,  above  all, 
that  the  practical  nature  and  issue  of  true  religion 
should  ever  be  held  up  to  view,  and  a  reverent 
dependence  inculcated  on  that  blessed  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  without  which  knowledge  is  vanity, 
and  the  profession  of  the  truth  mere  hypocrisy." 

The  anxiety  thus  manifested  by  Joseph  John 
Gurney  for  the  religious  education  of  youth  v/as  no 
new  thing  in   the  Society  of  Friends.     The    Yearly 


184  THE  EARLY  FRIENDS,  AND  1819. 

Meeting  had  frequently  issued  pertinent  advice 
upon  the  subject,*  and  it  was  one  of  the  circum- 
stances especially  marking  the  wisdom  with  which 
the  mind  of  George  Fox  had  been  imbued,  that  he 
had  so  earnestly  and  pointedly  pressed  this  subject 
upon  the  attention  of  his  friends.  So  early  as  1656 
he  thus  writes  to  them,  who,  it  must  be  remembered, 
had  many  of  them  been  brought  up  as  Puritans, 
accustomed  diligently  to  instruct  and  catechise 
their  children  : — 

Dear  Friends,  exhort  all  your  families  at  times  and 
seasons,  whether  they  be  servants  or  children,  that  they  may 
be  informed  in  the  truth.  For  when  ye  were  professors, 
many  of  you  did  exhort  and  instruct  them  in  the  form,  when 
ye  had  not  the  power,  and  therefore  now,  being  brought  into 
the  truth,  ye  should  be  more  diligent  to  exhort,  admonish, 
and  instruct  them.f 

So  far  was  he  from  thinking  that  increased 
spirituality  led  to  a  neglect  of  these  duties  ;  in  his 
view,  it  rather  led  to  the  more  punctual  and  diligent 
performance  of  them.  Kobert  Barclay,  as  is  well 
known,  had  compiled  a  catechism  expressly  to 
assist  in  the  instruction  of  children,  and  his  work 
is  especially  remarkable  as  carefully  stating  each 
answer  in  the  very  words  of  Holy  Scripture. 
Joseph  John  Gurney  might  therefore  well  feel  thajt 
in  urging  his  views   on  the   importance  of  religious 

*  See  the  interesting  paper,  published  as  Part  2  of  "  Past  pro- 
ceedings and  experience  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in  connexion 
with  the  education  of  Youth." 

+  See  the  valuable  Selection  from  the  Epistles  of  George  Fox, 
published  by  Samuel  Tuke,  p.  50.  See  also  pp.  126,  210,  211, 
247,  2-49,  265. 


iET.  31.  SCRIPTURAL   INSTRUCTION.   "  185 

instruction,  he  was  only  enforcing  that  which  had 
been  desired  from  the  very  foundation  of  the 
Society.  So  far  as  it  had  been  neglected,  it  had 
been  neglected,  not  upon  principle,  but  through 
weakness,  and  he  desired  that  that  weakness  should 
be  removed,  in  simple  dependence  upon  the  all 
sufficient  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  It  was  not,  as 
will  have  been  observed,  formal  or  systematic 
doctrinal  teaching,  but  simple  scriptural  instruction 
that  he  sought  to  encourage.  The  Holy  Scriptures, 
"given  by  the  inspiration  of  God,"  formed,  in  his 
opinion,  a  manual  for  religious  instruction,  better 
adapted  to  the  object,  and  more  in  accordance  with 
"  the  mind  of  the  Spirit "'  than  any  mere  catechism 
or  compendium  of  doctrine.  He  accepted  them,  as 
above  all  other  books,  "profitable  for  doctrine,  for 
reproof,  for  correction,  and  for  instruction  in 
righteousness,"  being  fully  persuaded  that,  ''through 
faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,"  they  are  "  able  to 
make  wise  unto  salvation."  But  there  were  those, 
some  of  them,  at  that  time,  young  in  years  and  in 
religious  experience,  who  from  a  fear  (and  doubt- 
less it  was  a  sincere  one)  of  these  engagements  being 
entered  upon  in  a  merely  formal  manner,  were 
not  prepared  at  once  to  co-operate  with  him  so 
cordially  as  he  could  have  desired.  With  as  great  a 
dread  of  a  formal  and  lifeless  religion  as  i\\(iy  could 
liave*,  he  felt  anxious  that  no  mistaken  impression 
as  to  his  views  should  hinder  the  work  that  had 
been  so  happily  begun.     On  this  point  he  writes 

TO   HIS   BROTHER   SAMUEL   GURNET. 

Earlham,  12th  irc,  /"th,  1818. 

"  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  there  exists  in  some  individuals 
considerable  misunderstanding  of  our  views.     I  go  the  -whoie 


186  FRUITS   OF   A   CHRISTIAN   SPIRIT.  1819 

length  with  them  in  believing  and  in  feeling  that  no  efforts  or 
labours  of  ours  can  produce  religion  in  the  minds  of  children ; 
but  surely, "\ve  may,  and  we  ought,  in  dependence  on  divine  help, 
to  prepare  the  grovmd,  "  to  plant  and  to  water."  I  believe  that 
such  labours  are  simple  Christian  duties,  that  if  we  neglect 
these  duties,  we  are  not  making  use  of  the  talents  committed 
to  us  for  the  Master's  use ;  and  I  also  believe  that  he  who  can 
alone  give  the  increase  will  give  it.  These  general  principles 
must,  I  think,  be  allowed  on  all  hands.  Differences  of  opinion 
ma^y  arise  as  to  the  mode.  I  agree  with  those  who  think  cate- 
chetical forms,  &c.,  an  undesirable  mode,  and  that  it  is  better 
to  lead  children  to  search  the  Scriptures  for  themselves.  The 
plan  of  questioning  them  on  what  they  have  read  is  pecuHarly 
important,  simply  because  it  habituates  them  to  read  attentively ; 
nor  can  I  see  the  advantage  of  doing  anything  superficially. 

The  duty  of  giving  religious  instruction  can  only  be  per- 
formed Avell  by  those  who  are  alive  themselves  to  the  subject 
of  religion.  When  it  is  done  by  such,  and  is  attended  by  a 
real  exercise  of  mind  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  children, 
its  benefits  seldom  fail  to  be  known  by  its  fruits.  But  though 
these  only  are  rightly  qualified,  I  would  exhort  all  who  have 
the  care  of  children  to  the  work,  as  I  would  exhort  them  to 
any  other  Christian  duty.  If  they  want  a  heart  and  ability 
for  its  right  execution,  let  them  seek  help  where  alone  it  is  to 
be  found. 

In  allusion  to  the  same  subject,  he  writes  in  his 
Journal,  under  date, 

1th  mo.,  23rc?,  1819.  It  is  my  desire  to  dwell  deeply  in 
the  root  of  life,  and  to  be  preserved  in  that  spirit  of  true 
love,  which  judgeth  not.  There  are  two  or  three  consider- 
ations which  it  is  Avell  for  me  to  advert  to.  First,  that  such 
is  the  weakness  and  corruption  of  man,  that  the  rehgious 
world,  in  this  scene  of  being,  is  in  a  very  impei-fect  state ; 
which  is  manifested  by  nothing  more  than  by  this,  that  those 
who  truly  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  are  nevertheless  so 
frequently  attached  and  subjected  to  a  portion  of  error  and 


MT.  32.  SUCCESS   AT   ACKWORTH.  ,  187 

prejudice.  Look  at  the  high  Cahdnist  on  the  one  side.  On 
the  other  side  look  at  those  who  pervert  their  dependence  on 
universal  and  sensible  grace,  to  the  almost  total  rejection  of 
those  outward  means,  which  God  has  provided  for  our  help. 
Such  is  the  constitution  of  things,  and  often  must  it  occasion, 
to  every  sincere  inquirer,  deep  exercise  of  mind ;  and  he  may 
well  put  the  question  to  himself,  is  it  not  in  some  point  or 
other  so  with  me  ?  In  the  mean  time,  let  him  be  willing  to 
"bear  all  things." 

Secondly,  that  the  duty  of  studying  the  Scriptures,  and  of 
leading  our  children  to  study  them,  rests  upon  the  direct 
authority  of  our  divine  Master,  and  is,  therefore,  to  be 
maintained  by  me  perseveringly  and  unhesitatingly,  whatever 
be  the  consequences. 

Thirdly,  that  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  there  is  a  mass 
of  good  feeling  and  good  sense  in  our  society,  which  will,  in 
the  end,  be  found  suflScient  to  uphold  this  principle. 

Fourthly,  that  my  dependence  ought  not  to  be  placed  on 
any  one  Christian  community,  but  simply  on  Him,  who  is  the 
head  of  the  whole  body,  and  who  careth  for  all  its  members. 

The  result  lias  shown  the  value  and  importance 
of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  efforts.  "All  the  doubts 
and  scruples,"  (says  the  superintendent,  in  a  letter 
to  him  under  date  20th  of  10th  mo.,  1825,)  "which 
were  raised  at  first  to  our  examination  plan,  have 
gradually  subsided,  and  we  now  hear  nothing  from 
any  quarter,  respecting  our  endeavours,  but  appro- 
bation and  encouragement."  The  first  "  proposition'' 
became  the  basis  of  the  Ackworth  course  of  scrip- 
tural instruction,  and  the  system  thus  introduced 
was  gradually  adopted  in  all  the  public  schools  of 
the  Society  of  Friends. 

To  return  to  the  Journal :  — 

.  Uarlham,  8th  mo.,  8th,  [1819.]     Last  second  day,  after  a 
quiet   morning   at   home,    I   set   off    in    the    mail    [towards 


18S        \  SUCCESS   AT   ACKWORTH.  1819. 

Ackwortli.]  *  *  My  visit  [there]  W£is  peculiarly  interesting, 
and  has  aiforded  me  fresh  cause  for  thankfulness.  In  the 
sub-committee  the  task  of  examining  the  children  was 
laborious,  and  I  hardly  knew  how  to  enter  into  it.  Samuel 
met  me  and  worked  with  me,  which  was  a  real  dehght  and 
consolation. 

Fifth  day ;  finished  the  examination  of  our  class  most  com- 
fortably with  the  Scriptures  ;  a  sweet  feeling  over  us ;  and 
afterwards  took  the  evidence  of  two  of  the  masters.  Of  the 
eight  sub-committees,  seven  examined  in  the  Scriptures,  and 
brought  in  highly  satisfactory  reports.  Josiah  Forster  drew 
up  a  general  report  to  the  same  effect;  light  and  truth 
.eminently  prevailed,  and  the  concluding  meeting  was  truly  a 
very  favoured  one.  Seventh  day  was  one  of  peculiar  exertion ; 
the  girls  in  the  morning,  and  the  boys  in  the  afternoon ;  reading 
and  examination.  The  time  with  the  giris  was  spent  sweetly, 
the  life  flowed,  and  words  had  access.  In  the  afternoon, 
(probably  from  the  hot  weather  and  other  external  circum- 
stances,) it  was  a  time  of  difficult  labour,  and  I  left  ofi" 
discouraged.  *  *  *  I  passed  the  night  partly  in  deep  conflict 
of  spirit,  and  was  so  entirely  cast  down,  that  I  little  thought 
I  should  rise  again  soon.  First  day,  however,  was,  through 
mercy,  one  of  complete  restoration.  The  victory  over  the 
adversary  was  given  in  the  power  of  Christ.  The  ministry 
flowed  irresistibly ;  first,  with  the  teachers  at  their  breakfast 
table ;  then,  very  openly  at  meeting ;  with  the  girls  at  parting ; 
and  with  the  boys  after  dinner  in  the  family.  All  little  diflS- 
culties  and  great  discouragements  were  alike  removed,  and  I 
■  finally  left  Ackworth  about  three  o'clock  with  full  satisfaction. 
What  cause  for  thankfulness  ! 

In  the  afternoon  Hannah  Kilham,  Henry  Brady,  and 
myself  proceeded  to  Pontefract,  where  I  was  engaged  to  unite 
with  Ann  Alexander  in  a  public  meeting,  at  five  o'clock,  in 
the  Town  Hall.  The  meeting  was  eminently  favoured.  Ann 
Alexander  finely  explained  our  views  relative  to  Water  Baptism 
and  the  Supper.  All  well  at  home  on  my  arrival  on  third  day 
evening.  *  *  * 

I  have  been  a  little  frightened  during  this  late  rapid  course 


^T.  32.  TO    EDWARD    HARBORD.  ,  ISl^ 

of  my  ministry,  lest  my  ovi-n  personal  progress  in  grace  and 
salvation  should  be  neglected.  I  feel  a  renewed  call  to  watch- 
fulness and  prayer. 

10th  mo.,  4:th.  Whilst  at  Upton  my  sister  Priscilla 
cautioned  me  against  length  in  ministry,  and  quoting  many 
passages  of  Scripture  towards  the  conclusion,  led  on  by  their 
beauty  rather  than  the  life.     Nota  Bene. 

TO   JOXATHAX   HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  10th  mo.,  2nd,  1819. 

I  have  felt  shocked  by  some  instances,  lately  under  my 
notice,  of  the  miserably  low  moral  standard  prevailing  in  the 
world.  It  makes  me  cling  to  the  remedial,  redeeming, 
reforming  principle.  0  that  all  would  come  to  it !  0  that 
all  could  be  brought  to  the  reverent  acknowledgment  that  "the 
Lord  reigneth." 

TO    EDWARD   HARBORD. 

Norwich,  11th  mo.,  19th,  1819. 

*  *  *  I  am  grieved  at  hearing  of  thy  being  involved,  by  thy 
late  manly  conduct,  in  any  personal  and  private  diflSculties,  but 
y^  I  can  truly  rejoice  in  thy  having  publicly  asserted  the 
unalienable  right  of  man  TO  THI^'K  for  himself.  What  a 
capital  thing  in  life  is  it  to  be  tenax  propositi.  I  know  of 
nothing  more  important,  and  when  the  character  is  applied  to 
religion,  it  is  certainly  all-important.  In  thy  situation  in 
life,  thou  hast,  of  course,  some  political  duties,  and  these  to  a 
religious  man  become  religious  duties.  Whilst  this  is  the  case, 
all  is  right.  But  I  am  decidedly  of  opinion  that  if  in  politics, 
as  in  other  things,  our  first  motive  be  not  to  -serve  God,  we 
shall  soon  become  involved  in  a  most  dangerous  vortex. 

Earlham,  lOth  mo.,  l^th.  My  uncle,  on  jSfth  day  morn- 
ing, spoke  on  the  case  of  Dives  and  Lazarus ;  and  it  was 
brought  home  to  my  serious  and  anxious  consideration, 
whether  I  am  not,  as  Dives,  faring  sumptuously  every  day. 
I  trust  it  is  not  in  the  spirit  of  Dives.     Earlham  is  certainly 


190  CHRISTIAN    MODERATION.  1819. 

kept  up,  after  tlie  old  sort,  freelj  and  handsomely.  There  arc 
two  or  three  pohits  connected  with  the  subject,  which  strike 
me.  Spending  money  is  better  and  less  injurious  to  the  spirit, 
than  saving  it  unduly ;  nevertheless.  Christian  moderation,  in 
mode  of  living,  furniture,  &c.,  is  called  for  by  my  profession. 
I  wish  the  establishment  to  be  liberally  conducted,  with  this 
principle  always  in  view.  I  am  living  according  to  the  mode 
of  life,  in  which  those  with  whom  I  associate  are  accustomed 
to  live.  How  far,  in  doing  this,  and  in  aiming  at  a  generous 
system,  I  exceed  Christian  moderation,  I  doubt.  But  on  the 
whole  my  uneasiness  on  the  subject  does  not  dwell  deeply  with 
me. 

11th  mo.,  21st.  Proceeded  in  our  family  visits  ;  a  service 
attended  by  great  exercise  of  mind,  and  whether  or  no  at- 
tended by  fruits,  I  cannot  judge.  I  have  been  discouraged  by 
observing  the  appearance  of  the  contrary  in  particular  cases ; 
and  yet  I  trust  it  was  right.* 

12th  mo.,  17th.  Read  the  accounts  of  Jesse  Cadbury,  and 
Charles  Coleby — highly  instructive.  Surely  such  are  blessed, 
in  being  removed  from  temptation  to  security,  from  doubt  to 
certainty,  fi'om  trouble  to  peace. 

*  These  visits  were  undertaken  in  company  with  a  few  other 
Friends,  with  a  view  to  the  distribution  among  Friends  at  Norwich, 
of  the  advices  that  had  been  issued  by  the  late  Yearly  Meeting  on 
the  subject  of  the  attendance  of  meetings. 


^T  ?)2.         EXTRACTS  FROM  JOURNAL.  191 


CHAPTER  X. 

1820—1821.     JET.  32—33. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  J  HIS  FIRST  DAY  SCHOOL; 
JOURNEY  TO  BRISTOL;  WILLIAM  FORSTER's  DEPARTURE  FOR 
AMERICA;  YEARLY  MEETING;  LETTERS  FROM  JONATHAN  HUT- 
CHINSON AND  WILLIAM  WILBERFORCE ;  LETTER  TO  THOMAS 
FOWELL  BUXTON  ;  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH  OF  PRISCILLA  GURNEY. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

12th  of  1st  mo.,  1820.     [At  the  Bank,  seventh  day.] 

*  *  Though  SO  busy  that  my  mind  has  hardly  time  to  turn 
itself  round,  yet  I  may  acknowledge  that  I  am  permitted  to 
experience  something  of  the  staging  principle,  even  in  the 
midst  of  the  whirlwind,  to  which  my  occupations  on  this  day 
may  well  be  compared.  How  beautiful  is  the  idea,  and  how 
comforting  the  experience  of  "  staying"  ourselves  "  upon 
God  !"  What  a  privilege  for  those  who  feel  their  own  utter 
weakness,  and  their  perpetual  liability  to  fall,  to  have  the 
divine  arm  of  love  to  lean  upon  !  What  should  we  do  or  be 
without  it  ?  Certain  it  is  that  I  know  something  of  the 
"  plague  of  my  own  heart ;"  and  that  I  can  adopt  the  words 
which,  on  a  memorable  occasion,  (the  conclusion  of  the  labours 
of  the  committee  on  Thomas  Foster's  case,)  I  once  heard  thee 
use  in  ministry,  "  Without  Christ  I  am  of  all  men  most 
miserable." 

2nd  mo.,  2Sth.  Public  events  in  a  high  degree  striking : 
the  assassination  of  the  Due  de  Berri,  and  the  horrible  plot 
so  providentially  detected  in  London,  which  would  otherwise, 
m  aM  probability,  have  proved  fatal  to  many  of  our  governors. 
Notwithstanding  all,  it  is  my  belief  that  good  will  prevail. 


102  LETTER    TO    HIS    SISTER    HAXXAH    BUXTON.  1820. 

Ill  the  prospect  of  the  election  at  Weymouth,  he 
writes, 

TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON. 

Earlham,  2nd  mo.,  29th,  1S20. 

I  am  of  course  much  interested  about  thy  dear  husband ; 
and  heartily  wish  him  in  again,  from  a  belief  that  his 
parliamentary  career  is  of  real  importance  to  the  cause  of 
humanity  and  Christianity.  At  the  same  time,  we  are,  even 
the  wisest  of  us,  miserable  judges  and  counsellors ;  and  it 
ought  to  be  our  chief,  our  only  desire,  that  the  government 
may  be  upon  the  shoulders  of  Him,  who  is  worthy  to  reign 
over  us,  and  who  will  arrange  all  things  for  the  ultimate  good 
of  those  who  love  and  fear  Him.  I  rejoice  in  my  confidence 
that  Fowell  is  one  of  these,  and  that  neither  disappointment 
nor  success  will  be  permitted  to  harm  him,  if  he  do  but  abide 
in  his  Saviour. 

I  have  been  exceedingly  busy  ever  since  you  left  us, 
sometimes  depi-essed  and  sometimes  encouraged,  but  on  the 
whole  dwelling  a  little  too  much  on  the  gloomy  side  of 
things.  There  is  something  in  the  fear^l  aspect  of  public 
aifairs  which  strongly  induces  this  state  of  mind.  But  it  is 
our  duty  to  wash  and  anoint,  that  Ave  appear  not  unto  men  to 
fast.  We  serve  an  Almighty  Redeemer,  Avho  in  his  own  good 
time  will  triumph  over  all. 

First  day  night,  2>rd  mo.,  12th.  This  morning  my  uncle 
Joseph  Gurney  [in  the  prospect  of  leaving  home,]  gave  us  a 
warm  and  affectionate  parting  exhortation.  Towards  the  close 
of  the  meeting  I  found  relief  and  fresh  strength  in  prayer, 
especially  commending  the  travellers  to  Him  whom  they  go 
forth  to  serve.  The  school  comfortable  and  edifying.  The 
afternoon  meeting  a  time  of  outpouring :  I  know  not  when  I 
have  been  enabled  so  to  commit  the  flock  to  its  Shepherd.  I 
trust  I  am  humbled  and  not  exalted  by  the  mercies  of  the  day. 
The  creature  can  have  nothing  to  glory  in ;  all  that  he  has  is 
not  his  own,  but  another's.  The  Creator  alone  is  worthy. 
How  clearly  have  I  seen  this  truth  to-day. 


iET.  32.  FIRST   DAY   SCHOOL;    HENRY  BRADY.  193 

His  frequent  notice  of  his  attendance  at  the  first 
day  school,  even  after  his  marriage,  and  notwith- 
standing the  numerous  other  claims  upon  his  time 
and  attention,  cannot  fail  to  be  encouraging  to  those 
who  are  engaged  in  similar  services.  How  often  is 
the  unobserved  path  of  laborious  duty,  the  way  of 
fullest  comfort. 

TO    HENRY    BRADY.* 

Norwich,  3rd  mo.,  17th,  1820. 

I  have  had  increasing  satisfaction  in  my  little  first  day  school 
at  Norwich,  from  the  real  approach  to  seriousness  in  some  of 
my  pupils,  and  I  think  more  particularly  in  our  Norwich  new 
Girls'  School,  where  the  same  work  is  going  forward  under  the 
auspices  of  a  friend  of  admirable  character. 

With  regard  to  the  right  mixture  of  cheerfulness  and  serious- 
ness in  teaching  the  Scriptures,  I  would  say,  "Be  natural," 
let  the  mind  have  its  play.  I  should  never  fear  tJiy  undertaking 
such  an  office  otherwise  than  on  serious  grounds,  and  with  a 
secret  breathing  for  divine  help  ;  and,  this  being  my  confidence, 
I  have  the  less  fear  in  repeating  my  precept,  "Be  natural." 

Some  objection  having  been  made  to  Joseph  John 
Gurnev's  attendance  at  a  public  meeting  held  at  Nor- 
wich, on  the  subject  of  the  severe  measures,  attended 
with  bloodshed  and  loss  of  life,  which  had  been  re- 

*  Henry  Erady  was  one  of  the  principal  teachers  at  Ackworth 
school,  "a  young  man,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "of  rare  worth, 
piety,  and  talents.  He  long  superintended  the  religious  instruction 
there  with  great  effect  and  ability,  and  was  very  successful  in  other 
departments,  especially  the  Latin  class.  We  carried  on  an  intimate 
correspondence;  and  inexpressibly  affecting  it  was  to  me  when  he 
caught  the  typhus  fever,  which  had  been  raging  in  the  school,  and 
died,  I  think,  in  1828.  He  had  just  before  come  forth  with  bright- 
ness in  the  ministry;  but  the  Lord  had  higher  services  for  him  than 
any  to  be  found  on  earth,  and  took  him  home  to  himself." 
Vol.  I.  —  13 


194  CHRISTIAN   CITIZENSHIP.  1820- 

sorted  to  by  the  soldiery  at  Manchester,  in  the  disper- 
sion of  the  vast  assembhige  of  upwards  of  60,000  per- 
sons congregated  there,  under  the  leadership  of  the 
notorious  Hunt,  in  the  8th  mo.,  1819,  he  thus  con- 
tinues :  — 

Thou  wilt  be  pleased  to  inform  all  inquirers — 1st,  That  it  was 
no  radical  meeting  at  all :  it  was  certainly  called  for  a  political 
object,  but  that  object  was  unexceptionable,  being  simply  to 
ask  for  inquiry  into  the  transactions  at  Manchester.  It  wag  a 
meeting  summoned  and  presided  over  by  the  high  Sheriff,  and 
procured  and  conducted  by  a  large  number  of  the  most 
respectable  gentlemen  in  Norfolk. 

2nd,  That  I  attended  the  meeting  simply  as  an  observer,  and 
without  the  slightest  intention  of  speaking.  Against  my  at- 
tendance I  felt  no  scruple,  but  on  the  contrary  do  still  believe 
it  to  be  the  duty  of  moderate  men,  who  happen  to  have  con- 
siderable local  influence,  to  attend  such  meetings. 

3rd,  That,  being  there,  I  found  that  it  was  in  my  power  to 
be  of  use  in  promoting  a  spirit  of  peace  and  good  will,  and  in 
fixing  the  assembly  in  a  marked  disapprobation  of  radical 
irreligion.  For  this  purpose  I  spoke.  I  presume  my  speech 
was  misreported  in  the  London  papers.  But  it  nevertheless 
succeeded,  and  I  accomplished  the  objects,  (Christian  objects 
I  hope  I  may  call  them,)  which  I  had  in  view. 

No  persons  mistake  me  more  than  those  who  suppose  I  feel 
the  slightest  interest  in  party  politics :  I  dislike,  as  much  as 
I  disapprove,  both  the  spirit  and  the  principle  of  party ;  and  I 
quite  admit,  that  religious  people,  whether  Friends  or  others, 
ought  to  be  exceedingly  careful  how  they  meddle  with  politics 
in  any  shape.  Nevertheless,  there  are  matters  in  politics  which 
religious  people  ought  to  concern  themselves  in ;  and  where 
humanity,  justice,  virtue,  and  moral  and  religious  improvement, 
are  concerned,  I,  for  one,  am  more  than  willing  to  be  concerned 
also. 

^rd  mo.,  25th.  Yesterday  I  was  much  aflfected  by  dis- 
covering that  two  poor  fellows  are  left  for  execution.     This 


^T.  32.  WILLIAM   FORSTER   SAILS    FOR   AMERICA.  195 

seems  again  to  involve  me  in  labour,  and  exercise  both  in- 
ward and  outward,  almost  to  sickness  of  heart.  Alas,  that 
these  afflicting  calamities  should  be  renewed  amongst  us  every 
half  year !  I  hardly  know  how  to  bear  it,  but  I  desire  to 
commit  the  cause  to  the  Lord. 

His  retirement  at  home  during  the  spring  of  this 
year  was  interrupted  by  a  journey  to  Bristol  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  leave  of  his  friend  William 
Forster,  then  about  to  sail  from  that  port  on  a 
religious  visit  to  Friends  in  America.  From  Bristol 
he  writes, 

TO   HIS   UNCLE   JOSEPH  GURNEY. 

Bristol,  4th  mo.,  10th,  1820, 

When  I  heard  that  "William  Forster  had  determined 
to  sail  so  speedily,  I  could  not  be  at  all  satisfied  without  seeing 
him  and  attending  him  on  his  departure.  As  soon  therefore 
as  circumstances  admitted,  I  set  o%  and  on  arriving  at 
Bristol  on  second  day  morning,  found  him  and  his  wife  at 
John  Waring's,  and  very  heartily  pleased  we  were  to  meet. 
They  are  wonderfully  supported ;  calm,  strong,  and  happy  in 
the  Lord ;  appearing  to  reap  something  of  the  hundred-fold, 
even  before  the  sacrifice  has  been  completed.  This  state  has, 
I  believe,  succeeded  one  of  very  sore  conflict  and  natural 
distress.     The  lesson  is  peculiarly  instructive. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  fifth  month  he  attended 
the  Yearly  Meeting. 

6th  mo.,  17th.  We  reached  Upton  on  the  20th  of  the  5th 
month.  Never  has  a  visit  to  my  dear  brother  been  more  ac- 
ceptable and  delightful  to  both  parties.  The  Yearly  Meeting 
for  Ministers  and  Elders  on  second  day,  interesting  chiefly  on 
account  of  Stephen  Grellet,  and  William  Allen,  who  rendered 
their  short,  lively,  and  humble  account  of  what  the  Lord  had 
done  for  them  on  their  journey.*     Third    day;    the    Prison 

*  See  Life  of  William  Allen,  chapters  x — xiv. 


W6  THE   YEARLY   MEETING.  1820 

Discipline  Meeting,  which  was  extraordinary,  as  to  the  vastly 
mixed  attendance ;  and  on  the  whole  very  interesting  and 
stimulating. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  opened  on  the  fourth  day  morning. 
I  was  appointed  assistant  clerk,  which  office  I  performed 
without  much  difficulty,  and  felt  in  my  right  place.  From 
that  day  to  second  day  morning  the  6th  instant,  the  Yearly 
Meeting  continued,  and  I  was  at  last  thoroughly  engrossed 
and  occupied  by  its  concerns.  The  points  which  were  most 
interesting  were — 1st,  The  subject  of  rightly  conducting  our 
meetings  for  Discipline.  2nd,  The  Appeal  of  Gracechurch 
Street  Monthly  Meeting,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  was 
happily  disposed  of.  3rd,  The  history  of  Stephen  Grellet  and 
William  Allen's  journey.  4th,  The  law  of  appeals  to  Quarterly 
Meetings ;  in  discussing  which  we  finally  succeeded  in  establishing 
a  very  important  principle  to  our  great  relief.  The  business  of  the 
meeting  was  conducted  in  great  harmony.  Some  of  the  meetings 
for  worship  were  worthy  of  being  remembered ;  particularly  that 
on  sixth  day  at  Gracephurch  Street;  Edward  Harbord  there. 
Sarah  Grubb  preached  an  admirable  gospel  sermon,  with  clear- 
ness and  authority.  The  meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  held 
on  the  second  day  afternoon  after  the  conclusion  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  was  exercising,  and  solemn.  Some  of  the  hints  given 
as  to  ministry  that  day  were  very  excellent. 

1.  Not  too  much  of  "Friends" — "dear  Friends,"  &c. 

2.  Not  to  rise  immediately  after  another  sits  down. 

3.  To  he  faithful  in  preaching  Christ  crucified. 

4.  To  avoid  as  much  as  possible,  the  mixture  of  human 
with  divine,  matter  of  our  own  with  that  suggested  of  the 
Lord  ;  a  mixture  to  which  our  Society  is  much  more  exposed, 
than  to  absolutely  spurious  ministry.  With  this  view  always 
keep  within  rather  than  exceed  the  feeling. 

6th  mo.,  21st.  [After  alluding  to  a  successful  effort  on 
behalf  of  the  Bible  Society.]  How  necessary  is  it  that 
a  day  in  which  so  much  of  the  divine  blessing  has  been 
experienced  should  in  no  way  elevate  self.  What  have  I,  that 
I  have  not  received  ? 


^T.  33.  LETTERS.  '  .         197 

In  the  8th  month,  he  again  visited  Ackworth, 
and,  besides  his  usual  engagements  at  the  school, 
was  occupied  by  holding  several  religious  meetings 
there  and  in  the  neighbourhood. 

FROM   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  8th  mo.,  18th,  1820. 

*  *  *  There  are  some  who  make  a  difficulty  of  discharging 
duty  from  a  hope  of  reward,  as  being  unworthy  and  imperfect 
in  its  motives ;  but  I  am  not  sure  whether  this  nicety  does 
not  savour  more  of  the  pride  of  the  natural  man,  than  of  the 
humihty  of  a  regenerated  Christian.  For  my  own  part, 
sheltered  by  the  example  of  him  who,  "  for  the  joy  set  before 
him,  endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame,"  I  am  not  aware 
of  aspiring  after,  or  acting  upon  any  higher  principle.  Indeed 
I  very  much  question  its  being  either  a  required  or  a  practicable 
duty  for  us,  poor  creatures  of  an  hour  as  we  are,  to  be  divested 
of  all  self  love — and  with  such  a  sentiment,  the  injunction 
to  love  our  neighbour  as  ourselves,  appears  to  me,  to  be  so  far 
from  interfering,  that  I  think  it  rather  sanctions  it. 

Ah!  'tis  humility — and  by  whatever  means  we  may  be 
brought  to  it — it  is  deep  and  still  deeper  humility  that  we 
want ;  and  that  must  be  the  cure,  if  ever  they  are  cured,  of 
our  many  diseases  whether  general  or  particular. 

FROM    WILLIAM    WILBERFORCE. 

Bath,  Oct.  2.'?rd.  1820, 

My  dear  Friend, 

I  can  truly  assure  you  that  you  cannot  wish  more 
than  I  do,  that  we  could  again  partake  of  your  Earlham 
hospitalities,  and  I  scarcely  need  say  that  I  here  include  those 
of  the  mind ;  all  the  kindness  ;  all  the  interchange  of  thought 
and  feeling.  I  should  delight  to  see  you  with  your  little  one 
in  your  arms.  But  it  just  occurs  to  me  to  tell  you  that  you 
should  have  imitated  my  example,  and  have  published  your 
book  *  before  you  married.     Seriously — how  and  why  is  it  so 

*  Joseph  John  Grurney  was  still  engaged  upon  the  unpublished 
Woik,  mentioned  supra,  p.  120. 


198  .  BIRTH    OF   A    DAUGHTER.  1820. 

long  delayed  ? — All  this  time  that  hateful  subject,  (for  I  really 
think  we  may  deem  it  a  fit  object  of  hatred,)  of  the  Queen's 
business  has  been  presenting  itself  to  my  mind,  and  pressing 
for  discussion.  Yet  I  must  resist  the  impulse  ;  I  have  not 
time  or  eyesight  to  state  my  sentiments  sufficiently  to  insure 
my  not  being  misunderstood.  In  one  particular  I  am  sure 
we  should  agree — in  thinking  we  may  recognise  in  our  present 
situation  the  chastening  hand.  *  *  * 

First  day  evening,  IQth  mo.,  22nd. .  Enabled  this  afternoon 
to  speak  for  a  short  time  on  gifts  and  grace,  the  transitory 
nature  of  the  former,  and  the  permanence  of  the  latter.  We 
must  be  careful  not  to  deceive  ourselves,  even  in  our  humilia- 
tions, by  mistaking  the  disuse  of  our  talents  for  a  paucity  of 
talents. 

Second  day  morning,  llth  mo.,  Qth.  Yesterday,  a  day  of 
silence  and  internal  humiliation.  Such  days  I  feel  to  be  pro- 
fitable, perhaps  more  so  'than  those  when  the  work  and  the 
word  flow.  My  prayer  is  that,  through  the  power  of  divine 
grace,  I  may  be  delivered  from  sin  in  deed,  word,  thought,  and 
imagination.  0  that  I  may  drink  daily  of  the  living  water ; 
i;(5wp  i^wv,  ava/3Xu<^ov,  avairriSov  asl  xivaufxevov.* 

Theophylact,  [in  Joann  :  ir,  10.] 

12th  mo.,  22nd.  Yesterday,  about  two  o'clock,  I  received 
the  delightful  intelligence  of  the  birth  of  my  little  girl,  and 
the  well  doing  of  her  mother.  *  *  This  morning,  after  having 
been  enabled  to  return  thanks  with  my  family  circle,  I  feel 
unusually  peaceful  and  happy.  How  undeservedly,  is  known 
only  to  the  Searcher  of  hearts. 

The  year  closes  with  a  visit  to  Ipswich,  respecting 
which  he  remarks : — 

*  ''  Living  water,  bubbling  up,  springing  up,  ever  moving."  The 
passage  of  Theophylact  from  which  this  quotation  is  extracted, 
seems  to  have  been  a  favourite  one.  la  one  of  his  memorandum 
books  Joseph  John  Gurney  refers  to  it  as  "singularly  clear  and  in- 
structive ;"  it  is  quoted  at  length  in  a  note  at  the  close  of  the  first 
section  of  the  Essay  on  Love  to  God. 


^T.  33.  PRISCILLA   gurnet's   ILLNESS.  199 

I  can  acknonvledge  with  tliankfulness  and  even  joy  tliat  much 
help  was  afforded  me  in  the  various  services  which  attended 
(it).  *  *  My  heart  flows  with  love  toward  those  whom  I  have 
been  visiting,  and  I  feel  it  a  cause  for  thankfulness,  that  the 
last  day  of  the  year  should  have  been  a  day  peculiarly  devoted 
to  my  divine  Master. 

1st  mo.,  Sth,  1821.  We  are  apt  to  imagine  that  the  trials  of 
business  are  almost  unbearable,  and  that  even  religion  does  not 
come  in  to  aid  them  ;  but  religion  will  apply  itself  to  these  as 
well  as  to  all  other  trials,  and  submission  to  the  will  of  God 
and  confidence  in  his  "love,  will  help  us  through  everything. 

1st  mo.,  2dth.  The  last  twenty  days  have  been  replete  Avith 
interest  and  occupation.  The  first  of  the  three  weeks  spent 
industriously  at  home,  till  sixth  day,  when  I  went  to  Cromer. 
Memorable,  indeed,  to  me  was  my  visit  there,  chiefly  on  account 
of  our  dearest  Priscilla,  to  whom  I  was  enabled  to  devote 
myself,  and  whose  state  of  mind  is  in  the  greatest  degree 
satisfactory  and  instructive. 

Her  decline  appears  rapid,  but  her  sky  cloudless.  On  first 
day  morning  our  family  party  assembled  in  her  room.  Fowell 
and  Hannah,  Catherine,  Rachel,  and  myself.  It  was  a  season 
of  close  exercise  of  spirit  and  of  true  baptism.  Seldom  have 
I  been  so  drawn  out  into  supplication,  particularly  for  every 
member  of  our  family  successively,  for  the  church,  for  the  poor 
Africans,  for  the  world  at  large.  Priscilla  beautifully  addressed 
Fowell.     It  was  altogether  a  time  of  peculiar  favour. 

On  second  day  I  returned  home,  and  the  same  afternoon 
went  off  by  mail  to  London.  There  I  spent  a  highly  interesting 
fortnight  :  saw  many  interesting  people ;  —  the  Due  de  Cazes, 
Wilberforce,  Brougham,  &c.,  and  delightfully  partook  of  the 
society  of  all  my  brothers  and  sisters,  in  and  about  London. 
Business  was  at  times  sorrowfully  perplexing;  yet  hope  and 
strength  were,  from  time  to  time,  afforded.  The  spiritual 
blessings  of  these  two  weeks  were  great ;  and  from  day  to  day 
I  experienced  something  of  the  "word  of  Christ  "  dwelling  in 
me  "richly." 

2nd  mo.,  11th.     Dearest  Priscilla's  state  [continues  to]  en- 


200  DEATH    OP   JANE    BIRKBECK.  1821. 

gross  much  attention,  and  to  excite  near  feeling  and  sympathy. 
Two  days  last  week  I  passed  at  Cromer,  and  found  her  greatly 
sunk.  Whilst  I  cannot  but  weep  over  the  mortal  decay  of  a 
most  beloved  sister,  let  me  remember  my  blessings  and  my  joys. 
First  of  all,  the  blessing  of  an  assured  belief,  that  the  spirit 
of  our  sister  is  washed  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  is 
purified  for  heaven,  ready  to  ascend  into  the  society  of  the 
angelic  host.  0  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  !  0  the  call  for  thank- 
fulness and  joy !  And  next  let  me  look  at  home.  Have  I 
not  cause  to  be  very  thankful  ?  And  Ivhy  should  I  be  so  very 
careful  ?  Why  should  I  so  often  go  as  one  burthened  on  my 
way  ?  Unto  thee,  most  dear,  and  honoured,  and  gracious  Mas- 
ter, I  desire  to  commit  myself,  my  wife,  my  children,  my 
brothers  and  sisters,  my  loved  ones  of  every  description,  my 
goods  and  estate,  my  body,  soul,  and  spirit.  Do  with  me  as 
thou  seest  meet.  Enable  me  quietly  to  cast  every  care  upon 
thee.  Comfort  me  with  the  hourly  remembrance  that  thou  art 
my  Saviour,  my  Shepherd,  my  King,  and  my  Friend  ;  yea,  that 
thou  art  thyself  touched  with  a  feeling  of  my  infirmities.  Raise 
me,  I  beseech  thee,  above  every  mortal  fear,  every  worldly 
entanglement ;  deepen  and  enliven  my  faith,  and  plant  my 
afiections  in  that  celestial  region  of  love  and  peace,  where  they 
Avill  ever  flourish  to  thy  praise,  and  yield  sweet  fruits  of  honour, 
service,  and  thanksgiving,  acceptable  unto  thee,  my  God. 

Whilst  thus  watching  the  gradual  decline  of  his 
sister,  another  affecting  event  unexpectedly  occurred. 
In  the  third  month  of  the  preceding  year,  his 
brother-in-law  Henry  Birkbeck  had  married  bis 
cousin  Jane,  the  daughter  of  his  uncle  Joseph 
Gurney.  On  the  21st  of  the  2nd  mo.  of  this  year 
8he  breathed  her  last,  a  few  days  after  the  birth  of 
her  only  child. 

l7id  w?o.,  2Qth.  Alas  !  where  are  we  ?  Truly,  sorrow  and 
dismay  have  been   our  allotment.     Second  day  was  the  last 


KT.  33.  PRISCILLA   GURNET.  201 

(I?y  of  hope  respecting  dearest  Jane.  On  the  following  morn- 
ing we  were  greatly  alarmed  by  the  return  of  her  symptoms ; 
no  strength  was  left  to  bear  the  application  of  remedies,  and 
she  breathed  her  last  early  on  fourth  day  morning.  *  *  Third 
day  Avas  one  of  exceedingly  great  affliction.  This  was  heightened 
to  me  by  the  absence  of  my  dear  wife,  who  was  then  at  Cromer. 
In  the  evening  my  mother  and  I  went  to  the  Grove  together, 
and  it  must  be  acknowledged,  that  in  the  very  heat  of  the 
liery  trial,  there  was  to  be  felt  there,  that  evening,  a  sweet 
peace  and  great  tranquilUty.  It  was  evident  that  divine  support 
was  near  at  hand  to  help  the  afflicted  party.  The  beloved 
invalid  was  at  first  disappointed  at  hearing  from  the  medical 
attendant  that  there  was  no  longer  any  hope ;  and  I  believe 
she  passed  through  deep  humiliation  and  conflict,  in  the 
apprehension  of  her  unfitness  for  the  awful  change.  But  her 
religion  was  pure,  just,  and  genuine,  and  her  faith  gradually 
arose,  so  that  she  was  enabled  to  throw  herself,  just  as  she 
■was,  on  the  bosom  of  a  merciful  SaViour.  Her  messages  to 
her  friends  were  instructive  and  full  of  love ;  her  mind  clear 
and  very  bright,  to  the  last.  Her  sufferings  were  not  great, 
and  her  end  comparatively  easy ;  truly  and  richly  blessed,  we 
may  thankfully  believe  ! 

Under  the  same  date  he  continues :  — 

On  sixth  day  morning  I  settled  some  affairs  ;  wrote  a  little 
in  my  book ;  visited  the  Grove ;  looked  in  at  the  prison ;  and 
then  proceeded  to  Cromer,  where  I  found  another  party  of 
mourners..  I  stayed  there  until  first  day  afternoon,  and  was 
much  with  dearest  Priscilla.  *  *  Sweet  is  the  influence  which 
accompanies  and  surrounds  her,  and  truly  lovely  and  desirable 
is  her  frame  of  mind.  She  lies  most  quietly,  and  her  calm 
appears  to  be  unbroken.  Several  times  she  spoke  in  ministry, 
and  her  whole  state  seems  to  indicate  heaven  at  hand.  It  is 
peculiarly  soothing  to  be  with  her,  and  an  unspeakable  mercy 
that  she  is  so  favoured  with  comparative  outward  ease,  and 
with  such  eminent  inward  tranquillity,  and  true  peace.  Not  a 
doubt  appears  to  perplex  her  path.  Her  soul  is  centered  in 
Gud. 


202  TO  THOMAS  FOWELL  BUXTON.  1821. 

Three  weeks  later  he  writes  to  his  brother-in-law 
Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  who  was  then  in  London, 
attending  upon  his  duties  in  Parliament :  — 

Cromer,  3d  mo.,  17th,  1821. 

*  *  In  thinking  of  thee,  I  feel  entire  satisfaction  in  tliy 
having  quitted  for  a  time,  thy  retirement,  and  again  launched 
thy  vessel  upon  the  world's  ocean.  Thy  situation  is  undoubt- 
edly one  of  great  importance,  and  thy  character  is  likely  to 
obtain  the  more  influence,  because  thy  zeal  for  life,  liberty, 
and  truth,  -will  move  along  in  straight  lines,  and  be  disfigured 
by  no  canting  or  whining.  Let  no  vain  glory,  no  worldly 
lusts,  no  confidence  in  thy  own  strength,  pollute  its  fan* 
colours.  Dwell  low  and  deep  in  the  humility  Avhich  preserves, 
and  mind  what  our  dearest  Priscilla  said  to  thee  when  she  ex- 
horted thee  to  receive  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  the  fulness  of 
his  love,  light,  and  power,  not  only  as  thy  Redeemer,  but  as 
thy  Governor,  and  thy  Guide.  Thy  fond  brethren  may  praise, 
perhaps  flatter  thee,  but  thy  Master  will  ever  be  found  an 
"unflattering  Avitness."  He  will  show  thee  where  thou  art,  and 
what  thou  art.  The  denial  of  self,  the  bearing  of  the  cross 
of  Jesus,  the  arduous  stepping  on  in  the  strait  and  narrow 
path,  the  reduction  of  the  creature's  will  to  its  proper  nothing- 
ness, will  all  be  set  before  thee,  and  must  all  be  accepted  with 
submission.  Yet,  through  all,  will  the  smile  of  alluring  mercy, 
of  everlasting  loving-kindness,  of  free  redeeming  grace,  gladden 
and  brighten  every  prospect,  and  teach  the  disconsolate  pilgrim 
that  all  the  ways  of  the  Lord  are  "pleasantness,  ?ind  all  his 
paths  peace."  *  *  * 

I  have  had  great  comfort  in  being  here.  Dearest  Priscilla's 
state  is  to  me  increasingly  consoling.  Her  sufferings  appear 
to  be  considerably  alleviated,  and  her  spirit  is  like  that  of  a 
little  child.  She  has  felt,  thought,  acted,  and  known  as  much 
as  many,  and  manfully  has  she  sustained  the  great  cause  of 
righteousness  and  truth.  Now  all  is  hushed ;  brought  into 
rest  and  stillness ;  and,  as  I  said  before,  her  soul  is  hke  a 
weaned  child.  Nothing,  in  my  apprehension,  can  be  more  lovely 
or  beautiful  than  such  a  state.    There  is  in  it  such  an  absence  of 


^T.  33.  DEATH   OF   PRISCILLA   GURNEY.  203 

snthusiasm,  such  freedom  from  all  false  colouring,  such  true 
fitness  for  an  entrance  through  the  pearl  gates  into  the  city  of 
God! 

Zrd  mo.,  Slst.  *  *  On  fourth  day  morning,  the  21st,  as 
we  were  sitting  at  breakfast,  we  received  a  note  from  Dalrym- 
ple,  to  inform  us  that  he  had  been  to  visit  Priscilla,  that  he 
found  her  near  death,  and  that  he  recommended  my  setting 
off  without  delay.  I  felt  undisturbed  by  this  intelligence  ;  and 
having  completed  what  required  attention  at  home,  we  left 
Earlham,  and  arrived  at  Cromer  before  dinner  time,  where  we 
continued  until  last  fifth  day  morning,  the  29th.  On  our 
introduction  to  dear  Priscilla,  we  found  her  greatly  sunk. 
Much  of  the  time,  whilst  she  was  awake,  was  passed  in  reading 
the  Bible,  hymns,  Friends'  books  —  chiefly  Samuel  Scott's 
Diary,  and  the  History  of  the  Moravian  Missions.  Every  now 
and  then,  sweet  openings  of  the  living  spring,  and  opportuni- 
ties for  short  verbal  ministry. 

Seventh  day  was  indeed  a  memorable  one.  She  was 
evidently  herself  during  the  whole  day ;  seemed  to  enter  into 
what  was  read  to  her,  and  received  the  ministry  of  her  brothers 
and  sisters,  especially  that  of  Powell.  The  13th  of  1st  Co- 
rinthians was  read,  and  the  enduring  nature  of  true  love 
dwelt  upon.  She  in  vain  endeavoured  to  address  Powell,  but 
could  not  speak.  She  offered  her  hand  to  different  individuals 
repeatedly,  in  token  of  love ;  to  me  sweetly,  amongst  the  rest. 
About  half-past  nine  in  the  evening,  we  were  all  summoned 
into  the  room,  as  there  were  increased  appearances  of  approach- 
ing death.  Solemn  and  sweet  was  the  time  we  then  passed 
together.  Prayer  and  thanksgiving  were  offered.  Our  dear 
sister  Fry,  wonderfully  strengthened  in  faith,  and  empowered 
of  the  Spirit,  addressed  the  dying  beloved  one,  in  a  strain  of 
confident  and  assured  encouragement ;  as  it  were,  helping  her 
over  the  waters  of  Jordan.  In  the  course  of  the  opportunity, 
Priscilla  clearly  smiled ;  and  repeatedly  and  distinctly  ex- 
pressed the  word,  "  Farewell."  *  *  I  sat  up  with  her  during 
the  night.  It  was  a  night  of  dying ;  and  early  in  the  morn- 
ing I  was  exceedingly  overcome.     About  nine,  we  were  all 


204  PRISCILLA   GURNEY.  1821. 

again  assembled  with  her,  and  whilst  our  sister  Fry  was  in  the 
act  of  commending  her  into  the  hands  of  her  God  and  Father, 
one  gentle  sigh  closed  the  awful,  yet  peaceful  scene !  1 
repeated  the  words  from  a  hymn :  — 

"  One  gentle  sigh  her  fetters  breaks ; 
We  scarce  can  say  she's  gone, 
Before  the  willing  spirit  takes 
Her  mansion  near  the  throne.!' 

Great  and  delightful  was  the  flow  of  peace  which  after  much 
deep  distress,  ensued  to  my  own  mind,  for  about  half  an  hour. 

Thus  early  was  Priscilla  Gurney  called  to  rest 
from  those  labours  which  had  promised  a  career  of  so 
much  usefulness.  Though  the  youngest  sister,  she 
was  the  first  that  was  taken  away,  giving  in  the  quiet 
assurance  of  her  Christian  hope,  a  sweet  foretaste  to 
those  who  were  left  behind,  of  the  all-sufficiencj  of 
his  grace  who  had  thus  loved  her,  and  washed  her 
from  her  sins  in  his  own  blood.  She  was  born  in  the  year 
1785,  and  quickly  became  a  conspicuous  ornament  of 
that  bright  and  lively  family  circle,  of  which  a  sketch 
has  already  been  given.  Partaking,  like  the  rest,  of  the 
gaiety  of  youth,  she  was  with  them  also  made  a  par- 
taker of  the  gracious  visitations  of  redeeming  love. 
In  the  year  1810,  she  was  led  to  unite  herself  more 
closely  to  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  after  passing- 
through  deep  mental  conflict,  she  felt  it  her  duty,  some 
years  later,  to  speak  as  a  minister  in  their  religious 
meetings. 

"  Of  all  the  ministry  I  was  accustomed  to  hear,"  writes 
Joseph  John  Gurney  in  his  Autobiography,  "none  perhaps 
was  so  beneficial  to  me,  as  that  of  my  beloved  sister  Priscilla. 
It  was  generally  in  good  authority,  well  expressed,  lucid,  and 


iET.  33.  PRISCILLA    GURNEY.  205 

scriptural;  and  to  me  rendered  much  the  more  effectual  by 
her  life  and  conversation,  which  afforded  me  a  pattern  of  no 
mean  value.  The  language  of  her  whole  conduct,  to  her 
younger  brother  in  the  truth,  was,  "Follow  me,  as  I  follow 
Christ."* 

After  having  been  engaged  in  various  religious 
labours  among  Friends  in  her  native  county,  she 
accompanied  her  cousin  Rachel  Gurney,  whose 
health  was  then  rapidly  declining,  and  several  other 
members  of  the  family,  to  the  South  of  France  in 
the  year  1816,  and  spent  some  time  in  religious- 
service  among  the  few  who  profess  the  principles  of 
Friends  in  those  parts.  Whilst  absent  upon  this 
journey,  she  wrote 

TO   HER   BROTHER   JOSEPH   JOHN   GURNET. 

Nice,  12th  mo.,  26th,  1816. 

There  are  few  passages  in  Scripture  that  have  been  more 
animating  or  comforting  to  me  than  the  promises  in  the 
Revelation  to  those  who  overcome.  I  have  dwelt  on  them 
with  peculiar  interest  and  with  a  renewed  desire  for  us  that 

*  One  feature  of  her  private  character  may  be  particularly  noticed 
— her  assiduous  attention  to  the  wants  of  the  distressed  and  poor. 
"  You  had  more  opportunity,"  writes  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  to 
one  of  her  sisters,  *'  of  knowing  the  extent  to  which  she  was  devoted 
to  their  service,  and  how  many  of  the  days  in  every  week  she  was 
employed  exclusively  in  visiting  the  sick  and  distressed.  I  can  only 
speak  of  the  manner  in  which  she  was  prepared,  as  soon  as  breakfast 
was  over,  to  proceed  to  her  task,  her  basket  in  readiness,  filled  with 
such  little  presents  as  she  thought  might  be  useful  or  acceptable  to 
those  who  were  suffering  from  disease.  *  *  Within  a  short  period 
of  her  death,  she  said  to  me,  that  she  had  no  wish  to  recover,  but  if 
there  was  anything  which  recalled  her  to  life,  it  was  the  desire  to  be 
more  diligent  in  attending  to  the  sick;  adding,  'I  have  been  well 
nursed,  admirably  nursed;  but,  after  all,  sickness  to  me  is  a  sore 
thing;  and  what  must  it  be  to  those  who  want  every  thing?' " 


206  PRISGILLA   GURNET.  1821. 

"we  may  with  more  faitli,  more  humility,  and  more  entire  and 
simple  obedience,  enlist  under  the  banner  of  the  Captain  of 
our  salvation ;  that  we  may  follow  him  whithersoever  he 
leadeth  us.  It  is  the  prayer  of  my  heart,  my  dearest  Joseph, 
that  thou  mayest  be  encouraged  and  enabled  yet  to  go  on, 
yet  to  press  forward  in  every  religious,  domestic,  and  public 
duty,  in  quietness  and  humility,  "not  slothful  in  business," 
"fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord."  When  the  curtain 
drops  and  the  scene  closes  here,  how  is  then  every  sacrifice  in 
the  cause  of  religion,  how  is  every  act  of  faith  and  obedience 
to  be  prized ;  how  inestimable  do  they  become  as  evidences  of 
that  grace  by  which  alone  we  are  saved ! 

On  her  return  to  Earlham  in  the  summer  of  1817, 
she  again  became  the  warm  and  affectionate  helper 
and  counsellor  of  her  brother  in  his  various  engage- 
ments, taking  an  especial  interest  in  his  efforts 
in  favour  of  scriptural  instruction.  With  his 
assistance  she  compiled  the  valuable  selection  of 
Hymns  for  Young  Persons,  which  was  soon  after- 
wards published,  and  has  since  passed  through  many 
editions  in  England  and  America. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  vear  1817,  she  was 
engaged  in  a  short  journey  amongst  Friends  in 
Cambridgeshire  and  Huntingdonshire,  and  in  the 
following,  spring,  in  company  with  Anna  Forster, 
she  paid  a  general  visit  to  Friends  in  Ireland, 
Soon  after  her  return  from  Ireland,  her  health 
began  to  give  way,  and  with  a  view  to  its  amend- 
ment, she  was  induced  to  pass  some  months  on  the 
southern  shore  of  the  Isle  of  Wight.  The  change 
appeared,  for  a  time,  to  produce  the  desired  effect, 
and  in  the  4th  month  of  1820  she  again  resumed 
her  position  at  Earlham.  There,  however,  her 
strength  gradually  declined,  and  in  the    8th   month 


S:T.  33.  PRISCILLA    GURNET.  207 

of  that  year  she  finally  removed  to  the  house  of  her 
brother-in-law,  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  near  Cro- 
mer, where  she  died  on  the  25th  of  the  3rd  month, 
1821. 

Among  many  other  letters  received  on  the 
occasion  of  her  decease,  that  to  one  of  her  sisters, 
written  by  the  late  Charles  Simeon,  and  published 
in  his  Memoirs,*  as  well  as  the  sketch  given  of  her 
character  by  her  brother-in-law  Thomas  Fowell 
Buxton.f  are  sufficient  evidences  of  the  deep 
impression  which  she  had  made  upon  those  with 
whom  she  was  associated.  But  among  them  all, 
there  were  few,  if  any,  who  more  deeply  felt  her 
loss  than  her  brother  Joseph  John  Gurney.  Having 
lived  together  under  a  common  roof;-  a  sister  not 
only  in  natural  affection,  but  as  he  was  wont  to  say, 
"in  the  unchangeable  truth,"  it  "was  a  dispensation 
under  which  he  bowed  in  reverent  submission,  but 
which  he  ceased  not  deeply  to  mourn. 

"Exceedingly  precious  to  many,"  are  his  words  in  allusion 
to  her  many  years  later  in  his  Autobiography,  "is  the  re- 
collection of  her  sweetness  and  delicacy,  and  at  the  same  time, 
strength  and  clearness  of  mind ;  of  her  unreserved  dedication 
of  heart  to  the  Saviour  whom  she  loved ;  and  of  her  instruc- 
tive offerings  in  prayer  and  preaching,  both  in  public  and  in 
private.  Her  image  comes  before  me  at  this  moment  with 
uncommon  sweetness  !" 

The  funeral  took  place  on  the  2nd  of  the  4th 
month,  and  was  very  largely  attended. 

*See  p.  551. 

t  See  Memoirs  of  Sir  T.  F.  liuxton,   pp.  lOU,  lUl. 


203  PRISCILLA   GURNEY.  1821. 

"  There  was  something  with  us,"  says  Joseph  John  liurney, 
"  of  which  words  might  be  the  channel,  hut  which  was  far 
better  than  words.  We  may  acknowledge,  that  we  have  been 
greatly  favoured  by  the  divine  love  and  presence,  ever  since 
our  sister's  death,  and  we  cannot  be  too  thankful  for  thii 
renewed  extension  of  heavenly  favour ;  but,  alas  !  how  mourn- 
fully have  I  at  times  felt  the  depth,  height,  length,  and 
breadth  of  my  loss !  Priscilla  was,  indeed,  a  most  valued  and 
cherished  sister !" 


^T.  33.  COMMON   DUTIES.  209 


CHAPTER  XL 

1821—1822.     ^T.  33—34. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS:  LETTER  FROM  WILLIAM 
WILBERFORCE;  tract  on  the  authority,  IMPORTANCE,  AND 
EFFECT   OP   CHRISTIANITY;    ILLNESS   AND    DEATH    OF    HIS   WIFE. 

Deeply  sorrowing,  yet  not  as  those  who  are  without 
hope,  Joseph  John  Gurney  thus  prepares  for  again 
engaging  in  his  ordinary  duties. 

Fourth  ono.,  Qth,  1821.  I  prayed  this  morning  for  ability  to 
recommence  my  common  duties  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and 
with  a  diligent  spirit.  This  work  is,  I  hope,  begun.  I  have 
been  visiting  poor  "William  Anderson  on  his  death  bed.  A 
sudden  illness,  and  as  fatal  as  sudden  !  How  awful  is  such  a 
summons.  I  was  strengthened  to  pray  for  him,  and  to  direct 
his  attention  to  a  crucified  Jesus. 

Fourth  mo.,  16th.  On  fifth  day  at  the  Monthly  Meeting,  I 
proposed  a  public  meeting  [at  Norwich]  for  last  first  day  night. 
I  felt  much  peace,  and  even  joy,  in  consequence ;  something 
resembling  the  feeling  which  was  permitted  me  when  I  first 
spolic  in  the  ministry;  but  lowness  and  apprehension  were  at 
times  prevalent.  The  meeting  was  full  and  very  relieving.  I 
experienced  much  power  working  in  my  weakness,  enabhng  me 
to  preach  the  gospel  of  my  Lord  and  Saviour. 

Fifth  mo.,  8th.  Returned  last  night  from  London  ;  the  week 
spent  there  marked  chiefly  by  the  meeting  of  the  Bible  Society, 
and  Fowell's  parliamentary  dinner  party ;  the  latter  entertain- 
ing, the  former  highly  interesting.  Being  invited  to  speak,  I 
took  the  opportunity  of  discussing  the  right  method  of  con- 
VoL.  L  — 14 


210  EVILS  OF  PANEGYRIC.  1821. 

ducting  public  meetings,  and  bore  a  strong  and  generally, 
though  I  believe  not  universally,  acceptable  testimony  against 
Avant  of  simplicity,  votes  of  thanks,  flattery,  &c.  As  usual, 
though  my  speech  was  against  self,  I  found  self  too  busy,  too 
eager  after  some  satisfaction,  when  the  effort  was  over. 

The  passage  of  his  speech  to  which  he  here  refers, 
is  reported  as  follows.* 

"I  long  to  see  the  day  when  the  General  Meetings  of  the 
Bible  Society  shall  be  conducted  with  perfect  simplicity,  and 
when  we  shall  studiously  avoid  everything  like  panegyric  or 
eulogy.  This  line  of  conduct  we  have  adopted  at  Norwich, 
and  it  appears  to  me  to  have  greatly  increased  the  success  of 
the  Bible  Society  there.  We  have  always  endeavoured  to 
have  as  few  resolutions  as  possible ;  and  to  make  them  all  as 
much  as  possible  of  a  practical  nature.  My  heart  went  along 
with  my  friend  from  North  Britain,  when  he  was  speaking  of 
the  evils  of  panegyric.  We  do  not  come  here  to  panegyrize, 
but  to  acknowledge  the  unmerited  mercies  of  our  God  and 
Saviour.  We  come  to  acknowledge,  as  in  the  dust,  that  we 
have  all  sinned  and  come  short  of  his  glory ;  and  that  so  far 
from  having  any  degree  of  merit  for  what  we  have  done,  we 
have  cause  to  lament  that  we  have  done  so  little.  I  am  fully 
sensible  how  much  benefit  this  Society  has  derived  from  its 
president,  from  its  secretaries,  and  from  its  committee;  and 
one  reason  why  I  wish  to  promote  the  distribution  of  the 
Scriptures  is  because,  while  they  teach  us  to  fear  God,  they 
teach  us  also  to  give  honour  where  honour  is  due,  tribute  to 
whom  tribute  is  due,  respect  where  respect  is  due.  But  when  I 
remember  that  our  object  is  a  religious  one  ;  that  we  come 
together  as  the  unworthy  subjects  and  servants  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  I  feel  that  we  should  not  take  that  opportunity 
of  bestowing  praise  on  each  other." 

*  See  the  Monthly  Extracts  from  the  correspondence,  &c.  of  the 
British  and  Foreiirn  Bible  Sotiety  of  that  period. 


^T.  33.  MINISTRY   AXD   YEARLY   MEETING.  211 

Second  day  5th  mo.,  4:t7u  Yesterday  brought  witli  it  some 
edification.  The  ministry  was  exercised  shortly  in  both  the 
meetings  ;  considerably  in  the  cross  to  myself.  In  the  morn- 
ing I  spoke  of  the  advantage  of  our  mode  of  worship,  as  leading 
to  the  experience  that  we  can  of  ourselves  do  very  little  to 
help  or  instruct  one  another,  that  there  are  times  when  the 
tongue  of  the  teacher  languisheth,  and  when  the  voice  of  the 
preacher,  is  scarcely  heard ;  and  how  profitable  these  times 
might  be  made  to  us,  if  they  induced  us  to  make  God  our 
only  refuge,  and  to  draw  near  to  the  true  minister  of  the  sanc- 
tuary, whose  sacred  touch  can  make  the  heart  to  glow,  ami 
whose  anointing  ^'  teaeheth  of  all  things,  and  is  truth  and  no 
lie."  In  the  afternoon,  I  quoted  the  words  of  Isaiah,  "How 
beautiful  on  the  mountain,"  &c.,  and  spoke  to  the  case  of 
those  who,  being  to  a  certain  degree  awakened,  were  ready  to 
acknowledge  the  goodness  of  the  tidings,  and  the  beauty  of 
the  feet  of  the  messengers ;  but  who  were  nevertheless  unwil- 
ling to  pay  the  price,  to  sell  all  that  they  have,  and  to  present 
their  whole  selves  an  acceptable  sacrifice.  How  desirable  that 
I  should  take  these  lessons  home  to  myself;  that  my  body 
and  heart  be  kept  under  true  subjection,  so  that  "  having 
preached  to  others,"  I  may  not  myself  become  "  a  castaway  !" 

Sixth  mo.,  lAth.  My  dearest  wife  and  I  left  home  on  the 
third  day  preceding  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  have  been  absent 
four  weeks.  This  very  interesting  period  was  occupied  first 
by  Fowell  and  his  criminal  code  debate  ;*  secondly,  by  the 
Yearly  Meeting ;  thirdly,  by  my  own  religious  duties ;  holding 
various  meetings,  some  in  the  neighbouriiood  of  London,  and 
some  on  my  way  home.  Deeply  interesting  have  been  these 
successive  objects.  I  have  seen  great  talents  devoted  to  the 
Lord's  service  and  glory ;  I  have  seen  a  large  body  of  persons 
deliberating  for  many  days,  under  what  I  truly  believe  to  be 
the  immediate  influences  of  the  Lord's  Spirit ;  I  have  seen 
produced  these  precious  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  love,  quietness, 
and  great  solemnity,  which  have  evinced  the  solidity  and 
substantial  truth  of  our  religious  principles  ;  and  in  tlie  various 

*See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  p.  108 


212  REVIEW    OF    HIS    OBJECTS    IN    LIFE.  1821. 

public  and  other  meetings,  in  -which  I  have  been  myself  en- 
gaged, I  have  had  to  acknowledge  both  the  power  and  the 
love  of  God,  manifested  in  renewed  visitations  to  his  unworthy 
servants  and  to  their  hearers.  Surely  then  I  ought  to  be 
animated  by  this  fresh  cloud  of  witnesses,  "  to  lay  aside  every 
weight,"  and  to  press  forward. 

In  allusion  to  a  Friend's  having  "hinted  at  dis- 
unity with  his  gift"  in  the  ministry,  he  remarks : — 

,  Had  it  not  been  for  this  circumstance,  I  believe  I  should 
have  returned  home  not  only  peaceful,  but,  in  my  measure, 
rejoicing  in  the  Lord.  It  is  well,  however,  to  be  brought  into 
yet  deeper  searching  of  heart,  and  into  truer  silence  of  soul ; 
and  I  believe  this  dispensation  will  be  made  profitable  to  me. 
It  is  my  desire  to  get  rid  of  that  secret  pride  and  presumption, 
which  would  arrogate  to  myself  the  right  in  this  matter ;  and 
to  humble  myself  more  atid  more  before  God  and  man ;  and 
yet  I  believe  it  needful,  that  I  should  not  take  too  much  heed 
to  any  human  judgment,  but  rather  with  simplicity  and  firm- 
ness follow  my  God. 

The  following  are  some  of  his  reflections  upon  a 
review  of  his  objects  in  life  at  this  period. 

1th  mo.,  Sth.  I  suppose  my  leading  outward  object  in  life, 
may  be  said  to  be  the  bank.  It  sometimes  startles  me  to  find 
my  leading  object  of  such  a  nature,  and  now  and  then  I  doubt 
whether  it  is  quite  Consistent  with  my  religious  pursuits  and 
duties.  I  remember,  however,  that  it  has  been  the  allotment 
of  providence ;  that  I  was  introduced  into  the  business  in 
obedience  to  my  father,  in  early  life  ;  that  my  religious  pursuits 
have  found  me  in  this  situation  ;  and  that  hitherto,  the  two 
things  have  not  proved  incompatible.  It  is,  however,  a 
very  serious  thing,  to  be  so  largely  engaged  in  the  cares  and 
transactions  of  money  matters.  It  calls  for  real  watchfulness 
against  avarice,  against  a  careful  spirit,  and  against  worldliness 
in  various  forms.     It  is  much  my  desire,  that  should  it  be  the 


2ET.  34.  REVIEW   OF   HIS    OBJECTS   I>f   LIFE.  ■     213 

Vfill  of  my  gracious  leader  and  commander  entirely  to  divert 
my  attention  at  any  time  from  this  object,  that  will  may  be 
made  known  to  me,  and  some  opening  for  escape  given. 
While  I  am  a  banker,  the  bank  must  be  attended  to.  It  is 
obviously  the  religious  duty  of  a  trustee  to  so  large  an  amount, 
to  be  diligent  in  watching  his  trust.  It  appears  to  me,  on 
the  whole,  that  our  concern  was  never  better  watched  or  con- 
ducted in  its  several  ramifications,  and  I  trust  it  may  please  a 
gracious  providence  to  preserve  us  from  very  rough  waters. 
*  *  Public  charitable  objects  are,  in  this  age,  numerous.  With 
I'espect  to  myself,  they  are  brought  into  far  better  order  than 
formerly,  and  by  no  means  occupy  a  great  proportion  of  time, 
with  the  single  exception  of  the  Bible  Society,  which  I  con- 
tinue to  feel  one  of  my  most  important  objects  in  life.  The 
school  is  pretty  regularly  visited,  and  goes  on  well.  The  prison 
I  have  not  visited  since  my  return ;  but  intend  to  resume  my 
operations  there.  The  mendicity  office,  vaccination,  and  dis- 
pensary, occasionally  claim  attention. 

My  religious  duties,  or  those  which  may  be  more  peculiarly 
called  so,  alone  remain  to  be  noticed.  My  "  overseership  "* 
in  Norwich  meeting ;  my  ministry  ;  both  are  interesting  to 
me.  It  is  a  great  comfort,  inexpressibly  so,  that  this  ministry 
is  not  at  my  own  command ;  that  it  comes  and  goes  ;  that  I 
can  neither  stop  it,  nor  set  it  going.  0  there  is  sweet  rest  in 
this.  At  present  I  am  brought  to  an  unusual  feeling  of 
nothingness,  and  it  is  my  desire  more  and  more  to  lie  low  under 
the  mighty  hand  of  God.  My  stock  of  faith,  and  spiritual 
grace  seems  often  very  low,  yet  hope  springs  up  from  time  to 
time ;  and  I  do  not  foi'get  that  the  "  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
cleanseth  from  all  sin." 

I  have  been  picturing  to  myself  my  outward  history.  My 
soul,  however,  is  the  thing  to  be  chiefly  watched.     It  is  well 

'•'  "  Overseers,"  are  officers  in  the  Society  of  Friends  appointed,  as 
the  name  implies,  to  watch  over  their  fellow-members,  and  to  give 
such  Christian  advice  and  counsel  as  may  appear  needful.  The  office 
is  by  no  means  confined  to  those,  whose  call  to  the  ministry  has  been 
recognised  by  the  body. 


214       ■  SEVERE    INDISPOSITION.  1821. 

to  have  before  me  an  orderly  arrangement,  a  coloured  map  of 
things  to  be  done  outwardly ;  but  the  great  lesson  is  to  dwell 
deeply  with  the  fountain  of  life,  more  earnestly  to  seek  God, 
more  thoroughly  to  cleave  to  the  Lamb  immaculate,  who  com- 
mands me  to  follow  him.  As  this  is  the  case,  I  need  not 
greatly  burden  myself  with  my  outward  cares,  but  I  shall 
receive  ability,  day  by  day,  to  move  forwards  with  a  meek  and 
quiet  spirit,  towards  the  "final  rest."  My  beloved  wife  and 
children  are  treasures  inexpressibly  precious.  May  my  duties 
towards  them  never  be  neglected.  So  happily  and  completely 
ai'o  these  duties  interwoven  with  everyday's  course,  that  I  would 
almost  hope  that  the  neglect  of  them  may  be  impossible. 

"How  differently  from  our  expectations,"  he  writes  in  the 
entry  which  immediately  follows  the  above,  "are  sometimes 
ordered  the  ways  of  providence !  The  preceding  analysis  sa^^s 
much  of  business,  and  varied  occupation  of  mind  and  body ; 
the  ways  of  providence  have  brought  with  them  the  command, 
'  be  still.' 

"  I  think  it  was  about  the  18th  of  the  Tth  mo.,  that,,  after 
a  severe  attack  of  indisposition,  which  had  confined  me  about 
two  weeks,  my  dearest  wife  and  I,  with  our  children,  left  home 
to  spend  a  few  quiet,  restorative  days  at  Cromer  Hall.  Those 
few  days  were  extended  to  two  weeks,  which  were  succeeded 
by  three  weeks  at  Hunstanton,  and  these  by  five  weeks  of 
journeying  through  Derbyshire,  Warwickshire,  &c.,  Avhich  have 
at  last  brought  us  back  to  our  beloved  and  long-left  home. 
I  could  have  but  one  excuse  for  such  a  mode  of  passing  ten 
weeks  of  precious  time ; — the  restoration  of  health." 

Announcing  his  arrival  at  Hunstanton,  he 
writes :  — 

StL  mo.,  1st,  1821. 

*  *  On  our  way  hither,,  my  fancy  was  greatly  caught  by  the 
wild  flowers  which  bloomed  in  the  hedges  between  Cromer  and 
Holt,  and  of  which  I  counted  in  blossom  more  than  seventy 
species.  How  profuse  and  variegated  are  the  results  of  the 
wisdom  and  goodness  of  God  ! 


^T.  34.  LETTER    AND    JOURNAL.  215 


TO    HENRY   BRADY. 

Matlock,  9th  mo.,  2nd,  1S21. 

Thou  well  knowest  how  warm  and  heartfelt  an  affection  I 
hafve  for  thee,  and  for  other  dear  friends  at  Ackworth,  and  how 
deeply  interested  I  am  in  your  welfare,  and  that  of  the 
institution  over  which  you  are  presiding.  May  you  he 
encouraged  and  helped  by  the  Author  of  all  our  sure  mercies, 
faithfully  to  perform  your  arduous  duties,  and  more  and  more 
diligently  to  lead  the  lambs  of  the  fold  to  their  only  true 
Shepherd.  Who  knows  but  that  the  language  of  "  cease  from 
your  labours"  may  be  proclaimed  to  some  of  you,  and  how 
desirable,  in  such  a  moment,  to  look  back  with  peace  upon  a 
stewardship  duly  executed.  I  have  been  quite  a  wanderer, 
absent  from  home  about  two  months.  How  good  it  is  for 
me  to  be  thus  (after  a  manner  somewhat  novel  to  me,) 
convinced  of  my  insignificance  and  powerlessness  !  May  it 
be  my  own  prayer,  and  that  of  my  friends,  that  in  all  things 
I  may  be  found  truly  subject  to  the  will  of  Him,  who  loved 
us  and  gave  himself  for  us. 

10th  mo.,  9th.  *  *  The  societies,  and  the  annual  gatherings 
at  Earlham,  appear  to  have  gone  on  well  in  our  absence,  which 
is  a  true  satisfaction ;  and  it  has  been  much  of  a  pleasure  to 
open  my  doors  wide,  though  not  myself  a  partaker.  I  know, 
however,  that  there  is  no  security  in  these  things,  unless  they 
arise  from  a  simple  and  unsophisticated  desire  to  "  honour  the 
Lord  with  our  substance,  and  with  the  first  fruits  of  all  our 
increase."  May  this  honouring  of  the  Lord  be  increasingly 
my  only  aim !  There  still  dwells  deeply  in  my  heart  a 
tendency  to  many  and  various  evils,  which  I  have  long 
endeavoured  to  investigate  and  correct ;  but  the  work  is  by  no 
means  completed.  How  clearly  do  I  perceive  that  the  Christian 
weapons  of  watchfulness,  prayer,  and  earnest  seeking  after 
God,  can  never  cease  to  be  necessary  whilst  we  are  in  this 
state  of  being !  Though  there  is  no  limit  to  the  work  of  grace  ; 
and  though  the  standard  held  out  to  us  and  closely  enjoined, 


216  FROM  WILLIAM  WILCERFORCE.  1822. 

is  notliing  short  of  the  standard  of  perfection,  yet  must  we 
expect  that  the  contest  will  continue  to  the  end. 

12f/i  »io.,  lOtJi.  The  whole  of  yesterday,  which  was  a  low 
yet  edifying  sabbath,  I  felt  real  satisfaction  in  being  silent.  *  * 
How  invaluable  is  the  liberty  of  the  Spirit,  as  professed  and 
enjoyed  by  Friends  !  In  the  afternoon  meeting  my  mind  w^as 
peculiarly  drawn  in  near  love  and  unity  to  our  own  society ; 
and  the  desolate  heritages  were  commended  in  secret  prayer 
to  Him  Avho,  I  feel  persuaded,  has  called  us  forth  to  bear 
peculiar  yet  living  testimonies-;  and  thus  to  answer,  in  his 
church  universal,  a  specific  purpose.  Would  that  that  purpose 
were  more  fully  accomplished  in  us  and  by  us ;  but,  alas  !  the 
backwardness,  waywardness,  and  carelessness  of  fallen  man ! 

First  day  morning,  12th  mo.,  lord.  At  home  from  meeting 
this  morning  in  great  quietness  and  retirement.  I  have  felt 
enabled  to  pour  out  my  heart  in  prayer  for  myself,  my  wife, 
my  children,  and  many  others,  for  the  church,  and  for  the 
cause  of  truth.  It  is  indeed  a  solemn  and  awful  thing  thus 
to  draw  near  in  spirit  to  the  Most  High  ;  and  what  an  unspeak- 
able privilege  not  to  be  separated  from  him  by  a  state  of  sin ; 
what  a'  paramount  blessing  to  know  an  access  unto  him  by 
that  new  and  living  way  which  he  hath  himself  revealed ! 

FROM    WILLIAM    AVILBERFORCE. 

(Written  a  few  days  after  the  decease  of  his  eldest  daughter.*) 

Harden  Park,  January  15th,  1822. 

*  *  We  yesterday  returned  to  the  house  in  which  our  dear 
child  had  passed  a  few  days  of  comparative  health  and  bodily 
enjoyment,  and  many  weeks  of  languor  and  pain.  My  wife  was 
naturally  much  affected  at  first ;  but  her  grand  cordial  is  of  an 
efiScacy  as  unlimited  in  point  of  place,  as  of  time  and  circum- 
stance. It  is  the  assured  persuasion  that  our  dear  child  is 
gone  to  a  better  world.  I  own  I  had  wished,  and,  with 
submission  I  trust,  had  prayed,  that  it  might  please  God  to 
grant  her  a  measure  of  joy  as  well  as  peace  in  believing — 

*  See  Life  of  Wilberforce,  vol.  v,  pp.  109—113. 


;ET.  34.        FROM  WILLIAM  WILBERFORCE.         •   2TT 

some  of  that  holy  exultation  of  "vvhich  we  so  often  read  in  the 
last  hours  of  the  dying  people  of  God ;  and  yet,  except  in 
some  few  particulav  instances,  I  know  not  but  that  the  humble, 
but  sure  though  trembling  hope  of  a  contrite  heart,  often 
approves  itself  to  the  judgment  as  a  still  more  stable  and 
solid  ground  for  consolation.  And  it  is  observable,  that 
though  joy  be  sometimes  held  forth  as  a  privilege,  and  even 
commanded  as  that  to  which,  as  Christians,  we  have  a  right, 
yet  there  are  no  promises  made  to  it  as  an  evidence.  But, 
"  the  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them  that  be  of  a  contrite  heart,  and 
Avill  save  such  as  be  of  an  humble  spirit."  Joy  needs  no 
consolatory  assurances,  as  Sees  the  humble,  trembling  penitent. 
To  him  that  exquisitely  beautiful  assurance  is  given,  the  Lord 
delighteth  in  mercy:  not  merely  kindness,  but  mervy ;  kind- 
ness to, those  who  deserve  punishment.  0,  how  often  are  we 
reminded  that  God  is  love  !  Though  a  tender  mother  cannot 
but  feel  deeply,  yet  she  can  rejoice  too ;  and  blessed  be  God, 
while  tears  are  transi^t  as  an  April  shower,  the  joy  will  be 
immortal  as  the  light  of  heaven,  as  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
light  of  the  Lamb.  *  *  0  my  friend,  what  a  Avorld  of  glories 
does  Christianity  pour  forth  upon  us  when  we,  aqso^wvTes, 
fix  on  it  our  steady  and  warm  regards  !  What  a  gloomy — 
what  a  November  evening  prospect  would  present  itself  to  the 
mind's  eye  of  a  man  like  myself,  advancing  into  the  vale  of 
years,  but  for  this  blessed  flood  of  light  and  love  which  flow 
forth  from  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  !  My  dear 
friend,  pray  for  us,  that  what  has  passed,  may  not  have  merely 
a  transient  effect,  but  a  deep  and  lasting,  aye,  everlasting 
influence ;  that  it  may  impress  us  with  a  disposition  to  be 
more  diligent,  that  we  may  be  "  found  of  him  in  peace  without 
spot  and  blameless."       .    - 

It  was  about  this  time,  as  appears  from  a  memo- 
randum in  his  literary  Journal,*  that  Joseph  John 
Gurney  wrote    the    original  of  the    tract   which   he 

*  Under  date  4th  mc,  8th,  to  4th  mc,  22nd,  1822 ;  see  tlie  note 
p.  233,  infra. 


218     .  LETTER   ON   CHRISTIANITY.  1822 

published  in  a  revised  and  enlarged  form  towards 
the  beginning  of  the  year  1824,  under  the  title  of, 
A  Letter  to  a  Friend  on  the  Authority,  Purpose 
and  Effects  of  Christianity,  and  especially  on  the 
Doctrine  of  Redemption.  In  this  letter  he  gives 
a  condensed  but  clear  and  forcible  statement  of  the 
evidences  of  the  Christian  religion ;  thence  jdio- 
ceeding,  at  somewhat  greater  length,  with  the 
arguments  drawn  from  Scripture  in  proof  of  the 
great  doctrines  of  Christian  redemption,  particularly 
dwelling  upon  the  efficacy  of  the  atoning  sacrifice 
of  Christ,  and  the  necessity  and  reality  of  the 
operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  the  awakener  of 
the  world,  the  witness  for  Christ,  and  the  comforter 
and  sanctifier  of  the  believer. 

The  friend  to  whom  the  letter  was  addressed 
had  long  been  known  to  the  family  at  Earlham. 
Distinguished  by  learning,  talent,  and  intelligence, 
his  heart  was  enlarged  by  a  widely  extended 
benevolence,  and  for  a  -long  series  of  years,  his 
doors,  during  certain  hours  of  each  day,  had 
been  regularly  opened  to  the  distressed  poor, 
and  his  time  freely  devoted  to  the  alleviation  of 
their  sufferings  and  wants.  But,  with  all  his  ex- 
cellencies, one  thing  was  wanting,  without  which 
his  mind  could  not  rest.  He  was  yet  a  stranger  to 
the  joy  and  the  peace  which  spring  from  a  settled 
faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ).  He  was  now  far 
advanced  in  years,  and  had  known  Josepli  John 
Gurney  from  his  chikWiood,  and  his  position  and 
character,  coupled  with  the  long  familiarity  of 
friendship,  made  the  prospect  of  a  religious  visit  to 
him  not  a  little  formidable. 


^T    M.  LETTER    ON    CHRISTIANITY.  219 

"So  weak  was  my  faith,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurnej, 
"  that  it  seemed  impossible,  and  I  did  not  yield  to  the  im- 
pression for  a  full  month.  Finding  no  peace,  however,  on 
any  other  terms,  I  at  length  called  upon  him,  and  induced 
liim  to  allow  me  to  sit  do^yn  with  him  in  silence.  He  was 
very  restless,  and  my  ministration  as  weak  as  possible. 
However,  in  broken  terms,  I  expressed  my  sense  of  the 
unutterable  importance  of  simple  faith  in  Christ." 

"  Some  considerable  time  afterwards,  he  was  exposed  to 
great  personal  danger  on  his  way  home  from  London,  in 
consequence  of  the  horses  in  the  coach  running  away.  He 
was  alarmed.  The  Lord  applied  that  alarm  to  the  highest 
purposes ;  and  he  awoke  to  a  painful  solicitude  respecting  the 
state  of  his  immortal  soul.  In  this  condition  he  applied  to 
me  for  a  selection  of  passages  from  scripture  on  the  subject  of 
the  atonement.  (0  !  the  importance  of  that  only  refuge  for 
the  awakened  soul.)  Most  willingly  did  I  avail  myself  of  the 
opportunity,  and,  without  delay,  I  sat  down  and  wrote  the 
original  of  my  Letter  to  a  Friend  on  the  Authority,  Importance, 
and  Effects  of  Christianity.  *  *  I  anxiously  awaited  the  re- 
sult, and  soon  found  to  my  great  joy,  that  it  was  well  received. 
He  placed  the  letter  under  the  cushion  of  his  arm-chair,  and  for 
several  weeks  read  it  daily.  The  Bible  was  read  to  him  from 
time  to  time,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  his  mind  was 
changed.  It  was  the  Lord's  doing,  and  was  marvellous  in  oui' 
eyes.  He  was  much  afflicted  by  a  painful  disease,  which  he 
bore  with  exemplary  patience.  On  calling  upon  him  one  day, 
I  expressed  a  desire  for  his  preservation  in  the  truth.  "  I  do 
assure  you,"  he  replied,  "I  have  not  one  sceptical  feeling  left," 
and  he  allowed  me  to  take  away  the  following  prayer  which 
he  had  just  been  writing,  and  which  I  found  lying  on  his 
table. 

"  Almighty  God,  and  most  merciful  Father  !  I  humbly 
beseech  thee  to  ease  my  pain,  inci'ease  my  patience,  and  lay 
upon  me  no  more  than  I  am  able  to  bear,  although  I  have 
deserved  it  all ;  and  grant,  that  when  my  soul  is  released  from 
this    prison  of  my  body,  it  may  be  admitted  into  that  rest 


220       INFLUEXCE  OP  THE  LETTER  ON  HIS  FRIEND.     1822. 

•uliich  is  appointed  for  all  such  as  repent,  amend,  and  believe ; 
as,  I  trust,  does  this  thy  unworth}^  servant,  who  now  lies 
prostrate  before  thee,  in  humble  reliance  on  the  atoning 
merits  of  thy  beloved  Son,  who  suffered  death  that  we  might 
enjoy  life  eternal,  and  to  whom  be  all  honour,  dominion,  and 
power,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen." 

He  continued  stedfast  in  the  faith  until  his  death,  which 
took  place  about  two  years  afterwards.  Though  unhesitating 
in  Kis  belief,  he  was  often  in  conflict  respecting  himself,  but 
evidently  kept  his  hold  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Standing  by  his 
bedside,  two  or  three  days  before  his  end,  I  said,  addressing 
him,  "  Ah,  what  a  comfort  it  is,  that  the  blood  of  Christ  clean- 
seth  from  all  sin."  "Yes!"  he  replied  with  intense  feeling, 
•'if  it  were  not  for  that,  I  know  not  what  would  become  of 


me 


Since  its  first  publication,  the  Letter  on  Chris- 
tianity has  been  widely  circulated,  several  hundred 
thousand  copies  having  been  distributed  through 
various  channels.  "For  such  a  result,"  says  Joseph 
John  Gurney,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  above  nar- 
rative, "  I  ought  to  be  very  thankful,  and  humbly 
trust  that  it  may  have  been  blessed  to  many.  If 
so,  the  Lord  alone  be  praised." 

An    event   was   now    approaching  which    put   his 

principles  to  their  severest  test.     Little  as  he  appears 

himself   to    have  anticipated  it,  the  following  entry 

in    the  journal,   written    a    few    weeks    previously, 

■possesses  a  peculiar  interest. 

btJi  mo.,  4th,  1822.  Why  are  we  so  much  surprised  and 
tliscouraged  at  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous  ?  Are  they 
not  appointed  for  good,  in  whatever  shape  they  appear  ?  And 
are  they  not,  in  comparison  with  eternal  things,  of  almost 
momentary  duration  ?     0  for  an  increase  of  true  and  lively, 


ET.  34.  ANTICIPATIOX   OF   TRIALS.  2-1 

and   reposing   faith  in  God,  with  reference  to    those    things 
which  are  invisible,  and  for  ever. 
A  few  days  later  he  writes:  — 

TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH   BUXTON. 

*  *  How  in  circumstances  of  trial,  I  should  practise,  I  know 
not.  One  thing  I  know,  that  mv  nature  most  sensibly  shrinks 
from  pain  and  trial,  and  that  a  true  and  cheerful  submission 
will  never  be  displayed  by  me,  unless  I  am  immediately  helped 
by  him  whose  grace  is  sufficient,  however  deep  the  thorn, 
however  torn  and  wounded  the  flesh. 

Still  later  he  writes  in  his  Journal :  — 

5th  mo.,  2Qth.  First  day.  I  have  been  more  than  usually 
engaged  in  ministry  to-day.  This  afternoon,  on  the  nature 
of  Christian  fidelity;  "Be  thou  faithful  unto  death;"  and 
upon  the  particulars  unfolded  in  Scripture,  respecting  the 
heavenly  state ;  "And  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life."  Hov/- 
earnestly  do  I  desire  that  my  practice  may  not  fall  short  of 
my  public  profession,  that  my  life  and  conversation  may,  far 
more  than  they  now  do,  "  adorn  the  doctrine  !"  It  is  aifecting 
to  me  to  consider  that  I  seem,  for  the  most  part,  to  dwell  at 
such  a  distance  from  heavenly  things ;  but,  I  trust,  the  Master 
whom  I  desire  to  serve,  will  bring  me,  and  all  of  us,  nearer  to 
himself. 

The  next  entry  thus  continues  his  history  :  — 

Qth  mo.,  12th.  This  great  purpose  has,  I  trust,  in  measure, 
been  effected,  by  the  awful  and  most  afflicting  dispensation, 
which  has  been  permitted  to  overtake  me.  On  the  10th 
instant,  my  tenderly  beloved  wife  was  removed  from  this 
mortal  scene,  to  one,  as  I  have  every  reason  to  believe,  of 
infinitely  greater  happiness  and  joy. 

I  will  endeavour,  for  my  own  comfort  and  benefit,  and  tliat 
of  my  beloved  family,  to  record  the  circumstances. 


222  HIS  wife's  illness.  1822. 

A  considerable  cold  and  cougli  induced  my  dear  wife  to  take 
more  than  usual  care  of  herself,  during  the  "week  before  last. 
On  first  day  morning,  the  2nd  instant,  however,  she  was  well 
enough  to  attend  the  morning  meeting,  and,  indeed,  seemed 
quite  well.  She  remained  at  home  in  the  aftei'noon,  not  being 
strong  enough  for  a  further  effort,  and  when  I  came  hack,  she 
requested  me  to  take  her  a  drive  in  the  pony  chair.  The 
evening  was  bright  and  pleasant,  and  our  minds  were  calm  and 
united ;  but  it  is  probable  that  the  north  wind,  which  then 
blew  upon  us,  was  made  the  cause  of  her  death. 

On  fifth  day  afternoon,  speaking  of  her  illness,  she  said, 
"  I  have  no  wish  that  it  should  be  otherwise.  I  have  prayed 
that  something  might  bring  me  to  a  livelier  sense  of  religion;" 
and  again,  turning  to  me  with  great  sweetness,  she  observed, 
"  this  is  to  bring  down  the  high  places."  On  sixth  day  night, 
my  sisters,  Rachel  and  Richenda,  came  with  me  into  her  room. 
We  found  her  asleep  :  when  she  awoke,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord, 
(a  spirit  of  humiliation,  yet  confidence,)  appeared  to  be  with 
her;  and  it  was  with  great  power  that  she  addressed  us, 
"How,"  said  she,  "has  the  love  of  God  bfeen  opened  to  my 
soul  lately !"  adding,  "  I  look  upon  this  to  be  an  awfid 
and  sudden  call  out  of  the  world,  and  from  all  things  that 
are  in  it."  She  emphatically  described  herself  as  a  sinner ; 
declared  that  she  was  deeply  prostrated,  and  at  the  same  time 
spoke  with  fulness  of  the  good  hope  and  sweet  consolation, 
which  had  attended  'her  through  this  illness.  Soon  after  my 
sisters  left  the  room,  she  said,  "  Give  my  kind  regards  to  the 
servants,  and  tell  them  how  much  I  have  desired  that  they 
might  be  brought  under  the  influence  of  vital  religion." 


On  first  day  morning  her  mind  became  less  occupied  with 
painful,  and  more  with  pleasurable  emotions.  Sweet  smiles 
dwelt  on  her  countenance,  and  her  delirium,  for  the  most  part, 
was  that  of  a  person  who  felt  at  once  innocent  and  easy.  This 
was  an  inexpressible  relief  to  me,  and  the  sorrow  which  I  had 
to    experience    through  this    sabbath  day,  though  deep    and 


iET.  34.  AND    DEATH.  2f8 

poignant,  was  a  quiet  sorrow,  unruffled  by  the  storm  of  the 
enemy.  It  was  that  of  giving  up  unto  death  my  tenderly 
heloved  one ;  and  whilst  under  the  influence  of  this  sorrow,- 
the  future  assumed  the  appearance  of  dark  melancholy.  I, 
nevertheless,  experienced  true  peace  in  recommitting  her  to 
her  God  and  Father.  In  the  afternoon,  a  painful  struggle 
was  excited,  by  the  suggestion  of  a  hope  of  recovery,  and  it  was 
only  in  the  full  resignation  of  that  hope  that  I  again  felt  peace. 
I  retired  to  rest  on  first  day  night,  and  obtained  some  hours 
of  refreshing  sleep. 

About  half-past  four  o'clock,  Rachel  called  me,  and 
informed  me  that  there  were  marked  appearances  of  the 
approaching  change.  I  was  soon  again  with  my  beloved 
wife.  I  was  agitated,  fearful,  and  nervous,  but  after  some 
time,  I  was  strengthened  to  kneel  down,  and  a  song  of  prayer 
and  praise  broke  forth  spontaneously  from  me,  nearly  in  the 
following  words: — "And  now,  0  Lord,  cut  short  the  work  in 
righteousness.  Thou  hast  washed  her  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb ;  thou  hast  regenerated  her  by  thy  Holy  Spirit ;  thou 
hast  clothed  her  with  thy  salvation.  Thou  art  about  to 
receive  her  into  thy  kingdom,  Avhere  her  sun  shall  no  more  go 
down,  neither  her  moon  withdraw  itself;  for  ttiou,  0  Lord, 
shalt  be  her  everlasting  light — her  God — her  glory!"  As  the 
last  breath  trembled  on  her  lips,  (and  gentle  was  that  breath,) 
the  powei;  of  the  Lord  again  came  over  me,  and  I  cried  out, 
with  a  spirit  not  my  own,  "The  work,  the  glorious  work  is 
finished,  to  his  praise,  to  her  eternal  happiness,  and  to  my 
peace." 

My  dearest  wife  died  on  second  day  morning,  the  10th 
of  the  6th  month,  exactly  four  years  and  nine  months 
after  our  happy  marriage  day.  A  sense  of  holy  and  elevated 
calm,  was  the  immediate  effect  of  this  touching,  solemn,  and 
blessed  scene.  Here  for  the  present  I  leave  my  history.  The 
change  wrought  in  my  condition  is  wonderful.  The  mighty 
hand  of  the  Lord's  discipline  and  dealing  has  been  upon 
me,  and  his  Comforter  is  now  with  me ;  at  his  feet  I  feel 
sweet  unbroken  peace.  There  let  me  ever  dwell,  0  Lord  my 
God! 


224  CONSOLATORY"  REFLECTIONS.  1822. 

TO    THE    BISHOP    OP    NORWICH. 

Earlham,  6th  mo.,  10th,  1822. 

"I  have  this  morning  parted  with  my  dearest  earthly 
treasure,  and  have  bid  her  God  speed  to  the  heavenly  regions, 
where  Christ  dwelleth  in  his  glory.  One  short  week  has 
marred  my  fond  and  pleasant  pictures.  My  dearest  wife  on 
this  day  week  was  attacked  with  violent  pleurisy,  and  is  now 
numbered  with  the  dead ;  may  I  not  rather  say  with  the 
living ;  with  those  who,  like  her,  have  placed  a  firm  trust  in 
their  omnipotent  Redeemer,  and  who  have  faithfully  endea- 
voured to  serve  him ;  "  therefore  are  they  before  the  throne 
of  God."  It  has  been  to  me  a  period  of  the  deepest  anguish, 
and  conflict  of  mind ;  but,  at  times,  the  storms  have  all  been 
hushed  by  that  divine  power,  of  which  I  have  indeed  experienced 
the  healing  virtue,  and  on  which  it  will,  I  humbly  trust,  be  mj 
endeavour  to  wait  all  my  life  long." 

A  few  days  after  the  funeral,  he  thus  writes  in  Jiis 
journal :  — 

Qth  mo.,  21st.  ''^  *  As  I  lay  down  last  night,  I  endeavoured 
to  console  and  strengthen  myself  with  the  following  con- 
siderations :  — 

It  has  been  our  true,  however  feeble  endeavour,  to  live 
together  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  in  the  faith  and  love  of  Christ. 
And  on  this  ground,  I  am  persuaded,  that  we  have  been,  as 
two  individuals,  and  as  one  pair,  under  the  special  dealing  of 
our  heavenly  Father ;  and  this  dealing  has  been  displayed  with 
power,  in  the  awful  dispensation  which  has  brought  our 
delightfid  outward  union  to  a  close.  *  *  I  have  also  assiu'edly 
to  believe,  that  there  is  in  this  awful  dispensation,  mercy  to 
me,  as  well  as  to  her.  The  shaft  has  been  directed  of  the  Lord 
to  my  spiritual  benefit.  My  dependence  on  earthly  things 
required  to  be  shaken.  I  was  in  need  of  something  to  dislocate 
me  from  things  visible ;  and  to  bring  me  to  a  nearer  and  more 
satisfactory  apprehension  of  the  heavenly  inheritance.     Now 


^T.  34.  CONSOLATORY   REFLECTIONS.  225 

my  attractions  to  heaven  are  strengthened ;  those  towards  the 
earth  proportionahly  weakened.  The  very  great  suffering 
which  has  been  allotted  me,  was,  I  believe,  needful  for  settling 
me  more  deeply  in  the  truth.  I  hope  I  shall  be  permitted,  by 
degrees,  to  rise  out  of  it  with  fresh  and  profitable  experience ; 
better  fitted  than  before  to  minister  to  others ;  and  much 
strengthened,  I  humbly  trust,  for  the  working  out  of  my  own 
salvation.  And  yet  truly  I  am  nothing,  '•  a  worm  and  no  man." 
Well  do  I  know  that  my  strength  is  in  God,  and  that  my  only 
position  of  safety  is  that  of  total  prostration  at  his  feet. 


Vol.  1.  — 15 


226  THE   DISCIPLINE    OF   LOVE.  1822. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

1822—1823.     ^T.  34—36. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS  AND  JOURNAL;  COMMENCEMENT  OF  WORK 
ON  THE  DISTINGUISHING  PRINCIPLES  OP  FRIENDS;  HOME  PUR- 
SUITS; LITERARY  JOURNAL;  ANTI-SLAVERY  MOVEMENTS;  RE- 
LIGIOUS SERVICES  IN  ESSEX  AND  SUFFOLK;  HANNAH  BIORE ; 
RELIGIOUS   VISIT   TO   YARMOUTH. 

There  is  a  beautiful  passage  in  Baxter's  Saint's 
Rest,  in  which  the  believer  is  represented  as  thus 
addressing  himself  on  his  entrance  into  glory. 
"Now  thou  art  sufficiently  convinced  that  the 
ways  thou  calledst  hard,  and  the  cup  thou 
calledst  bitter,  were  necessary;  that  thy  Lord 
had  sweeter  ends,  and  meant  thee  better  than 
thou  wouldst  believe ;  and  that  thy  Redeemer 
was  saving  thee  as  well  when  he  crossed  thy 
desires  as  when  he  granted  them,  and  as  well 
when  he  broke  thy  heart  as  when  he  bound  it 
lip."*  Such  was  the  experience  which  Joseph 
John  Gurney  was  now  invited  to  realise.  The 
hand  of  the  "Refiner"  was  upon  him;  the 
discipline  was  painful,  but  he  knew  its  purpose, 
and  had  been,  in  mercy,  taught  to  receive  it  as 
a  discipline  of  love. 

*  Page  32,  ed.  1677. 


MT.  34.  STUDY   AND   SORROW.  227 


TO    HENRY   BRADY. 

Earlham,  7th  mo.,  15th,  1S22. 

Through  the  awful  dispensation  which  has  been  allotted  me, 
I  piaj  acknowledge  that,  however  sorely  tried,  I  have  not 
been  forsaken.  Sometimes  I  am  permitted  to  feel  an  almost 
abounding  happiness ;  and  generally  a  great  calm  over  my 
mind  and  spirit.  So  that  I  have  been  constrained  to  proclaim 
from  past  experience  the  tender  mercies  of  our    God. 

During  the  few  months  succeeding  his  loss  he 
continued  mostly  at  home,  in  the  enjo^-ment  of  the 
society  of  his  sisters  Catherine  and  Rachel ;  his 
children  becoming  increasingly  the  objects  of  his 
tender  solicitude.         * 

In  the  mean  time,  besides  attending  to  the 
necessar}^  claims  of  business,  and  to  the  various 
public  objects  that  had  long  shared  his  interest,  he 
sedulously  devoted  his  leisure  to  study;  finding 
relief,  as  he  intimates,  not  in  the  indulgence  of 
sorrow,  but  in  a  diligent  attention  to  the  calls 
of  duty.  '•  My  time  is  fully  occupied,"  he  writes 
in  his  Journal,*  "  and  I  have  no  opportunity  to 
nurse  my  sorrow.  Had  I  more  opportunity,  I 
know  it  would  be  wrong  to  do  so.  It  is,  and  will 
be  deep." 

Qth  mo.,  24th,  1822.  The  last  three  or  four  days  have 
brought  with  them  times  of  great  lowness ;  yet  I  believe  my 
faith  has  not  failed,  and  the  pray«r  which  I  have  repeatedly 
offered  in  secret,  that  I  might  be  preserved,  through  all,  in 
that  submission  which  precludes  a  single  murmur,  has  been 
much  blessed  to  me,  and  I  trust  answered. 

*  Under  date  7th  mo.,  29th,  1822. 


228  VISITS  HUisrsTAisrTON.  1822, 

^th  mo.,  28t7t.  This  morning  has  been  passed  in  very 
satisfactory  communications  with  the  servants.  It  is  cause  ot 
gratitude  to  the  Author  of  all  our  mercies  that  the  household 
generally  appear  to  he  in  so  feeling  and  serious  a  frame  of 
mind ;  so  that,  even  in  taking  their  heloved  mistress  from 
them,  the  Lord  has,  in  measure  at  least,  accomplished  ber 
main  desire  for  them,  and  will,  I  trust,  continue  to  bless  the 
event  to  that  great  end.  Since  I  last  wrote  I  have  passed 
through  periods  of  deep  sorrow ;  but  thanks  be  to  my  beloved 
Redeemer,  I  am  not  forsaken.  The  toeaninff  process  is  wonder- 
fully painful,  but,  no  doubt,  it  is  needful,  and  I  humbly  trust 
it  makes  progress. 

1th  mo.,  8th.  Affecting  accounts  are  received  of  the  sudden, 
and  I  fear  fatal  illness  of  Charles  Parker,  -who  has  been  so 
lately  with  us  evincing  his  spiritual  exercise  on  our  behalf, 
and  his  own  fitness  for  the  eterna}  world.*  Alas !  what  a 
shadow,  what  a  dream  is  our  life !  Yet  why  should  we  com- 
plain because  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe  is  gathered  into 
the  Master's  garner. 

7tJi  mo.,  15th.  *  *  Dearest  Louisa  has  just  left  us,  after 
committing  me  with  prayer  and  praise  to  our  heavenly  Father. 
She  was  led  to  speak  of  my  learning  further  obedience  by  the 
things  which  I  suffer.  I  desire  to  remember  this  hint  for  good, 
for  I  feel  persuaded  that,  as  it  relates  to  myself,  it  is  the  main 
import  of  this  aw^ful  dispensation. 

Sth  mo.,  4t7i.  From  first  day,  8th  mo.,  4th,  to  the  following 
seventh  day,  I  was  vigorously  employed  in  clearing  off  the 
various  claims  of  business^  and  left  borae  for  Hunstanton,  on 
the  9th  ult.,  with  clear  hands,  and  I  trust  not  without  a  feeling 
©f  thankfulness  towards  the  Author  of  all  gootl.  Our  journey 
was  pleasant,  but  our  arrival  at  Hunstanton,  a  place  full  of 
the  most  affecting  and  tender  associations,  was  very  mournful. 
I  strolled  down  by  myself  in  the  dark  to  the  chff,  and  poured 
©ut  my  heart  in  bitter  weeping,  in  the  remembrance  of  say  lost 

*  An  interesting  notice  of  Charles  Parker  is  to  be  fouad  ia  "  Pietj 
Promoted/'  part  11,  p..  280. 


^T.  85.    THE  DISTINGUISHING  PRINCIPLES  OF  FRIENDS.  22r> 

treasure.  How  many  hours  of  sweet  and  pure  enjoyment 
have  we  been  permitted  to  taste  together  in  that  place !  I 
continued  at  Hunstanton  three  weeks,  and  in  the  society  of 
'.ny  dear,  mother,  my  dear  sister  Fry,  and  Rachel,  experienced 
much  true  tranquillity  and  enjoyment.  The  Edwardses  were 
also  valuable  companions.  Dear  Elizabeth's  liealth  strikingly 
improved  during  our  stay,  and  her  company  and  influence 
were  at  once  reviving  and  instructive.  Her  deep  humility 
was  particularly  striking  amidst  the  love  and  applause  of  her 
fellow  creatures,  who  seem  on  all  occasions  to  gather  round 
her.  With  the  consent  of  our  Norwich  elders,  I  ventured  to 
invite  the  inhabitants  to  a  public  meeting,  which,  though  a  time 
of  personal  humiliation,  was  followed  by  great  relief  and  peace 
of  mind.  Two  first  days  were  passed  at  Lynn,  where  there  is 
a  very  interesting  little  company  of  "  convinced  "  individuals. 
Would  that  they  may  be  led  onwards  in  that  narrow  way 
which  has  been  thus  cast  up  for  them  !  *  *  My  dear  home  seems 
peaceful,  notwithstanding  its  covering  of  mourning ;  nor  do  I 
find  a  great  rush  upon  me,  of  things  to  be  done  and  cared  for. 
But  diligence  is  very  needful,  and  brings  consolation  with  it. 

Whilst  at  Hunstanton,  he  entere(3  ujx)n  the  com- 
position of  his  work,  on  the  Distinguishing  Principles 
of  Friends.  In  a  letter  to  Jonathan  Hutchinson,  he 
describes  it  as  "an  attempt  at  something  more  easy 
and  familiar  than  Barclay,  and  deeper  than  Henry 
Tuke." 

"  I  hope,"  he  writes  in  his  Journal,  "  the  task  is  rightly 
undertaken.  0  for  that  humble,  self-denying,  waiting  state, 
in  which  our  works  are  not  our  own,  but  the  Lord's.  Were 
it  more  attained  to,  how  pure,  how  beautiful,  would  become 
the  offerings  of  the  righteous  !" 

9th  mo.,  9tk.  Second  day  morning.  The  solemnities  of 
yesterday  were  far  from  being  destitute  of  the  divine  blessing. 
Amidst  all  our  trials  the  Lord  is  with  us,  and  at  times,  he  is 


230  WILBERFORCE,    MACAULAY,    AND   BUXTON.  1822 

pleased  to  proclaim  a  sabbath  from  the  evil  imaginations  of 
the  heart,  and  the  temptations  of  the  adversary. 

Retiring  for  a  few  days  to  Cromer  Hall,  he  found 
a  large  and  interesting  circle.  Amongst  others,  the 
late  William  Wilberforce,  and  Zachary  Macaiilay 
were  there,  deliberating  with  his  brother-in-law 
Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  on  the  position  and  pros- 
pects of  the  Anti-Slavery  Question.  It  was  the 
occasion  on  which  the  latter  appears  to  have  arrived 
at  his  "  final  decision,"  to  accept  the  responsible  post 
of  advocate  of  the  cause,  as  successor  to  Wilberforce.* 
In  this  important  undertaking,  and  throughout  the 
succeeding  struggle,  Joseph  John  Gurney  gave 
him  his  warm  and  eflBcient  encouragement  and 
support. 

Earlham^  9th  mo.,  28th.  Wilberforce,  his  wife,  daughter, 
and  two  sons,  are  our  guests ;  and,  after  a  visit  of  four  days, 
are  about  to  leave  us  this  morning.  My  communications  with 
him  Lave  been  of  an  interesting  and  very  animating  nature. 
To  describe  him  is  diflBcult ;  for  seldom,  if  ever,  have  I  met 
with  anything  so  beautiful  as  his  mind.  He  lives,  or  appears 
to  live,  in  perpetual  sunshine ;  humility  and  love  may  be  said 
to  cover  him,  and  the  variety  of  his  intellectual  powers,  and 
profusion  of  mental  ornaments,  render  him,  in  a  very  peculiar 
degree,  a  delightful  companion. 

We  have  just  been  permitted  to  enjoy  together,  an  oppor- 
tunity of  solemn  waiting  and  fervent  prayer,  during  which  I 
was  strengthened  to  minister  to  bim,  his  wife,  and  his  children, 
and  to  commit  them  to  the  everlastmg  Fatber  of  his  people ; 
also  to  pour  out  our  united  petitions  on  behalf  of  the  poor 
slaves,  and  for  their  oppressors ;  and  for  the  hastening  of  that 
day,  in  which  the  universal  sabbath  from  those  cruelties  anrl 

*See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  p.  122 


^T.  35.  THANKFULNESS    IN    AFFLICTION.  231 

contentions  wUch  now  lay  waste  mankind,  shall  be  proclaimed 
in  the  earth. 

lO^A  »?o.,  Qth.  Our  Bible  Society  parties  have  been  large 
but  quiet,  and  a  spirit  of  love  and  humility  has,  I  hope,  in  a 
measure,  reigned  amongst  us.  Charles  Simeon  and  John  Cun- 
ningham, have  been  both  interesting  guests.  The  former  is  of 
a  very  marked  character ;  full  of  elevated  hopes,  and  Christian 
joy  and  love.  I  have  enjoyed  his  society,  and  prized  his  in- 
fluence ;  at  the  same  time  I  find  myself  reverting  with  feelings 
of  peace  and  satisfaction  to  the  unexciting  simplicity  of  my 
own  religious  profession. 

First  day  evening,  lOth  mo.,  IZth.  "  Out  of  the  depths  have 
I  cried  unto  thee,  0  Lord.  Lord,  hear  my  voice ;  let  thine 
ears  be  attentive  to  the  voice  of  my  supplications.  If  thou. 
Lord,  shouldest  mark  iniquities,  0  Lord,  who  shall  stand?  But 
there  is  forgiveness  with  thee,  that  thou  mayest  be  feared." 
Such  is  the  language  of  my  soul  this  evening,  after  a  week  of 
much  depression,  and  after  a  sabbath  in  which  my  gracious 
Master  has  been  pleased  to  display  a  glimpse  of  his  own 
countenance ;  so  that  I  am,  on  the  one  hand,  prostrated 
before  him,  and  on  the  other,  not  destitute  of  some  degree 
of  ability  to  rejoice  in  the  hope  set  before  me  in  the  gospel. 
Our  two  meetings  have  been  to  me,  through  divine  favour, 
opportunities  of  much  silent  reverent  waiting  on  God ;  and 
I  have,  both  inwardly  and  vocally,  prayed  that  I  might 
be  armed  afresh  of  him,  for  the  combat  with  my  spiritual 
adversary. 

Second  dcry,  11th  mo.,  11th.  *  *  Truly,  I  may  adore  the 
mercy  of  a  long-suffering  and  gracious  God,  who  has  not  left 
me  to  perish  in  the  corruptions  of  ray  fallen  nature,  but 
wonderfully  proclaims  to  me,  from  season  to  season,  his  great 
salvation.  Seldom  have  I  felt  such  deep  lowness  as  I  did 
yesterday ;  but  I  found  it  was  wholesome  for  me  thus  to  suffer. 
The  morning  meeting  was  spent  in  silent,  awful  prostration  of 
soul  before  God.  In  the  afternoon,  with  much  fear,  I  preached 
on  the  invitation  of  the  halt,  poor,  blind,  and  maimed,  to  the 
marriage  supper,  and  on  the  wedding  garment  of  the  right- 
eousness of  Christ. 


[232  LETTERS.  1822. 

TO   HENRY   BRADY. 

Norwich,  11th  mo.,  13lh,  1822. 

*  *  It  is  not  Christian  to  be  cast  down  without  measure,  by 
the  death  even  of  our  dearest  friends.  I  dare  not  allow  it  in 
myself,  and  I  must  venture  to  forbid  it  in  thee.  Why  should 
we  mourn  as  those  that  are  without  hope  ?  And  hoAv  is  it 
that  in  the  affairs  of  affection,  we  are  so  dependent  upon  the 
flesh  ?  I  know  of  nothing  more  to  the  credit  of  religion,  than 
cheerfulness  and  thankfulness  under  affliction.  Our  consola- 
tions are  unspeakable  and  abounding.  As  to  thy  imvard  trials 
of  mind,  I  can  indeed  sympathize  with  thee,  for  I  know  what 
it  is  to  be  deeply  cast  down ;  and  the  corruption  of  the  human 
heart  is  the  very  thing  which  has  often  brought  me,  as  it  has 
been  bringing  thee,  into  this  state.  But  be  of  good  courage, 
there  is  one,  whose  holy  hand  will,  I  believe,  however  secretly, 
sustain,  uplift,  protect,  and  deliver  through  all.  Cultivate  a 
sound,  deep,  scriptural  vieio  of  the  redemption  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus.  Accustom  thyself  not  to  dwell  on  thyself,  but 
on  him,  as  assuredly  made  unto  thee  of  God,  "  wisdom, 
righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption."  Let  his  mer- 
cies and  his  merits  be  thy  strength  and  thy  stay,  and  pray  for 
ability  to  "rejoice  in  the  Lord."  We  mourn  and  pine  because 
we  dwell  so  much  in  and  on  ourselves ;  no  sooner  is  our  faith 
in  Christ  strengthened  and  illuminated,  than  we  rejoice  in 
him.  •  "^ 

TO   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Cromer  Hall,  11th  mo.,  irtb,  1822. 

*  *  *  Thou  wilt  believe  me  that  it  is  my  desire  to  be  pre- 
served in  cheerful  submission.  I  endeavour  after  this  state, 
and  sometimes  I  am  uplifted  into  natural  cheerfulness  without 
any  effort  of  my  own.  0 !  that  I  may  learn  obedience  from 
that  which  I  suffer!  that  "the  sword"  which  hath  "entered 
into  my  bones"  may  cut  and  clear  away  everything  that 
defileth.  I  well  know  that  I  had  need  of  this  discipline:  pray 
for  me,  that  it  be  not  in  vain.  *  *  * 


J:T.  35.  LITERAllY    LABOURS.  233 

llth  mo.,  19th.  I  have  found  myself  of  late  mucli  melted 
in  sorrow.  My  own  demerits  are  often  spread  before  me,  and 
I  ought  far  more  than  I  do,  to  lift  up  the  song  of  gratitude 
and  praise,  that,  such  as  I  am, — I  am  "  not  appointed  unto 
wrath,"  but  freely  invited  "  to  obtain  salvation  through  Jesus 
Christ  my  Lord." 

12th  mo.,  8th.  "  He  putteth  his  mouth  in  the  dust  and 
keepeth  silence,  because  he  hath  borne  it  (the  yoke)  upon 
him."  This  description  is,  I  trust,  in.  a  degree  applicable  to 
my  experience,  during  this  low  and  sombre  sabbath  day !  I 
have  uttered  a  few  words  in  ministry ;  otherwise,  the  day  has 
been  passed  much  in  silence,  and  I  hope  in  prostration  of  soul. 
I  may  acknowledge  that  now,  at  the  approach  of  night,  and  in 
the  prospect  of  a  week  of  peculiarly  active,  and  not  very 
pleasing  business,  I  find  such  a  sabbath  strengthening.  And 
oftentimes  have  I  known  myself  most  strengthened  in  the  re- 
sult, when  I  have  been  most  clothed,  in  my  own  apprehension, 
with  weakness,  coldness,  and  lamentation  :  a  fresh  lesson  not  to 
depend  upon  ourselves,  but  upon  him  that  raiseth  the  dead. 
Lord, grant  that  I  may  have  my  fruit  unto  holiness,  and  the 
end  everlasting  life. 

The  year  1823  was  one  of  peculiar  and  varied 
exertion.  Besides  carefully  revising  for  publication 
his  Letter  on  the  Authority  of  Christianity,  and 
preparing  for  the  press  his  work  on  the  Distinguish- 
ing Principles  of  Friends,  to  which  he  devoted 
much  time  and  diligent  research ;  the  book  which 
had  already  occupied  him  so  long,  and  which 
ultimately  formed  the  basis  of  his  Essays  on 
Christianity,  and  the  Biblical  Notes,  still  en- 
gaged his  attention.  "  I  cannot  add  to  my 
literary  labours,"  he  writes  to  a  friend,  "for  I 
have  already  three  works  on  hand."  He  found 
time,  however,  as  will  be  seen,  for  considerable 
effort     in     the      Anti-Slavery     cause.       Some     idea 


284  READING  AXD  PREPAKIXa  FOR  THE  PRESS.  1823 

may  be  formed  of  his  home  pursuits  by  the 
perusal  of  the  following  extracts  from  his  literary 
journal  "^  at  this  period. 

1st  mo.,  9th,  to  1st  mo.,  19th.  Two  weeks.  Wrote  an 
introductory  chapter,  (vasto  labore  et  mentis  et  pennse,)  on 
universal  religious  privileges,  and  four  folio  pages  on  oaths. 
Finished  Barclay  on  Saving  Light,  also  on  Oaths  and  War. 
Finished  Tuke's  Principles.  Read  Jesse  Kersey's  ditto.  Read 
three  or  four  of  Cowper's  didactic  pieces  ;  half  the  Life  of 
Dr.  Doddridge,  and  part  of  Samuel  Scott's  Diary. 

1st  mo.,  19th,  to  1st  mo.,  2Qth.  A  rather  ineffectual  week ; 
wrote  chapter  ii,  on  Religious  Peculiarities,  only  three  folio  pages ; 
and  three  more  (roughly)  of  chapter  iii,  on  the  Perceptibility 
of  Spiritual  Guidance  ;  (I  must  get  on  at  a  greater  pace  if  pos- 
sible ;)  finished  Doddridge's  Life ;  some  of  Cecil's  Remains. 

2nd  mo.  2nd,  to  2nd  mo.,  8th.  Corrected  chapter  iii ; 
altered  and  rewrote  part  of  chapter  ii ;  wrote  note  and  passage 
on  Conscience  in  chapter  i ;  studied  for  chapter  iv,  read  origi- 
nal one  ;  read  Selden,  Hammond,  Lightfoot,  Rees,  Wall,  and 
Robinson  on  Jewish  Baptisms ;  read  R.  Barclay  on  Baptism 
and  the  Supper.  Finished  first  Epistle  of  John,  and  read 
second  Epistle ;  proceeded  with  Cecil's  Remains.  Epistolge 
varise  and  accounts. 

4:th  mo.,  Idth,  to  -Ith  mo.,  20th.  Alterations  in  chapter  ix ; 
researches  and  reading  continued,  especially  R.  Barclay  and 
the  "  Fathers"  for  chapters  x  and  xi,  and  one  page  and  a  half 
written.  I  must  be  very  diligent  for  these  three  weeks,  or  I 
shall  be  foundered.  Plato  continued :  Gibbs  on  Baptism  read. 
Isaiah,  (S:c.     Made  speech  on  Slavery,  wrote  letters,  &c. 

11th  mo.,  9th,  to  11th  mo.,  11th.  Finished  the  Revelation, 
in  Greek  Testament ;  letters,  &c. ;  corrected  three  sheets  of 
Appendix ;  read  over  and  reconsidered  Letter  to  a  Friend  on 

*  Besides  his  ordinary  journal,  Joseph  John  Gurney  was  in  the 
habit  of  keeping  in  a  distinct  form  a  regular  account  of  his  read- 
ing and  literary  labours.  It  extends  from  about  the  year  1811  to 
1837,  when  it  was  interrupted  by  his  journey  to  America. 


^T.  35.  JOURNAL.  235 

Christianity ;  thought  much  on  the  subject,  and  read  Soame 
Jenyns,  J.  Scott,  Porteus,  Doddridge,  and  Cecil  on  the  Evi- 
dencies  of  Christianity. 

To  return  to  his  ordinary  Journal :  — 

Is^  mo.^  6th,  1823.  *  *  *  I  find  myself  still  sorrowful  ; 
T  hope  and  believe  not  murmuring.  The  pains  arising  out  of 
my  bereaved  situation  are  of  a  very  abiding  kind.  The 
apostle  knew  how  to  abound,  and  how  to  suffer  need.  How 
needful  is  such  a  knowledge,  especially  for  ministers  of  the 
gospel !  It  was  my  lot  to  abound  yesterday ;  it  is  not  much 
less  so  to  suffer  need  to-day.  The  waters  have  passed  through 
me ;  and,  though  I  frust  they  have  cleansed  in  their  course, 
they  have  left  me  empty  and  poor.  Yet  I  do  not  approve 
of  too  close  a  notice  of  the  variations  in  one's  state  of  mind. 
We  ought  rather  to  think  little  of  ourselves,  and  steadily  to 
dwell  on  Christ,  who  changes  not. 

2ncZ  mo.,  Sth.  The  history  of  the  week  just  passed  much 
resembles  that  of  its  forerunner.  Some  heavy  cares  con- 
nected with  temporals,  and  public  affairs  very  awful  and 
threatening.  The  rumoui's  of  many  wars  prevalent,  and 
great  danger  lest  this  country  should  become  engaged  in  the 
conflict.  Yet  I  am  not  destitute  of  some  sustaining  hope 
that  it  may  plea^  the  God  of  all  comfort  to  stay  the 
desolating  sword,  and  to  calm  the  turbulence  of  his  creatures. 
This  was  the  substance  of  a  prayer  I  felt  engaged  publicly  to 
offer  in  our  morning  meeting.  I  also  prayed  for  the  king  of 
this  country,  that  he  might  be  brought  into  the  fear  and  faith 
of  God,  and  be  prepared  by  divine  grace  for  the  exchange  of 
a  mortal""  crown  for  one  invisible  and  eternal ;  also,  and  more 
especially,  for  the  universal  church  of  Christ,  that,  amidst  all 
the  courses  of  providence,  and  the  turmoils  of  the  world,  she 
might  flourish,  and  be  more  and  more  filled  with  love. 
****** 

Sweet  is  the  recollection  this  evening  of  the  mother  *  and 
the  daughter.     Ah,  what  a  world  of  dreams  is  this,  and  shall 

♦Joseph  John  Gurney's  mother-in-law,  Martha  Birkbeck,  had  died 
a  few  weeks  previously,  on  the  11th  of  the  12th  month,  1822 


2S6  DISCOURAGEMENTS    AND    LABOURS.  18'2o. 

it  indeecl  be  succeeded  by  one  of  infinite  realities?  How 
awful,  yet  bow  animating  is  such  a  thought. 

2nc?  mo.,  15th.  I  fear  I  am  going  but  lamely  on  my  way ; 
and  have  sometimes  apprehensions,  lest  my  theological  studies 
should  separate  me  from  Him,  who  is  to  be  worshipped  not  in 
the  letter  but  in  the  spirit. 

0  gracious  Lord,  who  knowest  all  the  infirmities  of  the 
heart  of  thy  servant,  and.  art  acquainted  with  ray  deep  sorrow, 
and  with  the  dismay  which  is  at  times  my  allotment  because 
of  the  power  of  my  soul's  enemy,  may  it  please  thee  to  arise 
for  my  help  and  deliverance.  Keep  me  from  the  power  of 
temptation,  and  shelter  me  amidst  all  the  storms  and  anxieties 
of  life.  Draw  me  nearer  to  thyself,  thou  everlasting  fountain 
of  all  good  ;  and,  as  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  take  away  from 
me  my  tenderly  beloved  partner  in  life,  enable  me  to  bow 
with  ready  cheerfulness  under  thy  chastening  rod;  and  sc 
quicken  and  preserve  me  by  thy  gra'ce,  that  I  may  finally 
inherit,  with  her,  the  joys  of  thy  salvation,  through  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

Zrd  mo.,  2rd.  The  principal  features  in  the  past  week  have 
been  excessive  labour  in  completing  my  chapter  on  Baptism 

and  the  Supper,  and  a  very  pleasant  visit  from   C and 

Lady  J.  W .     The  communication  with  them  was,  to  me, 

both  profitable  and  refreshing,  and  affords  a  lesson  against 
too  great  a  shutting  up  of  ourselves.  Yesterday  I  rode  by 
myself  to  Tasburgh  meeting,  and  was  comforted  in  the  com- 
pany of  fourteen  friends,  to  whom  I  had  little  to  administer 
but  encouragement.  I  felt  it  very  salutary  to  be  taken  out 
of  myself.     Truly  we  serve  no  hard  master. 

Srd  mo.,  IQth.  The  last  two  weeks  have  floated  yn  much 
in  the  usual  manner.  My  book  has  brought  me  discourage- 
ments, and  labours  also.  Two  visits  to  the  sick  chamber  ot 
my  old  friend,  Joseph  Geldart,  whose  death  seems  now  rapidly 
approaching.  His  humility,  submission,  quietness,  and  hope 
in  Christ,  plainly  indicate  the  latter  end  of  the  righteous. 
He  seems  polished,  purified,  and  brightened  for  the  last 
solemn  stage  of  his  mortal  pilgrimage.  *  *  Other  visits  to 
the  sick  have  also  been  satisfactory. 


^T.  35.  ANTI-SLAVERY   OPERATIONS.  237 

Srd  mo.,  28th.  I  remember  being  a  good  deal  oppressed, 
about  two  weeks  ago,  under  the  apprehension,  that,  through 
unwatchfulness,  and  perhaps  through  study,  my  gift  in  the 
ministry  was  dechning ;  but  it  has  seldom  been  brought  more 
thoroughly  into  exercise,  than  in  the  present  week.  On 
third  day,  at  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  I  felt  constrained  under 
the  gentle  influences  of  divine  love,  to  preach  Christ  crucified ; 
and  my  way  opened  very  satisfactorily  as  I  went  along.  I 
thought  that  I  afterwards  lost  a  little  ground,  in  taking  too 
active  a  part  in  the  discipline — a  memorandum  this  for  the 
Yearly  Meeting:  one,  I  trust,  which  will  not  be  forgotten. 
The  love  and  unity  felt  were  reviving ;  and  a  little  fresh  hope 
appears  to  arise,  from  time  to  time,  that  we  shall  yet  be 
maintained  as  a  society  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 

Anti-slavery  'operations  were  now  commencing 
with  vigour  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  Earh'- 
in  the  present  year,  William  Wilberforce  had  pub- 
lished his  Appeal  on  behalf  of  the  Slaves.  About 
the  same  time  the  Anti-slavery  Society  was  formed. 
"  Public  feeling,"  says  the  editor  of  the  Life  of  Sir 
Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  "  was  soon  roused  into 
activity,  and  petitions  began  to  flow  in ;  the  lead 
was  taken  by  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  it  was 
determined  that  the  presentation  of  their  appeal  by 
the  hands  of  Mr.  Wilberfore  should  be  the  opening 
of  the  Parliamentary  campaign."*  Joseph  John 
Gurney  was  not  inattentive  to  the  occasion. 
He  had  met  Zachary  Macaulay  a  few  wrecks  before 
at  Keswick,  and  had  but  just  parted  from  his 
brother-in-law  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  who  had 
been  spending  some  days  at  Earlham  on  his  way  to 
London.  Though  pressed  with  engagements,  he 
consented   to   explain   the    present    position   of    the 

*  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  p.  127. 


238  MINISTERIAL   ENGAGEMENTS.  1823. 

question,    before    a    public    meeting    of    his    fellow 
citizens  in  Norwich. 

He  afterwards  writes :  — 

Seventh  day ;  {2Qth  of  the  4:th  mo.)  Yesterday  morning  we 
held  our  public  meeting  at  Norwich,  for  petitioning  Parlia- 
ment for  the  gradual  but  complete  abolition  of  slavery 
throughout  the  British  Colonies.  It  was  largely  attended. 
'It  fell  to  my  lot  to  lay  the  subject  before  the  meeting,  for 
which  purpose  I  spoke  for  about  an  hour-and-a-half.  The 
meeting  Avas  conducted  with  great  spirit  and  unanimity.  I 
thought  it  a  cause  for  thankfulness,  that  the  affecting  and 
interesting  subject  should  meet  with  so  many  open  and  zealous 
hearts,  and  personally,  I  am,  I  trust,  thankful  at  having  been 
favoured  with  the  needful  ability  to  meet  the  occasion. 

In  the  fifth  month,  after  attending  the  Yearly- 
Meeting  in  London,  he  was  engaged  in  holding 
religious  meetings  at  several  places  in  Middlesex, 
Essex,  and  Suffolk,  and  in  visiting  the  families  of 
Friends  at  Saffron  Walden  and  Woodbridge. 
After  an  absence  of  about  five  weeks,  he  writes:  — 

6th  mo.,  20th.  I  can  acknowledge  that  my  prayer  has 
been  abundantly  answered.  The  Lord  has  been  with  me,  in 
my  going  out  and  in  my  coming  in.  He  has  preserved  my 
best  life  from  destruction  or  decay.  He  has  poured  forth  of 
his  Holy  Spirit  upon  me,  and  again  and  again  has  he  em- 
powered me  to  declare  his  righteousness  and  his  pj'aise  in  the 
great  congregation.  He  has  also  been  graciously  present 
with  those  whom  I  left  behind,  preserving  them  in  health, 
both  of  body  and  soul,  and  the  darling  children  have  sweetly 
flourished  under  his  parent  wing.  Peace  marks  my  return  to 
this  delightful  spot,  and  I  feel  entirely  relieved  of  my  burthen; 
but  over  that  peace  and  relief,  sorrow  and  the  memory  of  past 
happy  days  still  diffuse  a  tone  of  deep  seriousness  and  per- 
haps, in  some  degree,  of  melancholy.      But  I  will  seek  for 


^T.  35.  JOURNAL.  239 

ability  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  to  joy  in  the  God  of  my 
salvation.  What  a  year  has  rolled  over  my  head  !  and  now, 
though  the  affecting  anniversary  is  past,  the  brightness  of  the 
sunshine,  the  beauty  of  the  summer  flowers,  and  the  abun- 
dant verdure  of  this  place,  powerfully  recall  the  period,  when 
nature  wore  a  similar  aspect,  and  when  inexpressible  sorrow 
and  conflict  of  soul  raged  in  the  midst  of  that  lovely  scene. 
0  Lord,  bow  me  in  the  dust  before  thee ;  that,  in  the  utter 
humiliation  of  the  pride  of  man,  I  may  be  preserved  from  all 
murmuring,  and  may  receive  ability  to  adore  thy  holy  name, 
for  all  thy  unspeakable  goodness  to  me  and  mine.   *  *   *  * 

On  my  arrival  at  Upton,  after  a  fatiguing  journey,  on  7th 
day,  (5th  mo.,  17th,)  I  was  met  with  the  mournful  intelligence 
of  Mary  Hanbury's  *  death.  Deep  was  the  conflict  into  which 
this  most  touching  event  was  the  means  of  introducing  me.  I 
was  brought  into  the  very  depths  Avith  the  sufferers,  nor  did  I 
obtain  relief  till  I  had  seen  them,  and  poured  forth  my  heart 
with  them  in  prayer  and  praise.  The  funeral  at  "Winchmore 
Hill,  on  the  following  sixth  day,  was  memorably  calm ;  and 
sweet  and  heavenly  was  the  influence  spread  over  us.  The 
chief  mourners  on  this  touching  occasion  have  been  through- 
out eminently  clothed  in  the  protecting  armour  of  then* 
Lord.  *  *  *  * 

Qth   mo.,    Srd.     Last  week and Avere   with 

us.  Their  visit  was  interesting.  Some  discussions  on  our 
peculiarities  into  which  we  fell  were  not  very  pleasant, 
and  brought  me  into  secret  conflict  of  mind.  But  all  was 
removed,  and  the  power  of  truth  remarkably  manifested  to  our 
humiliation  and  instruction,  in  our  meeting  on  fifth  day,  which 
was  attended  by  our  whole  party.  What  can  be  compared 
with  thy  wisdom  and  power,  and  with  the  influence  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit,  0  Lord  ! 

On  first  day  my  dear  uncle  and  I  went  together  to  the 
funeral  of  a  Friend  at  Tivetshall.     It  was  to  me  a  day  of 

*  The  only  child  of  William  Allen.  Her  death  occurred  but 
little  more  than  a  year  after  her  marriage  with  Cornelius  Hanhury. 
Pee  Life  of  William  Allen,  vol.  iii,  p.  222,  and  348—351. 


240  HANNAH  MORE.  1823. 

much  trial,  and  of  little  comfort ;  and  though  I  prized  a 
quiet  ride  with  my  uncle,  I  had  reason  to  apprehend  I  should 
have  been  more  in  my  place,  in  my  own  meeting.  Such 
mistakes  are  instructive ;  they  give  us  a  useful  warning,  and 
call  for  closer  watchfulness. 

From  London  in  the  ninth  month,  he  accom- 
panied his  sister  Elizabeth  Fry  in  a  short  journej^ 
to  Bristol,  where,  as  usual,  they  found  much  occu- 
pation. In  allusion  to  a  call  on  Hannah  More,  he 
writes : — 

We  were  delighted  with  our  interview  with  this  extraordi- 
nary and  excellent  person.  She  is  now  78  years  old,  hut 
most  vivacious  and  productive.  Very  like  Wilberforce. 
She  was  greatly  pleased  at  the  opportunity  of  seeing  my 
sister ;  and  we  parted  after  solemn  prayer. 

Soon  after  his  return  he  met  with  an  accident 
by  a  fall  from  his  horse,  which  severely  bruised  his 
arm  and  elbow  joint.  Though  much  disabled,  he 
did  not  wholly  discontinue  his  exertions.  The 
feeble  tremulousness  of  the  hand-writing  in  the 
original,  gives  an  additional  interest  to  the  follow 
ing  extract. 

^th  mo.,  29^7i.  I  have  felt  low,  chiefly  because  of  the 
apprehended  low  estate  of  the  church.  But  we  must  wash 
and  anoint,-  and  endeavour  to  encourage  a  hopeful  view.  0 
that  the  Lord  may  arise,  and  have  mercy  upon  Zion  !  Why 
should  I  doubt  his  doing  so  ? 

John  and  Sarah  Grubb  have  paid  me  a  highly  acceptable 
visit.  How  aifecting  when  compared  with  their  former  one, 
when  they  had  so  deep  a  sense  of  our  sufferings  to  come ! 
They  were  brought  into  much  feeling  of  unity  with  the  be- 
loved departed  spirit,  and  expressed  an  assurance  both  of 
her  happiness,  and  of  the  specialty  of  the  providence  which 


AT.  36.  ■  WILLIAM    ROSCOE.  241 

directed  the  fatal  shaft.  How  entirely  do  I  still  feel  that  the 
most  intimate  tie  is  no  more !  How  impossible  that  such  a  loss 
should  be  supplied  by  any  other  description  of  human  associ- 
ation. Solitude,  as  to  the  outward,  is  now  my  greatest  happi- 
ness. It  gives  the  wounded  mind  leisure,  both  to  know  and  to 
bear  itself. 

TO   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  10th  mo.,  14th,  1823. 

With  a  fractured  elbow,  of  which  thou  mayest  probably 
have  heard,  I  find  much  difficulty  in  writing,  but  I  know 
well  how  greatly  I  am  in  thy  debt,  and  must  attempt  to 
scratch  on  paper  a  fresh  testimony  of  the  love  I  continue  to 
feel  for  thee.  It  gives  me  pain  to  hear  of  thy  indisposition. 
Thou  art  precious  to  many  of  us,  and  we  are  unwilling  to  let 
thee  go ;  but  our  Heavenly  Father  knows  what  is  best  for  us 
and  for  his  church.  He  may  remove  prop  after  prop ;  but. 
thanks  be  to  him,  the  chief  corner  Stone  can  never  be  taken 
away.  "  The  Son  abideth  ever."  Did  I  tell  thee  how  busily 
I  have  been  engaged  during  the  last  twelve  months  by  com- 
posing a  book  on  the  peculiar  views  and  practices  of  Friends  ? 
I  have  now  sent  it  to  my  printer,  but  suppose  it  will  hardly 
be  published  before  the  second  month.  I  hope  it  may  be  of 
some  use  to  our  little  Society,  "stripped,  robbed,  and  spoiled," 
as  it  is,  in  a  spiritual  sense.  Would  that  we  might  once  more 
arise  and  shine  in  the  brightness  of  true  light,  the  light  of  the 
Lord's  countenance !  Yet  if  this  be  denied,  let  us  cultivate 
such  a  disposition  as  will  ever  prompt  the  language,  "Not  our 
will,  but  thine  be  done."  It  may  be  that  we  have  already 
served  our  appointed  purpose.  But  I  encourage  brighter  and 
better  hopes.  *  *  * 

11th  mo.,  9th.  Dined  on  fifth  day  with  Sir  J.  Smith,  to 
meet  William  Roscoe,  and  was  gratified  by  his  zealous  and 
able  defence  of  anti-slavery.  I  have  been  since  reflecting  on 
the  state  of  the  world  ;  the  abounding  of  vice ;  the  slave 
trade ;  the  cruel  murders  that  have  been  lately  committed ; 

Vol.  L  — 16 


-42  ENGAGEMENTS  AT  YARMOUTH.      "     1823. 

the  obstructions  to  good ;  the  influence  of  poperj  and  political 
despotism,  increasing,  I  fear,  rather  than  diminishing ;  and  I 
have  felt  amazed  and  afflicted.  But,  through  all,  the  07ie  thing 
needful  exists  and  spreads.  The  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail 
against  the  church  of  God. 

Second  day ;  l*Ith.  Another  week  floated  away,  and  added 
to  the  amount  of  the  reckoning,  which  I  must  sooner  or  later 
make  of  my  stewardship.  Awful  thought !  Yesterday  was 
one  of  spiritual  fasting,  and  of  very  deep  humiliation.  How 
earnestly  have  I  desired,  that  in  the  use  of  my  gift  in  the 
ministry,  (which  I  feel  to  be  very  precious  to  me,)  I  may  be 
preserved  in  purity  and  simplicity,  and  that  the  life  may 
never  be  withdrawn  from  it.  I  trust  I  feel  an  increasing  love 
for  the  cause,  and  for  him  whom  I  am  endeavouring  to 
serve. 

12th  mo.,  1st.  [In  allusion  to  various  religious  engagements 
at  Yarmouth ;]  I  have  seldom  passed  thi-ough  a  time  of  closer 
exercise,  being  led  deeply  to  sympathize  with  the  afflicted,  and 
loudly  to  arouse  the  careless.  The  family  visiting  particularly, 
I  found  to  be  an  exercising  work  of  faith,  and  at  times  I  hardly 
knew  how  to  proceed  in  it.  Yet  the  opening  which  appeared 
TO  be  afibrded  me  on  each  successive  occasion,  was  wonderful 
to  myself,  and  the  impressions  which  I  felt  in  meeting  on  first 
day  morning,  were  confirmed  and  cleared  as  I  went  along 
from  family  to  family.  The  public  meetings  were,  I  trust, 
favoured  with  life. 

First  day  night,  llth  mo.,  2Sth.  May  the  privilege  of  holy 
communion  with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  through  adorable 
mercy,  be  my  portion  more  and  more,  that  all  my  life  and 
works  may  be  thereby  sanctified  and  consecrated.  To-day, 
the  Cromer  Hall  party  all  at  meeting  with  us.  Both  meetings 
very  serious  times  to  me.  In  the  morning,  I  was  engaged  first 
in  prayer,  and  afterwards,  at  some  length,  on  the  right  pre- 
paration for  heaven.  The  cause  of  righteousness  is,  I  trust, 
mcreasingly  precious  to  many  of  us.  May  it  prosper !  saith 
my  soul. 


ST.  36.  AT   AMPTON  AND   BURY.  243 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

1824.     JET.  36. 

VISIT  TO  FRIENDS  AT  BURY ;  AMELIA  OPIE  ;  ANTI-SLAVERY  SPEECH 
AT  NORWICH;  PUBLICATION  OF  HIS  LETTER  ON  THE  AUTHORITY 
OP  CHRISTIANITY,  AND  OF  HIS  WORK  ON  THE  DISTINGUISHING 
VIEWS   AND   PRACTICES    OF   FRIENDS. 

The  opening  of  the  year  1824,  found  Joseph  John 
Gurney  still  busily  occupied. 

Seventh  day,  Ist  mo.,  10th,  1824.  The  week  hitherto  has 
been  a  fagging  one ;  literature,  banking,  letters,  slavery 
committee.  I  am  going  to-day  to  Ampton,  with  a  view  of 
holding  one  or  two  public  meetings  at  Bury ;  and  one  for  the 
upper  classes  is  appointed  for  to-morrow  evening. 

1st  mo.,  18th.  Arrived  at  Ampton  [Lord  Calthorpe's]  to 
dinner  on  7th  day,  the  10th ;  found  the  Wilberforces,  Lady 
OUvia  Sparrow,  &c.  My  engagements  at  Bury  occupied  first, 
second,  and  sixth  days,  and  consisted  of  two  meetings  with 
Friends,  two  public  meetings,  and  about  seventeen  religious 
visits  to  the  families  of  Friends.  The  retrospect  of  these 
services  is  satisfactory. 

TO   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  1st  mo.,  19th,  1824. 

*  *  The  low  state  of  our  little  church  is  sometimes  cause 
of  secret  mourning ;  but  when  we  are  favoured  to  arrive  on 
the  heavenly  shores,  shall  we  not  find  an  innumerable  host  of 
true  Quakers  '?  Will  there  be  any  worshippers  there  in  the 
letter,  and  not  in  the  life  ?  Any  prayers  and  praises  uttered 
out  of  the   immediate  influence  of  the    Holy  Spirit  ?     Any 


244  AMELIA   OPIE.  1824. 

ceremonial  observances?  Any  oaths  ?  Any  compliments? 
Any  war  ?  A  broad  negation  meets  every  one  of  these  ques- 
tions. And  surely  we  may  hence  derive  a  confirming  evidence 
that  we  are  not  altogether  in  the  wrong.  May  we  patiently 
persevere  to  the  end,  placing  our  whole  confidence  in  Him, 
who  I  believe  will  not  suffer  the  pure  light  of  truth  to  be 
quenched,  even  within  the  borders  of  his  church  militant.  *  *  . 

Ist  mo,^  22nd.  I  never  before  more  entirely  appreciated 
the  excellenee  of  our  religious  principles.  They  are  invaluable. 
May  we  cleave  closely  to  them,  at  the  sam€  time  that  we 
embrace,  in  the  arms  of  true  love,  all  who  are  serving  the 
same  Master,  though  in  different  ways.  It  is  an  inexpressible 
privilege  to  be  brought  into  what  appears  to  my  apprehension, 
with  great  clearness,  to  be  the  purest,  truest,  and  most  spiritual 
administration  of  the  Christian  system. 

The  warm  and  steady  friendship  which  subsisted 
between  Amelia  Opie  and  the  various  members  of 
the  family  at  Earlham,  demands  some  notice  in  the 
present  memoir.  It  was  about  this  time,  that  after 
passing  through  deep  mental  conflict,  she  believed 
it  her  duty  to  become  more  closely  united  in  religious 
profession  with  Friends;  though  her  admission  into 
actual  membership  with  them  did  not  take  place 
until  the  following  year,  [1825,]  a  little  previously 
to  her  father's  decease.  So  remarkable  a  change 
could  not  fail  to  be  watched  with  gi-eat  interest  by 
Joseph  John  Gurney.  Known  in  earlier  life  as  the 
accomplished  daughter  of  Dr.  Alderson,  of  Norwich, 
she  became  in  1798,  at  the  age  of  twentj-nine,  the 
wife  of  John  Opie,  the  eminent  painter;  and  soon 
afterwards  entered  upon  a  career  of  authorship, 
which,  joined  to  her  brilliant  powers  of  conversation, 
quickly  secured   for   her  a  distinguished   position  in 


^T.  36.  AMBIilA  OPIE.  245 

a  widely  extended  literary  and  fashionable  circle. 
Upon  her  husband's  decease  in  1807,  she  returned 
to  Norwich,  where  she  continued  to  reside  during 
the  remainder  of  her  life ;  though  her  frequent 
visits  to  London  enabled  her  to  maintain  her  former 
intercourse  with  the  literary  and  fashionable  world, 
among  w^hom  her  tales  and  her  poetry  were  alike 
popular. 

"Admired  for  her  amiability,  her  taleats,  and  her  accom- 
plishments," says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  a  short  notice  of 
her  contained  in  his  Autobiography,  "  she  was  received  in 
London  at  the  houses  of  many  of  the  nobility,  and  wherever 
she  went  she  was  a  welcome  guest.  But  she  gradually  dis- 
covered that  all  her  vanities,  her  position  in  the  world,  and 
her  novel  writing,  in  which  her  reputation  was  high,  must  be 
laid  down  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  of  Christ.  Not  satisfied 
with  the  forms  of  the  Church  of  England,  or  of  any  class  of 
the  Dissenters,  she  took  refuge  in  the  quietness  of  our  silent 
meetings,  which  she  attended  with  great  assiduity.  In  the 
meantime  it  was  evident  that  Christ  himself  was  becoming 
her  peaceful  and  permanent  home;  and  by  degrees  she  be- 
came thoroughly  convinced  of  the  principles  of  Friends.  Her 
friendship  with  Priscilla  and  myself  appears  to  have  been  one 
principal  means  allotted  in  the  order  of  providence  for  the 
working  of  this  change." 

Among  the  letters  addressed  by  Joseph  John 
Gurney  to  Amelia  Opie,  two  have  been  preserved 
among  her  papers,  from  which  the  following  extracts 
can  scarcely  fail  to  interest  the  reader.*  They  are 
both   dated,  it  will  be   observed,  in    the   year  181-i, 

*  The  Editor  is  indebted  ,  for  these  letters  to  the  kindness  of 
Thomas  Brightwell,  Amelia  Opie's  executor. 


246  AMELIA  OPIE.  1814 

The  first  opens  with  an  allusion  to  his  brothei 
John's  ilhiess. 

Norwich,  6th  mcv.,  14th,  1814. 

I  remembei'  with  true  pleasure  thy  affectionate  conduct  to  ua 
all,  during  the  last  few  months  of  affliction.  Thj  sympathy 
has  been  like  that  of  a  sister,  and  has  been  prized  by  us,  I 
trust,  as  it  ought  to  be.  Thou  mayest  assure  thyself,  therefore, 
that,  however  thou  mayest  be  engaged  in  the  gay  whirlpool 
of  London,  thou  art  not  forgotten  by  thy  retired  friends  at 
Earlham. 

Thy  last  note  is  an  instructive  inmate  of  my  pocket-book, 
inasmuch  as  it  bespeaks  a  tender  conscience.  It  appears  to 
me  that  thy  mind  is  particularly  alive  to  the  duties  of  Christian 
charity,  and  I  would  express  the  desire  that  the  same  fear, 
(shall  I  call  it  "godly  fear?")  may  attend  thee  in  all  thy  com- 
munications with  the  world.  I  will  refer  thee  to  two  texts. 
"  Pui'e  religion  and  undefiled  before  God  and  the  Father  is 
this,  to  visit  the  widow  and  fatherless  in  their  affliction,  and 
to  keep  oneself  unspotted  from  the  world."  "Be  not  conformed 
to  this  world,  but  be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your 
mind,  that  ye  may  prove  what  i&  that  good,  and  acceptable, 
and,  perfect  will  of  God."  Thou  wilt  perhaps  say  that  thy 
friend  knows  nothing  of  "the  world,"  misinterprets  the 
meaning  of  the  apostle,  and  is  frightened  by  the  bugbear  of 
a  name.  There  may  be  some  truth  in  this  observation,  and 
I  must  allow  that  the  world  is  not  idolatrous  now  as  it  was 
then;  that  we  are  all  alike  citizens  of  "the  world;"  and  that 
there  is  no  department  of  it  which  is  not  tinctured  with  evil. 
But  I  refer  particularly  to  the  fashionable  world,  of  which 
I  am  apt  to  entertain  two  notions :  the  first,  that  there  is 
much  in  it  of  real  evil ;  the  second,  that  there  is  much  also  in 
it,  which,  though  not  evil  in  itself,  yet  has  a  decided  tendency 
to  produce  forgetfulness  of  God,  and  thus  to  generate  evil 
mdirectly.  On  the  other  hand,  there  is  little  in  it,  perhaps, 
which  is  positively/  good.  *  *  It  is  my  earnest  desire  for  thee 
and  for  myself,  that  we  may  be  redeemed  from  a  worldly  spirit, 
and  that  in  our  communications  with  the  world,  whether 
fashionable,  commercial,  or  common-place,  we  may  be  enabled 


-ET.  26.  AMELIA   OPIE.  247 

simply  to  follow  an  unerring  guide  tuithin  us,  which  will 
assuredly  inform  us,  if  zve  will  but  wait  for  direction,  what  to 
touch  and  what  to  shrink  from ;  what  to  follow,  and  what  to 
eschew.  *   * 

Earlham,  7th  mo.,  22ncl,  1814. 

I  am  sure  I  had  some  meaning  in  my  mind,  my  dear  friend, 
when  I  requested  thee  "  not  to  be  angry  with  me"  for  my  last* 
letter.  I  might  indeed  use  a  wrong  word,  for  I  really  believe 
thy  temper  very  seldom  suffers  thee  to  be  angry ;  but  did  I 
not  run  some  risk  of  being  thought  impertinent,  by  addressing 
something  in,  the  shape  of  advice  to  one  so  much  older  and 
more  experienced  than  myself  ?  Of  one  thing  I  beg  thee  to 
assure  thyself,  that,  though  more  than  a  month  has  elapsed 
since  I  received  thy  letter,  I  have  not  forgotten  thee.  Indeed 
I  have  often  thought  of  thee ;  and  often  secretly  wished  thee 
well  on  thy  way  to  heaven.  It  is  a'great  favour  to  feel,  and 
to  feel  acutely,  about  our  religious  state ;  it  is  a  great  favour 
to  be  gifted  with  a  devotional  spirit ;  and  I  heartily  rejoice  to 
find  how  sensitive  thy  mind  is  and  how  lively  are  its  impressions 
on  this  subject,  of  all  others  the  most  important.  It  affords 
a  clear  proof  that  the  blessing  of  God's  presence  has  attended 
thee ;  and  I  doubt  not  that  thou  art  sensible  not  only  of  the 
consolations  of  his  presence,  but  of  his  secret  direction  to  the 
particulars  of  thy  duty.  My  chief  desire  for  thee  is,  that 
thou  mayst  be  made  willing  simply  and  obediently  to  follow 
this  direction,  and  to  give  up  everything  which  the  light  of 
truth  may,  by  degrees,  point  out  to  thee  as  inconsistent  with 
the  holy  will  of  God.  True  happiness  here  or  hereafter  can  con- 
sist in  nothing,  but  in  conformity  with  that  will.  The  world  has 
undoubtedly  many  pleasures  to  bestow;  perhaps  no  pleasure 
so  great  as  that  of  being  universally  liked,  admired,  and 
flattered  ;  but  it  is  not  in  the  world,  that  we  are  to  find  that 
peace  "which  passeth  all  understanding."  It  is  striking  to 
observe  the  essential  difference  which  exists  between  the 
pleasures  of  the  world,  and  the  religious  happiness  of  the 
soul.  The  temporary  nature  of  the  former  seems  to  be 
proved  by  their  all  being  conveyed  to  us  through  our  natural 
senses ;  but  "  eye  hath  not  seen,  neither  hath  ear  heard,  neither 


248  AMELIA    OPIE.  1814 

have  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  the  thincrs  which  God 
hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him."  How  clearly  one 
sees  that  the  one  belongs  to  our  mortal,  the  other  to  our 
immortal  part !  Thou  wilt  observe,  my  dear  friend,  that  I 
have  underscored  the  words  "  liked,  admired,  and  flattered." 
It  is  because  I  knoAV  that  thou  art  "  liked,  admired,  and 
blattered;"  and  unless  thou  art  of  a  very  different  composition 
from  myself,  I  am  satisfied  it  must  afford  no  small  temptation 
to  thee,  and  require  on  thy  part  the  utmost  stretch  of  thy 
watchfulness.  *  *  *  Wilt  thou  allow  me  to  quote  a  few 
texts  ?  "  The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light,  which 
shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day."  "  Thy  word 
is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet  and  a  light  unto  my  path.  I  have 
sworn  and  I  will  perform  it,  that  I  will  keep  thy  righteous 
judgments."  "  0  send  forth  thy  light  and  thy  truth  ;  let 
them  lead  me  !  let  them  bring  me  unto  thy  holy  hill,  and  to 
thy  tabernacles."  The  "  word"  to  which  David  refers  in  the 
second  text  cannot  mean  the  written  word,  because  the  written 
.Avord,  with  the  exception  of  the  Pentateuch  and  the  first 
historical  books,  was  not  then  written.  Dost  thou  not  think 
that  the  "word  of  God"  in  Scripture  means  generally  that 
by  which  the  truth  of  God  is  communicated  to  the  soul ; 
whether  by  speech,  writing,  or  the  secret  influence  of  the  Spirit  ? 
And  dost  thou  not  think  that  the  "  word,"  which  David  here 
speaks  of,  is  the  very  same  as  is  alluded  to  by  John,  when  he 
says,  "  But  the  anointing  which  ye  have  received  of  him,  abideth 
in  you:  and  ye  need  not  that  any  man  teach  you :  but  as  the 
same  anointing  teacheth  you  of  all  things,  and  is  truth,  and  is 
no  lie,  and  even  as  it  hath  taught  you,  ye  shall  abide  in  him." 
May  we  not  trace  the  same  doctrine  and  principle  in  the  14th 
chapter  of  John  ?  "  He  that  hath  my  commandments  and 
keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me,  and  he  that  loveth  me 
shall  be  loved  of  my  Father,  and  I  will  love  him  and  will 
manifest  myself  to  him."  "But  the  Comforter,  which  is  the 
Holy  Ghost,  whom  the  Father  will  send  in  my  name,  he  shall 
teach  you  all  things,  and  bring  all  things  to  your  remembrance 
whatsoever  I  have  said  unto  you."  "Thus  saith  the  Lord 
thy  Redeemer,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel ;  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God 


/ET.  26.  AMELIA    OPIE.  249 

•whicli  teacheth  thee  to  profit,  which  leadeth  thee  in  the  way 
that  thou  shouldest  go.  0  that  thou  hadst  hearkened  unto 
my  commandments  !  then  had  thy  peace  been  as  a  river,  and 
thy  righteousness  as  the  waves  of  the  sea."  The  subject  is  so 
interesting  that  I  have  multiplied  my  texts  already  perhaps 
too  much,  and  could  remultiply  them,  with  a  few  references 
to  my  concordance ;  but  what  I  have  now  cited  will  sufiice  to 
show,  that  there  is  indeed  a  spiritual  communication  between 
God  and  the  souls 'of  his  creatures,  which  constitutes  at  once 
their  happiness  and  their  safety.  May  we  be  enabled,  in  oui 
respective  situations,  to  hold  fast  this  blessing,  and,  by  a  strict 
adherence  to  the  dictates  of  divine  truth  thus  manifested  to 
the  mind,  may  we,  my  dear  friend,  "  work  out  our  salvation 
with  fear  and  trembling." 

Perhaps  thou  art  now  saying  to  thyself,  this  is  true 
Quakerism.  Quid  miJii  refert  ?  Indeed  I  had  no  intention 
to  plead  for  Quakerism  as  such,  but  only  for  that  which  must, 
after  all,  constitute  the  practical  part  of  Christianity,  (con- 
nected as  it  is  with  all  the  other  branches  of  the  system,)  in 
whatsoever  shape  Christianity  is  to  be  found. 

I  see  I  am  involved  in  an  essay  which  may  carry  mc  into 
my  next  sheet.  Shall  I  go  on,  or  shall  I  not  ?  I  know  thou 
wilt  allow  me  a  few  lines  more. 

Well  then,  Christianity  appears  to  me  to  consist  of  the  work 
which  is  wrought  for  us,  and  the  work  which  is  wrought  in 
us,  justification  and  sanctification.  By  the  one  our  sins  are 
forgiven,  by  the  other,  they  are  pui'ged  away ;  by  the  former 
we  are  reconciled  to  God,  "who  imputcth  not  our  trespasses 
unto  us,"  by  the  latter  we  are  made  fit  for  the  inheritance 
prepared  for  us.  I  feel  some  delicacy  in  making  my  state- 
ment ;  because  I  do  not  know  how  far  the  habits  and 
principles  of  the  denomination  of  Christians,*  amongst  whom 
ray  friend  has  been  educated,  may  have  impressed  her 
with  difi"erent  views.  Thou  must,  therefore,  take  what  I  say, 
as  a  statement  of  my  own  belief;  as  a  proof  of  intimacy 
with  one  for  whom,  under  every  possible  diiference  of  opinion, 
I  feel  the  most  sincere  friendship.     Now  the  two  branches  cf 

*  The  Unitarians. 


250  AMELIA  OPIE.  1814-1817 

Christian  truth,  to  which  I  have  referred,  are  undoubtedly 
one  in  design  and  origin ;  inseparably  and  intimately  con- 
nected ;  flowing  together  from  the  boundless  mercy  of  God, 
in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  Yet  I  have  believed,  and  do  still 
believe  that  obedience  to  the  will  of  God,  as  declared  by  his 
Holy  Spirit  in  our  souls,  is  the  main  thing  for  us  to  attend  to ;  be- 
cause it  is  not  only  the  means  whereby  we  become  sanctified  and 
capable  of  heaven ;  but  it  will  bring  us  to  that  near  and  nearer 
union  with  our  Maker,  in  which  our  spiritual  understanding 
becomes  enlightened  about  Christian  doctrine  in  creneral.  Bv 
.co-operation  with  the  work  which  is  wrought  in  us,  we  are 
effectually  made  acquainted  with  the  work  which  has  been 
wrought  for  us.  None  are  so  truly  aware  of  their  dependence 
upon  the  merits  of  Christ,  as  those  who  obey  his  precepts. 
'•He  that  doeth  my  will  shall  know  of  my  doctrine."  "The 
secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  him,  and  he  will 
show  unto  them  his  covenant." 

Thou  wilt  not  imagine  that  I  am  for  superseding  the  use  of 
means,  which  are  mercifully  bestowed  upon  us  by  God,  and 
are  talents  for  which  we  must  give  accotmt ;  and  I  suppose 
we  shall  unite  in  considerinor  that  of  the  means  given  us,  none 
are  more  important  than  the  study  of  the  Scriptures.  Still  it 
can  never  suffice  to  cultivate  the  intellect  on  this  subject. 
•which  seems  to  me  much  the  object  of  thy  friend  Bishop 
Horsley.  "No  man  knoweth  the  things  of  a  man,  save  the 
spirit  of  man  which  is  in  him.  Even  so  the  things  of  God 
knoweth  no  man  but  the  Spirit  of  God." 

I  need  say  no  more  about  Horsley ;  perhaps  I  am  prejudiced 
about  him.  Whatever  he  was,  he  certainly  does  not  wear  the 
garb  of  much  Christian  simplicity  and  humility.  He  was  not 
much  of  a  little  child.  As  to  Paley,  he  is  pellucidly  clear, 
and  of  a  sound  and  practical  understanding.  Still  I  do  not 
feel  when  I  read  him  as  much  as  I  should  wish  to  feel.  Is  he 
sufficiently  spiritual  ?  But  I  am  not  very  greedy  of  sermons. 
I  think  I  like  Friends'  Journals  better.  I  have  only  one 
thing  to  add,  which  is,  that  my  letter  is  a  great  deal  better, 
(Utile  as  thou  mayest  esteem  it,)  than  myself.     Again  farewell. 

In    a   few  stanzas   addressed   to   her   in   the   rear 


MT.  26-29.  AMELIA   OPIE.  251 

1817,  after  alluding  to  some  of  the  excellent  points 
of  her  character — 

"  The  sympathies  that  all  thy  bosom  fill, 
The  charity  that  speaks  and  thinks  no  ill, 
The  temper,  genial  as  the  western  breeze. 
The  haste  to  help,  the  watchfulness  to  please."— 

Joseph  John  Gurney  continues : — 

"  But  most  I  love  to  mark  devotion's  flame 
Rise  from  thy  bosom  in  thy  Maker's  name : 
O  how  I  bless  the  ray  of  love  divine 
That  first,  within  thee,  taught  that  flame  to  shine. 
From  mists  of  error  drew  thy  steps  away, 
And  bade  thee  freely  own  a  Saviour's  sway !" 

Concluding  with  the  following  earnest  appeal : — 

"  And  canst  thoii  join  the  unsubstantial  dream. 
Where  pleasure's  idle  votaries  vainly  gleam  ? 
And  must  thou  with  the  painted  crowd,  be  hurled 
Down  the  gay  eddies  of  a  thankless  world  ? 
Shall  fashion's  lure,  shall  flattery's  heartless  smile, 
Thy  higher,  better,  safer  hope  beguile  ? 
Ah  think  again  !  that  Saviour  bleeding  see ; 
That  thou  might'st  live  to  him,  he  died  for  thee : 
He  died  to  save  thee  from  a  world  of  woe. 
Tricked  in  the  flippant  pageantry  of  show. 
Though  in  sweet  chime  its  gilded  fetters  ring, 
Thou  know'st  its  sorrows,  thou  hast  felt  its  sting. 
Ah!  think  again  !  and  from  the  busy  strife, 
The  gay  delusion  and  the  pride  of  life. 
Let  Israel's  God  thy  pliant  footsteps  lead 
By  the  still  waters  in  the  verdant  mead ! 
Thine  be  the  spirit  willing  to  obey. 
The  faithful  watching  and  the  narrow  way; 
Thine  be  the  Christian's  daily  cross  to  bear, 
His  labour  and  his  burden  thine  to  share  ! 
Light  is  the  burden,  easy  is  the  yoke, 
Rest  for  thy  soul,  a  meek  Redeemer  spoke. 
Rest  for  thy  soul,  and  peace  without  alloy, 
And  overflowing  balm,  and  everlasting  joy." 


2^2  AMELIA    OPIE.  1824. 

"  Great  was  the  conflict,"  continues  Joseph  John  Gurnev, 
in  his  notice  of  his  long  valued  friend,  "  when  she  found 
herself  constrained  to  make  an  open  profession  of  Quakerism. 
I  remember  her  telling  me  of  the  agony  of  her  mind  in 
the  view  of  changing  her  dress,  and  of  addressing  her 
numerous  friends  and  acquaintances  by  their  plain  names, 
and  with  the  humbling  simplicity  of  'thee'  and  'thou.' 
But  her  great  Master  was  with  her  in  this  time  of  need, 
and  with  remarkable  decision  and  fortitude,  she  made  the 
change  at  once,  and  openly  declared  herself  a  Friend. 
Seldom  has  a  more  striking  improvement  been  wrought 
in  any  one  who  has  passed  under  my  notice.  Truly  may 
it  be  said,  that  her  valuable  qualities  have  been  sanctified ; 
whilst  her  play  of  character  has  not  been  lost,  but  has 
been  rendered  more  interesting  than  before.  Every  one  who 
knows  her  is  aware  of  her  truthiness,  and  appreciates  her 
kindness ;  and  '  Quaker'  as  she  is,  and  a  determined  one, 
she  is  still  sought  after  by  some  of  her  old  friends  in 
high  station." 

"May  the  Shepherd  of  Israel,"  he  adds,  "be  with  her  to 
guide,  instruct,  and  comfort  her  during  the  remainder  of  her 
pilgrimage;  and  may  she  be  his  to  all  eternity."* 

*  Amelia  Opie  died  on  the  2nd  of  the  12th  month,  1853,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  84.  I  have  retained  the  concluding  paragraph  in 
the  above  extract  in  accordance  with  her  own  desire,  expressed  in 
an  interesting  correspondence  which  I  had  with  her  in  connexion 
with  the  present  Memoir.  The  following  brief  extract  from  a  note 
then  received  from  her,  written  in  her  82nd  year,  is  strikingly 
descriptive  of  the  state  of  'her  mind  towards  the  close  of  her  long 
life. 

"  How  I  love  to  repeat  those  lines — 

'Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea, 
But  that  thy  blood  was  shed  for  me, 
And  that  thou  bid'st  me  come  to  thee, 

0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come !' 

I  am  deep  in  Chalmers's  Life,  and  humbly  desire  to  be  enable*  ^o 
profit  by  it.' 


^T.  86.  AMELIA   OPIE.  253 

The  Journal  proceeds  :  — 

2nd  mo.,  22nd.  Amelia  Opie  made  her  appearance  to-daj 
in  a  Friend's  dress  ;  her  mind  being  now  fully  made  up  to  be 
in  all  respects  a  Friend.  I  thought  she  had  been  marvellously 
helped  through  her  conflicts,  and  had  been  a  striking  example 
of  faithfulness.  A  song  of  praise  was  raised  in  my  heart  on 
her  account.     May  she  be  preserved  to  the  end ! 

Sd  mo.,  Ist.  *  *  *  I  have  no  value  for  the  peculiarities  of 
Friejids'  quasi  peculiarities,  but  solely  because  I  think  they 
are  the  natural  and  necessary  consequences  of  what  I  consider 
to  be  the  highest  and  purest  standard  of  Christian  truth  and 
worship  ;  and,  in  holding  out  the  highest  and  purest  standard, 
as,  in  my  best  judgment,  I  deem  it  to  be,  I  entertain  the  humble 
hope  that  I  may  be  made  of  some  little  use  to  the  flock  of 
Christ,  however  diversified.  Yet  the  very  fact  of  being  thus 
obliged  to  dwell  for  a  time  on  our  distinguishing  features,  ought 
to  be  guarded  by  its  antagonist  muscle — I  mean  a  godly  watch- 
fulness to  dwell  deeply  in  those  fundamental  truths  of  Chris- 
tianity, in  which  the  whole  of  that  flock  is  one,  and  under  one 
Shepherd. 

Sd  mo.,  Sth.  To  see  Friends  prospering  in  the  best  sense 
of  the  term  ;  to  behold  a  real  "growth  in  the  truth"  amongst 
them,  together  with  some  little  encouragement  from  convince- 
ment,  would,  indeed,  be  an  inexpressible  joy  to  my  soul ;  but 
even  in  these  things  I  must  learn  to  be  content  with  little  — 
very  little, —  and  cast  myself  on  the  Lord  alone ;  that  in  him 
my  soul  may  rest  and  be  satisfied. 

To  turn  once  more  to  the  subject  of  slavery. 
Since  the  anti-slavery  meeting  at  Norwich  in  the 
preceding  spring,  the  cause  had  assumed  a  different 
aspect.  The  debate  which  had  followed  the  motion 
then  made  by  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  had  drawn 
from  the  House  of  Commons  certain  important 
resolutions,  tending  to  the  amelioration  of  the  con- 
dition   of    the    slaves,    and    the    Government    had 


254  ANTI-SLAVERY   MEETING   AT   NORWICH.  1824. 

issued  a  circular  letter,  founded  upon  them,  to   the 
various  colonial  authorities.*     The  steps  thus  taken 
at  home  had  exasperated  the  planters,  and,  in  many 
of  the  colonies,  "  for  some  weeks  after  the   arrival 
of  the  dispatches,  not   the  slightest   restraint   seems 
to  have  been  put  upon  the  violence  of  their  rage, 
which  drove  them  to  the  wildest  designs.''^     News  of 
the  excitement  at  once  chilled  the  zeal  of  Govern- 
ment,   and    it   required    all    the    ardour   and    steady 
determination   of  the  older  abolitionists  to  maintain 
their   stand.      "  Even    at   Norwich,"   writes    Thomas 
Fowell    Buxton  to  Zachary  Macaulay,   "our  friends 
were    somewhat    intimidated."      Clarkson,   however, 
had  been  there  and  had  done  his  work  well.     "  His 
address  to  about  forty  persons  at  the  Town    Hall," 
says   Joseph   John    Gurney,    "was    satisfactory   and 
singularly    interesting.     I    was    much    pleased   with 
the    simplicity,   constancy,    gentleness,    and   firmness 
of    the '  man."      The    crisis    was    important.      The 
vacillating     disposition     of     Government     made     it 
obviously   desirable    that    the    hands    of    the    anti- 
slavery    leaders    in    parliament    should,    as    far    as 
practicable,  be    strengthened   by  a  demonstration  of 
feeling  in  the  country.     Anxious  to  serve  the  cause, 
so    far    as    his    influence     extended,    Joseph    John 
Gurney    zealously     co-operated     with     other     warm 
friends  in  Norwich,  in  obtaining  the  appointment  of 
a   public   meeting   in    that  city,  for  the   purpose  of 
petitioning    parliament    to    support    and    carry   into 
effect,   the   late   resolutions   of    the   House  of  Com- 
mons.     His   speech   was    forcible   and   effective.     It 
was  subsequently  published;  and,  as  an  example  of 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  p.  134.  f  Idem,  p.  137. 


JiT.   80.  ANTI-SLAVERy    ADDRESS.  255 

liis  mode  of  address  on  such  occasions,  a  somewhat 
lengthened  extract  may  be  here  given.  After  alluding 
to  the  resolutions  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  to 
Lord  Bathurst's  official  despatch  to  the  Colonies 
founded  upon  them,  he  proceeds  :  — 

Were  the  abolition  of  slavery  a  perfectly  easy  matter,  were 
there  no  opposition  to  encounter  and  no  difficulties  to  surmount, 
it  would  be  wholly  unnecessary  for  the  people  to  repeat  their 
petitions.  We  might  sit  still  in  the  comfortable  persuasion 
that  the  government  would  effect  the  object  without  un- 
necessary delay.  But  what  is  the  real  state  of  the  question  ? 
How  has  Lord  Bathurst's  communication  been  received  ?  In 
several  of  the  islands  it  has  been  met  by  a  determined,  and 
even  furious  contradiction.  By  the  legislature  of  Jamaica,  a 
series  of  resolutions  has  been  drawn  up  in  opposition  to  the 
minister's  recommendations,  which,  were  it  not  almost  too 
ridiculous  to  imagine,  might  even  be  construed  as  expressing 
an  intention  of  rebellion  against  the  mother  country.  *  * 
Among  the  senators  of  the  colonial  legislature,  one  gentleman 
in  Barbadoes,  is  pleased  to  meet  the  injunctions  of  our  colonial 
secretary  respecting  the  flogging  of  women,  not  only  with 
violent  opposition,  but  with  vulgar  jokes  on  the  gallantry  of 
Englishmen.  Such  raillery  on  a  subject  of  so  delicate  and 
affecting  a  nature,  does,  I  confess,  appear  to  me  to  be  utterly 
abominable.  In  the  island  of  Trinidad,  a  large  public  meeting 
of  the  planters  has  been  held,  to  pass  a  series  of  resolutions, 
in  which  they  declare  that  the  flogging  of  women,  as  well  as 
of  men,  is  indispensably  necessary  to  the  good  order  of  the 
colonies ;  that  it  is  quite  a  mistake  to  suppose  that  the  holding 
of  Sunday  markets  is  any  profanation  of  the  sabbath ;  and 
that  nothing  more  is  needed,  with  respect  to  the  evidence  of 
slaves,  since  that  evidence  is  already  received,  tvJien  it  is  cor- 
roborated by  tzvo  free  men.  The  vengeance  of  West  Indians  has 
even  been  wreaked  on  the  ministers  of  religion,  and  the  gentle- 
men of  Barbadoes  have  united  their  forces  in  demolishing  the 
meeting-house  of  a  methodist  missionary,  and  in  forcing  him 


256  ANTI-SLAVERY   ADDRESS.  1824 

to  flee  from  the  island  for  his  life,  on  account  of  his  supposed 
connection  with  "  the  villainous  African  institution."  And 
when  a  proclamation  was  issued  by  the  governor,  offering  a 
reward  on  the  conviction  of  the  offenders,  it  was  received  by 
these  gentlemen  rioters  with  nothing  but  insult  and  mockery. — 
Such  is  the  nature  of  the  opposition  which  renders  it  so  de- 
sirable for  us  to  strengthen  the  hands  of  Government  by  our 
petitions  to  parliament. 

In  reference  to  '*  the  vehement  declarations  of 
Bome  of  the  colonial  legislatures,  that  the  benevo- 
lent proceedings  of  Government  could  not  fail  to  be 
productive  of  the  most  formidable  insurrections 
among  the  slaves ;  that  the  planters  would  be  the 
martyrs  to  a  heedless  philanthropy ;  and  that  all  the 
islands  would  unquesticnaably  overflow  with  blood ;" 
he  remarks :  — 

Is  it  kindness  ?  is  it  benevolence  ?  is  it  the  hope  of  future 
relief  from  hardship,  which  induces  a  man  to  rise  up  in  anger 
against  his  neighbour  ?  Certainly  not,  for  these  things  have 
no  other  tendency  than  to  pacify  and  to  please.  It  is  the 
continuance  of  oppression,  it  is  the  despau*  of  amelioration  in 
the  condition  of  the  oppressed,  which  produces  a  disposition  to 
rise  in  arms  against  the  oppressor.  *  *  These  observations 
may  serve  to  exemplify  and  confirm  a  very  plain  principle  of 
which  our  friend  Clarkson  reminded  us  a  few  nights  since, 
that  we  ought  ever  to  distinguish  between  the  occasion  and 
the  cause  of  events.  Whatsoever  may  have  been  the  occasion 
of  the  insurrections  which  have  at  various  times  taken  place 
in  the  West  Indies,  the  cause  of  them  is  unquestionably  to  be 
found  in  slavery,  and  in  slavery  alone.  Nor  shall  we  ever  get 
rid  of  a  liability  to  these  frightful  disasters,  until  we  are 
delivered  from  that  unrighteous  system,  out  of  which  they 
arise. 

Adverting  to  "the  heavy  condemnation,"  by  one 
of  the  leading  periodicals,  of  the  assertion  of  "  that 


ST.  36.  ANTI-SLAVERY    ADDRESS.  257 

great  and  good  man,  William  Wilberforce,"  that  the 
proposition  that  the  condition  of  the  West  Indian 
slaves  is  fully  equal  to  that  of  the  free  peasantry 
of  this  country,  "  is  monstrous  in  itself,  and  implies 
a  total  insensibility  to  the  native  feeling  and  moral 
dignity  of  man," 

"Let  us,"  continues  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "briefly  run 
through  the  comparison  between  the  two  parties.  The  slaves, 
it  is  said,  are  clothed,  fed,  and  housed  ;  and  we  grant  that  a 
certain  provision  of  clothing,  such  as  that  warm  climate 
requires,  is  directed  by  the  Colonial  law  to  be  given  to  them, — 
that  they  have  a  small  allowance  of  salt  fish,  and  have  provision 
grounds,  Avhich  they  are  permitted  to  cultivate  principally  on 
the  sabbath  day.  In  these  two  points  I  conceive  that  the  com- 
parison is  still  to  the  advantage  of  the  British  peasant.  The 
same  may  certainly  be  said  with  reference  to  habitation,  as 
the  huts  of  the  negroes  are  greatly  inferior  to  English  cottages. 
And  Avith  regard  to  labour,  our  peasantry  would,  I  presume, 
be  very  unwilling  to  change  their  condition  with  that  of  those 
unfortunate  bondsmen,  who  not  only  work  like  themselves  for 
nine  or  ten  hours  during  the  day,  but  who,  for  several  months 
in  the  year,  are  compelled  to  continue  their  drudgery  during 
half  of  every  night,  or  the  whole  of  every  other  night.  But 
let  it  be  conceded  for  a  moment,  that  in  point  of  clothing, 
food,  housing,  and  labour,  the  condition  of  the  West  Indian 
slave  and  that  of  the  free  British  peasant  are  equal.  There 
are  still  a  few  other  particulars  of  no  very  inferior  moment,  in 
which  a  strange  difference  will  be  found  between  the  two 
parties  in  the  comparison.  The  British  peasant  settles  when 
he  pleases  in  married  life,  as  easily  as  any  other  person,  and 
thenceforward  no  man  may  interfere  with  his  domestic  com- 
forts. The  slave  who  takes  a  woman  for  his  companion,  is  for 
the  most  part  not  married  at  all.  *  *  But  be  he  married  in 
form  or  not,  his  connubial  connexion  is  totally  unprotected 
by  law  ;  and  the  caprice  of  his  master,  or  the  sale  by  auction 
of  the  property  of  which  he  forms  a  part,  may  at  any  time 
Vol.  I.— 17 


£58  ANTI-SLAVERY    ADDRESS.  1824. 

tear  his  wife  from  his  bosom,  and  separate  his  helpless 
children  from  their  parents.  The  negro  works  under  the 
stimulus  of  the  lash,  and  the  laws  of  our  colonies  bestow  upon 
liis  master  or  overseer  a  full  authority  for  inflicting  upon  him, 
his  wife,  or  his  daughter,  thirty-nine  lashes  for  any  fault  or 
misbehaviour.  Now  I  do  not  know  what  one  of  our  free 
peasants  would  say  to  such  assault  and  battery,  but  I  rather 
apprehend  that  he  would  be  found  to  rise  up  in  his  own 
defence,  and  that  in  no  very  inefficacious  way.  Be  that  as  it 
may,  the  law  is  always  open  to  him,  just  as  open  as  to  our 
worthy  chairman  himself,  or  to  the  king  upon  his  throne. 
But  how  is  it  with  the  miserable  slave  ?  If  his  master  even 
exceed  the  prescribed  number  of  his  lashes — if  he  multiply 
the  tens  into  hundreds — if  he  absolutely  murder  him  in  cold 
blood,  and  if  there  be  present  ten  thousand  witnesses ;  yet,  if 
all  those  witnesses  be  slaves  like  himself,  the  laws  of  the 
colonies  afford  no  effective  redress  or  satisfaction,  and  the 
offender  may  enjoy  an  absolute  impunity.  *  *  In  short  the 
British  peasant  is  his  own  master,  and  a  free  man.  The  West 
Indian  slave  is  a  mere  chattel.  He  is  reduced  to  the  condition 
of  the  beast  of  burden.  He  may,  it  is  true,  be  very  kindly 
treated.  He  may  also  be  bought,  sold,  divorced  from  his  wife, 
separated  from  his  children,  worked  hard,  flogged,  tortured, 
branded  with  red  hot  iron,  and  under  particular  circumstances, 
even  murdered,  according  to  the  arbitrary  determination  of 
his  fellow  men.  I  may  appeal  to  the  whole  of  this  meeting 
whether  it  be  not  indeed  true,  that  the  proposition  to  which  I 
have  been  alluding  is  "monstrous,  and  that  it  implies  a  total 
insensibility  to  the  native  feelings  and  moral  dignity  of  man." 
Utterly  is  it  at  variance  with  the  dictates  of  Christianity,  that 
one  man  should  be  regarded  as  the  mere  chattel  of  another ; 
utterly  at  variance  with  those  dictates,  that  we  should  compel 
our  fellow  creatures  to  labour  for  us,  and  give  them  no  wages 
for  their  labour ;  that  we  should  inflict  upon  them  the  cruel 
punishment  of  the  whip  at  our  own  discretion  ;  that  we  should 
degrade,  expose,  and  torture,  even  the  female  sex ;  that  we 
should  subject  whole  fiunili'cs  to  writs  cf  venditioni  exponas^ 
by  which  the  nearest  ties  of  affection  may  be  forcibly  turn 


-551.  36  ANTI-SLAVERY   ADDRESS.  259 

asunder;  and  finaUy,  that  we  should  allow  of  a  system, 
under  which,  persons  who  like  ourselves  possess  immortal 
souls,  are  regarded  and  treated  like  the  beasts  that  perish. 
Assuredly,  all  these  particulars  are  in  absolute  contradiction 
to  that  golden  rule  —  "Do  unto  others  as  ye  would  have 
others  do  unto  you."  *  *  *  While,  therefore,  I  would 
encourage  every  disposition  to  moderation  and  charity,  while 
I  can  sincerely  declare  that  no  persons  connected  with  the 
present  question  appear  to  me  to  be  so  much  the  objects  for 
deep  commiseration  as  the  oppressors  themselves,  yet  I  can- 
not but  remember  that  in  grounding  our  proceedings  on  the 
noble  principles  of  the  British  Constitution,  and  on  the  celestial 
sanctions  of  Christianity  itself,  we  are  standing  on  a  rock 
which  cannot  be  shaken.  I  must,  therefore,  implore  our 
benevolent  and  energetic  Chairman,  I  must  implore  our 
worthy  Member  for  the  County,  (now  present,)  I  must 
implore  you  all,  whatever  situation  you  may  occupy,  never 
to  relax  your  efforts  in  this  holy  cause,  but  to  go  forward 
with  a  step  at  once  measured  and  determined,  at  once  gentle 
and  resolute,  until  that  happy  day  shall  arrive  when  every 
individual  within  the  whole  circuit  of  the  British  dominions, 
shall  be  able  to  lift  up  his  head  with  thankfulness  and  joy,  and 
say.  Behold  I  am  free.'' 

His  faith  in  the  ultimate  success  of  the  cause 
was  strong,  and  the  formidable  opposition  that  was 
now  aroused  against  it  did  not  dishearten  him. 
The  difficulties  from  without  were  at  this  time 
increased  by  a  difference  of  opinion  in  the  anti- 
slavery  councils,  as  to  the  course  to  be  pursued  in 
consequence  of  the  altered  disposition  of  Govern- 
ment. Without  venturing  to  advise  at  a  distance 
upon  questions  of  detail,  Joseph  John  Gurney  was 
one  who  felt  bound  to  support  his  brother-in-law  in 
making  a  decided  stand. 

A  few  days  before  the  debate  upon  the  question, 
in  which  the  latter  had    determined    to   attack   the. 


260  LETTER    TO    BUXTON.  1824. 

vacillating  policy  of  Government,  he  thus  writes  to 
him.'"^ 

Norwich,  3rd  mo.,  lOtb,  1S24. 

My  deas  Brother, 

I  feel  much  for  thee  and  for  our  cause  in  the 
prospect  of  the  approaching  discussion  in  parliament,  and 
having  been  enabled  to  remember  both  the  one  and  the  other 
in  my  prayers,  I  feel  inclined  to  remind  thee  (however  need- 
lessly) of  the  apostle's  injunction,  "  Quit  you  like  men,  be 
strong."  I  do  not  mean  to  advise  against  that  course  of 
moderation,  or  rather  spirit  of  moderation,  to  recommend 
which  I  have  already  been  busy ;  but  to  administer  my  feeble 
encouragement,  in  the  belief  that  the  cause  is  identified  with 
that  which  is  just,  holy,  and  true ;  that  it  has  been  in  the 
line  of  thy  Christian  duty  that  thou  hast  undertaken  it,  and 
that  therefore  there  is  assuredly  one,  who  will  "  send  thee 
help  from  his  sanctuary,  and  strengthen  thee  out  of  Zion." 
I  am  well  assured  that  on  this  momentous  occasion  thou  art 
looking  for  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need,  and  as  this  is  the 
case  with  thee,  he  will,  I  believe,  be  found  unto  thee  "  strength 
and  wisdom,  tongue  and  utterance."  *  *  * 

*  *  *  I  look  upon  colonial  slavery  as  a  monster  who  must 
have  a  very  long  succession  of  hard  knocks  before  he  will 
expire.  Why  should  we  expect  to  get  his  extinction  into  full 
train,  in  less  than  ten  years  ?  *  *  Public  opinion  is  now,  I 
think,  much  advancing  in  our  favour.  A  knowledge  of  the 
subject  is  extending,  and  with  it  a  great  deal  of  feeling;  and 
all  this,  in  the  long  run,  will  tell. 

Nor  do  I  think  the  extravagance  of  the  West  Indians, 
especially  where  it  issues  in  such  abominable  injustice  as  at 
Demarara,  at  all  unfavourable  to  our  views. 

With  regard  to  thyself,  as  I  am  fond  of  thy  popularity, 
I  am  prone  to  dislike  the  contrary ;  but  I  have  a  strong 
belief  that  in  due  time  thy  history  will  aiford  a  plain 
exemplification  of  the  certainty  of  the  divine  promise,  "  Them 
that  honour  me,  I  will  honour."    Till  then,  be  content  to  suffer 

*T*art  of  this  letter  has  been  already  printed  In  the  Life  of  Sir 
T.  F.  Buxton,  p.  145. 


5^.T.  36.  VIEWS   AND    PRACTICES    OF   FRIENDS.  261 

thy  portion  of  persecution,  and  let  no  frowns  of  adversaries, 
no  want  of  faith,  no  private  feelings  of  thj  own  incompetency, 
either  deprive  thee  of  thy  spirits  or  spoil  thy  speech ! 

In  the  spring  of  this  year  he  published  his  Letter 
to  a  Friend  on  the  Authority  of  Christianity,  already- 
referred  to,  and  soon  afterwards  his  Observations  on 
the  Distinguishing  Views  and  Practices  of  the  Society 
of  Friends.  The  history  of  the  latter  work  is  thus 
reviewed  in  the  Autobiography. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  [to  me]  sorrowful  summer  of  1822, 1 
gpent  some  time  quietly  at  Hunstanton,  on  the  sea  coast,  with 
my  bereft  and  beloved  mother-in-law.  There  I  commenced 
the  first  sketch  of  my  work  on  the  Religious  Peculiarities 
(since  called  the  Distinguishing  Views  and  Practices)  of  the 
Society  of  Friends. 

I  soon  became  warmly  interested  in  this  undertaking,  and 
pursued  the  object  with  the  diligence  which  it  required- 
Here,  indeed,  I  found  some  refuge  from  sorrow,  and  I  can 
say,  from  my  own  experience,  that  the  steady  and  determined 
occupation  of  mind  in  the  pursuit  of  any  desirable  object,  is 
one  of  the  best  alleviations  of  grief  that  this  world  affords. 
When  the  Avork  was  completed,  I  took  it  up  to  the  revising 
body  appointed  for  the  Society,  the  Morning  Meeting.*  The 
principle  on  which  I  haA'^e  acted  in  reference  to  this  subject 
has  been  to  publish  general  views  of  doctrine,  without  this 
check  on  my  own  responsibility;  but  whenever  I  have 
written  on  behalf  of  the  body,  then  to  give  Friends  the 
opportunity  of  revisal ;  a  course  which  is  obviously  dictated 
by  common  justice.     I  believe  the  distinction  now  drawn  is 

*  The  Morning  Meeting  is  a  meeting  of  the  ministers  and  elders 
among  Friends  in  and  about  London,  which  sits  monthly;  to  which 
manuscripts  written  by  Friends  "relating  to  the  Christian  principles 
and  practices"  of  the  Society,  are  recommended  to  be  submitted 
previously  to  publication :  see  Rules  of  Discipline,  p.   170. 


262  WORK    ON   THE   DISTINGUISHING  1824. 

fully  recognized  amongst  us ;  and  it  is  a  ground,  on  either 
hand,  which  ought,  in  my  opinion,  to  he  steadily  maintained. 
A  committee  was  appointed  hy  the  meeting  to  revise  the 
A^ork.  This  committee  gave  much  time  to  the  object,  and 
remarkably  interesting  and  satisfactory  to  me  were  the  hours 
which  were  spent  over  it.  The  work  finally  received  the 
cordial  confirmation  of  the  meeting,  and,  on  my  return  home 
for  the  purpose  of  publishing  it,  memorable  was  the  flow  of 
peace  with  which  I  was  mercifully  favoured.  This  seal  of 
peace  was  the  more  valuable,  as  the  work,  when  published, 
gave  offence  to  some  very  dear  to  me,  on  the  ground  of 
its  opposing  the  outward  rites  of  baptism  and  the  supper;  or 
rather  of  its  showing  that  Friends  have  good  scriptural  rea- 
sons for  disusing  them.  These  were  tender  points  with  some 
of  our  circle,  and  though  I  had  handled  the  subject  with  much, 
care,  I  had  more  than  a  little  to  suffer  respecting  it.  Among 
Friends  the  work  met  with  an  extensive  circulation,  and  the 
seventh  edition,  with  some  important  corrections  and  addenda, 
was  published  in  1834.  After  the  experience  of  many  years, 
I  am  not  aware  that  I  regret  anything  in  the  work ;  much  less 
do  I  feel  at  liberty  to  shrink  from  those  Christian  testimonies 
to  the  purity  and  spirituality  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  which  it 
is  intended  to  develope  and  defend. 

The  first  chapter  of  this  work  contains  a  brief 
exposition  of  the  grounds  of  religions  union  be- 
tween the  true  followers  of  Christ  everywhere. 
Joseph  John  Gurney's  statement  of  his  views  of 
the  universality  of  divine  grace,  of  the  efficacy  of 
the  atoning  sacrifice  of  Christ  to  those  who  are 
destitute  of  the  outward  knowledge  of  it,  and  of 
the  free  extension  to  all  men  of  the  love  and  mercy 
of  their  one  Father  and  Creator  in  heaven,  is  striking 
and  appropriate;  and  when  he  dwells  on  the  peculiar 
privileges  which  are  common  to  all  true  believers, 
his  heart  warms  with  the  theme,  and  he  does  not 
repress  his   longings  that  "the   love  which  cements 


^T.  36.  VIEWS    AXD    PRACTICES    OF    FRIENDS.  268 

together  the  varied  members  of  the  mystical  body  of 
Christ  may  more  and  more  abound ;  that  the  barriers 
which  ignorance  or  prejudice  has  reared  amongst 
them  may  be  broken  through  and  demolished;  that 
Christians  may  be  enabled  increasingly  to  strive 
together  for  .the  hope  of  the  gospel ;  and  that, 
whilst  they  individually  draw  nearer  to  the 
Fountain  of  all  good,  they  may  be  enabled  yet 
more  perfectly  to  enjoy  '  the  communion  of  the  Holy 
Ghost ;'  to  '  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond 
of  peace.'  "  * 

From  these  general  views  he  proceeds  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Peculiarities  of  Friends.  "  The 
term  peculiar  Hies,"  he  says,  in  an  explanatory 
note  which  ought  not  to  be  overlooked,  "  has  been 
adopted  for  the  sake  of  convenience  and  perspicuity, 
and  I  conceive  it  to  be  accurately  descriptive  of 
those  opinions  and  customs  which  distinguish  from 
other  parts  of  the  church  any  one  community  of 
Christians.  It  is  far  from  my  intention,  by  the  use 
of  such  a  term,  to  convey  the  idea  that  such  dis- 
tinctions are  of  little  practical  consequence."  f  The 
term  as  it  stood  in  the  title  page  of  the  work  was 
afterwards  exchanged  for  another  more  appropriate, 
but  it  is  right  that  the  reader  should  have  before 
him  the  author's  own  explanation  of  it  as  originally 
used.  The  third  chapter,  on  the  Perceptible  Influ- 
ence and  Guidance  of  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  deserves 
the  attentive  perusal  of  every  serious  reader.  The 
doctrine  involved  in  it  must  ever  be  of  the  utmost 
pra.  tical  importance ;  as  upon  its  complete  acceptance 
depends,    in    no    small    measure,    our    appreciation 

*  Page  48,  seventh  ed.  f  Page  69. 


26  i  WORK   ON   THE   DISTINGUISHING  1824. 

find  enjoyment  of  "  tlie  fulness  of  the  blessing  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ."  Joseph  John  Gurney's  belief 
that  the  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon  the 
soul  are  "immediate,  direct,  and  perceptible,"  that 
"  all  are  furnished  with  an  inward  guide  or  monitor 
who  makes  his  voice  known,  and  who,-  if  faithfully 
obeyed  and  closely  followed,  will  infallibly  conduct 
us  into  true  virtue  and  happiness,"  *  a  belief  which 
he  here  explicitly  declares  and  largeW  insists  upon, 
was  to  him  increasingly  precious.  And  who  that  has 
traced  his  progress  in  his  Journal  can  doubt  but 
that  he  now  wrote  of  what  he  had  himself  known 
and  experienced,  "  tasted  and  handled  ?  "  To  that 
large  class  of  professing  Christians  who  are  deterred 
from  accepting  this  truth  by  the  dread  of  falling 
into  the  snares  of  enthusiasm,  his  observations  on 
the  marks  by  which  the  voice  of  the  Holy  Spirit  are 
to  be  discerned  from  the  voice  of  the  stranger  may  be 
especially  commended,  f 

In  the  4th  chapter  the  reasons  which  have  led  the 
Society  of  Friends  to  the  disuse  of  all  typical  rites  in 
the  public  worship  of  God  are  stated  with  clearness. 
In  connexion  with  his  own  experience,  as  recorded  in 
his  Journal,  this  chapter  is  peculiarly  interesting,  as 
marking  the  progress  of  conviction  in  his  own  mind. 
And  they  who  are  willing  to  admit,  (and  what  serious 
reader  of  the  New  Testament  will  shrink  from  the 
admission?)  that  Christianity  is  an  essentiaUij  spiritual 
religion,  can  hardly  f\iil  to  be  impressed  with 
the  force  of  the  author's  conclusions.  One  remark 
appears  to  be  especially  applicable  in  the  present 
day. 

*  Page  76.  t  See  pp.  90—96 


JET.  S^.  VIEWS   AND    PRACTICES  OF  FRIENDS.  265 

"  I  would  suggest,"  he  says,  "  that  the  ceremonies  which  we 
have  been  considering,  so  far  from  being,  like  the  moral  law  of 
God,  universally  salutary,  are  evidently  fraught  with  no  little 
danger,  as  occasions  by  which  the  deceitful  disposition  in  the 
human  heart  is  naturally  excited,  and  brought  into  action. 
Here  our  appeal  may  be  made,  not  only  to  theory,  but  to, 
facts ;  for  it  is  indisputable  that  the  outward  rites  of  baptism 
and  the  supper,  as  observed  among  the  professors  of  Chris- 
tianity, have  been  the  means  of  leading  multitudes  into  gross 
superstition.  How  many  thousands  of  persons  are  there, 
as  every  spiritually  minded  Christian  will  allow,  who  place  upon 
these  outward  rites  a  reliance  which  is  warranted  neither  by 
reason  nor  by  Scripture ;  and  which,  so  far  from  bringing  them 
nearer  to  God,  so  far  from  reminding  them  of  Christ,  operates 
in  the  most  palpable  manner  as  a  diversion  from  a  true  and 
livinjx  faith  in  their  Creator  and  Redeemer !  How  often  has  the 
ignorant  sinner,  even  in  the  hour  of  death,  depended  on  the 
'  sacrament '  of  the  Lord's  supper  as  upon  a  saving  ordinance  ! 
And  how  many  a  learned  theologian,  both  ancient  and  modern, 
has  been  found  to  insist  on  the  dangerous  tenet,  that  the  rite 
of  baptism  is  regeneration  !"  * 

The  succeeding  chapters,  "on  the  nature  and  char- 
acter of  the  Christian  Ministry,"  "on  the  selection, 
preparation,  and  appointment  of  the  ministers  of  the 
gospel,"  on  their  " pecuniary  remuneration,"  "on  the 
ministry  of  women,"  and  on  "  silent  worship,"  will  all 
repay  an  attentive  perusal,  as  well  as  those  in  which 
the  principles  of  Friends  on  the  important  subjects 
of  war  and  oaths,  and  upon  plainness  and  simplicity 
in  dress,  and  the  disuse  of  complimentary^  language, 
are  stated  with  much  force,  clearness,  and  feeling.  In 
the  seventh  edition,  a  chapter  was  added  explanatory 
of  the  Christian  discipline  and  internal   government 

♦Page  169. 


266  WORK  ON  friends'  principles.  *  1824. 

of  the  Society.  They  who  peruse  the  work  in  a 
humble,  serious  spirit,  can  hardly  fail  to  profit  by  it. 
And  if  the  younger  members  of  his  own  society  do 
not  find  every  difficulty  that  may  suggest  itself  to 
their  minds  fully  cleared,  they  should  not  forget 
that  in  this  state  of  being,  and  until  the  eye  is 
opened  to  see  the  whole  truth  in  its  completeness, 
the  portion  which  may  already  be  discovered  must 
necessarily  appear  imperfect,  and,  in  consequence, 
present  difficulties  greater  or  less,  according  to  the 
extent  of  such  imperfection.  Let  them  carefully 
weigh  not  only  the  difficulties  which  ma}^  appear  to 
them  attendant  upon  the  authors  conclusions,  but 
also  those  which  necessarily  attach  to  the  opposite 
ones.  And  above  all  let  them  be  very  faithful  to 
that  which  they  know  to  be  the  truth,  and  never 
suffiir  any  doubts  as  to  that  which  they  do  not  yet 
fully  understand,  to  draw  them  away  from  those 
convictions,  which,  in  moments  of  serious  reflec- 
tion, when  their  hearts  have  been  humbled  and 
made  tender,  have  been  plainly  manifested  to  them 
to  bft  of  the  Lord. 


Sn.  36.  JOURNAL.  ,         267 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

1824.     ^T.  36—37. 

extracts  from  journal  and  letters  j  journey  to  the  north 
of  england  j  letters  to  thomas  fowell  buxton  and  lord 
suffield;  return  home;  visit  to  Suffolk. 

Earlham,  4th  mo.,  8th,  1824.  How  probable  that  this 
may  turn  out  to  be  the  last  volume  of  my  Journal !  How 
little  do  we  know  what  a  day,  a  month,  a  year  may  bring 
forth !  How  many  are  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  their  plans  of 
usefulness  and  service  whilst  those  plans  are  still  immature, 
or  only  half  executed  !  I  have,  certainly,  interesting  views  of 
usefulness  before  me,  especially  in  my  literary  career ;  and 
should  I  be  enabled  to  accomplish  them  before  the  thread  of 
life  is  cut,  I  shall  be  thankful.  But  the  Lord  only  knows 
what  is  best  for  me ;  best  for  the  church ;  best  for  his  own 
cause.  May  I  ever  be  found  believing  and  submitting. 
While,  however,  the  day  and  the  strength  of  life  are  continued, 
let  me  endeavour  to  labour  diligently,  remembering  the 
advice  of  Solomon  ;  "  Let  thine  eyes  look  right  on,  and  let 
thine  eyelids  look  straight  before  thee.  Turn  not  to  the 
right  hand  nor  to  the  left,  and  let  all  thy  ways  be  established." 

The  Essays  on  Christianity  were  now  closely 
engaging  his  attention.  After,  noticing  the  kind- 
ness of  his  partners  in  the  Bank,  through  which  he 
was  enabled  not  unfrequently  to  devote  himself 
exclusively  to  this  object,  he  writes  : — 

4:th  mo.,  19th.  I  have  been  closely  engaged  in  writing  my 
essay  On   Man :    not  without  some  painful  exercise  of  mind 


268         .  TO   JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  1824. 

in  reference  to  parts  of  the  subject.  The  doctrine  of  eternal 
punishment,  a  doctrine  far  too  explicitly  stated  in  Scripture 
to  admit,  in  my  opinion,  of  any  refutation,  has  especially 
dwelt  with  me ;  and  at  times  my  own  hopes  have  been  very 
considerably  clouded.  But  I  have  found  consolation  in 
endeavouring  after  an  entire  submission  to  the  divine  will  as 
it  relates  to  myself;  and  a  childlike  willingness  to  receive  the 
truth  as  it  is,  without  murmuring.  *  *  I  can  acknowledge 
that  Christ  alone  is  the  way  through  whom  I  can  obtain 
salvation ;  and  am  permitted  in  my  inmost  spirit  to  believe, 
that  he  is  my  Saviour,  and  that  therefore,  notwithstanding 
every  past  sin,  I  shall  be  forgiven  and  live.  May  I  abide  more 
and  more  in  this  only  effective  and  sustaining  faith,  and  may 
the  Lord  be  pleased  to  cleanse  my  inward  thoughts  and 
secret  motives,  and  to  present  me  blameless  before  the  throne 
of  his  glory.  *  *  I  have  ventured  during  the  past  week  to 
read  a  little  in  my  beloved  departed  wife's  Journal.  It  is 
written  in  a  heavenly  spirit,  and  though  it  has  brought 
mournful  things  to  my  recollection  with  fresh  force,  it  has 
administered  consolation  and  instruction. 

TO   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  5th  mo.,  1st,  1824. 

[After  alluding  to  the  state  of  his  health.]  It  is  a  mercy 
that  the  inevitable  change  is  so  gradual,  and  a  far  greater 
one  to  know  something  of  the  renewal  of  the  inward,  during 
the  decay  of  the  outward  man.  What  could  the  apostle 
mean  by  the  "inward  man,"  but  that  never  dying  part 
which  holds  communion  with  God,  and  is  formed  after 
the  image  of  his  own  eternity  ?  How  unspeakable  the  im- 
portance of  having  that  never  dying  part  washed  white  in 
the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  and  clothed  in  the  per- 
fect righteousness  of  the  Son  of  God  !  That  it  is  so  with 
thee,  that  it  ever  will  be  so,  I  can  and  do  believe;  and  I 
heartily  desire  that  as  thy  hoary  head  descends  towards  the 
grave,  thou  mayest  know  every  cloud  more  and  more  to  give 
way  to  sunshine,  and  every  note  of  mourning  to  the  song  of 


^T.  ^6.  BIBLE   SOCIETY.  269 

thankfulness  and  praise.  I  well  know  that  while  mortality 
lasts,  the  enemy  who  has  the  power  of  it,  lasts  also,  and  will 
continue  to  buffet  and  afflict  at  seasons.  Let  us  humbly 
bear  it;  and  endeavour  always  to  remember  that  he  i3 
possessed  neither  of  omniscience  nor  of  omnipotence,  attri- 
butes which  do  most  assuredly  belong  to  the  Saviour  whom  we 
love  and  serve,  and  who  is  and  ever  will  be,  (I  humbly  trust,) 
on  our  side.  I  am  busy  preparing  for  second  editions  of  my 
works  :  and  have  other  literary  labours  in  hand.  *  *  Fare- 
well !  Excuse  the  lameness  of  the  effusions  of  a  banker  on  a 
market  day. 

5th  7no.,  16th.     I  have  passed  an  interesting  time  since  I 
last  wrote.    A  pleasant  journey  by  the  Day  coach,  in  company 
with  the  Sidneys  and  Francis  Cunningham,  during  which  we 
talked  much  and  read  much,  brought  me  to  Upton  on  second 
day  evening,  the   4th,  where    I    found    all  well    and  happy. 
Third  day,  the  5thi     Peaceful  meeting  at  Plaistow,  delight- 
ful   again    to   be    sitting    beside    dearest   Elizabeth.     I    was 
pleased    by    a   warm    and    affectionate    greeting    from    dear 
John    Barclay,    my    partner    (alas)    in    young     widowhood. 
Fourth  day.     Went  to  the  meeting  of  the  Bible  Society  at 
Freemason's  Hall.     The  meeting  was  very  large,  admirably 
conducted,  and  fraught  with  high  interest.     The  report,  which 
unfolded  many  a  blessed  prospect,  was  well  read  by  the  able 
new    secretary,    Andrew    Brandram.       The    speakers    were 
Lords    Harrowby,    Bexley,     Roden,    Barham,    Teignmouth, 
Charles  Grant,  Sir  R.  H.  Inglis,  Sir  George  Rose,  Morrison, 
myself,  Wardlaw,  John  Cunningham,  &c.     The  Earl  of  Roden 
detailed,  with  uncommon    feeling,    simplicity,    and    apparent 
integrity  of  intention,  his  own  conversion,  occasioned,  in  the 
first   instance,  by  the  attendance  of  a  meeting  of  the  Bible 
Society.     I   made    a   speech    of    some    length,    in    which    I 
revived   the    consideration    of    the    main,    original   principles 
of  the   Bible    Society ;    that    all    Scripture    is  given    by    in- 
spiration;    that  divine  truth  is  to  be  trusted  by  itself;    and 
that    sectarian    distinctions  sink    into    almost   nothing,  when 
Christians  are  engaged  in  promulgating  their  common  gospel, 


270  JOURNAL.  1824. 

Second  day,  the  lltli.  To  London  with  Samuel.  Meeting 
of  the  British  and  Foreign  School  Society — Duke  of  Sussex 
in  the  chair.  A  warming,  useful  occasion.  Buxton  spoke 
capitally,  and  I  followed  him  on  religious  instruction,  &c. 
Third  day.  Meeting  at  Plaistow.  The  voice  of  warning 
sounded  as  an  alarm.  May  it  have  entered  the  hearts  of  some ! 
Afterwards,  to  London  to  the  African  Institution  Meeting. 
This,  also,  was  highly  interesting,  and,  on  the  whole,  satis- 
factory ;  hut  many  gloomy  things  were  that  day  reported. 
The  death  of  Macarthy*  particularly,  and  the  dreadful 
enormous  prevalence  of  the  horrid  trade  in  men.  I  spoke, 
advancing  the  proposition,  that  the  true  remedy  for  the  slave 
trade  was  to  be  found  in  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves 
in  our  own  colonies.  Buxton  drew  a  capital  comparison 
between  the  King  of  France  and  the  King  of  Madagascar. 
Fourth  day.  Returned  by  Day  coach  to  Norwich.  Read- 
ing and  very  fair  company  rendered  the  journey  agreeable, 
and  I  was  rather  glad  of  the  opportunity  of  withdrawing  my 
frail  mind  from  the  influence  of  public  excitement.  Dearest 
Louisa  gave  me  a  good  hint  when  I  was  with  her,  chiefly  in 
reference  to  my  works.  "  Do  thy  duty,  and  care  not  whether 
people  praise  or  blame — leave  it."    . 

Second  day  morning,  [bth  mo.,  24i7t.]  It  seems  to  me  the 
leading  defect  in  my  religious  life,  that  the  course  in  which  I 
am  treading  derives  its  deep  interest,  (and  deeply  interesting 
it  assuredly  is,)  too  much  from  present  associations,  and  too 
little  from  future  prospects.  It  is  very  seldom  that  I  enjoy  a 
tangible,  unquestionable  sense  of  the  soul's  iminortal  bliss. 
And  yet,  at  times  I  have  known  it,  and  I  trust,  througli 
adorable  grace  and  mercy,  I  shall  know  it  more  and  more. 

Sixth  day  morning,  [pth  mo.,  29^A.]  I  can  scarcely  describe 
the  pleasure  which  I  have  felt  for  some  days  past,  in  observing 
that  a  work  of  spiritual  religion  is  really  (through  adorable 
and  unmerited  mercy)  going  forAvard  among  our  young  people. 
I  have  had  to  notice  it  to  my  inexpressible  comfort,  in  several 
individuals.     May  the  Lord  preserve  them !     May  no  enemy 

*  The  Governor  of  Sierra  Leone.  See  Life  of  William  Allen, 
vol.  ii,  p.  383. 


S.T.  36.  TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  2T1 

be  permitted  to  mar  the  work  I  May  the  wilderness  still 
become  (as  I  humbly  believe  it  will)  the  fruitful  field,  the 
"•arden  of  roses  I 

On  third  day  evening  I  went  out  for  a  ride,  and  the  gentle 
intimations  of  divine  love  in  the  heart,  brought  me  into  con- 
siderable service.    I  felt  it  right  to  shape  my  course  to . 

There  I    had  an  encouraging  conversation  with ,  and 

a  somewhat  powerful  opportunity  with  the  poor,  struggling, 
and  yet  unwilling,  mother  of  the  family.  May  the  Shepherd 
bring  her  into  the  fold !  Afterwards,  I  went  to  see  a  poor 
woman  in  the  last  stage  of  a  consumption.  I  found  her  in 
a  suffering  state,  but  I  believe  open  to  the  word  of  the 
Lord.  I  ministered  the  gospel  to  her ;  and  solemn  prayer  on 
her  account  followed.  There  was  both  power  and  peace  to  be 
felt  on  the  occasion,  and  I  subsequently  found  that  she  died 
six  hours  afterwards  in  peace. 

In.  allusion  to  a  letter  from  a  valued  relative, 
strongly  disapproving  of  his  work  on  the  Distin- 
guishing Principles  of  Friends,  he  writes:  — 

Gth  7no.,  1th.     's  Utter  on  the  subject  of  my  book  has 

been  answered  deliberately,  and  with  a  degree  of  serenity  in 
which  I  have  felt  comfort ;  and  I  have  been  favoured  to  feel 
also,  after  considerable  exercise  of  mind,  an  increased  settle- 
ment in  the  blessed  truth,  as  Friends  have  been  led  to  hold  it. 
This  I  can  say  without  judging  others ;  for  I  do  fully  believe 
that  grace  will  be  with  all  them  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
in  sincerity.  On  the  whole,  seriousness  of  mind  seems  extend- 
ing itself  a  little  amongst  us,  which  I  esteem  an  unspeakable 
favour. 

TO   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  6th  mo.,  30th,  1824. 

It  seems  to  be  my  lot  to  give  satisfaction  and  dissatisfaction, 
to  pass  "  through  good  report  and  evil  report :"  and  being 
rather  sensitive,  I  sometimes  a  little  shrink  from  the  touch  of 
man.     These  observations   are   suggested  by  some  kind,  but 


272  TO    ELIZABETH    FRY.  1824. 

very  disapproving  remarks  sent  by  a  valued  relative,  ■who  views 
things  in  a  different  light  from  myself,  on  the  subject  of  my 
work  on  Friends'  principles :  but  I  should  say  that  from 
Friends  uniformly  who  have  mentioned  the  subject,  and  from 
several  others,  I  have  received  much  encouragement.  May  I 
look  less  and  less  to  man,  and  more  and  more  to  God  ! 

To    his    sister   Elizabeth    Fry,    who   was   then    at 
Brighton,  in  a  feeble  state  of  health,  he  writes :  — 

Earlham,  7th  mo.,  2nd,  1824. 

My  beloved  Sisteb, 

*  *  It  has  been  a  matter  of  painful 
feeling  to  me,  even  selfishly,  to  have  thee  brought  so  low ;  and 
now  I  can  equally  rejoice  in  the  happy  prospect  of  thy  gradual 
recovery ;  for  I  often  find  myself  much  alone,  without  one  in 
my  own  Iwme  circle  with  whom  I  can  fully  communicate.  *  * 
I    had    been    occupied    in    perusing    some    sheets    of   almost 

unmixed  disapprobation  of  my  book  from  ,  when  thy 

letter  arrived,  stating  "  John  Glaisyer's  satisfaction  in  every 
sentence."  I  was  quite  thankful  for  such  a  verdict,  from  one 
whose  judgment  I  so  highly  respect ;  for  it  is  impossible  not 
to  be  sensible  to  pain  from  the*decided  turn  against  my 
authorship,  which  it  has  given  to  a  certain  small  proportion  of 
our  own  connexions.  The  ceremony  of  the  supper  is  certainly 
as  the  "apple  of  the  eye,"  to  many  in  our  circle,  to  a  degree 
which  it  is  difficult  to  me  to  comprehend.  Should  we  be 
favoured  to  land  safely  on  yon  blissful  shore,  we  shall  be  all 
Quakers  there,  requiring  no  commemorative  ordinances ;  no 
uninspired  ministry ;  no  judicial  oaths  ;  no  defensive  warfare  ! 
It  appears  to  me  that  ours  is  not  what  some  would  make  it 
out  to  be,  a  narrow  system  of  human  construction,  but  the 
absence  of  system,  the  natural  result  of  genuine  and  unmixed 
Christianit3^  This  is  what  Quakerism  ought  to  be  ;  and  what 
it  is,  when  the  life  of  truth  has  full  sway  with  us.  However, 
the  occasion  which  I  have  lately  found  to  insist  so  much  on 
our  peculiarities,  has  made  me  very  sensible  how  needful  it  is 
to  dwell  in  that  love,  which  can  overflow  all  obstructions  and 


MT.  36.  JOURNAL.  273 

distinctions  of  feeling  between  party  and  party,  and  sect  and 
sect.  And  yet  with  the  deepest  desire  to  be  preserved  in  this 
root  of  liarmony,  I  am  much  bound  in  spirit  to  the  promotion 
of  our  own  cause;  and  have  often,  of  late,  felt  constrained  to 
uphold  it  very  boldly  in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  Is  it  not, 
after  all,  essentially  connected  with  that  which  is  best  in  the 
world  ?  *  *  * 

The  duodecimo  edition  of  my  book,  is  begun  to  be 
printed  ;  and  I  suppose  will  appear  in  about  two  months.  I 
have  a  fourth  edition  also  in  hand,  of  the  octavo  size.  The 
universal  approbation  of  Friends  has  certainly  been  very 
satisfactory ;  and  there  are  the  scattered  few  amongst  others 
also,  whose  minds  it  has  remarkably  met.  Last  evening  we 
had  a  party  of  Friends,  which  was  pleasant,  and  ended  with  a 
sweet  solemnity.  Indeed,  we  have  in  these  parts,  cause  for 
thankfulnesss  in  observing  no  ambiguous  symptoms  of  a 
"growth  in  the  truth."  Some  of  our  young  men  especially, 
have  now  given  in  their  names ;  and  as  a  little  evidence  of  it, 
have  become  plain  in  their  dress  and  language.  The  meetings  too, 
have  been  sweet  and  solemn,  and  well  attended.  "What  a  mercy 
this  is  !     Some  tangible  evidence  that  we  are  not  forsaken. 

Itk  mo.,  2nd.  Night.  If  the  Lord  appoint  me  the  continuance 
of  that  solitary  path  which  I  am  now  treading,  often  in  great 
loneliness  of  feeling,  may  I  be  more  than  willing  to  tread  it, 
and  with  regard  to  the  darling  children,  may  I  be  enabled  to 
assist  a  little  in  training  them  up  for  eternity.  *  * 

I  am  low  at  this  dark  and  silent  hour,  and  have  no  one  to 
whom  it  is  possible  for  me  fully  to  unfold  my  heart,  except  my 
beloved  Lord  and  Master,  whom  I  trust  I  have  not  by  any 
wilful  errors  greatly  offended.  I  am  sometimes  favoured  with 
a  sense  of  his  love,  so  that  a  little  hope  arises  for  myself,  for 
Friends,  for  the  church  at  large.  But  cannot  I  say  "  I  am  a 
worm  and  no  man." 

In  the  prospect  of  religious  service  in  the  North 
of  England  to  which  he  now  believed  himself  called, 
he  writes, 

Vol.  1—18 


274  PROSPECT    OF    RELIGIOUS    SERVICE.  1824. 

1th  vw.,  26th.  The  week  passed  in  as  close  and  determined 
occupation  as  I  could  well  manage,  the  result  of  which  was 
the  complete  clearing  off  of  all  business  engagements,  and  the 
satisfactory  finishing  (except  the  notes)  of  Section  2,  Essay 
10.  To  crown  the  Aveek,  I  found  it  necessary  to  go  to  Acle  on 
seventh  day  evening  to  attend  their  Bible  meeting,  in  a  barn, 
an  effort  which  I  did  not  regret,  as  it  was  a  very  favoured 
time.  Lord  Calthorpe,  who  had  been  paying  me  a  visit  at 
Earlham,  was  our  excellent  chairman.  I  value  the  steadi- 
ness and  almost  nearness  of  his  friendship.  Enoch  Jacobson, 
(the  Friend  from  Norway,)  again  pleasantly  with  me  one  day. 
In  the  adjournment  of  the  jMonthly  Meeting  on  5th  day,  I 
laid  open  to  men  and  women  Friends,  my  view  of  holding 
meetings  with  Friends  in  Yorkshire,  Durham,  Lancashire, 
Nottinghamshire,  and  Lincolnshire  —  an  arduous  prospect  — 
one  which,  though  of  old  date,  has  become  more  defined 
within  the  last  few  days,  and  has  spread  not  a  little. 
Yesterday  I  was  furnished  with  a  full  certificate,  signed 
by  all  present,  and  evidently  signed  heartily.  By  this 
sweet  unity  of  my  brethren,  and  sisters,  I  trust  I  may  be 
strengthened  in  the  prosecution  of  my  undertaking.  *  *  * 
The  afternoon  meeting  (on  the  following  first  day)  was  very 
touching.  I  spoke  on  the  declaration  of  Paul,  that  our  citi- 
zenship is  in  heaven;  and  the  Sowings  of  the  tenderest 
Christian  love,  under  which  I  was  enabled,  in  parting,  to  set 
forth  the  virtue,  the  unspeakable  virtue,  of  the  name  of  Jesus, 
brought  myself  and  many  others,!  believe, to  tears. 

TO    SAMUEL    AND    ELIZABETH    GURNET. 

Norwich,  7th  mo.,  22nd,  1824. 

My  DEAREST  Brother  and  Sister, 

I  have  quite  longed  for  some  communication 
with  you,  and  sometimes  pined  over  our  inevitable  separation. 
I  want  to  enjoy  more  of  a  fellowship  with  you  outwardly,  in 
the  gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour.  Inwardly  I  trust  we  do 
enjoy  it,  and  increasingly  prize  it.  Mayest  thou,  my  beloved 
brother,  be  preserved  in  a  condition  of  close  watchfulness, 
WITH  prayer,  that  the  trammels  of  the  world  may  not  hinder 


^T.  S6.  •  NORTHERN   JOURNEY.  275 

the  growth  of  the  precious  immortal  seed,  or  prevent  thy  being 
wholly  dedicated  to  the  love,  fear,  and  service  of  God.  The 
world  will  have  its  cares,  but  we  need  not  imbibe  its  spirit ; 
and  let  us  henceforth  endeavour  yet  more  sedulously  to  keep 
our  hands  clean,  perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 

The  following  details  of  his  journey  are  from  his 
Journal.  After  describing  his  progress  as  far  as 
Wansford,  in  Northamptonshire,  he  continues :  — 

I  left  Wansford  on  third  day  morning,  7th  mo.,  27th,  at 
half-past  five,  on  the  outside  of  the  Edinburgh  mail ;  and  an 
agreeable  journey,  in  the  company  of  a  pious,  well-informed, 
and  travelled  stranger,  Dr.  Gaultier,  with  whom  I  read  the 
Greek  Testament  and  Magee,  brought  me  to  Robin  Hood's 
Well,  about  six  miles  from  Doncaster,  in  the  afternoon ; 
whence  I  came  in  a  chaise  to  Ackworth.  Many  friends  had 
arrived  before  me,  and  others  were  fast  collecting.  The 
meeting  for  worship  on  fourth  day  morning  was  large,  and 
much  favoured  with  what  I  apprehend  to  be  an  immediate 
divine  influence.  I  had  breakfasted  very  pleasantly  at  Luke 
Howard's  agreeable  villa,  and  walked  thither  again  in  the 
evening,  when,  with  the  family  and  several  other  friends,  we 
heard  read  some  of  Hannah  Kilham's  letters,*  and  had,  in  a 
very  precious  religious  opportunity,  to  remember  with  close 
sympathy  our  distant  friends  who  are  toiling  for  the  cause  of 
Christ  under  a  burning  sun,  0  that  a  true  missionary  spirit, 
in  accordance  with  our  own  principles,  may  more  break  forth 
amongst  us ! 

On  fifth  day  the  general  committee  digested  their  report 
[of  the  examination,]  and  the  whole  discussion  on  it  was 
attended  with  feelings  of  satisfaction  and  I  hope  thankfulness. 
Certainly  after  an  absence  of  four  years,  I  am  greatly  struck 
with  the  real  progress  and  improvement  of  this  most  interest- 
ing institution.     There  is  in  the  whole  system  more  of  spirit 

*  Hannah  Kilham  was  at  this  time  engaged  in  religious  labours  on 
the  coast  of  Africa. 


276  AT   ACKWOKTH.  1824. 

and  effect ;  an5  among  the  dear  children,  more  of  civility, 
more  of  piety,  more  of  mind.  On  reflection,  I  felt  best  satis- 
fied to  go  through  the  scriptural  examination  of  the  "whole 
school.  Accordingly  sixth  day  was  devoted  to  the  girls,  and 
seventh  day  to  the  boys.  Both  days  brought  their  blessing 
with  them.  .  The  girls  performed  very  well  on  the  whole  ;  the 
upper  classes  exceedingly  well.  After  their  examination,  and 
tea  with  my  dear  friend  Luke  Howard,  I  returned  with  him 
to  read  with  the  girls  at  seven  o'clock.  The  opportunity 
which  followed  was  indeed  an  hour  of  weeping  to  the  dear 
children.  How  precious  are  the  tears  of  softness  and  con- 
trition ! 

To  examine  in  succession  the  five  classes  of  boys  on  the 
following  day,  I  found  somewhat  laborious,  though  highly 
interesting  and  every  way  encouraging.  After  tea  we  settled 
down  to  a  religious  opportunity  with  them  at  seven  o'clock. 
I  attempted  to  read  to  them  the  eighth  of  Romans,  but  ex- 
planation became  ministry,  and  I  was  under  the  necessity  of 
laying  down  the  book,  after  reading  a  very  few  verses.  The 
little  fellows  were  soon  melted ;  the  greater  part  of  them  I 
believe  ;  and  there  was  a  precious  solemnity  over  us.  I  after- 
wards visited  many  of  the  children  in  bed,  and  found  them 
very  sweet  and  tender.  *  *  *  * 

On  second  day  morning,  (8th  mo.,  2nd,)  an  agreeable  ride 
over  a  fine,  and  in  parts  almost  a  mountainous  country, 
brought  me  to  Manchester.  This  was  (though  I  forgot  it  at 
the  time,)  my  birthday ;  and  I  have  now  lived  somewhat 
more  than  thirty-six  years.  How  clearly  does  this  consider- 
ation bring  home  the  inadequate  fulfilment  of  my  stewardship  ! 
In  the  afternoon  proceeded  to  Stockport,  where  a  very  kind 
reception  awaited  me  at  the  house  of  Ollive  Sims.  George 
Jones  called  upon  me,  and  we  made  arrangements  for  his  re- 
publication of  my  letter  on  Christianity ;  and  I  have  since 
adopted  similar  measures  at  Manchester  and  Liverpool. 
Elizabeth  Robson  has  also  taken  it  out  to  America,  to  be 
reprinted  there ;  so  that  Friends  appear  to  have  taken  up  this 
performance,  as  well  as  the  work  on  our  principles,  warmly  and 
decisively. 


MT.  37.  AT   LORD    DERBY'S.  277 

After  noticing  meetings  at  Stockport  and  Man- 
chester, he  proceeds:  — 

Before  I  left  [Manchester]  I  earnestly  recommended  the 
formation  of  an  association  for  promoting  moral  and  Christian 
order  in  factories,  which  I  trust  will  lead  to  some  practical 
fruit.  The  object  is  of  the  first  importance  in  mj  view,  con- 
sidering that  the  great  mass  of  the  population  is  engaged  in 
these  factories.  A  wet  ride  on  the  outside  of  the  Liverpool 
mail,  after  a  warm  leave  taking  with  Friends,  brought  me  in 
the  afternoon  to  Prescot,  whence  I  took  a  chaise  for  Knowsley. 
Lord  and  Lady  Derby  gave  me  a  cordial  reception.  It  was 
their  public  day ;  and  we  had  a  magnificent  dinner  in  their 
almost  royal  new  dining  room.  Our  party  consisted  of  Lord 
and  Lady  Derby,  Lord  Stanley,  his  daughters  Louisa  and 
Eleanor,  and  several  others.  I  endeavoured  to  give  the  con- 
versation in  the  evening  something  of  a  religious  turn,  and 
read  a  little  to  them. 

Sixth  day  was  pleasant  and  interesting.  Many  hours 
were  spent  in  Lady  Derby's  sitting  room,  in  scriptural 
investigation.  The  divinity  of  Christ  was  our  subject ;  and 
the  conversation  and  intercourse  were  highly  interesting. 
I  also  rode  with  Lord  Derby  about  the  park,  and  pleaded  in 
vain  against  cock-fighting,  racing,  &c.  The  next  morning  I 
felt  under  a  weight  of  exercise,  which  seemed  as  if  it  could 
have  no  vent ;  but  at  last  opportunity  oflfered  for  the  i-eading 
of  a  psalm,  with  silence,  ministry,  and  prayer,  in  Lady  Derby's 
room  with  herself  and  her  husband.  It  was  an  afi^ectins: 
time,  and  I  afterwards  parted  from  them  under  a  sense  of 
reciprocal  love.  Sarah  Benson's  carriage  €ame  for  me,  and 
conveyed  me  to  her  son  Robert  Benson's  house  of  mourning  at 
Linaere,  four  miles  from  Liverpool,  on  the  mouth  of  the 
Mersey.  His  dear  and  excellent  wife  died  after  her  confine- 
ment, a  few  weeks  since,  and  has  left  him  with  four  children. 
I  have  not  often  seen  a  more  real  mourner.  Sarah  Benson 
is  a  nobly  comprehensive  person,  of  deep  piety  and  sound 
judgment. 


278  AT  LIVERPOOL.  1824. 

First  Jay  [at  Liverpool]  was  one  of  much  close  exercise, 
and  of  some  real  suffering  for  the  truth.  The  Fi'iends  at  the 
morning  meeting  numerous ;  the  ministry  close  and  almost' 
severe.  I  felt  myself  much  a  mourner  and  much  "in  bonds." 
These,  however,  were  broken  asunder  in  a  large  and  favoured 
public  meeting  in  the  evening,  in  which  the  gospel  had  free 
course,  and  was,  I  humbly  trust,  glorified  amongst  us. 

On  second  day  morning  we  were  agreeably  surprised  by 
the  appearance  of  the  gallant  "Canada"  coming  into  the 
Mersey,  her  mark  being  known  to  Robert  Benson,  and  we 
had  the  pleasure  of  descrying  Anna  Braithwaite  in  her, 
through  the  telescope.  I  did  not  however  see  her  face  to 
face  till  my  return  to  Linacre  at  night,  when  I  was  much 
gratified  by  observing  her  to  be  in  health,  and  at  ease.  Her 
story  respecting  America  is,  in  a  high  degree,  interesting  and 
affecting.  She  seems  to  have  indeed  gone  forth  in  the  need- 
ful hour,  to  detect  the  secret  places  of  infidelity,  and  to 
proclaim  the  truth  with  boldness.  I  should  conceive,  from 
her  statements,  that  divine  truth  is  gradually  regaining  its 
ascendency  among  our  transatlantic  brethren.  On  third  day 
morning,  the  12th,  I  breakfasted  with  the  family  of  the 
Waterhouses.  One  of  the  sons,  [Benjamin,]  an  interesting 
young  man  of  twenty-two,  is  now  my  travelling  companion. 
After  breakfast  to  the  prison  ;  very  defective  ;  but  the  women 
under  the  kind  care  of  a  committee.  With  them  we  held 
a  solemn  meeting.  Then  a  visit  to  the  beautiful  docks. 
What  a  wonderful,  busy,  ingenious,  adventurous  creature  is 
man  !  How  unlikely  that  such  an  one  should  be  created  for 
the  mere  span  of  seventy  years,  and  for  that  only !  We 
dined  at  James  Cropper's,  and  after  a  little  needful  rest, 
he  and  I  called  upon  his  neighbour  and  my  worthy  friend 
William  Roscoe.  I  asked  for  silence,  and  in  ministry 
encouraged  him  in  the  continuance  of  his  works  of  benevo- 
lence, and  preached  to  him  the  gospel  of  Christ,  very  shortly, 
but,  I  believe,  in  the  life.  We  left  him  tender  and  grateful. 
He  is  not,  I  believe,  far  from  the  kingdom  of  God ;  but  oh ! 
the  obstructions  thrown  in  the  path  of  men  by  an  unsound  or 
incomplete  faith  [  *  *  *  * 


-ET.  37.                      TO   THOMAS    FOWELL   BUXTON.                             279 
Fifth  day ;  parting  opportunity  after  breakfast  with ; 


close  exercise  felt  and  expressed  on  his  account,  that  without 
further  delay  he  might  close  in  with  what  I  believe  to  be  the 
divine  will  for  him,  and  become  a  consistent  Friend.  How 
happy  should  I  be  to  hear  of  this  result !  There  is  much  in 
him  greatly  to  esteem  and  value.  A  high  integrity  of  charac- 
ter, and  a  love  for  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

The  Friends  met  me  very  generally  at  their  week-day  meet- 
ing that  morning.  It  was  our  parting  assemblage ;  and  very 
close  and  clear  was  the  exercise  of  mind  into  which  I  found 
myself  introduced.  *  *  The  love  felt  after  the  meeting  con- 
cluded was  almost  inexpressible,  and  it  appeared  to  be  mutual. 
I  felt  particularly  bound  to  some  of  the  young  men.     After 

dining  with and  a  religious  opportunity  in  their  family, 

ray  dear  young  friend  Benjamin  Waterhouse  and  myself, 
ascended  the  outside  of  a  crowded  stage  coach,  which  conveyed 
us,  with  rather  a  frightful  rapidity,  to  Preston,  thirty-two 
miles.  Tired  and  exhausted,  I  found  a  comfortable  abode  at 
the  house  of  my  kind  friends,  Ralph  and  Mary  Alderson. 

From  Preston  his  course  was  directed,  by  way  of 
Lancaster  and  Settle,  to  Darlington.  Writing  to  his 
brother-in-law  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  after  an  affec- 
tionate remonstrance  on  the  subject  of  shooting  for 
diversion,  he  says :  — 

Settle,  8th  mo.,  18th,  1824. 

*  *  I  do  feel  an  earnest  desire  that  all  thy  ways  may  be 
ordered  by  the  noon-day  principles  of  Christian  truth ;  that 
thou  mayest  remember  how  considerable  a  degree  of  question- 
ableness  attaches  to  every  path  in  life,  in  which  self  is  not 
denied  ;  and  that  every  thing  may  drop  off  from  thy  system  of 
living  and  action  which  cannot  be  done  to  the  glory  of  God, 
and  in  the  name  of  oujr  Lord  Jesus.  Great  confidence  in  thy 
Christianity  I  have  long  felt,  and  still  feel ;  and  yet  I  think 
thy  public  life  affords  reasons  why  a  deep,  determined,  steady, 
abiding  watchfulness  and  continued  reliffious  exercise  of  mind. 


280        WATCHFULNESS  ESSENTIAL  TO  RELIGIOUS  GROWTH.  1824. 

are  peculiarly  needful.  "  The  whole  world  (says  the  apostle) 
lieth  in  Avickcdness,"  and  they  whose  interests  in  connexion 
with  it  are  the  strongest,  (and  I  consider  thy  parliamentary 
life,  however  right,  a  most  powerful  worldly  interest,)  have 
the  more  need  ever  to  watch  and  pray,  "lest  they  enter  into 
temptation,"  lest  their  standard  should  become  lowered,  lest 
they  should  slide  down-hill.  Thy  personal  religious  growth 
is  more  connected  with  the  welfare  of  man  and  the  glory  of 
God,  than  that  of  many.  With  thee  not  a  few  deeply  interest- 
ing objects,  (as  far  as  the  measure  of  an  individual  goes,) 
appear  ready  to  stand  or  fall ;  and  I  am  intimately  persuaded 
that  nothing  will  serve  thy  purpose,  or  the  purposes  which  in 
some  degree  centre  in  thee,  but  divine  grace.  It  ought  to  be 
the  root  and  spring,  and  protection  of  all  thy  proceedings.  It 
will  make  its  way,  where  to  all  other  principles  the  door  is 
shut.  It  comes  from  Him,  who  can  and  will  gradually  execute 
liis  own  gracious  designs ;  and,  as  for  thyself,  thou  hast  in  my 
lipprehension,  nothing  of  so  much  importance  to  do,  as  to  lie 
low  under  the  mighty  hand  of  God,  that  he  may  sanctify  all 
thy  talents,  enlarge  all  thy  capacities,  direct  all  thy  movements, 
and  preserve  the  instrument  in  its  true  brightness  and  sharp 
ness,  free  from  the  rust  of  the  world,  which  would  soon  rendei 
it  comparatively  inefficacious.  Pray,  therefore,  that  thou  mayest 
dwell  deeply  in  the  root  of  life,  even  in  Christ  Jesus,  "  the 
wisdom  and  the  power  of  God." 

At  Darlington,  besides  holding  two  public  meet- 
ings, he  visited  the  families  of  Friends.  In  allusion 
to  these  services,  he  writes  in  his  Journal:  — 

The  burthen  seemed  very  considerable ;  but  I  found  it 
greater  than  I  expected,  for  my  private  opportunities  were 
upwards  of  seventy  in  number.  The  week  was,  of  course,  a 
very  laborious  one ;  for  besides  these  private  visits,  (almost  all 
of  which  were  accomplished  before  the  conclusion  of  the 
following  first  day,  four  only  being  left  till  the  next  morning,) 
there  were  the  meetings  with  the  Darlington  Friends  on  the 
following  first  day  morning,  and  with  the  public  on  third  day, 


^T,  37.  DARLINGTON   AND   NEWCASTLE.  281 

and  again  on  the  following  first  day  evening;  and  on  fifth 
day,  a  meeting,  a  funeral,  and  sevei'al  private  opportunities  at 
Stockton.  The  family  visiting  was,  (as  it  always  is,)  a 
peculiarly  close  labour.  Earnestly,  however,  did  I  crave 
divine  assistance  to  divide  the  word  of  truth  aright ;  which 
prayer  Avas  the  more  needed,  because  I  find  myself  almost 
constantly  led  on  these  occasions,  as  well  as  in  meetings,  to 
speak  to  particular  states  ;  to  enter  into  feeling  for  almost 
every  individual,  individually.  On  the  whole,  I  like  solitary 
family  visiting  best.  The  visits  were  generally  satisfactory, 
quite  confirming  the  favourable  impressions  received  in  the 
preceding  meetings.  Tears  almost  everywhere,  the  fruit,  in 
my  estimation,  of  real  sensibility,  not  of  sentimentality.  In 
some  instances,  the  work  was  painfully  close  and  searching, 
I  fully  believe  rightly  so,  but  I  was  reproved  inforo  conscientise, 
for  mentioning,  though  in  intimacy,  a  case  or  two  of  this  sort. 
A  holy  discreetness  in  keeping  counsel  is,  indeed,  essential  to 
the  Christian  minister.  *  *  The  concluding  meeting  with 
Friends  at  Darlington,  on  first  day  morning,  the  29th,  was 
very  solemn  and  afiecting.  I  trust  some  were  reached  in  the 
heart,  to  use  a  quaint  but  expressive  word.  I  left  this 
interesting  and  truly  flourishing  place,  (0  may  it  through 
watchfulness  and  humility  long  *  continue  so !)  for  Durham 
and  Sunderland,  on  second  day,  the  30th  of  the  8th  month. 

From  Darlington,  by  way  of  Sunderland  and 
Shields,  he  proceeded  to  Newcastle,  and  thence,  by 
way  of  Redcar,  to  Whitby.  At  Sunderland  he 
writes : — 

I  held  a  satisfactory  meeting  with  the  young  people,  among 
whom  (as  I  have  since  done  at  Shields,  Newcastle,  and 
Whitby,)  I  endeavoured  to  institute  an  association  for 
reading  Friends'  books  in  company,  each  sex  separately,  and 
of  course  under  proper  superintendence.  I  believe  a  real 
blessing  would  attend  such  little  efforts  for  good. 

*  *  [At  Newcastle]  on  first  day,  [the  4th  of  the  9th  mo.,] 
the  morning  meeting  was,  I  believe,  larger  than  usual.     It 


282  AT  WHITBY.  1824. 

was  one  of  close  exercise  with  me.  *  *  I  dined  afterwards 
with  my  dear  friend  George  Richardson,  where  I  met  a  small 
party  of  Friends.  He  is  the  individual  under  whose  ministry 
dearest  Priscilla  was  brought  home  to  Friends,  and  is  a  person 
whose  light  is  shining  brightly  all  around.  Would  that  such 
more  abounded  amongst  us.  Several  family  visits  were  paid 
in  the  course  of  second  day,  through  no  inconsiderable  fatigue. 
The  most  interesting  was  one  to  David  Sutton  and  his  Avife, 
the  old  man  88,  and  his  wife  a  complete  invalid.  There  was 
true  life  to  be  felt  in  their  company.  After  taking  tea  at  our 
aged  Friend  Robert  Foster's,  I  held  a  meeting  in  the  evening 
with  about  eighty  young  people.  It  lasted  two  hours  and 
a  half,  for  the  life  rose  into  something  like  dominion,  and  it 
was  a  time  of  great  solemnity.  I  hope  my  plan  for  reading 
Friends'  books  will  go  on  among  them. 

In  the  afternoon  of  third  day,  Margaret  and  Mary  Bragg 
accompanied  me,  very  pleasantly,  to  Durham,  where  a  public 
meeting  was  appointed.  It  was  not  large,  and  a  time  of  some 
real  lowness  and  difficulty.  It  seemed  clearly  laid  upon  me 
to  uphold  the  doctrine  of  the  universal  light  of  Christ  in  the 
heart,  and  to  explain  our  several  peculiar  religious  testimonies. 
I  hope  and  believe  there  were  individuals  present  who  could 
receive,  perhaps  rejoice  in  the  doctrine. 

Two  days  afterwards,  the  8th  of  the  9th  month  : — 

*  After  a  short  stormy  night,  the  more  so  to  me  from 
the  fracture  of  a  large  pane  of  glass  by  my  bedside  through 
the  violence  of  the  wind,  I  rose  a  little  after  four  o'clock,  and 
my  two  young  companions  having  joined  me  from  the  inn, 
we  went  forward  [from  Redcar]  over  a  wretched  road,  a  long 
ride  of  five  hours,  to  Whitby.  The  meeting  of  the  Friends  there 
was  appointed  at  half-past  ten,  and  after  a  hasty  meal,  we  found 
ourselves  seated  in  it  before  eleven  o'clock.  Never  scarcely 
did  I  feel  more  entirely  oppressed  with  bodily  and  mental  infir- 
mity, so  that  entering  into  religious  exercise  seemed  impossible. 
But  with  my  gracious  Saviour  and  Leader  all  things  are  pos- 
sible, and  I  shall  not  soon  forget  how  I  was  unexpectedly  and 


jfiT.  37.  TO    LORD    SUFFIELD.  283 

almost  suddenly  brought  into  close  sympathy  with  a  suffering, 
afflicted,  mournful  company  of  brethren  and  sisters,  for  many 
such,  as  I  afterwards  found,  there  were  present,  chiefly  from 
outward  causes.  I  ministered  to  them  the  sweet  oil  of  con- 
solation, and  was  also  much  engaged  in  endeavouring  to 
arouse,  alarm,  and  bring  to  Christ  the  children  of  the  world, 
who  had  a  name  to  live  but  were  dead.  *  *  In  the  evening  I 
met  the  young  people,  about  thirty ;  on  which  occasion,  though 
I  greatly  felt  my  own  weakness,  I  believe  the  necessary  help 
was  afforded. 

From  York,  Joseph  John  Gurney  wrote 

TO     LORD     SUFFIELD. 

(On  the  decease  of  his  wife.)* 

York,  9th  mo.,  30th,  1824. 

I  cannot  express,  my  dear  friend,  how  deeply  I  have 
felt  interested  in  the  events  which  have  been  passing  in  thy 
family.  I  well  know  the*  sore  distress  which  must  have 
been  thy  portion  during  the  time  of  afflicting  suspense,  and 
during  the  bitter  change  from  hope  to  hopelessness ;  and  how 
the  whole  is  summed  up  by  the  mournful  blank  of  such  a 
termination  of  anxiety.  But  I  feel  confident  that  mercy  has 
been  richly  mingled  with  the  cup  of  woe.  I  doubt  not  but 
thou  hast  found  that  there  is,  in  such  scenes,  much  which  tends 
to  satisfy  the  mind  that,  in  striving  after  the  attainment  of 
vital  religion  through  faith  in  a  Redeemer,  we  have  not  been 
following  any  cunningly  devised  fable,  but  substantial  and  ever 
enduring  truth.  *  *  * 

I  cannot  help  writing  freely  to  thee,  my  dear  and  honoured 
friend.  With  regard  to  thyself  I  cannot  but  believe  that 
thou  hast  been  strengthened  to  bow  in  reverent,  holy  resigna- 
tion to  the  will  of  thy  heavenly  Father,  and  that  he  has  been 
pleased  to  administer  that  precious  support  by  which  alone 
such  trials  can  be  rightly  endured.  Ah !  my  dear  friend, 
may  this  severe  affliction  abundantly  yield  the  peaceable  fruits 

*  See  Memoir  of  Lord  Suffield,  by  Richard  Mackenzie  Bacon, 
pp.  202—203. 


284  RETURN  HOME.  1824. 

of  righteousness.  May  it  be  the  means  of  more  entirely 
weaning  thee  from  a  too  attractive  world,  of  fixing  thy  whole 
heart  on  God,  and  of  exciting  thee  to  a  holy  dedication  of 
thyself  and  of  all  thy  talents  to  Jiis  service,  who  has  bought 
thee  with  a  price,  even  Avith  the  precious  price  of  his  own 
blood.  In  the  path  of  religion  and  duty,  I  can  venture  to  say 
thy  consolations  in  Christ  will  abound,  and  a  precious  union 
of  spirit  will  still  be  felt  with  her  who  has  (I  humbly  trust) 
winged  her  flight  before  thee  to  the  realms  of  light  and 
bliss.  *  *  * 

I  am  almost  daily  engaged  in  these  parts,  chiefly  on  a  visit 
to  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  expect  to  be  detained  a  few 
weeks  longer  from  home.      I  hope  Button  has  been  with  thee. 
I  am,  my  dear  friend, 

Ever  faithfully  thine, 

J.  J.  GURNEY. 

The  remainder  of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  journey 
was  occupied  by  engagements  similar  to  those 
already  described  at  various  places  in  Yorkshire, 
and  the  adjacent  counties  of  Lincoln,  Nottingham, 
and  Derby. 

Darlham,  11th  mo.,  5th.  At  most  of  the  larger  towns 
I  passed  two  or  three  days,  and  held  public  meetings  very 
generally,  and  youth's  meetings  in  many  places.  Deep  and 
various,  I  may  truly  say,  were  the  exercises  which  I  passed 
through ;  yet  ought  I  gratefully  to  acknowledge,  that  in  every 
place  the  power  of  truth  seemed  to  prevail.  If  the  question 
be  asked,  "  lackedst  thou  anything  ?"  I  can,  indeed,  humbly 
answer,  "nothing.  Lord;"  for  my  merciful  Saviour  has  not 
failed  me,  that  I  am  aware  of,  in  a  single  instance.  Some- 
times, indeed,  the  strength  given  seemed  only  just  equivalent 
to  the  need.  At  other  times  it  was  dispensed  abundantly  and 
powerfully.  My  gift  has  often  been  searching,  dissecting, 
severe  ;  yet,  I  trust,  always  in  true  love. 

On  second  day  morning  I  returned  to  thi?  dear  place,  and 


2RT.  37.  TO    A    FRIEND.  285 

found  Rachel  and  the  darling  children  at  home.  I  have  tc 
record  with  thankfulness  the  health,  sweetness,  good  behaviour, 
and  general  improvement  of  these  little  ones.  May  they 
ever  be  the  children  and  followers  of  the  Saviour.  His  for 
life,  his  for  eternity.  They  were  overjoyed  to  meet  me ;  we 
had  been  separated  fifteen  weeks.  Dearest  Catherine  came 
home  to  dinner ;  and  Francis  and  Richenda,  Louisa,  and  her 
little  ones  are  with  us,  very  delightfully.  And  yet,  in  this 
change,  (shadowed  as  it  is  by  old  causes  of  deep  sorrow,)  I 
have,  to  tell  the  truth,  passed  through  much  lowness.  The 
solitude  of  my  path,  as  it  relates  to  Friends,  was  almost 
overpowering  to  my  spirit  on  my  return,  but  I  am  cheerful 
and  happy  now.  I  was  truly  thankful  to  find  the  meeting  of 
yesterday  large,  and  something  very  precious  to  be  felt  with 
that  beloved  flock,  as  if  there  had  been  a  little  growth  in 
grace,  an  increased  settlement  in  the  truth.  0  that  it  may 
be  so  ! 

TO    A   FRIEND. 

Earlham,  first  day  night,  11th  mo.,  7th,  1824. 

It  is  sweet  and  consoling  to  me,  amidst  many  discourage- 
ments, and  some  deep  trial  of  mind,  on  ray  return  home  to 
an  allotment  which  is,  in  some  very  important  respects, 
solitary,  to  think  of  thee ;  and  to  dwell  on  the  happy  prospect 
of  thy  becoming  more  entirely  united  with  Friends.  Thou 
knowest  my  opinion  of  "plainness  of  speech  and  apparel." 
It  is  my  deliberate  conviction  that  it  is  a  good  testimony, 
founded  on  true  gospel  principles,  and  that,  however  familiar 
and  universal  the  contrary  may  have  become.  Friends  are 
truly  bound  not  to  sacrifice  one  jot  or  tittle  of  that  testimony. 
I  am  pleading  for  no  form,  but  for  that  which  I  thoroughly 
believe  to  be  a  fruit  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ ;  and  I  am  cer- 
tainly anxious  that  nothing  should  prevent  thy  acceding  to  it ; 
not  only  because  I  am  persuaded  it  is  a  branch  of  our  duty, 
but  because  I  well  know  that  in  thy  case,  as  in  that  of  many 
others,  it  is  likely  to  be  a  little  door  to  a  wide  field — a  little 
link  on  which  a  great  chain  will   hang.     What  would   have 


286  JOURNAL.  1824 

become  of  my  dear  sister  Fry's  labours,  had  she  resisted  the 
early  call  of  duty,  and  reasoned  aAvay  the  reqmred  sacrifice  ? 
Let  me  earnestly  invite  thee  to  make  this  a  subject  of 
prayer,  and  to  refrain  from  any  farther  reasoning  or  specula- 
tion respecting  it.  Follow  the  Shepherd's  voice  with  childlike 
simplicity.  Ours  must  be  a  life  of  faith;  and  we  must 
sometimes  suffer  our  gracious  Lord  and  INIaster  to  lead  us  for 
a  season  as  the  "  blind,  in  ways  which  we  knew  not,  and  in 
paths  which  we  have  not  known."  He  is  powerfully  alluring 
thee  into  "the  wilderness."  Follow  him  closely.  Cleave  to 
thy  holy  guid^,  who  hath  loved  thee  and  given  himself  for 
thee.  He  will  give  thee  thy  rich  and  pleasant  vineyards  from 
thence,  and  the  valle}''  of  Achor — of  deep  humiliation — for  a 
door  both  of  hope  and  of  usefulness,  which  no  man  shall  ever 
shut. 

11th  mo.,  12th.  Yesterday  at  oui*  Monthly  Meeting  I 
delivered  in  my  certificate,  and  had  to  acknowledge  the  kind- 
ness and  mercy  of  Israel's  Shepherd  who  was  with  me  in  the 
way,  guiding  me  and  helping  me;  also  the  peace  I  felt  in 
the  humble  belief  that  I  had  not  been  out  of  my  right  place. 
I  added  a  few  words  on  the  evident  gathering  of  the  people 
in  many  places  to  Christ :  and  on  the  great  importance  that 
Friends  should  bear  all  their  testimonies  consistently  in  the 
sight  of  the  world.  I  felt  much  true  peace  afterwards.  In 
the  evening  I  began  to  re-read  Butler,  with  pleasure. 

This  morning,  I  have  been  conversing  with  dearest  Rachel, 
who  thinks  me  a  little  disjointed  from  home  associa- 
tions, and  has  her  jealousies  respecting  my  course.  Her 
cautions  have  often  been  useful  and  salutary  to  me.  May 
I  be  preserved  in  close  watchfulness  against  all  the  wiles  of 
the  enemy ! 

0  my  dearest  Lord  and  Saviour,  who  art  my  only  refuge 
and  way  to  the  Father,  in  this  often  dark  and  cloudy  world, 
permit  me  at  this  time  to  cast  myself  at  thy  feet,  and  to 
crave  thy  gracious  aid  and  protection.  Make  thy  way  straight 
before  me.  Defend  me,  I  humbly  beseech  thee,  from  the 
wiles  of  the  enemy  of  souls,  who  is  ever  ready  to  play  upon 


AT.  37.  JOTRNAL.  287 

the  deep  deceitfulness  of  the  human  heart.  Let  him  not 
mislead  me,  I  reverently  praj  thee ;  but  be  thou  my  prophet, 
my  priest,  and  my  teacher,  my  guide  and  my  comforter  in  all 
my  ways,  words,  and  works.  I  humbly  thank  thee  for  the 
knowledge  of  thy  truth,  and  for  the  hopes  of  eternity :  and 
grant,  I  beseech  thee,  that  I  may  be  strengthened  of  thy 
grace  for  the  performance  of  my  daily  duty ;  and  that  I  may 
more  abound  in  pure,  unfeigned,  uninterrupted  love  towards 
all  who  love  and  serve  thee.  Let  me  ever  maintain  my 
footing  on  the  only  sure  foundation.  Let  me  be  kept  in  the 
valley  of  real  humiliation.  Let  me  ever  adhere  to  the 
sobriety  and  simplicity  of  thy  most  holy  truth:  and  since 
thou  hast  seen  meet  to  intrust  thy  unworthy  servant  with  a 
gift  in  the  ministry,  let  it  be  preserved,  I  pray  thee,  deep, 
clear,  sound,  wholesome,  to  my  own  peace,  to  the  good  of 
others,  and  to  thy  glory ! 

Second  day  morning,  Wth  mo.,  Ibth.  *  *  *  Yesterday  was 
a  very  peaceful  and  even  consoling  Sabbath  day.  Both  the 
meetings  large,  and  both  meat  and  drink  to  the  soul.  Ah ! 
may  it  please  our  gracious  Master  to  gather  our  flock  in  this 
place  more  entirely  to  himself,  and  to  draw  others  into  the 
enjoyment  of  this  peculiarly  sweet  and  salutary  rest.  Surely 
the  work  of  convincement  must  in  the  end  go  forward.  For 
what,  after  all,  can  be  compared  to  the  preciousness  of  that 
principle,  which  truly  leads  into  the  silence  of  all  flesh  before 
the  Lord  Jehovah  ? 

First  day  night.  Conflict  of  mind,  the  secret  buffeting  of 
the  enemy,  a  strange  mixture  of  unaccountable  bitters  in  my 
cup,  continued  to  be  my  portion,  till  last  night,  in  a  very 
considerable  degree ;  but,  all,  it  may  be,  was  no  more  than  a 
needful  preparation  for  the  blessed  hope  and  elevation,  the 
sweet  peace  and  flowing  comfort  of  the  day  which  is  now 
brought  to  its  conclusion.  "  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and 
all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his  holy  name  !" 

i2.th  mo.,  11th.  Yesterday  I  heard  of  the  instantaneous 
and  easy  death,  (after  a  few  days'  indisposition,)  of  my 
beloved     and    truly    honoured    friend,     Samuel    Alexander, 


288  JOURNAL.  1824 

aged  75.  I  have  often  said  of  late,  that  I  scarcely  knew  any 
one  who  so  much  corresponded  with  my  idea  of  Christian  per- 
fection as  this  dear  friend.  I  had  a  peculiar  reverence  for 
him,  the  more  so  because  of  his  deep  humility,  for  self  was  of 
no  reputation  with  him.  In  such  a  case  as  his,  I  am  inclined 
to  think  that  sudden  dissolution  may  be  esteemed  a  real  bless- 
ing.      But  0  the  necessity  of  being  ready  at  a  moment ! 

12th  mo.,  ^Oth.  My  religious  principles  are  likely  to  be  put 
(I  mean  in  my  own  mind)  to  rather  a  severe  test,  by  the 
reviews  which  are  now  rapidly  coming  out  of  my  work. 
How  can  I  expect  that  the  world,  or  the  church  at  large,  will 
do  otherwise  than  frown,  at  present,  on  the  peculiar  tenets  of 
our  little  sect  ?  Yet  I  may,  I  think,  with  humility  and  grati- 
tude confess,  that,  after  much  conflict  from  fears  and  doubts 
which  are  very  apt  to  assail  me,  I  am  permitted  time  after 
time,  to  find  rest  in  the  persuasion,  that  the  truth,  as  we  have 
been  taught  to  hold  it,  (without  any  disparagement  of  others 
in  their  own  place,)  is,  "  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus."  And 
never  am  I  so  sensible  of  this  satisfaction,  as  when  my  soid, 
in  the  hours  of  public  worship,  is  gathered  into  deep  quietness 
and  solemnity  before  God. 


^T.  3T.  .  JOURNAL.  289 


CHAPTER  XV. 

1825.     MT.  37—38. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  JOURNAL  J  LETTER  FROM  WILLIAM  WILBERFORCE 
ON  HIS  RETIREMENT  FROM  PARLIAMENT  J  VISIT  TO  LINCOLN- 
SHIRE; ALFRED  CORDER;  YEARLY  MEETING  J  COUNTY  MEETING  ON 
SLAVERY ;  PUBLICATION  OP  HIS  ESSAYS  ON  CHRISTIANITY. 

The  year  1825  was  spent  by  Joseph  John  Gurney 
mostly  at  home.  The  Journal  of  this  period  derives 
its  interest  more  from  the  value  of  the  experience 
which  it  unfolds,  and  the  reflections  which  are  here 
and  there  scattered  through  it,  than  from  the  new- 
ness or  variety  of  the  incidents  recorded.  Not  a 
few  will  read  with  an  additional  interest  the 
numerous  and  emphatic  allusions  made  by  Joseph 
John  Gurney  to  the  peculiar  principles  of  his  own 
religious  society,  whilst  they  recollect  that  he  was 
now  deeply  engaged  in  the  completion  of  his 
Essays  on  Christianity. 

1st  mo.,  SOth.     The  past  week  has  been  exceedingly  full. 

Earl  B here  two  days.     I  hope  the  right  standard  has 

been  in  some  degree  maintained. 

A  considerable  weight  of  discouragement  has  been  my  con- 
panion  with  regard  to  our  religious  society.  I  am  sometimes 
laden  with  mournful  apprehensions  that  it  is  decaying  and 
withering  away;  and  that  this  "good  thing,"  as  I  apprehend 
it  to  be,  should  after  a  season  be  no  more  seen  on  the  earth. 
Perhaps  there  is  nothing  which  requires  so  deep  a  submission 
of  soul  to  the  divine  will,  as  a  point  of  this  description.  Yet 
Vol.  I.— 19 


290  OYERSEEESHIP.  ,  1825. 

liow  obviously  incumbent  upon  us  it  is  to  bow  very  low  before 
the  Lord  our  God,  and  in  every  thing  to  breathe  the  language 
"  Thy  will  be  done."  Sometimes  brighter  hopes  arise,  and 
the  strong  persuasion  that  the  thing  is  good,  and  calculated 
in  an  eminent  degree  to  promote  the  glory  of  God,  gives  rise 
to  the  belief  that  it  will  yet  take  root,  and  again  in  due  time 
spread  among  men. 

2nd  mo.,  Qth.  I  have  been  much  engaged  in  "  overseership" 
with  some  individuals.  One  case  has  interested  me  rather 
anxiously.  It  is  that  of  a  young  woman,  who  I  believe  would 
do  well  in  adopting  the  language  and  simple  dress  of  the 
Friend.  Such  examples  are  wanted  amongst  us,  yet  we  have 
need  of  long  patience.  The  power  of  an  endless  life  is  the 
great  thing  to  aim  at ;  which  I  believe  is  much  promoted  by 
obedience  in  the  day  of  small  things ;  and  I  humbly  trust 
more  of  this  power  will,  in  the  end,  be  manifested  within  our 
peaceful  borders.  "  I  will  raise  up  the  tabernacle  of  David 
that  is  fallen,  and  close  iip  the  breaches  thereof,  and  I  will 
raise  up  his  ruins,  and  I  will  build  it  as  in  days  of  old."*  I 
cannot  doubt  that  this  prophecy  is  being  accomplished,  and' 
will  be  accomplished  in  the  Christian  church ;  and  it  appears 
to  me  to  involve  the  ultimate  growth  and  establishment 
of  those  spiritual  and  unsophisticated  principles  which  our 
Society  professes.  But  the  Lord  only  knows  his  own  wise 
and  gracious  designs. 

Early  in  this  year  William  Wilberforce  retired 
from  parliament.  On  this  occasion  he  addressed 
to  Joseph  John  Gurney  the  following  "  brief  but 
expressive  note."f 

Near  Uxbridge,  Feb.  8  th,  1825. 

My  dear  Friend, 

If  I  do  not  deceive  myself,  you  will 
be  rather  glad  than  sorry  to  hear  that  I  have  determined  to 
retire  from  the  House  of  Commons.     My  physician's  advice 

*  Amos  ix,  11. 

■|"  From  the  Familiar  Sketcli  of  William  Wilberforce.  Minor 
Works,  vol.  ii,  p.  243. 


MT.  37.  LETTER   FROM   WIJ.BERFORCE,  291 

vas  such  as,  all  circumstances  taken  into  account,  led  me  to 
believe  it  to  be  mj  duty  so  to  do ;  and  an  event  so  interesting 
to  me,  I  do  not  like  you  to  hear  from  rumour  or  the  news- 
papers. I  scarcely  need  assure  you  that  I  trust  I  shall  not  be 
less  occupied,  though  I  may  be  less  noisi/  than  heretofore. 
Were  it  not  for  the  weakness  of  my  eyes,  I  should  be  strongly 
tempted  to  pour  forth  the  train  of  thoughts  which  is  rising  in 
my  bosom;  but  I  must  check  myself  and  say  farewell,  my 
dear  friend.  I  hope  you  and  yours  arc  in  good  health,  and 
that  you  are  blessed  with  that  peace  which  I  know  you  prefer 
to  all  earthly  enjoyments. 

May  you  be  favoured  with  a  long  course  of  usefulness  and 
comfort  in  this  life,  if  it  be  the  will  of  God,  and  may  you  at 
length  be  an  abundant  partaker  of  those  pleasures  which  will 
be  infinite  in  degree,  and  eternal  in  continuance. 
I  am  ever 

Your  sincere  and  affectionate  friend, 

W.  WiLBERFORCE. 

2nd  mo.,  14^h.  I  have  been  a  good  deal  struck  and  affected 
with  the  extraordinary  want  of  spiritual  apprehension  which 
appears  to  me  to  be  evinced  by  the  reviews  of  my  work  on 
Friends,  in  religious  publications.  How  is  it  that  the  religious 
world  refuses  its  sanction  so  entirely  to  practical  principles, 
especially  as  it  relates  to  the  ministry  and  the  guidance  of 
the  Holy  Spu'it,  which  I  may  say,  we  know  to  be  true  ? 
Lord,  send  forth  thy  light  and  thy  ti'uth!  What  is  man 
without  them  ? 

2nd  mo.,  21th.  The  present  day  has  been  one  of  very  close 
exercise  of  mind.  The  former  part  of  it  occupied  by  a  journey 
with  two  Friends  to  North  Walsham.  There  we  attended  the 
meeting  for  worship,  and  the  preparative  meeting,  in  which 
the  queries  were  answered ;  the  whole  of  which  was  satisfactory. 
We  returned  to  Norwich  to  tea,  and  at  seven  o'clock  were 
seated  in  the  Goat  Lane  meeting  house,  in  pursuance  of  the 
appointment  of  a  public  meeting,  to  which  the  gentry  were,  in 
my  name,  specially  invited.  Notwithstanding  the  weather, 
many  were  there;  and  after  much  deep  exercise  of  mind,  all 


292  JOURNAL.  1825. 

has  again  ended  well.  The  truths  of  Christianity  were  plainly 
declared  to  a  very  mixed,  a  very  attentive,  and  a  very  reflecting 
congregation.  "Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God." 
I  felt  much  relieved,  and  very  full  of  love  towards  all,  when 
the  meeting  was  over.  How  ought  my  spirit  to  overflow  with 
humble  gratitude  to  that  most  Gracious  Being,  who  has  never 
yet  failed  me  in  the  needful  hour ! 

I  wish  solemnly  to  record  my  full  and  clear  apprehension 
(much  sealed  on  my  spirit  this  week,)  that,  when  unassisted 
by  the  Spirit  of  truth,  I  am,  as  to  every  religious  work,  dry 
and  unprofitable.  God  alone  is  sufficient  for  these  things. 
The  unction  is  everytJdng.  May  I  not  then  heartily  subscribe 
to  the  inspired  exclamation,  "  Not  unto  us,  not  unto  us,  0 
Lord,  but  unto  thy  name  be  the  glory  !" 

4:th  mo.,  8th.  My  time  and  mind  have  been  much  occupied 
since  first  day.  Some  successful  operation  on  the  book  : 
discussions  relative  to  business,  involving  no  little  feeling  and 
thought.  Emma  O'Brien's  visit,  with  Augustus  and  Angehna 
and  Julia  Noel.  They  came  on  fourth  day  morning,  and 
proceeded  with  me  to  Aylsham,  where  we  held  a  good  meeting 
of  the  Bible  Society.  Our  meeting  [for  worship]  yesterday 
was  attended  by  our  guests,  and  was  very  touching  and  solemn. 
0  that  the  mental  eye  of  more  of  the  Lord's  children  might, 
through  grace,  be  opened  to  behold  more  clearly  the  excellence 
of  such  a  mode  of  worship,  and  of  the  principles  of  Friends 
in  general  1  They  increasingly  appear  to  me  to  be  very,  very 
precious. 

iSixth  dai/  morning.  I  have  just  parted  from  my  interesting 
guests,  after  a  solemn  reviving  time  of  religious  intercourse 
and  prayer.  0  the  sweetness  of  the  heavenly  oil !  How  well 
worth  waiting  for ;  how  well  worth  being  a  fool  for !  And 
truly  it  is  not  to  be  obtained  in  man's  will,  or  at  man's  time. 
It  is  poured  forth  when  the  Master  pleases  ;  and  happy  those 
ministers  of  gospel  truth,  who  are,  in  any  degree,  favoured  to 
know  when  to  speak,  and  when  to  be  silent ! 

4f/i  mo.,  ISth.  The  past  week  has  been  very  busy ;  and  in 
it  I  have  satisfactorily  finished  my  whole  Essay  on  "Redemp- 
tion."   The  Monthly  Meeting  on  fifth  day  was  deeply  interest- 


^T,  37.  ENGAGEMENTS   IN    LINCOLNSHIRE.  2l.>3 

ing.  I  laid  before  Friends  my  prospect  [of  religious  service] 
in  Lincolnshire ;  and  the  applications  for  membership  after- 
wards brought  great  solemnity  over  the  meeting.  It  is  re- 
viving to  gather,  instead  of  scattering.  *  *  I  am  clearing  off 
to-day.  To-morrow  I  expect  to  be  on  the  wing  for  Lincoln- 
shire. May  the  Shepherd  of  the  flock  graciously  condescend  to 
be  my  helper  and  guide. 

bth  mo.,  4th.  My  course  was  Wisbech,  Gedney,  Spalding, 
Boston,  Leak,  Wainflect,  Holbeach,  Gedney  again.  Long 
Sutton,  Wisbech  again,  Downham ;  and  throughout  I  was  much 
assisted  by  my  dear  and  sympathizing  companion,  Alfred 
Corder.  How  delightful  it  is  to  me  to  see  a  young  man  so 
prepared  and  anointed  for  the  Lord !  *  At  all  the  above-men- 
tioned places  I  held  public  meetings,  some  of  which  were  very 
arduous  times.  In  others  there  was  an  easier  flow,  and  a 
quicker  entrance  for  the  word  of  life ;  in  all  considerable,  in 
some  profound  solemnity.  The  Friends  are  a  scattered  few, 
but  my  meetings  with  them  were  generally  much  favoured  ; 
and,  on  the  whole,  a  hope  has  been  felt,  that  the  precious 
principles  we  profess,  and  which  in  some  of  the  public  meetings 
I  felt  a  full  liberty  to  unfold,  will  yet  be  maintained  in  these 
districts.  I  was  much  pleased  with  green  rural  Gedney ;  and 
dear  Jonathan  Hutchinson,  though  infirm,  was,  as  usual,  a 
highly  interesting  and  truly  paternal  companion. 

*  Joseph  John  Gurney  had  soon  afterwards  to  record  the  early 
removal  of  this  promising  young  man.  With  his  usual  affectionate 
warmth  and  simplicity,  he  thus  briefly  notices  the  circumstance  in 
the  Autobiography.  "The  autumn  of  1825,  is  marked  in  my  re- 
membrance by  the  death  of  Alfred  Corder,  a  young  Friend  who  had 
resided  at  Ipswich,  and  who  travelled  with  me  in  Lincolnshire,  &c. 
lie  was  the  son  of  a  farmer,  and  an  ironmonger  by  trade,  but  nature 
and  grace  had,  as  it  were,  conspired  in  polishing  him,  and  his  mind 
was  one  of  peculiar  sensitiveness  and  refinement.  Seldom  have  I 
known  any  one  who  more  excited  the  lively  affection  of  his  friend?, 
and  for  my  own  part  I  loved  him  as  a  brother.  Little  adapted  to  the 
rigours  of  this  rough  world,  he  bore  his  living  testlmonj^  in  our  re- 
ligious meetings ;  and  soon  afterwards,  to  the  inexpressible  grief  of 
his  friends,  sickened  and  died." 


294  ENCOURAGEMENT  TO  PRAYER.  1825 

r)th  mo.,  l^th.  After  a  somewhat  disturbed  niglit,  I  find 
myself  languid  and  spiritually  poor.  But  how  good  it  is  for 
us  to  be  brought  and  kept  low  !  We  are  not  capable  here  of 
continued  spiritual  elevation. 

I  have  been  sauntering  in  the  meadows  this  fine  morning 
with  my  tenderly  beloved  children  :  they  are  truly  very  sweet 
and  precious.  0  may  the  Shepherd  of  Israel  keep  these 
tender  lambs  in  his  own  bosom. 

TO    HENRY    BRADY. 

Earlham,  6th  mo.,  9th,  1825. 

*  *  I  have  been  often  led  of  late  to  reflect  on  the  very 
strong  encouragement  held  out  to  us  in  Scripture  to  pray  for 
the  Holy  Spirit.  I  wish  to  be  more  diligent  myself,  and  to 
encourage  those  I  love  to  greater  diligence  in  this  duty.  The 
Holy  Spirit  can  yet  do  wonders  for  us,  in  consoling  amidst 
sorrow,  in  cleansing  from  sin,  in  anointing  for  service.  May 
the  gift  of  grace  be  thine,  my  dear  friend,  in  all  these 
respects. 

I  never,  I  think,  felt  more  thoroughly  persuaded  of  the  im- 
portance of  your  labours  in  the  religious  instruction  of  the 
childi'en  at  Ackworth.  The  late  Yearly  Meeting  evidently 
showed  forth  the  fruits  of  the  Society's  increased  care  in  this 
respect.  Such  a  hopeful  rising  generation  I  think  I  never 
before  witnessed ;  and  many  Friends  who  had  attended  twenty 
or  thirty  Yearly  Meetings  or  more,  have  borne  a  similar 
testimony.  The  arising  of  the  power  of  divine  life  from 
meeting  to  meeting  was  most  cheering  and  animating.  My 
dear  sister  Elizabeth  Fry  and  myself  held  a  youth's  meeting ; 
an  evening  being  appointed  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  the 
purpose.  It  was  a  noble  assemblage :  I  suppose  nearly  two 
thousand  were  present,  and  some  hundreds,  it  was  said,  could 
find  no  entrance.  I  trust  it  was  a  time  of  instriiction  and 
gathering  to  them,  as  it  was  of  the  deepest  exercise  to  us.  *  * 

I  have  been  holding  several  meetings  since  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  chiefly  in  Suffolk.  There  are  many  symptoms,  I  trust, 
abroad  that  the  truth  is  making  progress,  and  this  ought  to 
eheer  our  hearts.     And  though  I  suppose  we  are  never  likely 


^T.  37.  DEATH    OF    HIS    AUNT    GURNEY.  295 

to  be  a  great  multitude,  yet  I  feel  much  hope  that  we  shall  in 
due  season  be  a  strong  and  lively,  if  not  a  numerous  body. 

I  returned  home  to  the  funeral  of  my  beloved  aunt  Gurney, 
at  Keswick,  She  has  long  been  declining,  and  of  late  rapidly 
so,  and  made  a  very  peaceful  close.  She  was  a  true  Dorcas, 
and  lowly  in  spirit. 

TO   ANNA   GURNEY. 

London,  6th  mo.,  4tb,  1825. 

My  dearest  Anna, 

On  arriving  at  Plashet  yesterday 
evening,  I  received  the  deeply  aflfecting  tidings  of  my  beloved 
aunt's  decease.  And  yet  what  can  I  say  when  I  reflect  on  the 
peacefulness  of  her  exit,  and  on  her  calm  and  exemplary 
reliance  on  the  unconquerable  Captain  of  Salvation.  I  must, 
and  I  do  rejoice  in  such  a  close  of  such  a  life ;  a  life  much 
cliequered  with  sorrows  and  cares,  though  on  the  whole  one  of 
much  happiness,  and  certainly  one  of  no  common  humility, 
patience,  and  virtue. 

TO   HIS    BROTHER    AND    SISTER   BUXTON. 

Earlbam,  6th  uio.,  13th,  182.5. 

I  have  enjoyed  returning  to  this  delicious  place,  more, 
peaceful  and  sweet  I  am  ready  to  think  than  ever,  and 
hope  soon  to  resume  my  usual  stroke  of  work.  *  *  I  am 
not  I  trust,  disposed  to  dwell  on  sorrow,  or  in  any  respect 
to  turn  sweet  sunshine  into  gloom.  Let  us  rather  dwell 
on  the  hopes  of  the  gospel,  and  on  the  jo^'s  of  eternity. 
Let  us  take  a  little  hope  and  courage  in  the  name  of  our 
Lord ;  and  press  forward  with  alacrity  towards  that  better 
country  where  there  is  no  sorrow,  nor  sickness,  nor  sin,  nor 
slavery. 

Qth  mo.,  24:th. '  George  Withy  and  Mary  Alexander  were 
with  us  on  first  day.  In  the  evening,  at  George  Withy's 
request,  we  held  a  public  meeting.  It  was  full  and  very 
capital.  0  that  the  truth  may  spread ;  the  original,  un- 
Bophisticated,  unsectarianized  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,     Yestor- 


296  i-ERTENT    PRAYER.  1825. 

ilay  our  flock  met,  ^itli  little  exception  ;■  George  Witlij  being 
with  us;  he  was  very  singular,  very  close,  and  very  powerful; 
and  I  think  made  no  small  impression.  A  large  party  of 
vouno;  men  from  ISI^orwich  breakfasted  here  a  few  mornings 
since.  There  is  much  hope  to  be  felt  respecting  them ;  and 
some  of  the  more  faithful  ones  are  evidently  advanced  in  their 
career. 

Having  returned  home  after  attending  the  General 
Meeting  at  Ackworth,  he  writes  :  — 

Second  day  morning,  [8fA  mo.,  ^th.~\  How  much  humbled 
ought  we  to  be  under  the  sense  of  the  Lord's  unmerited 
mercies,  always  remembering  that  all  that  we  possess  of  either 
natm'al  or  spiritual  talent,  we  have  received  ;  and  what  is  more 
have  to  account  for,  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ. 

0  most  merciful  Father,  the  creator  and  governor  of  all 
things,  suifer  one  of  the  most  unworthy  of  thy  children,  who 
is  often  secretly  buffeted  and  tempted  by  his  soul's  enemy,  to 
draw  near  to  thee  for  help,  strength,  and  deliverance.  Let 
thy  holy  baptism  again  and  again  pass  through  me  and  over 
me,  until  all  is  subdued  and  purified.  Continue,  if  it  please 
thee,  to  anoint  me  abundantly  with  the  oil  of  thy  kingdom, 
that  I  may  preach  thy  Avord  instantly ;  that  I  may  avail 
myself  of  all  right  opportunities  for  the  promotion  of  thj 
precious  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness.  Be  mercifully 
pleased  so  to  regulate  my  temporal  circumstances,  that  I  may 
be  set  more  at  liberty  to  serve  thee ;  yea,  to  dedicate  myself 
unto  thee  as  a  Priest  and  a  Levite.  Enable  me  to  complete 
my  present  work,  I  humbly  and  reverently  beseech  thee ;  and 
bless  it  largely  to  the  increase  of  thy  true  church,  and  to  the 
glory  of  thine  own  great  name.  0  my  God  and  Saviour, 
suffer  not  my  faith  to  fail.  Be  all  in  all  unto  me,  the  fulness 
of  strength,  joy,  and  peace.  Cover  all  my  transgressions. 
Let  me  rejoice  daily  in  wearing  the  spotless  robe  of  the 
righteousness  of  Jesus.  Bless  my  darling  children  from 
their  early  youth  upwards.  Let  them  always  be  thy  children. 
Let    them    be    deniers    of    self,    cross-bearers ;    willing,    per- 


JET.  38.  JOURNAL    AND   LETTER.  297 

severing,  diligent,  fruitful  folloTvers  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
to  whom  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  one  God,  all-wise,  all- 
merciful,  eternal,  be  addressed  for  ever  from  my  prostrate  soul, 
the  melody  of  honour,  glory,  power,  and  praise  !     Amen ! 

Sth  mo.,  18th.  On  fourth  day  we  finally  arranged  those 
matters  of  business  which  have  been  for  some  time  past  so 
weighty,  sometimes  so  oppressive  to  me.  This  settlement 
has  afforded  me  that  peculiarly  sweet  feeling  of  peace  which 
I  know  to  be  indicative  of  the  Master's  signet.  Often  have 
these  words  run  through  my  mind — "i?i  his  quidem  hiec  mihi 
amhitio  est,  mi  Jesu,  vacare  tibi."    • 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Selby,  8lh  mo.,  22nd,  1825. 

I  was  last  evening  much  comforted  and  encouraged  by 
hearing  my  son  read  in  his  family,  the  first  six  chapters  in 
the  2nd  of  Corinthians.  What  love  and  sympathy  at  this 
distance  of  time  we  sometimes  feel  for  eminent  Scripture 
characters !  I  think  mine  runs  the  strongest  toward  Paul  and 
David,  always  reserving  an  unmeasured  and  indescribable  por- 
tion for  the  once  sufi'ering,  now  glorified  Redeemer ;  to  whom, 
with  the  Father,  be  all  honour,  thanksgiving,  and  praise,  in 
time,  and  in  eternity  ! 

A  short  visit  in  the  early  part  of  the  ninth  month 
to  his  friend  William  Forster,  on  his  return  from 
America,  scarcely  interrupted  his  varied  pressing 
home  occupations. 

"  It  is  no  time  for  idleness,"  he  writes  to  Jonathan  Hutchin- 
son,* "  I  am  deeply  engaged  in  many  things,  as  usual.  Just 
now  I  am  publishing  my  Essays,  which  is  a  considerable  efibrt. 
Next  week  we  are  to  have  a  County  Meeting  on  Slavery.  We 
have  had  a  great,  and  I  hope,  good  Bible  Meeting  already. 

*  Under  date  10th  mo.,  12th. 


298  ANTI-SLAVERY   MEETING.  1825. 

But  what,  after  all,  is  so  truly  exercising  as  the  duty  of  the 
Christian  Minister  ?     Indeed,  I  find  it  to  be  so. 

Second  day  afternoon,  \^th  7no.,  lOtJi.  Yesterday  was  one 
of  inexpressibly  deep  exercise  to  me.  In  the  morning  I  was 
long  engaged  on  the  great  prophecy  in  Isaiah  ii,  and  was 
unexpectedly  led  to  dwell  on  the  views  of  Friends  respecting 
the  true  nature  of  worship,  types,  &c.  The  same  strain  in 
prayer — that  the  great  Anti-type  might  be  over  all  types,  and 
his  power  over  all  forms.  It  certainly  was  very  confirming  to 
myself  to  be  thus  powerfully  led  on  this  subject.  Sweet  time 
between  meetings,  at  the  hospital  with  two  poor  men. 

lO^A  ono.,  11th.  Yesterday  was  spent  away  from  ISi^orwich. 
After  some  uneasiness  about  our  own  flock,  and  some  notion 
that  I  might  hold  a  public  meeting  in  the  evening,  I  felt 
quietedr  in  the  belief  that  I  might  leave  Norwich,  and  all  its 
concerns,  to  the  Master ;  and  I  wish  to  record  it,  that  on  this 
and  other  occasions,  I  have  felt  quite  as  much  peace  in  abstain- 
ing from  services,  suggested  by  my  own  zeal  and  natural 
ardour  in  pursuit  of  the  great  object,  as  I  have  felt  at  other 
times  in  a  faithful  performance  of  that  which  he  really 
requires.     Let  me  take  the  lesson  deeply  home  I 

My  dear  uncle  and  myself  passed  the  morning  in  attending 
Wymondham  meeting,  and  in  fulfilling  our  commission  respect- 
ing a  visit  to  the  tithe-payers.     The  day  was  satisfactory. 

IQth  mo.,  24:th.  Since  I  last  wrote,  I  have  been,  as  it  were, 
flooded  by  a  rapid  cm-rent  of  interest,  chiefly  in  the  Slavery 
concern,  which,  wuth  the  party  at  Earlham  connected  with  it, 
occupied  fourth,  fifth,  and  part  of  sixth  day.  The  party  staying 
here  consisted  of  Lord  and  Lady  William  Bentinck,  Lord 
Gosford,  Lord  Calthorpe,  the  Lushingtons,  Buxtons,  Hoares, 
Hankinsons,  &;c.  It  was  particularly  satisfactory,  pleasant, 
and  useful,  without  undue  excitation ;  and,  through  preserving 
favour,  I  did  not  feel  dislocated  from  my  usual  condition.  The 
readings  on  fifth  and  sixth  day  mornings  were  attended  by  all 
the  party,  and  were  very  solemn  and  reviving.  The  holy  oil 
rt'as  poured  forth  for  our  instruction  and  refreshment — a  favour 


^T.  38.  ESSAYS    ON    CHRISTIANITY.  299 

for  which  I  cannot  be  sufficiently  thankful ;  and  0,  that  under 
such  mercies,  self  may  be  kept  prostrate  in  the  dust ! 

The  Anti-slavery  County  Meeting  on  fifth  day,  was  all  that 
could  be  desired,  and  far  better  than  we  had  reason  to  expect. 
It  was  a  flowing  and  interesting  occasion,  rendered  more 
especially  so  by  Buxton's  entire  success.  I  hope  the  impression 
produced  will  be  found  abiding,  and  productive  of  important 
results.  We  dined  afterwards — upwards  of  fifty  ;  a  delightful 
party;  quiet,  orderly,  happy,  entertaining.  On  the  whole, 
I  have  great  reason  to  value  the  friendship  of  these 
persons,  whom  I  believe  I  have  never  gone  out  of  my  way  to 
meet. 

It  was  at  the  close  of  this  year  that  he  published 
the  elaborate  work,  in  which,  under  the  title  of 
Essays  on  Christianity,  he  has  embodied,  in  a  con- 
densed form,  the  result  of  the  meditation  and 
research  of  many  years.  With  singular  perspicuity 
of  arrangement  be  here  unfolds  the  evidences  and 
fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Christian  religion  ; 
dwelling  with  peculiar  force  upon  the  great  truths 
of  redemption,  more  especially  upon  the  glorious 
offices  and  divine  character  and  perfections  of  the 
Kedeerner,  and  the  being,  power,  and  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  The  tenth  essay,  in  which  the  scrip- 
tural argument  in  proof  of  the  Deity  of  Christ  is 
carefully  and  powerfully  stated,  contains  the  sub- 
stance of  the  more  extended  unpublished  work 
upon  the  subject,  which,  as  has  been  already  noticed, 
he  had  commenced  so  early  as  the  year  1815.  The 
whole  is  enforced  as  well  by  a  continued  reference 
to  the  practical  object  and  tendency  of  all  Christian 
truth,  as  by  a  particular  essay  devoted  to  the 
important  subjects  of '"  faith"  and  "obedience,"  in 
which    the    reasonableness    and    necessity   of    their 


300  ESSAYS   ON   CHRISTIANITY.  1S25. 

combined    and   harmonious    exercise    are    striking]}? 
exhibited. 

Deeply  sensible  of  the  mysterious,  and,  to  use  his 
own  expression  in  his  Journal,"'  "  unembraceable" 
character  of  many  of  the  subjects  treated  of,  it  was 
his  desire  to  keep  strictly  within  the  limits  of  that 
which  has  been  revealed  respecting  them. 

"I  wish  to  remark,"  he  writes  in  his  Autobiography,  " that 
throughout  this  work,  as  far  as  relates  to  doctrine,  I  profess 
nothing  more  than  to  present  a  clear  arrangement  of  Scripture 
evidence.  To  attempt  to  be  '  wise  above  that  which  is  written,' 
must  surely  be  esteemed  one  of  the  greatest  of  follies. f  May 
I  ever  be  preserved  from  it ;  and,  in  dependence  on  the 
enlightening  and  guiding  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  may  I 
be  enabled  both  to  understand  and  apply  Scripture  with 
'simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,'  which  may  be  said  to  be, 
under  Christ,  the  keepers  of  the  true  key  to  its  hidden 
treasures." 

The  whole  work  breathes  the  spirit  of  one  whose 
heart  is  warmed  and  animated  by  the  love  of  Christ. 
Taught  as  he  had  been  in  the  school  of  experience, 
and  strengthened,  in  no  small  measure,  to  consecrate 
his  faculties  to  the  service  of  his  Divine  Master,  he 
was  enabled  in  this  volume,  and  often  with  singular 
success,  to  employ  his  extensive  acquaintance  wdth 
the  original  languages  of  Scripture,  as  well  as  with 
Jewish  and  Rabbinical  learning,  and  the  remains  of 
early  Christian  antiquity,  in  throwing  a  clear  and 
steady  light  upon  the  momentous  topics  of  which 
he  treats.  Indeed  it  may  be  said,  without  dis- 
paragement  to   the    many   other   valuable    treatises 

*  Under  date  3rd  mo.,  15th,  1825. 

I A  similar  remark  occurs  in  the  Prefiice  to  the  Essays. 


^T.  38.  JISSAYS    ON    CHRISTIANITY.  801 

extant  upon  these  subjects,  that  it  would  be  difficult 
to  find  a  volume  in  which  so  much  sound  and 
important  information  is  digested  in  so  small  a 
compass,  and  in  so  useful  and  practical  a  form,  as 
in  that  now  under  consideration.  Notwithstanding 
the  sound  scholarship,  apparent  in  almost  every 
page,  the  style  is  clear,  and  adapted  to  the  merely 
English  reader;  w^hilst  the  dihgent  student  of 
the  Hebrew  and  Greek  Scriptures,  can  hardly  fail 
to  derive  instruction  from  the  many  incidental 
explanations, scattered  throughout  the  work, of  obscure 
or  difficult  passages. 

Amidst  his  numerous  other  avocations,  and  his 
frequent  interruptions  from  company,  much  steady 
perseverance  was  necessary  to  the  completion  of 
such  a  work. 

"  To  wind  up  the  mind  to  the  effort  of  writing,"  he  remarks 
in  his  Journal  in  allusion  to  it,*  "is  one  of  the  diflBculties 
of  my  course  of  life.  But,"  he  adds,  "as  my  object  is  the 
pi'omotion  of  truth  and  righteousness,  I  believe  I  may  rightly 
pray,  that  the  Lord  would  send  me  '  help  from  his  sanctuary, 
and  strengthen  me  out  of  Zion ;'  and  if  I  should  succeed  in 
this  important  and  interesting  undertaking,  may  I  be  pre- 
served from  seeking  the  kast  praise  for  myself,  but  give  the 
glory  where  alone  it  is  due  !" 

It  was  in  the  same  spirit  that  it  was  brought  to  a 
conclusion. 

"  To  finish  it,"  he  writes,  under  date  12th  mo.,  5th,  "  after 
the  long  labour  and  thought  bestowed  upon  it,  was  strange  to 
my  feelings,  with  an  intermixture  of  awfulness.  I  trust  I  was 
enabled  to  pray  that  the  divine  blessing  might  rest  upon  the 
undertaking." 

*  Un(Jer  date  6t.h  mo.,  27th,  1825. 


302  KOBERT  SOUTHEY.  1826. 

The  work,  upon  its  publication,  was  very  favour- 
ably received,  and  has  since  passed  through 
numerous  editions.*  In  a  few  warm  but  expressive 
lines,  the  Bishop  of  Norwich  assured  Joseph  John 
Gurney  of  "  the  high  opinion  wdiich  he  entertained" 
respecting  it;  and  from  his  brother-in-law  Thomas 
Fowell  Buxton  he  learned  the  satisfaction  which  it 
had  given  to  the  Duke  of  Gloucester.  "  I  read  it," 
said  the  Duke,  "over,  and  over,  and  over  again." 
His  old  tutor  John  Eogers  w^rote  with  a  warmth  that 
may  be  excused  toAvards  a  favourite  pupil :  — 

In  the  composition  of  these  essays,  you  have  discovered 
an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  subject  on  -which  you  treat : 
you  have  shown  that  your  mind  is  impressed  with  a  full  sense 
of  its  importance,  and  that  it  has  occupied  your  most  serious 
thoughts ;  you  have  displayed  a  great  knowledge  of  the 
original  languages,  in  which  tlie  old  and  the  new  covenants 
were  written,  as  well  as  of  the  Jewish  and  Christian  antiqui- 
ties ;.  you  have  conducted  your  work  in  a  regular  and  perspi- 
cuous method;  and,  (what  gives  it  the  greatest  value,)  you 
have  evinced,  iu  general,  that  excellent  temper,  and  that 
Christian  spirit,  which  ought  always  to  characterize  writings 
of  this  nature. 

FROM   ROBERT   SOUTHEY. 

Keswick,  4th  January,  1826. 

I  have  gone  through  your  volume,  with  wonder  as  well  as 
satisfaction,  and  I  hope  not  without  profiting  by  it.  It  would 
have  been  a  surprising  book  from  one  who  had  been  bred  to 
the  profession  of  divinity,  and  pursued  the  study  with  ardour 
during  a  long  life.      The  evidence  is  full  and  complete,  the 

*  It  has  been  re-published  in  America,  and  has  been  translated 
into  German  and  Spanish.  It  has  also  been  lately  published  in  a 
cheap  form  by  the  Religious  Tract  Society,  from  stereotype  plates 
presented  by  my  friend  John  Henry  Gurney. —  Editor. 


^T,  38.  HANNAH    MORE    AND    CHARLES    SIMEON.  303 

deductions  everjwliere  logical,  the  spirit  truly  Christian ;  and 
I  cannot  douht,  but  that  it  will  be  the  means  of  bi-indng  home 
many  who  have  gone  astray,  and  of  preserving  others  from 
error. 

My  heart  went  with  you  everywhere.  There  are  two  points 
only  on  which  I  hesitate  in  opinion.  *  *  *  *  Do  not  think  mo 
presumptuous.  From  the  changes  through  which  my  mind  has 
passed  I  have  learnt  the  useful  lesson  of  distrusting  myself; 
and  for  some  twelve  years  I  have  been  conscious  of  no  other 
change  than  an  increasing  sense  of  weakness,  and  the  necessity 
of  a  saving  faith. 

FROM    HANNAH    MORE. 

Barley  Wood,  June  15th,  1S26. 

It  is  a  necessity  to  which  I  am  too  frequently  driven,  when 
I  have  been  favoured  with  a  presentation  copy  of  a  work  from 
an  author,  whose  mediocrity  I  either  knew  or  suspected,  to 
return  my  thanks  almost  immediately,  that  I  might  not  be 
compelled  to  the  painful  alternative  of  rudeness  or  flattery. 
You,  my  dear  sir,  are  an  author  whose  work,  to  borrow  the 
language  of  one  of  the  collects  of  our  church,  one  may  "  read, 
mark,  learn,  and  inwardly  digest"  before  one  acknowledges 
the  obligation  conferred.  There  is  much  judgment  in  the 
arrangement,  great  perspicuity  in  the  style,  as  well  as  depth 
and  truth  in  the  argument.  I  pray  that  it  may  please  our 
gracious  Heavenly  Father,  Avithout  whom  nothing  is  strong, 
nothing  is  holy,  to  make  this  book  an  instrument  of  much 
good. 

FROM   CHARLES   SIMEON. 

K.  C.  Cambridge,  January  25th,  1826. 

My  Beloved  Friend  and  Brother, 

I  have  proceeded  half  through  your  book 
regularly  according  to  your  direction,*  and  have  read  it  with 
great  delight  and  edification.      Your   statements    throughout 

*  See  the  Preface  to  the  Essays. 


301:  ESSAYS    ON    CnillSTIANITY.  1826. 

are  judicious  and  satisfactory,  and  the  ricliness  of  your  appeals 
to  Scripture  renders  your  book  invaluable.  *  *  *  *  I  love  jour 
recapitulations  exceedingly.  The  vast  advantage  of  them  to 
your  readers  is  obvious ;  but  they  are  not  less  useful  to  your 
own  mind,  in  that  they  induce  a  habit  of  order,  of  terseness, 
of  perspicuity.  It  is  almost  impossible  for  a  man  -^ho  re- 
capitulates, either  to  run  riot,  or  to  talk  nonsense.  Bishop 
Pearson's  perorations  have  always  delighted  me,  and  yours  also 
will  delight  and  edify  many. 

I  have  just  perused  your  most  elaborate  defence  of  the 
divinity  of  our  blessed  Lord.  I  think  that  the  whole  church 
will  bless  you  for  it ;  and  in  your  dying  hour  it  will  be  no  grief 
to  you  to  have  taken  so  much  pains  in  elucidating  and  con- 
firming a  point  that  is  of  such  unspeakable  importance  to  all 
who  feel  their  need  of  a  divine  Saviour.  Go  on,  my  beloved, 
brother,  and  may  God  long  preserve  you  to  be  a  blessing  to 
the  church  and  the  world. 

"What  an  extraordinar}^  production  it  is,"  wrote 
his  early  friend  Edward  Edwards,  "for  a  young  lay- 
man— for  a  banker — above  all,  for  a  Friend."  Not  a 
few  of  his  acquaintance  who  did  not  belong  to  the 
same  religious  body  with  himself,  were  in  fact  ready 
to  join  in  this  last  exclamation.  Accustomed,  it 
may  be,  to  view  Quakerism  through  a  somewhat 
prejudiced  medium,  to  take  the  opinions  of  the  early 
Friends  from  the  reports  of  their  opponents,  or  from 
a  view  of  their  writings,  too  much  confined  to  those 
published  in  the  heat  of  controversy,  they  were 
perhaps  hardly  aware  that  the  early  Friends  stead- 
fastly maintained  the  great  doctrines  of  the  proper 
manhood  and  Deity  of  Christ,  and  the  reality  and 
efficacy  of  his  propitiatory  sacrifice;  and  that  the 
burden  of  their  exhortations  was,  that  others  might 
be  brought  in  faith  and  obedience,  through  the  work 
of  his  Spirit  in  their  hearts,  effectually  to  know  him 


JET.  38.  ESSAYS    ON   CnRISTIANITY.  305 

in  all  liis  gracious  offices.'-'  It  had  been  scarcely, 
perhaps,  enough  considered  that  some  of  their  most 
important  and  distinguishing  principles  —  those 
on  the  subjects  of  worship  and  ministry  —  were 
simply  results,  necessary  ones,  as  they  believed, 
of  a  complete,  heartfelt  apprehension  of  the  me- 
diatorial, priestly,  and  regal  characters  of  the  Son 
of  God.f  Nor  had  it  been  sufficiently  recollected, 
that  whilst  nothing  short  of  regard  for  his  divine 
authority  could  have  supported  them,  almost  single- 
handed  amongst  the  professors  of  Christianity,  in 
the  maintenance  of  their  testimonies,  grounded  upon 
his  plain  precepts,  against  all  oaths  and  war ;  so 
it  was  their  reverence  for  him  and  for  his  truth, 
their  deep  sense  of  the  all-importance  of  his  one 
peculiar  and  distinctive  baptism  "  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
and  of  fire,"  and  of  the  necessity  of  eating  and 
drinking,  by  faith,  of  his  body  broken,  and  his  blood 
shed  upon  the  cross  for  them,  that  had  led  them,  in 
rejecting  the  commonly  received  outward  rites  of 
Christian  communion,  to  press  after  the  reality 
rather  than  the  representation,  the  substance  rather 
than  the  shadow.  The  more  the  true  character  of 
the   gospel    dispensation,  as   drawn  by   the    inspired 

*  See  Selections  from  the  Epistles  of  George  Fox,  by  Samuel  Tuko, 
pp.  12,  63,  150,  214,  224,  260.  Indeed  the  whole  of  this  little- 
volume  is  replete  with  instruction.  See  also  the  valuable  body  of 
evidence  on  the  Christian  principles  of  the  early  Friends,  especially 
on  the  important  subjects  of  the  Three  that  bear  record  in  heaven, 
of  the  Divinity  and  Offices  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, contained  in  the  "  Exposition  of  the  Faith  of  the  Religious 
Society  of  Friends  on  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Christian" 
Religion/'  by  Thomas  Evans,  Philadelphia,  1828. 

f  See  in  particular  the  little  Tract  issued  by  the  Yearly  Meeting 
of  1840,  entitled,  Testimony  to  the  Authority  of  Christ  in  his  Church. 
Vol.  L— 20 


306  ESSAYS   ON   CHRISTIANITY.  1S26. 

ponmen  of  tlie  New  Testament,  .and  the  extent  to 
which  it  was  apprehended  hy  the  early  Friends,  are 
considered  and  understood,  the  less  will  it  excite 
surprise,  either  that  the  writer  of  the  Observa- 
tions on  the  Distinguishing  Views  of  the  Society 
of  Friends  should  maintain  the  truths  so  clearly 
set  forth  in  his  Essays  on  Christianity,  or  that 
the  writer  of  the  Essays  should  feel  bound  to  the 
principles  which  he  has  advocated  in  his  earlier 
work.  In  his  view,  the  two  works  were  consistent 
with  each  other,  both  equally  represented  his  own 
deep-felt  convictions,  and  both  required  to  be  perused 
in  order  to  the  full  comprehension  at  once  of  the 
extent  and  the  limits  of  his  religious  belief. 

After  what  has  been  said,  it  will  not  be  necessary  to 
do  more,  than  to  insert  extracts  from  a  very  few  of 
the  letters  •which  he  received,  upon  its  publication, 
from  the  members  of  his  OAvn  religious  society. 

FROM   WILLIAM   FORSTER. 

Bradpole,  [2d  of  3d  month,]  1826. 

"  Thou  must  allow  me,  in  true  brotherly  love,  to  offer  thee  my 
Avarmest  congratulations,  that  thou  hast  been  enabled  to  bring 
out  thy  Essays.  I  entertain  a  most  liv^ely  and  cheering  hope 
of  the  usefulness  of  thy  work  ;  that  in  this  cloudy  and  dark  dAy, 
it  will  tend  to  the  establishment  of  the  wavering,  to  the  fortify- 
ing of  the  feeble-minded,  and  put  to  silence  the  cavils  of  many 
a  proud  and  self-sufficient  gainsayer.  To  the  anxious  inquirer 
after  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  I  firmly  believe  it  will  be  ren- 
dered peculiarly  helpful  and  valuable.  In  short,  I  cannot  but 
look  upon  it  as  one  of  those  labours  of  love  that  will  be  made 
to  abound  '  by  many  thanksgivings  unto  God.'  It  would  be 
strange  if  I  did  not  feel  more  than  a  common  and  passing 
interest  in  the  work ;  for,  I  think,  I  never  found  myself  upon 
any  occasion  so  much  anticipated ;  it  gives  utterance  to  my 
own  views  and  feelings  in  such  lucid  and  convincing  language, 


^T.  38.  ESSAYS    ON   CHRISTIANITY.  307 

and  withal  it  solves  some  of  my  difficulties  so  thoronghl  v  and 
satisfactorily," 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  5th  mo.,  1st,  1826. 

I  have  lately  finished  a  very  deliberate  reading  of  thy  Essays, 
and,  on  the  whole,  with  a  satisfaction  which  enables  me  ho- 
nestly to  say,  that  I  am  glad  to  have  seen  such  a  book  before 
I  die.  I  rejoice  that  a  friend  so  dear  to  me,  should,  consist- 
ently with  his  own  avowed  principle  of  human  incapacity  for 
any  work  that  can  be  denominated  good  both  in  motive  and 
act,  have  been  enabled  to  write  it.  I  hope  this  eflfort  of  labour 
and  of  love,  for  such  I  consider  it,  Avill  prove  of  advantage  to 
many,  as  I  think  it  has  been  of  edification  to  myself,  by  ex- 
citing me  afresh,  even  under  life's  declining  energies,  to 
"thank  God  and  take  courage,"  and,  under  some  renewal  of 
faith  and  hope,  reverently  I  trust,  to  "  put  on  strength  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord." 

It  was  with  peculiar  satisfaction  that  he  received 
the  following  from  the  well-known  author  of  the 
English  Grammar,  then  far  advanced  in  years. 

HolJgate,  near  York,  2nd  mo.,  1st,  1826. 

My   dear   AND   MUCH   ESTEEMED   FrIEND, 

I  am  obliged  and  gratified  by  thy  kind  remem- 
brance of  me,  in  the  distribution  of  thy  volume. 

Being  able  to  read  but  little  myself,  I  have  had  the  book 
read  to  me,  and  very  much  to  my  satisfaction.  Proofs  thou 
hast  given  abundantly  of  the  positions  contained  in  the  volume 
being  conformable  to  the  Holy  Scriptures.  The  work  is  hap- 
pily calculated,  both  in  its  matter  and  manner,  to  comfort 
those  who  unite  in  the  author's  views  and  sentiments,  to  dis- 
perse the  doubts  of  those  who  hesitate,  and  to  produce  convic- 
tion in  the  minds  of  gainsayers.  Thou  hast  indeed  by  this 
pious  labour,  very  materially  served  the  cause  of  truth  and 


308  UNDLEY   MURRAY.  1826. 

righteousness  ;  and  I  trust  thou  wilt  be  blessed  for  it  by  Him 
■whose  blessing  makes  truly  rich,  and  ■will  accompany  thee  to 
the  latest  hour  of  life. 

Fare^well,  dear  Joseph,  in  the  best  sense  of  the  -word ! 
I  remain  thy  very  affectionate  friend, 

LiNDLEY  Murray. 

Two  weeks  after  receiving  the  above  letter,  he 
writes  in  his  Jounial : — 

On  seventh  day  I  received  the  affecting  tidings  of  the  de- 
cease of  my  beloved  and  honoured  friend  Lindley  Murray. 
A  fortnight  before  his  death  he  ■wrote  me  a  letter  expressive 
of  bia  unity  -with  my  Essays.     Ho^w  valuable  that  letter  no^w  I 


.ET.  88.  MONETARY   AND   COMMERCIAL   PANIC.  800 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

1825—1827.     JZT.  38—39. 

PANIC  IN  THE  MONETARY  AND  COMMERCIAL  WORLD;  ENGAOEMENT 
IN  MARRIAGE  WITH  MARY  FOWLER  J  JOURNEYS  IN  THE  WEST 
OF  ENGLAND,  AND  IN  THE  MIDLAND  COUNTIES;  EXTRACTS 
FROM  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  J  PROSPECT  OF  A  VISIT  TO 
IRELAND  WITH  HIS  SISTER  ELIZABETH  FRY. 

The  panic  in  the  monetary  and  commercial  world, 
and  the  sudden  run  upon  the  banks  in  London  and 
the  country,  have  rendered  memorable  the  winter  of 
1825-26.  As  a  banker,  Joseph  John  Gurney  did  not 
escape  his  share  of  anxiety.  A  few  months  previ- 
ously he  had  written  in  his  Journal : — * 

Business  has  been  productive  of  trial  to  me,  and  has  led  me 
to  reflect  on  the  equity  of  God,  who  measures  out  his  salutary 
chastisements,  even  in  this  world,  to  the  rich  as  well  as  to  the 
poor.  I  can  certainly  testify  that  some  of  the  greatest  pains 
and  most  burdensome  cares  which  I  have  had  to  endure,  have 
arisen  out  of  being  what  is  usually  called  a  "  monied  man." 

These  cares  now  pressed  upon  him  with  unaccus- 
tomed force.  It  was  a  time  that  put  men's  charac- 
ters and  principles  to  the  proof  Houses  of  old  and 
established  reputation  were  giving  way ;  the  weaker 
ones  had  been  already  forced  to  yield.  Credit  seemed 
for  a  time  annihilated.     Men  hardly  knew  whom  to 

*  Under  date  7th  mo.  lOth,  1825. 


310  PANIC   IN    THE   MONETARY  1825. 

trust.  Each  post  brought  the  news  of  fresh  disas- 
ters, and  none  could  tell  whose  turn  might  come 
next.  Had  Joseph  John  Gurney  been  the  mere 
man  of  business,  his  constitutional  timidity  would 
have  ill  fitted  him  to  meet  such  a  crisis.  But  in  his 
case,  the  man  of  business  was  also  the  servant  of 
Christ.  And  they  who  witnessed  the  quiet  courage 
with  which  he  faced  the  storm,  his  wholemindedness 
to  the  occasion,  the  clear  and  sound  judgment,  and 
steady  firmness  with  which  he  met  each  new  emer- 
gency, and  through  all,  the  deep  repose  of  his  own 
spirit,  could  not  but  acknowledge  the  reality  and 
excellence  of  the  fruits  arising  out  of  such  a  combi- 
nation of  character;  whilst  all  may  be  instructed  in 
recollecting  that  had  the  Christian  minister  ceased 
to  be  the  man  of  business,  the  opportunity  for  thus 
illustrating  by  example,  the  practical  results  of  the 
religion  of  Jesus  would  have  been  lost. 

His  Journal  at  this  period  strikingly  illustrates 
these  various  points  of  his  character. 

11th  7no.,  2drd,  1825.  Since  I  last  wrote,  I  have  had  true 
cause,  amidst  much  trial  of  faith,  to  set  my  seal  to  the  decla- 
ration, that  the  "  Lord  is  good,  and  that  his  righteousness 
endureth  for  ever."  What  a  week  it  has  been  !  The  post  of 
3rd  day,  the  15th,  brought  me  an  unexpected  letter  from  my 
brother  Samuel,  Avliich  rendered  it  necessary  for  me  to  go  the 
next  day  to  London.  There  I  passed  5th,  6th,  and  7th  days ; 
an  interesting  but  deeply  trying  time;  the  city  in  general 
being  in  a  state  of  great  distress  for  v<ant  of  money,  and  affairs 
at  their  acme  of  anxiety.  However  I  was  favoured  with  much 
calmness,  and  even  cheerfulness,  feeling  the  Lord  to  be  near 
to  us ;  and  was  enabled,  to  a  point  which  could  scarcely  have 
been  looked  for,  to  assist  in  arranging  everything  comfortably, 
and  to  quit  London  and  my  dear  brothers  and  sisters  with  an 


iET.  38.  AND    COMMERCIAL    WORLD.  311 

easy  mind,  bj  mail,  on  seventh  day  night.  Seldom  have  I 
more  signally  experienced  the  special  providen«e  of  our  hea- 
venly Father.  I  arrived  in  Norwich  on  first  day  morning,  in 
time  for  meeting.  It  was  Avell  attended,  and  Avas  a  favoured 
occasion.  I  Avas  engaged  in  thanksgiving  and  prayer,  and  in 
ministry  on  the  declaration,  "  Happy  is  the  man  who  hath  the 
God  of  Jacob  for  his  help,  whose  hope  is  in  the  Lord  his  God." 
The  afternoon  meeting  was  also  highly  favoured. 

Second  day.  Norwich  Anti-slavery  Meeting.  Driven  up  into 
a  corner  as  I  was,  and  absolutely  deprived  of  the  opportunity 
of  previous  study  or  much  reflection,  I  found  it  necessary  to 
wind  myself  up  to  a  great  effort.  In  this  I  was  favoured  to 
succeed  ;  and  the  meeting  passed  off  excellently. 

l'2th  7710.,  5th.  After  our  successful  anti-slavery  meeting, 
on  this  day  fortnight,  I  was  variously  and  closely  engaged  for 
three  or  four  days.  On  the  sixth  day  morning,  I  corrected  the 
last  sheet  of  my  Essays  on  Christianity.  That  afternoon  I 
went  to  Yarmouth,  where  I  attended  a  large  and  hopeful  Bible 
Society  Meeting  in  the  evening,  and  made  a  long  speech,  I 
trust  with  some  efiect.  The  next  day  in  the  evening,  by  the 
mail,  fifty  miles  to  Ipswich.  The  following  first  day  there  was 
one  of  close  exercise.  It  was  hard  work  to  raise  the  livinj^ 
spring  from  the  hidden  well.  The  public  meeting  in  the  evening 
was  very  large  and  relieving.  I  was  much  engaged  in  prayer, 
and  in  preaching  on  the  universality  of  the  grace  of  God,  and 
on  the  beauty  of  holiness.  Elizabeth  Dudley  followed  me  in 
the  same  strain,  and  concluded  the  meeting  with  solemn  sup- 
plication. 

Second  day  was  very  affecting  to  me.  With  James  and 
Emma  Corder  I  travelled  to  Coggeshall,  where  I  passed  seve- 
ral hours  with  that  family,  and  much  of  the  time  with  dear 
Alfred.  I  found  him  much  wasted  and  tried  Avith  a  sad  cough, 
but  beautifully  calm,  quiet,  and  resigned.  I  have  not  often 
seen  Christian  principle  more  brightly  exemplified.  After  a 
quiet,  affecting  leave-taking,  and  much  spiritual  exercise  in 
the  family  circle,  I  left  him  in  the  evening  for  Colchester ; 
whence,  after  a  few  hours'  sleep,  the  mail  brought  me  to  Nor- 
wich on  third  day  morning.    A  close  trial  of  faith  and  patience 


312  PANIC  IN  THE  MONETARY  1826. 

dqjily  going  forAvard  from  continued  London  anxieties.  It  hag 
been  a  stormy  time  indeed  !  and  I  fear  my  dear  brother  has 
had  much  to  endure.  Two  of  our  partners  went  up  on  fourth 
day.  This  has  enabled  me  to  stay  quietly  in  my  own  berth, 
which  was  the  more  needful,  as  I  had  appointed  a  public  meet- 
ing for  yesterday  evening.  It  was  very  large,  and  I  believe 
passed  ofi'  well. 

1st  mo.,  11th,  1826.  The  very  day  after  I  last  wrote  in  this 
Journal,  arrived  a  letter  from  Samuel,  requiring  my  immediate 
presence  in  London,  on  account  of  the  gloomy  state  of  money 
affairs.  His  letter  coincided  with  my  own  plans ;  for  I  had 
previously  taken  my  place  for  that  day,  in  the  Ipswich  mail. 

The  day  to  which  I  allude  was  fifth  day,  12th  mo.,  8th.  It 
was  the  day  of  our  monthly  meeting,  at  which  Friends  signed 
my  certificate  for  my  intended  journey  to  the  south  and  west. 
Large  and  solemn  were  the  meetings  both  for  worship  and  dis- 
cipline, and  eminently  with  us  appeared  to  be  that  Lord  of  life 
and  glory,  who  ever  has  been,  and,  I  doubt  not,  ever  will  be, 
"for  a  crown  of  glory,  and  for  a  diadem  of  beauty,  to  the 
residue  of  his  people."  My  address  to  the  assembly  was  that 
of  a  friend  parting  from  them  for  a  time,  and  deeply  concerned 
for  their  spiritual  welfare  and  progress.  I  called  upon  them 
to  walk  more  worthy  of  their  high  vocation,  as  Christians,  as 
Quakers ;  being  led  to  insist  on  the  genuine  excellence,  both 
of  the  foundation,  and  of  the  superstructure,  of  what  I  believe 
most  firmly  to  be  a  temple  in  which  God  delights  to  dwell. 

He  thus  continues  his  history  in  a  letter:  — 

TO   JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  1st  mo.,  21st,  1S26. 

*  *  *  "When  I  arrived  in  London  the  next  morning  by  the 
mail,  I  found  myself  entirely  arrested  by  the  very  painful  and 
anxious  state  of  the  monied  world.  The  path  of  duty  was 
clear,  viz.,  to  continue  in  London  for  two  or  three  weeks.  An 
awful  stormy  time  it  was.  I  never  saw  the  like  before,  and 
truly  I  can  say  that  the  only  sure  refuge  was  the  "  strong 
tower  " — the  name  of  the  Lord.    Many  were  deeply  distressed, 


^T.  38.  AND    COMMERCIAL   AVORLD.  313 

and  I  never  witnessed  any  thing  so  like  the  judgments  of  God 
on  a  people  who  had  made  for  themselves  idols .  of  gold  and 
idols  of  silver.  It  has  occasioned  me  more  than  a  little  suf- 
fering, from  the  feeling  of  my  own  numerous  and  important 
ties  to  the  earth ;  ties  which  it  would  be  wholly  out  of  my 
power  to  sever.  However  I  endeavoured  quietly  to  repose  in 
that  providence  by  which  I  seem  to  myself  to  have  been 
brought  into  my  present  situation  in  life  ;  and  which  will,  I 
trust,  open  the  way  for  my  nevertheless  performing  my  reli- 
gious duties.  Ah  !  how  closely  do  I  feel,  through  all,  bound 
in  spirit  to  Zion — the  city  of  the  saints'  solemnities !  How  do 
I  delight  in  her  privileges,  in  her  quiet  palaces,  in  her  streams 
of  living  water  !  And  how  infinitely  desirable  does  it  appear 
to  me,  to  be  devoted  in  heart  and  soul  to  the  very  best,  the 
very  dearest  of  all  masters  ! 

When  things  had  become  a  little  quiet  I  ventured  into  the 
west  for  rather  more  than  a  week,  and  held  meetings  with 
Friends  and  others  at  Melksham,  Bath,  and  Bristol.  At  the 
last  place  I  spent  a  memorable  Sabbath  day,  in  which,  I  trust, 
the  "truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus"  was  in  some  degree  exalted,  and 
finally  in  dominion. 

A  few  weeks  later  he  writes  in  his  Journal :  — 

2nd  mo.,  20th.  The  week  has,  in  part,  been  one  of  deep 
trial;  almost  overwhelming  solicitudes  about  business,  &c.,  and 
the  state  of  the  country  in  general,  alarming  to  every  thought- 
ful mind.  Memorable  are  the  lessons  which  these  events  are 
calculated  to  impress  on  our  own  Society ;  and  earnest  are  ray 
desires  that  we  may,  in  our  various  allotments,  be  favoured 
with  ability  to  preserve  clean  hands,  and  to  uphold  with 
integrity  the  cause  of  our  Redeemer.  I  do  not  know  that  I 
feel  condemned  in  the  retrospect  and  examination  of  my 
temporal  calling ;  nor  am  I  aware,  that  I  have  ever  seen  an 
opening  for  quitting  my  post.  Yet  my  soul  is  exercised  in 
fervent  desires  that  nothing  may  stand  in  the  way  between  me 
and  my  Maker;  and  that  I  may  be  more  entirely  brought 
into  the  innocence  of  the  Christian  life,  through  the  mighty 


314  MARY   FOWLER.  182u. 

power  of  tliat  Saviour,  in  whom  is  my  ccnfiilence,  and  whosQ 
blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin. 

Another  circumstance  was  at  this  time  deeply  in- 
teresting his  feelings.  It  is  thus  adverted  to  in  the 
Autobiography :  — 

When  the  commercial  troubles  had  subsided,  I  went  down 
into  the  west  of  England ;  and,  whilst  at  Melksham,  passed  a 
few  days  at  Elm  Grove,  a  lovely  place  in  the  country,  with 
Rachel  Fowler,  a  cousin  of  my  late  wife's,  and  widow  of  Robert 
Fowler,  whose  grave  and  expressive  speeches  used  to  fiill  with 
so  much  weight  upon  ray  ear  and  soul  during  my  earlier  atten- 
dances of  the  Yearly  Meeting.  She  was  left  with  three  sons 
and  two  daughters.  Mary,  the  youngest,  immediately  attracted 
my  attention.  She  was  fourteen  years  younger  than  myself, 
but  appeared  in  every  other  respect  precisely  adapted  to  my 
taste  and  need ;  and  truly  may  it  be  said  that  wisdom  was 
"grey  hairs"  to  her,  for  never  did  I  meet  with,  in  any  young 
person,  so  accurate  a  discernment,  or  so  sound  a  judgment.  1 
had  previously  paid  the  family  a  .visit ;  and,  having  now  en- 
joyed a  more  complete  opportunity  of  intercourse,  my  mind 
became  quite  clear,  and  I  mentioned  my  ■saews  first  to  her 
mother,  and  afterwards,  with  her  mother's  .full  sanction,  to 
herself.  It  was  evident  that  there  was  a  close  correspondence 
between  us  in  sentiment,  taste,  and  feeling ;  and,  although 
nothing  was  then  decided,  I  was  well  satisfied  with  my  visit ; 
except  only  that  her  rapidly  increasing  delicacy  of  health 
made  me  anxious.  After  a  little  time,  her  mind  quietly  settled 
in  the  affirmative  of  the  question ;  a  decision  for  which  she 
believed  she  had  the  sanction  of  that  gracious  Lord  whom  she 
desired  to  serve.  But  her  health  soon  appeared  more  and 
more  to  fail,  and  although  we  were  not  greatly  alarmed,  con- 
tinued to  excite  our  anxiety  and  close  watchfulness  for  nearly 
a  year  and  a  half.  Thus  was  I  introduced  to  a  new  description 
of  trial,  a  new  exercise  of  faith  and  patience  ;  but  hope  lived 
through  all,  and,  whilst  involved  in  inevitable  suspense  on  a 
Dj'-'st  interesting  point,  I  endeavoured  as  steadily  as  I  could,  to 


JET.  38.  JOURNAL.  315 

pursue  tlie  path  of  duty,  and  to  do  the  day's  -work  In  the 
day. 

To  return  to  the  Journal :  — 

First  day  night,  1st  mo.,  2dth.  I  may  record  with  thank- 
fulness a  peaceful  Sabbath,  after  a  more  than  usually  busy  and 
careful  week.  It  is  a  great  mercy  that  there  is  provided  one 
day  in  the  week,  for  the  stopping  of  the  big  wheel  which 
involves  so  many  rapid  interests. 

Tliird  day  morning.  The  sweetness  of  the  Sabbath  has 
been  mercifully  prolonged,  amidst  much  business,  and  much 
infirmity.  The  Lord  knows,  that  notwithstanding  all  my 
infirmities,  I  love  him  and  his  cause,  as  with  all  my  heart, 
and  graciously  is  he  pleased  to  speak  peace  to  my  often 
wounded  spirit. 

2nd  mo.,  Srd.  This  morning  I  have  been  re-perusing  my 
chapter  "on  the  disuse  of  typical  rites,"*  and  am  favoured  to 
feel  much  satisfaction  in  it ;  so  that  I  can  praise  the  Lord,  in 
the  humble  belief,  that  he  has  been  graciously  pleased  to  lead 
me  into  his  truth,  not  only  as  it  relates  to  the  common  Christian 
ground,  but  as  it  regards -the  pecuHar  views  and  testimonies  of 
our  scattered,  and  to  a  great  degree  despised,  society — despised 
not  as  individuals,  but  as  a  profession. 

2nd  mo.,  1th.  Amelia  Opie  here.  We  have  passed  a  solemn 
time  in  the  family  reading ;  all  the  servants,  the  children,  and 
ourselves  present.  I  felt  it  right  to  exhort  to  economy,  modera- 
tion, seriousness  of  mind,  to  the  fear  of  the  Lord  and  the  love 
of  Jesus  ;  and  was  afterwards  engaged  in  prayer  for  the  ser- 
vants, the  children,  t&c.  There  seemed  to  be  an  open  door  in 
the  hearts  of  those  present.  I  feel  in  some  degree  inwardly 
gathered  to  the  centre  of  light  and  life,  which  is,  I  believe,  a 
condition  peculiarly  needful,  in  the  present  day,  to  be  sought 
after  and  carefully  maintained. 

After  an  absence  from  home  of  several  months, 
during   which   he   was   principally   occupied    by   re- 

*  See  Observationa  on  the  Distinguishing  Views  of  Friends,  chap.  4 


316  RELIGIOUS    SERVICES    IN   THE   WESTERN"  1826 

ligious  labours  in  the  West  of  England,  he  writes  :  — 

Uarlham,  6th  mo.,  I'dth.  A  strange  and  unusual  break  in 
my  history  !  Much,  indeed,  has  passed  since  I  last  wrote.  I 
left  home  on  my  mission,  on  seventh  day,  3rd  mo.,  11th, 
and  passed  the  next  day  at  Plaistow;  thence  proceeded  by 
mail  to  Bristol  to  their  Quarterly  Meeting.  IMost  closely, 
and,  I  may  add,  arduously,  was  I  engaged  in  visiting  the 
three  Quarterly  Meetings  of  Bristol  and  Somerset,  Devon, 
and  Cornwall,  and  all  the  meetings  within  their  compass, 
one  very  small  one  excepted ;  holding  public  meetings  in 
most  places,  and  paying  many  family  visits. 

During  this  journey,  I  was,  at  times,  inexpressibly  baptized 
into  deep  suffering  and  affliction  of  spirit ;  but  mostly  found 
that  this  experience  prepared  the  way  for  subsequent  elevation 
in  the  power  of  the  gift,  and  sometimes  for  joy  in  the  Lord. 
My  general  concern  towards  Friends  was,  to  awaken  them 
to  a  more  lively  sense  of  the  great  principles  of  truth,  and 
to  wean  them  from  a  dependence  on  a  mere  religion  of 
s^'stem  and  education.  In  Bristol,  I  had  warmly  to  plead 
amongst  them  for  "the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints." 
Nothing  could  exceed  the  kindness  with  which  I  was  received 
in  that  city  and  elsewhere.  It  might  have  been  spoiling  to 
me,  had  it  not  been  for  the  lowering  efficacy  of  the  deep  and 
frequent  conflict  of  my  own  spirit. 

Towards  the  public  my  general  duty  was  clearly  to  proclaim 
the  essential  truths  of  our  common  Christianity,  and  where 
more  preparation  was  evinced,  especially  in  Cornwall,  to  unfold 
the  most  spiritual  views  of  religion. 

TO    MARY    FOWLER. 

Norwich,  7th  mo.,  loth,  1826. 

*  *  I  often  think  that  I  am  happier  in  meeting  than  any 
where  else.  It  is  indeed  a  high  privilege  to  be  emancipated 
for  the  time  from  the  discomposures,  cares,  and  sorrows  of 
this  rapidly  passing  and  constantly  varying  scene,  and  to  be 
permitted  to  sit  down  as  in  the  secret  place  of  God's  holy 
tabernacle.  *  * 


MT.  38.  AND   MIDLAND   COUNTIES.  317 


TO   THOMAS   FOWELL   BUXTON. 

Norwich,  7th  mo.,  15th,  1826. 

*  *  I  feel  myself  to  be  so  intimately  bound  up  with  thee 
in  mind  and  circumstances,  that  everything  which  touches 
thee,  touches  me  also,  and  probably  often  more  to  the  quick 
than  it  does  thee.  It  has  therefore  been  a  real  pain  to  me  to 
know  of  thy  being  under  some  discouragements.  Yet  I  trust 
that  thou  wilt  derive  benefit  from  them,  in  weaning  thee  still 
more  entirely  from  all  things  temporal,  in  elevating  thy 
thoughts  more  towards  heavenly  things,  and  in  strengthening 
thy  already  strong  resolution,  to  glory  only  in  Christ  crucified, 
and  to  be  indeed  one  of  his  faithful  soldiers ;  a  soldier  invin- 
cibly simple-hearted,  and  persevering  in  the  great  contest 
which  is  now  going  on  between  light  and  darkness,  good 
and  evil. 

1th  mo.,  24th.  Last  third  day,  Amelia  Opie  and  I  went  to 
Acle,  where  we  met  Lord  Calthorpe  at  E.  Sidney's,  and  held 
a  successful  anniversary  of  the  Bible  Society.  On  my  return 
at  night,  I  found  Wilberforce  and  his  family  at  Earlham. 
They  staid  till  seventh  day  morning.  Lord  Calthorpe  here  part 
of  the  time.  It  has  been  a  memorable  visit,  and  a  sweet 
renewal  and  confirmation  of  our  now  old  friendship.  Numbers 
came  to  meet  Wilberforce  from  day  to  day,  and  very  delightful 
have  been  his  conversation  and  influence.  The  spirit  of  prayer 
was  much  poured  out  upon  me  during  this  time,  especially  in 
a  solemn  religious  opportunity  just  before  their  departure. 

The  eighth  month  of  this  year  was  devoted  to 
various  religious  services  in  Worcestershire,  Shrop- 
shire, and  the  Midland  Counties.  Writing  to  his 
cousin  Priscilla  Hannah  Gurney,  whom  he  had 
lately  visited,  he  thus  briefly  alludes  to  some  of 
these  engagements : — 


818  AT   COALEROOKDALE,  1820.  . 

Wellingboro,'  8th  mo.,  29th,  1826. 

My  beloved  Cousin, 

I  need  scarcely  tell  thee  that  since  we 
parted,  it  has  been  my  lot  to  pass  through  much  and  various 
exercise  of  mind.     At  Worcester  I  met  a    cordial  reception 

from  the  N family,  at  their  pleasant  residence ;  and  my 

visit  to  the  meeting  there  v<-as  interesting  and  enlivening  to 
myself.  The  time  which  I  passed  with  the  young  people  one 
morning  before  breakfast  was  peculiarly  touching.  I  held  a 
satisfactory  meeting  in  the  prison,  besides  a  large  public  one ; 
and  then  two  with  Friends,  who  form  a  body  of  tolerable  size. 
Thomas  and  Lydia  Newman  accompanied  me  on  third  day 
morning,  (now  a  fortnight  ago,)  to  Coalbrookdale,  where  I 
continued  until  the  follo^ving  seventh  day.  I  held  public 
meetings  at  the  Dale,  and  at  Madeley,  in  Mary  Fletcher's 
barn.  The  latter  was  a  touching  occasion,  and  I  was  much 
interested  in  afterwards  visiting  the  house  and  the  room  where 
both  the  Fletchers  paid  the  last  debt  of  nature.  *  *  At 
Birmingham  I  held  two  public  meetings,  one  with  upwards 
of  two  thousand  people  in  the  Independent  meeting  house. 
Through  mercy  it  was  much  crowned  with  peace.  On  fourth 
day  we  were  favoured  with  a  comfortable  farewell  meeting  with 
Friends.  Fifth  day  evening  at  Coventry.  Sixth  day  at  War- 
wick, besides  a  very  arduous  and  suffering  meeting  with  the 
butterfly  visitors  of  Leamington  Spa.  We  reached  North- 
ampton on  seventh  day  night,  where  I  found  plenty  of  work. 
I  am  just  returned  from  a  very  exercising  meeting  with 
Friends  of  this  place  and  neighbourhood,  and  purpose  a  public 
meeting  in  the  evening.  To-morrow  the  same  at  Huntingdon. 
Fifth  day  I  mean  to  devote  to  my  old  friend  Lady  Olivia 
Sparrow,  at  Brampton  ;  and  on  sixth  day,  hope  to  hold  a 
public  meeting  at  Cambridge,  which  place  I  have  for  some 
time  felt  bound  to,  and  then  to  Lynn,  on  my  way  home. 

TO    MARY    FOWLER. 

Brampton,  8th  month,  31?t.,  1826. 

*  *  We  are  now  at  Lady  Olivia  Sparrow's.     The  scene  on 
cur  arrival  last   night  was    very  striking.     The  approach  to 


^T.  89.  CAMBRIDGE,    AXD    OTHER    PLACES.  319 

the  hall  is  through  a  large  conservatory,  and  as  vrc  entered 
the  latter,  we  saw  the  hall  crowded  with  people  all  kneeling, 
and  Malan  (from  Geneva,)  a  saint-like  looking  i^erson  en- 
gaged in  fervent  prayer.  We  stood  contemplating  the  scene 
for  some  time ;  it  was  something  like  enchantment  from  the 
mixture  of  splendour  and  apparently  deep  piety :  not  to 
mention  the  mingling  in  one  common  offering  of  earnest 
prayer,  of  many  individuals  of  high  rank  with  the  servants, 
cottagers,  &c.,  &c.  We  have  been  warmly  received  and  most 
kindly  treated.  There  are  many  religious  persons  of  the  party  ; 
Lord  and  Lady  Mandeville,  Lady  William  Bentinck,  &c.,  kc. 
and  I  have  been  much  engaged  in  ministry  among  them  this 
morning  after  the  morning  reading. 

His  visit  to  Cambridge  is  thus  noticed  in  the 
Autobiography. 

It  was  the  third  time  of  my  there  convening  a  public  meet- 
ing, and  my  dear  friend  Simeon  being  aware  of  my  intention, 
a  large  number  of  the  young  gownsmen  attended ;  but  nothing 
could  I  preach  on  the  occasion  but  those  views  of  the  spiritu- 
ality of  worship,  ministry,  &c.,  which  distinguish  our  own 
Society.  Power  appeared  to  go  forth  with  the  word,  and  cer- 
tainly it  was  clothed  in  love.  Kevertheless,  my  open  avowal 
of  these  views  gave  considerable  offence ;  and  I  have  but  little 
reputation  to  lose  at  Cambridge,  as  a  preacher  I 

Whilst  I  heartily  deprecate  sectarianism,  principle  is  prin- 
ciple, and  truth  is  truth,  and  they  cannot  be  concealed.  To 
be  misconstrued  by  the  good,  is  a  trial  to  which  I  am  no 
stranger.  Such  things  belong  to  the  peculiar  infirmity  of  our 
present  condition ;  but  they  must  be  patiently  borne.  All 
will  be  set  right  in  that  better  world,  where  error  and  pre- 
judice will  for  ever  give  place  to  unmixed  truth  and  absolute 
unanimity. 

The  soniev/hat  brief  intervals  of  leisure  which  he 
enjoyed  at  home  at  this  period  were  not  unim- 
proved.    In    the    autumn   of  this   year   he   wrote   a 


820  LITERARY    LAL9URS.  182G. 

few  observations  addressed  to  his  friend  Ladj  P- 


on  the  state  of  the  "  religious  world,"  in  which  he 
briefly  but  pointedly  adverts  to  three  subjects  of 
much  practical  importance ;  the  proneness  to  place 
too  much  dependence  on  ceremonies,  on  ministers, 
and  on  loorcls;  adding  a  short  but  expressive 
observation  on  Christian  practice  in  connexion  -with 
"that  most  desolating  of  the  scourges  of  the  world 
—  the  practice  of  war."  *  But  liis  principal  literary 
en2;a<2;ement  was  one  of  much  more  weiaht  and 
importance ;  the  composition  of  the  Biblical  Notes 
and  Dissertations,  intended  chiefly  to  illustrate  and 
confirm  the  doctrine  of  the  Deity  of  Christ.  "  I 
had  long  been  collecting  materials  for  this  w^ork," 
he  writes,  "  and  pleasant,  though  by  no  means  very 
easy,  was  the  labour  of  digesting  them,  adding  to 
them,  reducing  them  to  order,  clothing  the  bones 
with  muscles,  and  thus  preparing  them  for  the 
public.  But  great  care  was  necessary,  and  I  moved 
on  slowly." 

TO   MARY   FOWLER. 

Norwich,  11th  mo.,  4th,  1S26. 

*  *  *  I  have  begun  my  studies  once  more  in  good  earnest, 
and  hope  I  shall  become  quite  interested  in  them.  Real 
study  is  peculiarly  wholesome  for  the  mind.  Indeed  I  know  of 
scarcely  anything  that  gives  me  the  same  satisfaction,  so 
long  as  I  can  believe  that  it  is  in  any  degree  in  promotion 
of  that  one  great  and  glorious  cause  to  which  my  soul  is 
bound.  I  have  collected,  in  my  own  line,  a  very  useful  and 
comprehensive  library,  and  I  think  thou  would'st  have  been 

*  These  observations  were  subsequently  published  under  the  title 
of  The  Contribution  of  a  Member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  to  a 
Lady's  Album,  and  passed  through  two  editions 


^T.  39.  TO    MARY    FOWLER,  321 

uraused    to  see  me  tliis  morning  amidst  a  sea  of  books  and 
papers,  looking,  I  doubt  not,  very  grave  and  abstract. 

I  am  expecting  some  public  calls  in  tlie  service  of  the 
Bible  and  Anti-slavery  Societies,  but  have  otherwise  a 
prospect  of  much  quietness,  which  is  very  preferable.  IIov.- 
ever,  the  root  of  quietness  lies  deeply  seated  in  our  own  hearts. 
It  is  a  conscience  void  of  offence  in  the  sight  of  God  and 
man.  Would  that  this  might  become  more  and  more  our 
blessed  and  soul-satisfying  portion. 

TO   THE   SAME. 

Norwich,  11th  mo.,  11th,  1826. 

*  *  I  do  most  cordially  agree  with  thy  sentiments  on  the 
subject  of  literature  and  study.  There  is  scarcely  anything 
which  makes  me  more  sick  at  heart,  or  which  more  convinces 
me  in  what  a  wrong  state  is  this  fallen  world  of  ours,  than  to 
see  men  of  many  and  various  talents  making  idols  of  intel- 
lectual pursuits,  instead  of  steadily  aiming  through  them  at 
the  promotion  of  the  glory  of  God,  and  of  the  welfare  of 
mankind.  It  is,  on  the  other  hand,  very  pleasant  to  reflect 
how  much  a  single  eye  to  the  glory  of  God  will  enable  a  man 
to  effect,  even  in  the  cultivation  of  mind  and  intellect,  and 
how  much  the  work  of  divine  grace  refines  and  illuminates 
the  natural  faculties.  How  delightful  is  the  combination, 
in  some  persons  whom  I  know  and  love,  of  intellectual  vigour 
and  childlike  submission  to  the  grace  and  government  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  How  abundantly  true  it  is  that  "  in  Him 
are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge." 

To  return  to  the  Journal:  — 

^th  mo.,  IQth.  I  have  heartily  desired  to  have  my 
drowsy  powers  quickened  for  the  service  of  God.  This  is 
often  needful,  especially  in  the  pursuit  of  my  studies.  I 
have  a  line  of  study  before  me,  but  am  fearful  these  pursuits 
may  never  again  be  very  productive.  Yet  I  trust  I  may  be 
preserved  from  allowing  the  garden  given  me  to  cultivate,  to 

Vol.  I. —21 


322  ExcELrENCE  OF  1826. 

run  to  waste.  Be  pleased,  0  Lord,  to  forgive  my  mnumer- 
ablo  transgressions  and  to  blot  tliera  out  of  thy  book;  and 
bestow  upon  me,  I  pray  thee,  a  comforting  assurance  that 
my.  name  is  recorded  in  thy  book  of  life.  Be  with  me  in 
all  my  pursuits,  and  in  the  performance  of  all  my  duties,  that 
perpetual  protection  from  the  snares  of  the  enemy,  both  in 
prosperity  and  adversity,  may  be  my  peaceful  lot.  Suffer  me 
to  cast  on  thee  the  burden  of  all  my  temporal  cares,  and  of 
all  rhy  spiritual  solicitudes.  Graciously  bless  the  little  flock 
over  which  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  call  me  to  be  an  over- 
seer in  the  Gospel,  and  grant  that  our  scattered,  and  in  some 
respects  degraded.  Society,  may  still  be  enabled  to  show  forth 
the  purity  of  thy  law,  and  the  spirituality  of  thy  worship. 
And  be  thou,  0  Lord,  with  thy  universal  church,  to  confirm, 
Increase,  and  multiply,  that  thy  servants  may  rejoice,  and 
thy  own  holy  name  be  exalted  above  all. 

TO    MARY    FOWLER. 

Norwich,  9th  mo.,  10th,  1826. 

*  *  It  has  been  very  instructive  to  me  to  be  brought 
during  the  last  fortnight  so  much  into  the  society  of  pious 
people  not  of  our  profession.  I  trust  it  has  still  further 
enlarged  my  heart  towards  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus.  At 
the  same  time  it  has  had,  in  no  common  degree,  a  confirming 
effect  as  it  relates  to  my  own  principles.  I  have  felt  the 
beneficial  influence  of  my  Quakerism,  and  have  had  repeatedly 
to  believe  that  we  should  not  have  been  so  preciously  baptized 
together  into  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  had  not  the  arrangements 
been  upon  Quaker  principles.  Our  silence  has  been  peculiarly 
solemn. 

TO    HIS    UNCLE    AND    AUNT    JOSEPH    GURNEY. 

Norwich,  9tb  mo.,  16th,  1826. 

*  *  I  am  ready  to  marvel  at  now  finding  myself  the  only 
one  of  our  family  in  Norfolk  of  my  generation,  who  is  main- 
taining the  peculiar  religious  principles  handed  down  to  us 
by  our  forefathers.  Such  a  state  of  things,  is,  indeed,  hum- 
bhng,  and  has  led  me,  as  I  doubt  not  it    has  you,  to  close 


.ET.  39.  FKIENDS'    PRINCIPLES.  323 

searching  of  heart.  The  result,  as  far  as  I  know  it,  is  a  degree 
of  peaceful  confidence  that,  notwithstanding  all  discourage- 
ments—  and  just  now  they,  appear  to  me  to  be  more  than  a 
few  —  our  little  Society  is  not,  and  will  not  be  forsaken;  and 
that  a  people  Avill  still  be  preserved,  who  shall  bear  a  con- 
sistent testimony  to  the  truth  as  we  view  it ;  that  is,  (as  I 
still  believe,)  to  the  truth  in  its  unmixed  simplicity  and 
spirituality.  Never  did  I  more  highly  value  our  simple  mode 
of  worship;  and  when  a  little  tempest-tossed,  I  am,  perhaps, 
too  apt  to  conceive  that  to  be  at  meeting  is  not  only  the 
happiest,  but  the  only  happy  thing  in  life.  With  respect  to 
the  outward  ordinances,  I  apprehend,  that  in  the  entire 
disuse  of  them,  we  are  bearing  a  noble  testimony  to  the 
spirituality  of  the  gospel  dis2iensation.  Oh !  that  our  lives  and 
conversation  may,  more  and  more,  correspond  with  such  a 
testimony ! 

I  may  just  add,  that  I  increasingly  feel  how  much  an 
abiding  in  the  root  of  our  own  principles,  is  the  means  of  en- 
larging the  heart  towards  all  who  truly  love  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ! 

After  the  week  of  the  Bible  Society  and  other  re- 
ligious meetings  at  Norwich,  in  the  course  of  which 
they  had  enjoyed  a  flow  of  "peaceful  and  not  soon 
to  be  forgotten  Christian  love  and  harmony,"  he 
writes:  — 

dth  mo.,  22nd.  I  sit  down  in  deep  solitude  of  soul,  and  ia 
the  privacy  of  my  own  study,  the  throng  being  gone  to  hear 

our  dear  friend  Simeon  preach ;  and  my  cousin  Anna  G 

and  Legh  Richmond  being  together  in  the  drawing-room, 
My  spirits  are  very  low,  and  I  have  been  both  weeping  and 
praying.  After  the  extraordinary  flow  of  the  present  week, 
the  circumstances  of  this  evening  have  strongly  reminded  me 
of  my  solitude,  that  I  have  lost  the  beloved  wife  and  sister, 
who  once  sweetly  united  in  my  peculiar  course ;  and  the 
recollection  of  them  has  been  blended,  in  a  somewhat  melan- 


821  CONFLICT    AND    ENCOUKAGEMENT.  182t). 

clioly  manner,  with  that  of  dear  Alfred  Corder,  with  whom, 
for  a  short  hut  hright  season,  I  enjoyed  more  intimacy,  as  a 
Friend,  than  I  have  ever  done  perhaps  with  any  other  person. 
May  I  not  hope  that  these  heloved  ones,  and  many  others 
with  them,  are,  through  the  infinite  mercies  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus,  for  ever  centred  in  bHss  ?  And  must  I  not  humbly 
endeavour  to  press  forwards  after  the  mark  for  the  same 
prize  ? 

My  soul  has  been  deeply  revolving  how  far  my  peculiar 
principles  can  stand  the  double  test  to  which  they  are  nov/ 
subjected ;  that  of  the  solitude,  poverty,  nakedness,  and 
apparent  dechne  to  which  we  poor  and  misunderstood 
Quakers  are  exposed ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  that  of  the 
flowing  association,  the  high  tone  of  religious  feeling,  and  the 
evangelical  prosperity  of  the  many  pious  persons,  not  Friends, 
by  whom  I  am  surrounded,  and  with  whom  I  have  been 
lately  permitted  very  sweetly  to  unite  in  essentials,  and  in  the 
social,  though  not  public,  worship  of  Almighty  God.  Can  I 
under  such  circumstances,  and  especially  under  that  probable 
deepening  and  heightening  of  the  picture,  to  which  I  m.ay 
look  forward,  live  and  die  a  Quaker  ?  The  question  is  to  me 
one  of  awful  and  solemn  interest ;  and  I  think  I  am  favoured 
at  this  time,  in  the  humiliation  and  silence  of  self,  with  a 
degree  of  Cjuiet  decisiveness  to  answer  it  in  the  affirmative. 
Little  as  our  peculiar  profession  is  thought  of,  and  even 
despised  as  it  is  by  many,  I  yet  have  had  renewed  cause 
during  the  past  week,  to  believe  that  the  power  of  our 
principles  is  felt,  that  they  really  have  a  strong  practical 
influence.  Thus  a  hope  lives  with  me,  that  in  the  tender 
mercies  of  our  God,  we  shall  not  he  forsaken  or  destroyed  ; 
and  that  testimony-bearers  will  yet  be  raised  up,  who  shall, 
after  this  sort,  testify  of  the  perfection  and  spirituality  of  the 
gospel  dispensation. 

Quakerism  is,  I  trust,  nothing  to  me  as  a  name,  and 
nothing,  I  would  hope,  as  the  inscription  of  a  sect.  I  abhor 
sectarianism.  I  crave  to  possess  the  im.partiality  and  com- 
prehensiveness of  the  wisdom  and  of  the  love  of  God,  so  far 
as  they  are  bestowed  upon  man.     All  I  desire  is,  that  there 


^T.   89.  LEGE    RICHMOND.  325 

may  be  preserved  among  the  living  members  of  the  universal 
church,  those  who  shall  uphold  a  complete  standard  of 
spirituality  in  worship,  and  of  true  innocency  in  conduct, 
which  have  long  appeared  to  me  genuine  and  most  essential 
marks  of  real  Christianity. 

FROM    LEGII    RICHMOND. 

Turvey,  Olney,  Bucks,  October  4tb,  1826. 

My  dear  Friend  and  Brother, 

Once  more  returned  to  the  bosom  of  my 
family  and  my  parish,  refreshed  by  the  recollections  of  your 
Christian  hospitalities,  and  strengthened  in  my  spiritual  course, 
as  I  trust,  by  the  public  and  private  intercourse  of  Norwich 
and  Earlham,  can  I  help  telling  you  how  greatly  you  and 
yours  are  thus  endeared  to  my  heart  ?  It  was  indeed  a  season 
of  holy  festivity,  and  I  desire  to  bless  God  for  it.  Such  times 
are  like  the  oases  of  the  wilderness,  to  invigorate  the  wearied 
traveller,  and  fill  him  Avith  peace  and  joy  through  believing. 
My  Norfolk  excursion  has  left  indelible  marks  of  gratitude 
and  satisfaction  on  my  mind :  may  they  be  cherished  for 
time  and  eternity  by  the  goodness  of  Him  "  in  whom  we  live 
and  move  and  have  our  being !"  Greatly  as  I  have  felt  obliged  to 
you  for  personal  kindness  towards  myself,  I  have  felt,  if  possible, 
still  more  indebted  to  you  for  your  Christian  afiection  shown 
to  my  very  dear  and  beloved  son.  He  is  so  near  to  my  heart's 
tenderest  feelings,  that  whatever  concerns  his  welfare  both  in 
soul  and  body  excites  the  most  earnest  breathings  of  my  soul 
towards  God.  I  hope  you  v.-ill  not  forget  him.  I  know  you 
will  not  in  prayer;  —  but  sometimes  write  to  him.  Your 
friendly  conduct  has  won  his  heart  and  may  be  of  essential 
service  to  him.  I  have  had  severe  trials  in  the  successive 
loss  of  his  two  elder  brothers.  The  one,  after  ten  years' 
absence  in  India,  died  on  his  passage  home ;  but  I  have  every 
reason  to  believe  that  he  died  in  the  Lord.  The  other  died 
at  home,  exhibiting  beautiful  tokens  of  the  divine  love  towards 
him  ;  his  death  was  blessed  to  not  a  few.  Deeply  grateful  to 
God  for  these  special  mercies,  I  nevertheless  feel  much ;  above 
all  I  often  anxiously  enquire  whether  these  affecting  bereave- 


326  SCHOOL  AT  CROYDON.  1826- 

uients  have  produced  their  right  effects  upon  my  own  soul, 
upon  my  ministr.y,  upon  my  domestic  habits. 

Your  Essays  please  me  more  and  more  ;  I  delight  in  finding 
such  unity  of  sentiment  with  other  Christians.  The  Christian 
Observer  reviews  them  this  month  with  much  approbation,  and 
so  it  ought. 

TO    HENRY    BRADY. 
,  Norwich,  lltli  rao.,  1st,  ISL'fi. 

*  *  I  paid  a  very  satisfactory  and  comforting  visit  last 
week  to  the  school  at  Croydon.  It  seems  noAV  to  be  animated 
with  an  Ackworth  spirit ;  and  I  Avas  particularly  well  satisfied 

with    thy  cousin  E.  F.  B ,  the    present    superintendent, 

who  seems  superior  in  point  of  both  intellect  and  piety.-  We 
had  all  the  children  collected,  both  boys  and  girls,  and  I  had 
them  under  instruction  for  two  hours  and  upwards.  A  sweet 
solemnity  crowned  all.  *  =1=  *  Art  thou  favoured  to  perceive 
in  any  of  the  dear  children  at  Ackworth,  marks  of  the  ^'ork 
of  grace  in  the  heart ;  something,  I  mean,  beyond  outward 
propriety  of  behaviour  ?  How  affecting  have  been  the  deaths 
of  various  hopeful  young  persons  in  our  society,  and  how 
animating  would  be  the  belief  that  others  are  coming  forward 
to  supply  their  place  I 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

11th  mo.,  1st,  1S23. 

*  *  I  am  Just  returned  home  from  a  short  western  journey. 
My  principal  object  Avas  to  pass  a  few  quiet  days  with  my 
beloved  friend  at  Melksham,  and  I  had  the  happiness  to  find 
ker  radically  improved  in  health.  I  persuade  myself  she  is  a 
person  whom  thou  wilt  value  and  love.  Hopeful,  however, 
as  I  am  respecting  her  health,  I  do  not  look  to  the  speedi/ 
accomplishment  of  o-ur  wishes.  It  may  be  thait  while  she  is 
gradually  regaining  her  strength,.  I  may  be  again  sent  forth 
to  labour  in  the  vineyard. 

The  prospect  of  a  lengthened  visit  to  Ireland,  in 
company  with  his  sister  Ehzabeth  Fry,  was  now 
opening  before  him. 


^T.  39.  PROSPECT    OF    VISIT    TO    IllELAND.  327 

First  day  evening^  Wth  mo.,  2Qth.  After  a  week  of  con- 
siderable exertion,  I  have  been  graciously  permitted  to  enjoy 
an  edifying  peaceful  Sabbath.  The  reward  of  sweet  and  deep 
inward  quiet,  has  been  most  undeservedly  bestowed ;  apparently 
in  consequence  of  my  having  been  made  willing,  at  both  the 
meetings  and  in  families,  to  labour  in  the  vineyard.  The 
exercises  of  the  morning  meeting  were  painfully  searching  ; 
I  humblv  trust,  not  in  vain ;  those  of  the  afternoon  were  more 
easy  and  comforting  to  myself,  and  the  Scripture  was  opened 
to  me  to  my  own  admiration.  The  prospect  of  service  among 
Friends  and  others,  in  Ireland,  has  gradually  gained  au 
ascendency  over  my  mind ;  and,  I  am  strongly  inclined  to 
believe,  I  shall  have  to  lay  it  before  my  friends  at  our  next 
Monthly  Meeting.  The  undertaking  is,  indeed,  one  that  calls 
for  close,  unreserved  dedication.  The  Lord  alone  is  sufficient 
for  these  things.  May  he  be  my  perpetual  help  and  protector. 
How  inexpressibly  precious  is  his  anointing.  May  I  ever 
be  preserved  from  crude  attempts  to  exercise  my  ministry 
without  it.  Indeed,  I  never  was  more  fully  sensible  of  the 
necessity  of  being  moved  in  all  things  appertaining  to  God's 
kingdom,  by  the  gentle  impulses  of  divine  wisdom  and  love, 
or  otherwise  of  not  being  moved  at  all. 

Fourth  day  morning.  I  can  breathe  a  sincere  prayer,  that 
every  thought  and  imagination  within  me  may  be  brought 
into  captivity  to  the  obedience  of  Christ ;  that  his  mind 
may  be  my  mind  ;  that  I  may  be  thoroughly  conformed  to 
the  whole  will  of  God  respecting  me;  and  that  his  blessed, 
pure  truth,  may  never  be  wounded  through  my  want  of  faith- 
fulness or  courage. 

12<A  mo.,  i!)rd.  The  week  agreeably  concluded  by  the 
arrival  of  my  dear  sister  Fry.  Our  Irish  prospect  seems 
a  good  deal  opening  upon  us ;  and  it  is  a  great  satisfaction  to 
me  to  find  her  views,  as  to  the  time  of  throwing  it  before 
Friends,  correspond  with  my  own.  Indeed,  it  seems  pretty 
clear  now,  that  I  must  mention  it  at  our  next  Monthly 
Meeting.     May  all  be  done  to  the  glory  of  God  ! . 

\.2.th  mo.,  Wth.  My  uncle  was  telling  me,  the  other  day, 
on  the  authority  of  the  late  John  Bateman,  that  our  great 


328  PROPOSED    VISIT    TO    IRELAND.  1827. 

gran dfii til cr,  Joseph  Gurnev,  a  meek  and  humble  man,  scarcely 
ever  failed  to  be  engaged  both  in  prayer  and  preaching, 
at  every  meeting  he  attended ;  but  ahvays  in  the  life. 

The  frequent  repetition  of  services  of  this  description,  to 
■VN-hich  I  find  myself  called,  often  tries  my  faith,  and  brings  me 
into  close  and  deep 'exercise  of  soul:  but  I  must  follow  my 
holy  Leader.  0  that  I  may  never  be  found  presenting  un- 
savoury oifcrings  on  the  Lord's  altar !  How  remarkable  it  is, 
that  from  generation  to  generation,  there  are  those  raised  up 
amongst  us  who  have  thus  to  bear  a  public  testimony  to 
redeeming  love  and  power.  May  it  continue  to  be  the  case, 
through  the  unmerited  goodness  of  Israel's  Shepherd,  and  in 
due  season  may  the  number  of  anointed  priests  and  Levites 
be  multiplied  on  the  face  of  the  earth  !  I  fully  believe  that 
this  description  applies  to  many  out  of  our  pale,  and  yet, 
perhaps,  not  in  the  same  way  and  degree. 

His  friends  having  given  their  sanction  and 
encouragement  to  his  proposed  visit  to  Ireland,  he 
writes,  after  a  week  spent  in  religious  labours,  in 
Suffolk,  and  subsequent  short  visits  to  London  and 
Melksham,  the  intervals  being  closely  occupied  by 
literary  and  other  engagements  at  home  :  — 

First  day  night,  \st  mo.,  28th,  1827.  I  am  likely  to  leave 
home  with  .  clear  hands ;  and  may,  with  humble  gi'atitude, 
confess  that  a  remarkable  feeling  of  repose  has  been  my 
portion,  as  I  have  quietly  yielded  to  the  stream  Avhich  is  con- 
veying me  onwards  to  an  arduous  and  extensive  field  of  gospel 
labour. 


MT.   39.  DEPARTURE  FOR  IRELAND.  329 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

1827.     ^T.  39. 

DEI'AJITUUE  FOR  IRELAND;  LABOURS  IN  DUBLIN;  VISIT  TO  THE 
MARQUIS  WELLESLEY,  THE  LORD  LIEUTENANT;  PRISONS;  DR. 
MURRAY;  ARCHBISHOP  MAQEE ;  ARCHBISHOP  OF  TUAM  ;  TRIM: 
COOTEHILL;  ARMAGH;  LISBURN ;  JOHN  CONRAN  ;  LURGAN ; 
BELFAST  ;    LONDONDERRY. 

Joseph  John  Gurney  left  Earlhcam  on  his  way  to 
Ireland,  on  the  2nd  of  the  second  month.,  1827.  ''We 
were  in  that  island/'  he  writes  in  his  Autobiograpliy, 
''  for  about  three  months,  in  all  its  counties  except 
four,  paying  a  general  visit  to  Friends,  holding 
many  public  meetings,  inspecting  prisons,  com- 
municating with  persons  in  authority  as  occasion 
required,  and  mingling  with  members  of  various 
denominations  in  the  pursuit  of  works,  of  benevo- 
lence, Roman  Catholics,  at  times,  as  well  as  Protes- 
tants. When  not  engaged  in  ministerial  labours,  it 
was  very  much  ni}'  office  to  help  my  beloved  sister 
in  her  comprehensive  designs  for  the  benefit  of  her 
fellow  men." 

TO    MARY    FOAYLER. 

London,  2nd  mo.,  .3rd,  1 827. 

I  was  favoured  yesterday  to  leave  home  with  a  degree  both 
of  clearness  and  peace  —  clearness,  because  all  my  memoranda 
and  agenda  were  swept  away  to  my  satisfaction ;  peace, 
in  the    belief  mercifully  afforded  that    my  going   was  in  the 


330  DEPARTURE  FOR  IRELAND.  1827. 

ordering  of  divine  -wisdom  and  love ;  and"  in  the  secret  per- 
suasion that  my  beloved  sister  and  children  on  the  one  hand, 
and  myself  on  the  other,  -would  be  preserved  to  a  happy  meet- 
ing again.  However,  this  is  not  to  be  stamped  higher  than  an 
agreeable  presentiment.  *  *  *  I  increasingly  feel  the  necessity 
of  dwelling  deep  in  the  root  of  true  -wisdom  ;  that  I  may  not 
be  deceived  by  any  superficial,  unauthorized  sensations,  but 
may  be  enabled  quietly  and  faithfully  to  folloAV  the  true 
Shepherd.  I  hope  thou  -wilt  be  enabled  to  pray  for  my  pre- 
servation particularly  in  this  respect ;  for  I  imagine  that  my 
naturally  sanguine  temperament  exposes  me  to  the  danger  of 
error  more  than  many  others.  Probably  thou  hast  found  this 
out,  and  therefore  dost  not  regret  (nor  do  I)  that  much  of  the 
necessary  ballast  of  secret  suffering  falls  to  my  lot. 

Plis  Journal  of  this  visit,  is  contained  in  a  series  of 
letters  to  his  sisters  Catherine  and  Eachel,  from  which 
the  following  extracts  are  taken. 

Holyhead,  2nd  mo.,  9th,  1S27. 

My  dear  Sisters, 

We  are  just  arrived  at  this  place,  in  good  health 

and  spirits,  after  an  interesting  journey.     E and  I  much 

enjoyed  our  peaceful  journey  to  Worcester.  It  -was  a  peculiar 
pleasure  to  m,e,  to  pass  so  many  hours  -with  her,  in  undisturbed 
tete  d,  tete.  We  drove  through  the  vale  of  Kodburg,  and  -were 
quite  inspirited  by  the  scenery.  A  large  party  of  Friends  met 
us  at  Worcester,  at  my  particular  request ;  persons  about 
whom  I  had  been  interested  at  my  last  visit.  It  was  a  plea- 
sant rendezvous,  and  ended  in  a  religious  opportunity.  A 
young  man  present  poured  forth  an  acceptable  prayer  for  our 
preservation ;  and  it  -was  cheering  to  me,  to  observe  an  evident 
piety  prevailing  in  the  circle.  Yesterday,  after  an  early  break- 
fast, we  left  Worcester,  and  reached  Coalbrookdale  in  a  few 
hours.  There  we  dined  at  Barnard  Dickenson's,  and  met 
another  interesting  and  interested  circle  of  Friends.  Our 
evening  journey  was  somewhat  long,  and  we  did  not  reach  the 
beautiful  Llangollen,  till  ten  o'clock  last  night. 


^,T.  39.  DUBLIN.  331 

Our  journey  of  to-day  has  been  deliglitful,  notwithstanding 
the  coldness  of  the  weather.  I  have  occupied  the  box  much 
of  the  way,  and  we  have  all  feasted  on  the  delightful  scenery. 
The  vale  of  Llangollen  was  the  first  lovely  object  which  greeted 
us.  Afterwards  we  passed  through  some  magnificent,  wild, 
mountain  districts  ;  particularly  by  the  lake  Ogwen  ;  scenery 
which  appeared  to  me,  about  equal  to  that  of  the  Trosachs  in 
Scotland ;  and  though  we  missed  the  summer  verdure  and 
foliage,  these  were  in  some  measure  suppHed  by  the  full  cata- 
racts and  large  icicles.  We  dined  at  an  inn,  within  a  mile 
of  Bangor ;  and  after  dinner,  examined  and  passed  over  that 
wonderful  work  of  human  ingenuity,  the  Menai  bridge. 

We  have  been  travelling  all  day  by  the  finest  road  in 
England.  It  has  been  really  curious  to  trace  this  smooth 
and  perfect  work  of  art,  Avinding  along  through  the  roughest 
and  wildest  scenes  of  nature.  There  is  something  verv 
animating  in  the  beauty  and  magnificence  of  these  scenes ; 
and  it  has  given  quite  a  flow  both  to  health  and  spirits. 
Our  dear  sister  is  writing  her  journal  home,  and  drawing 
the  Menai  bridge  for  her  children.  We  hope  to  sail  at 
eight  o'clock  to-morrow  morning.  We  are  favoured  with  a 
feeling  of  tranquillity  and  comfort,  though  sensible  of  the 
weight  and  importance  of  our  undertaking.  The  sympathy 
and  prayers  of  our  friends  have  been  truly  welcome, 

Dublin,  2ncl  mo.,  ]5th,  1S2T. 

Since  I  wrote  on  second  day  morning,  we  have  passed  three 
very  full  and  very  interesting  days,  having  gradually  found  our 
footing  on  this  island,  and  our  way  amongst  Friends  and  others. 
On  second  day,  we  were  much  occupied  in  paying-  a  variety 
of  visits ;  first  to  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution,  about  two 
miles  from  our  residence,  and  to  Joseph  Humfreys  and  his 
wife  —  superior  Friends,  under  whose  superintendence  it  is 
placed.  It  was  a  pleasant  sight  and  especially  instructive  to 
observe  J.  Humfreys'  manner  with  the  children,  to  whom  he 
had  managed  to  communicate  much  religious  instruction. 
Some  of  them  seemed  imder  the  power  of  religion.  Then  to 
the  bed-ridden  widow  of  the  late  John  Hilton,  of  Bristol ;  then 


332  DUBLIN.  1827. 

to  an  afflicted  family,  known  to  dear-  Priscilla,  of  the  name  of 
Stott.  In  all  these  visits,  and  nuany  similar  ones,  we  have 
had  religious  opportunities ;  and  it  is  particularly  comforting 
to  find  ourselves,  both  in  public  and  in  private,  brought  into 
such  remarkable  unity  of  mental  exercise.  Before  dinner  I 
called  at  the  Secretary  of  State's  office,  to  deliver  a  letter  from 
Peel,  and  was  very  kindly  received  by  the  Under-secretary  of 
State,  William  Gregory,  who  promises  every  assistance.  We 
dined  ■  a1?  Robert  Fayle's.  This  was  the  family  with  whom 
dear  Priscilla  lodged.  Her  memory  is  precious  among  Friends 
in  Ireland. 

Third  day  was  devoted  to  the  Monthly  Meeting,  tlie  largest 
and  longest  I  have  ever  attended  ;  for  I  think  that  even  in  the 
meetings  for  business  (both  being  included)  there  Avere  not  less 
than  400  Friends ;  and  the  men's  meeting  did  not  conclude 
(with  an  interval,  of  course,  for  dinner)  until  half-past  nine  at 
night.  The  weight  and  variety  of  business  excited  my  sym- 
pathy towards  the  bearers  of  the  burthen.  It  was  a  memora- 
ble day — the  divine  unction  continuing  to  flow  on,  very  re- 
markably, for  many  hours.   *  *   * 

Yesterday,  after  making  arrangements  for  the  printing 
of  my  Scripture  Instruction'  documents,  in  the  form  of  a  tract, 
we  again  set  off  on  a  series  of  visits.  Seven  or  eight  interest- 
ing private  opportunities  with  Friends,  individually,  or  in 
families,  occupied  the  morning.  We  paid  a  visit  to  the  Dublin 
"  Retreat,"  where  are  about  fifteen  patients,  kindly  managed 
on  the  improved  system,  and  under  the  care  of  judicious 
Friends.  We  afterwards  dined  with  the  Doyle  family,  and  in 
the  evening  attended  a  youths'  meeting,  held  at  seven  o'clock, 
by  our  appointment.  It  was  a  vei'y  solemn  but  exercising 
time ;  about  500  persons  present.  Some  were  there  who  had 
no  connexion  with  the  Society. 

2nd  mo.,  19th,  1827. 

We  breakfasted  on  fifth  day,  at  Major  Sirr's,  at  the  Castle. 
The  rest  of  the  morning  was  passed  in  receiving  and  paying 
visits.  Before  dinner  Ave  went  together  to  the  Secretary  of 
State's  office,  and  met  a  very  cordial  reception  from  William 


^T.  39.  MARQUIS    AVELLESLEY.  333 

Gregory,  the  Under-Secretary.  We  dined  -with  an  elderly 
and  pious  Friend,  Sarah  Phelps,  and  had  to  entertain  and 
instruct  a  party  of  fifty  in  the  evening.  It  passed  off  well, 
though  I  was  poorly,  the  commencement  of  rather  a  trying 
attack  of  cold  and  fever.  Notwithstanding  my  poorliness,  we 
were  under  the  necessity  of  attending  a  pubhc  meeting  ap- 
pointed for  sixth  day  morning.  This  proved  a  memorable 
occasion,  and  did  me  no  harm.  I  was  enabled  to  unfold  the 
doctrines  appertaining  to  the  person  and  character  of  Christ, 
with  a  good  deal  of  clearness  and  power,  being  made  strong 

out    of   much  bodily    and    mental   weakness.       Dear   E 

passed  part  of  the  morning  with  the  "  Sisters  of  Charity,"  at 
their  nunnery.  They  seem  to  have  been  delighted  with  her 
visit.  On  seventh  day  morning  she  took  an  early  drive 
through  the  "Liberty,"  where  the  lowest  part  of  the  popu- 
lation dwell.  At  eleven  o'clock,  we  held  a  meeting  with  the 
heads  of  families,  &c.,  among  Friends.  It  was  one  of  deep 
and  close  exercise  of  mind ;  numerously  attended,  and  I  hope 
for  good.      Various  calls  from  gentlemen  and  ladies  at  our 

lodgings  afterwards  ;  amongst  the  rest  the  pious  Lady  L 

and  her  daughter.  At  three  o'clock  we  went  by  appointment 
to  call  on  the  Marquis  Wellesley,  the  Lord  Lieutenant,  at 
the  Vice-regal  Lodge,  Phoenix  Park.  The  park  is  beautiful, 
about  a  mile  from  Dublin,  with  a  noble  view  of  the  Wicklow 
mountains.  The  Viceroy  is  a  clever,  easy,  polite,  sensible, 
elderly  man ;  small  and  grey-headed.  He  entered  fully  into 
our  views ;  promised  us  every  assistance  in  his  power ;  and 
agreed  with  our  sentiments  on  capital  punishment,  prisons,  &;c. 
Perhaps  there  may  be  a  little  of  the  courtier  about  him,  but 
I  believe  him  to  be  sincere.  His  wife,  (a  Roman  Catholic 
American  lady,)  was  confined  up  stairs  with  illness.  We 
afterwards  dined  at  Samuel  and  Jane  Gatchell's,  where  in  the 
evening  we  met  a  large  party ;  among  the  rest  John  Leslie 
Forster's  wife,  a  pious  and  exemplary  woman.  We  returned 
home  very  tired.  I  was  not  well  in  the  night,  but  rose  re- 
freshed in  the  morning.  The  meeting  on  first  day  was  crowded 
by  Friends  and  others.    It  was  a  good  time,  in  which  the  truth 


334  DUBLIN.  1827. 

was,  I  trust,  exaltecl.  Afterwards  we  made  some  calls  on  the 
afflicted ;  dined  with  the  Bewley  family,  interesting  and  pious 
Friends.  Drank  tea  at  James  Martin  Pike's,  one  of  the 
Dublin  Philanthropists,  a  clever  Friend,  with  a  lovely  family. 
Held  a  large  public  meeting  at  seven  o'clock,  in  which  the 
doctrines  of  the  Atonement  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit  w^ere 
largely  set  forth.     It  was  a  very  solemn  meeting.   *  *  * 

At  John  'White's,  near  Edenderry,  King's  County,  2ud  mo.,  25th,  1827. 

Since  I  last  wrote,  Ave  have  passed  six  days  of  strong  and 
rapid  interest,  and  having  been  all  of-  us  but  poorly  in  the 
course  of  it,  we  consider  it  no  small  favom*,  that  we  have 
been  permitted  to  quit  Dublin  in  peace,  and  to  enter  unhurt 
on  the  country  part  of  our  engagement.  It  Avould  have  been 
unsafe  to  have  continued  longer  in  that  cit}^ ;  for  our  dear 
sister's  strength  would  probably  have  failed  under  the  im- 
petuous attentions  of  the  thronging  multitude.  But  to  continue 
the  thread  of  our  history. — On  seconti  day,  after  breakfasting 
at  a  Friend's  house  with  a  large  party,  v.'e  commenced  our 
visits  to  the  prisons,  and  examined  four  principal  ones  that 
morning.  Two  of  them  very  bad,  particularly  the  Dublin 
Newgate  ;  an  awful  scene  of  multitudinous  wickedness  and 
misery !  Vast  crowds  of  criminals,  Avithout  occupation,  with- 
out instruction,  without  any  provided  clothing,  and  therefore 
half-naked,  herded  together  in  great  dens.;  for  such  was  the 
character  of  some  of  their  day  rooms.  Thence  to  the  City 
Marshalsea  prison,  for  small  debtors,  which  was,  if  possible, 
still  worse.  Then  another  large  debtors'  prison,  A^ery  bad 
also ;  and,  lastly,  the  Smithiield  Penitentiary,  Avhere  there  are 
a  great  many  women  and  boys,  in  pretty  good  order.  We 
dined  that  evening  at  the  Secretary  Gregory's,  in  the  Phcenix 
Park.  He  is  one  of  our  kind  Friends.  We  met  a  select 
and  interesting  party;  amongst  others,  tAvo  ladies  of  rank 
of  the  Clancarty  family,  of  Avhich  Lady  Anne  Gregory, 
the  Secretary's  wife,  is  a  member,  and  their  brother  the 
Archbishop  of  Tuam ;  a  person  filll  of  kindness,  intelligence, 
and  piety.     The  great  subject  of  couA'ersation  at  these  Dublin 


JST.  39.  DUBLIN.  335 

parties,  now  seems  to  be  the  religious  stir  among  the  Roman 
Catholics,  which  is  already  technically  called  the  "  Reforma- 
tion." The  Protestants  are  delighted  with  it;,  consider 
that  it  is  spreading,  and  will  spread ;  and  mix  up  their  feelings 
on  tlie  j^ubject  Avith  -a  certain  degree  of  party  zeal,  against 
which  we  have  done  our  best  to  hold  up  a  yet  purer  standard. 
There  is  prevalent  in  Dublin  great  zeal,  and  great  love  for  the- 
truth ;  but  there  is  wanted  more  of  the  garment  of  universal 
charity,  and  more  of  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit. 
Yet  there  is  a  blessed  work  going  on,  which  is  far  more  con- 
spicuous in  the  upper  classes  of  society  there,  than  in  any  part 
of  England  with  which  I  am  acquainted. 

I  forgot  to  tell  you,  that  while  we  were  visiting  one  of  the 
prisons,  the  judges,  then  on  the  bench  of  a  neighbouring 
Court,  heard  of  us,  and  sent  a  message  to  invite  us  into  their 
presence.  We  thought  it  right  to  go,  and  were  ushered 
through  a  little  door,  on  to  the  Judge's  bench,  in  the  front 
of  a  crowded  and  inquisitive  assembly.  We  conversed  some 
time  with  Judges  Johnstone  and  Jebb,  both  eminent  men, 
and  found  them  true  men  on  the  subject  of  Capital  Punish- 
ment. On  third  day  we  attended  Meeting :  (they  hold  two 
week  day  meetings  in  Dublin,  on  third  and  sixth  days :)  it 
was  large,  flocked  to  by  many  not  Friends,  and  a  ver^^  solemn, 
I  hope  profitable,  occasion.  Oitr  dear  sister's  ministry  was, 
as  usual,  very  touching.  I  think  it  has  produced  a  very 
considerable  impression,  her  Way  having  been  remarkably 
made  to  the  hearts  of  the  people.  After  meeting  we  resumed 
our  course  of  prison  visiting,  and  that  morning  inspected  two 
more  debtors'  prisons ;  and  Kilmainham,  the  county  jail. 
This  jail  is  well  conducted  and  superintended,  and  forms  a 
striking  contrast  to  the  Dublin  Newgate.  We  met  several 
gentlemen  of  importance  there,  am'ong  whom  were  the  Sheriff 
of  the  County,  Sir  Thomas  Needham,  and  John  David 
Latouche,  the  banker,  a  man  of  eminent  liberality  and  respect- 
ability.     E and    I   (she  with  a  .sad    cold   on  her  chest) 

went  at  six  o'clock  to  dine  at  Baron  Pennefather's,  one  of  the 
judges,  Avhere  we  were  handsomely  entertained  by  some  very 
superior  people.     The  Baron  is  a  highly  cultivated,  enlight- 


336  DUBLIN.  1827. 

eued  .man,  and  his  wife  a  solid  Christian  character.  We  met 
there  two  interesting  clergymen :  Cleaver,  the  son  of  the  late 
Archbishop  of  Dublin ;  and  James  Dmm,  a  person  of  high 
reputation,  Avho  continues  to  preach  in  the  Church  of  England, 
but  from  motives  of  conscience,  has  given  up  two  valuable 

livings.     We  returned  home  very  tired,  and  dear  E was 

quite  poorly  for  the  next  day  or  two,  but  nursing  was  impos- 
sible. Out  of  weakness  we  were  made  strong  for  services 
various  and  arduous. 

On  fourth  day  to  breakfast  at  a  lady's  named  Hoare,  where 
about  forty  serious  persons  were  assembled  to  meet  us.  It 
was  a  good  time  I  hope.  Thence  to  the  Richmond  Bridewell, 
a  great  prison,  where  we  were  met  by  several  gentlemen,  in- 
cluding the  Inspectors  General  of  the  prisons  of  Ireland,  and  I 
suppose  nearly  one  hundred  ladies,  many  of  them  of  consider- 
ation and  station.  The  object  of  the  meeting  was  to  organize 
a  Ladies'  Association  for  visiting  prisons ;  our  dear  sister 
was,  of  course,  in  the  chair,  and  I  sat  by  as  her  secretary  ; 
the  Inspectors  General  on  either  side.  She  managed  tlic 
whole  aifair  Avith  great  ability.  The  association  was  formed, 
and  large  A^isiting  Committees  appointed  for  the  four  principal 
prisons.      We  had  afterwards   to   examine   the   prison  itself. 

We  returned  home,  dear  E much  fagged,  but  obliged  to 

prepare  for  a  visit  to  Lady  Wellesley,  at  the  Phoenix  Park. 
*  *  On  our  way  back  we  spent  a  short,  but  very  interesting 
time  with  Dr.  Murray,  the  Roman  Catholic  Archbishop  of 
Dublin.  He  is  a  pleasing  man,  of  humble  and  Christian 
deportment,  and  did  not  appear  to  object  to  any  of  our 
views.  There  was  something  very  sweet  in  the  manners,  and 
apparently  in  the  mind  of  this  Archbishop ;  but  with  it,  we 
apprehend,  a  strong  and  determined  attachment  to  his  own 
church.  In  point  of  simpMcity  of  life  and  appearance,  he  is 
an  example  for  Christian  prelates.  We  dined  that  evening  at 
the  house  of  John  Henry  North,  a  person  of  evident  genius, 
and  of  great  urbanity  and  elegance.  Dr.  Singer,  of  the 
College,  a  learned  man,  was  there,  and  a  pious  clergyman  in 
great  repute,  of  the  name  of  Magee.  After  dinner,  many 
relio-ious  persons  flocked  into  the  room.     Immediately  after 


iET.  39.  DUBLIN.  E37 

tea, stood  up,  holding  a  little  Bible  in  his  hand,  and  began 

to  read,  then  to  preach,  and  then  without  a  moment's  pause, 
called  on  "  oui"  dear  friend  and  sister"  to  pray.  Forthwith 
the  company  dropped  on  their  knees.     I  -was  obhged  to  ask 

them  to  sit  down  in  silence,  and    after  a  time  dear   E 

prayed  very  sweetly.  I  had  also  to  address  them.  This 
description  will  give  you  some  idea  of  the  state  of  society  in 
Dublin,  I  should  imagine  that  these  Bible  readings  are 
extensively  supplanting  cards  and  other  such  amusements. 
We  rather  fear  that  there  is  with  it  all,  a  pretty  full  infusion 
of  high  Calvinism. 

Fifth  day  was  equally  remarkable.  We  breakfasted  at 
home,  and  afterwards  received  an  interesting  visit  from  tlio 
famous  Magee,  Archbishop  of  Dublin.  We  conversed  together 
nearly  an  hour,  particularly  respecting  his  book  on  the 
Atonement,  Friends'  Principles,  &c.  He  appeared  to  be  high 
church  in  his  views,  an  acute  and  very  clever  man.  He  pro- 
mised to  read  my  Essays,  as  did  Dr.  Murray ;  Lord  Wellesley 
also  intends  reading  them.  They  are  but  little  known  in  this 
land ;  but  where  known,  appear  to  be  liked.  Many  besides 
the  Friends  seem  to  be  acquainted  with  the  "peculiarities." 

When  the  Archbishop  had  left  us,  we  went  to  the  House  of 
Industry ;  a  vast  receptacle  of  aged,  infirm,  lunatic,  and  idiot 
paupers,  under  the  government  of  Colonel  Morris,  who  gave 
us  a  most  cordial  reception.  It  is  a  wonderful  institution, 
supported  by  Government,  and  finely  managed.  The  same 
may  be  said  of  the  Richmond  Lunatic  Asylum,  which 
we  next  visited  with  Dr.  Jackson,  the  physician.  In  both 
these  institutions  the  patients  are  kindly  treated,  and  to  a 
great  extent  employed  and  instructed.  Then  to  the  Richmond 
General  Penitentiary,  a  sort  of  home  Botany  Bay.  Here, 
however,  the  Governor,  who  considers  himself  amenable  only 
to  the  Lord  Lieutenant,  refused  to  allow  us  to  speak  to  the 
prisoners,  or  to  see  those  who  were  in  solitary  confinement 
and  under  punishment.  As  we  had  engaged  to  quit  Dublin 
on  the  morrow,  it  was  difficult  to  know  how  to  act ;  but  on 
our  return  to  our  lodgings,  we    found    our    kind    friend    the 

Vol.  L  — 22 


338  DUBLIN.  1827. 

Arclibisliop  of  Tuam ;  and  he  and  I  went  to  tlie  Secretary's 
office,  "wliere  I  was  furnished  Avith  the  Lord  Lieutenant's  com- 
mands to  the  Governor,  to  show  us  every  thing  we  wished.  I 
much  enjoyed  my  walk  with  the  Archbishop.  There  is  some- 
thing very  noble  and  pleasing  about  him.  His  Christian 
course  is  a  decided  one.  Li  the  evening  Ave  were  at  home  and 
received  numerous  guests. 

On  sixth  day  we  rose  with  an  almost  overAvhelming  prospect 
of  service :  the  morning  meeting  with  Friends ;  the  difficult 
task  of  re-examining  the  penitentiary ;  a  report  to  make  of 
the  result  to  Government ;  and  then  a  journey  of  nearly  forty 
miles  to  be  accomplished.  However,  Avay  opened  for  the  whole, 
and  very  satisfactorily.  When  we  reached  the  meeting-house, 
we  found  it  thronged  to  excess,  and  had  considerable  difficulty 
in  reaching  the  gallery.  Hundreds  went  away  disappointed  of 
a  place.  About  1500  were  supposed  to  be  present.  With 
full  minds,  and  tired  bodies,  Ave  found  it  no  easy  task  to  cope 
Avith  such  a  meeting ;  but  it  proved  a  memorable  one.  There 
Avas,  I  think,  a  true  eifusion  of  the  Spirit  on  the  occasion ;  and 
our  dear  sister  was  wonderfully  enabled  to  surmount  her 
bodily  weakness  and  mental  fears.  I  hardly  ever  heard  such 
preaching  as  hers  was  that  day ;  and  the  whole  was  concluded 
by  the  hearty  ascription  of  all  glory  where  alone  it  is  due. 
Her  text  was,  "  Holiness  bocometh  thine  house,  0  Lord,  for 
ever." 

Soon  after  meeting,  I  had  a  happy  rencontre  Avith  the 
Governor  of  the  Penitentiary  in  the  street.  We  took  him  to 
the  prison  in  our  carriage,  deliA'ered  the  GoA-ernment  order, 
and  made  a  thorough  Adsitation  of  the  institution.  Happily, 
there  was  no  great  CA^il  lurking,  and  Ave  parted  Avith  our 
defeated  friend  in  harmony  ;  and  I  had  real  pleasure  in  going 
to  Secretary  Gregory,  and  making  a  favourable  report. 

In  the  end  we  got  through  all  our  labours  :  dined  ;  packed 
our  carriage  ;  left  Dublin  at  five  o'clock,  truly  grateful  to  our 
friends,  of  the  Pirn  family,  for  their  uncommon  kindness  and 
attention  :  and,  after  traA-elling  until  eleven  o'clock  at  night, 
Ave  arrived  at  Christians-town,  county  Kildare  ;  at  the  hos- 
pitable house  of  our  dear  friend,  James  Forbes.   *   * 


MT.  39.  TRIM.  3,^ 

At  Jonathan  Richardson's,  Lisburn,  3rd  mo.,  4th,  1S27. 

*  *  I  last  wrote  from  John  White's,  near  Edenderry.  We 
left  his  house  about  ten  o'clock  on  second  day  morning  (the 
26th  ult.)  for  Trim,  the  county  town  of  Meath ;  passing  through 
a  country  very  incompletely  cultivated,  with  wretched  earthen 
huts  on  the  sides  of  the  road,  the  inhabitants  of  which  ap- 
jDeared  to  be  but  little  elevated  above  the  condition  of  the 
heathen  world.  They  seem  to  understand  little  that  one  says 
to  them,  and  nothing  can  well  exceed  the  filth  in  the  midst  of 
which  the}"  live.  Knowledge,  with  a  sense  of  need,  both  tem- 
porally and  spiritually,  is  that  first  step  to  improvement,  which 
does  not  seem  yet  taken,  in  many  parts  of  this  unhappy  land. 
I  believe,  however,  that  education  is  making  rapid  strides  ;  and 
the  more  it  prevails,  the  more  uneasy  the  people  become,  both 
with  their  physical  and  their  spiritual  degradation.  I  find 
there  are  almost  daily  tidings  of  the  progress  of  "  the  Reforma- 
tion" in  many  places.  Tz'im  is  a  wretched  capital.  The  Duke 
of  Wellington's  towering  monument  being  in  true  Hibernian 
contrast  with  the  filth  and  misery  which  surround  it.  The 
prison  was  once  the  pride  of  the  county,  but  is  now  considered 
one  of  the  worst  in  Ireland.  We  found  it,  as  we  do  all  the 
county  jails,  full  of  prisoners,  chiefly  for  rioting  and  the  work 
of  the  shillelah.  It  is  kept  in  good  order,  and  is  carefully 
superintended.  We  endeavoured  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a 
ladies'  committee.  Thence  over  an  improving  country,  and 
past  several  gentlemen's  seats,  through  the  town  of  Kells,  to 
our  friend  Lord  Bective's,  at  Headfort.  It  is  a  fine  extensive 
nobleman's  place,  conducted  with  great  care  and  economy. 
We  arrived  in  time  for  dinner,  and  were  most  kindly  received 
by  the  Earl  and  Countess.  There  is  something  truly  amiable 
about  them  both.  We  passed,  however,  rather  a  sleei^y  even- 
ing, for  we  were  tired  ;  and  Lord  B was  obliged  to  leave 

us  at  night,  on  his  way  to  attend  Parliament,  on  the  Roman 
Catholic  question,  of  Avhich  he  is  a  warm  supporter.  He  and 
his  wife  promoted  our  religious  intercourse  Avith  their  house- 
hold, and  the  next  morning  we  had  the  family  together, 
including  a  number  of   Roman  Catholics ;  a  general  anxiety 


340  IRELAND.  1827. 

prevailing   to    see   the    stranger   guests.     Dear   E read 

Matt.  XXV,  and  we  had  a  remarkably  interesting  meeting 
afterwards,  a  little  like  that  at  Lord  Derby's,  in  days  of 
old.  Much  love  towards  us  was  manifested  by  all  the  party, 
especially  the    servants,  who  seemed   full  of  zeal  in  helping 

us.     We  spent  an  hour  or  two  with  Lady  B at  Kells, 

theii"  neighbouring  town,  in  inspecting  her  public  charities, 
and  a  wretched  little  prison,  happily  not  often  used ; 
and  we  then  drove  off  to  a  desolate  place  called  Bally- 
borough,  on  our  way  to  the  next  meeting  of  Friends.  The 
people  seemed  anxious  for  tracts,  of  which  we  distributed  a 
large  quantity ;  and  there  being  no  horses  to  be  had  in  the 
place  fit  to  use,  we  were  happy  enough  to  meet  with  two  pairs 
un  their  retm-n  home,  which  we  kept  for  two  days'  service. 
It  is  a  desolate  country  and  the  roads  very  bad  ;  and  very  tired 
we  were  when  we  arrived  at  Cootehill,  a  little  town  in  the 
county  of  Cavan,  where  we  were  most  hospitably  entertained 

by  J.  C and  his  two  sisters.     The  change  from  the  vast 

chateau  to  their  humble  abode,  was  far  from  unpleasant ;  there 
was  so  much  cleanliness  and  comfort  in  the  accommodation 
provided. 

There  are  only  a  few  scattered  families  of  Friends  in  this 
place,  (Lisburn,)  which  is  one  of  some  importance,  being  a 
principal  linen  mart  for  the  north  of  L'eland.  The  domestic 
manufacture  of  linen  is  the  staple  of  this  part  of  the  country, 
and  every  poor  man  is  his  own  flax  grower,  weaver,  and  merchant. 
As  we  advance  towards  the  north,  the  peasantry  assume  a  more 
respectable  appearance.  The  children  may  like  to  know  that 
we  met  on  our  road,  a  day  or  two  since,  a  vast  body  of  peasants, 
neatly  dressed,  attending  the  corpse  of  a  young  woman  to  its 
burial,  and  the  attendants  round  about  the  coffin  were  chaunt 
ing  the  funeral  cry,  very  improperly  called  "the  L'ish  howl." 
It  was  a  touching  sound.  This  is  a  fine  harvest  for  the  priest, 
who  levies  a  handsome  subscription  on  the  people  present  at 
the  burial.  We  held  a  meeting  at  Cootehill  on  fourth  day 
morning.  It  was  largely  attended  by  a  mixed  company  of 
Friends,  Protestant  church-people,  and  Roman  Catholics.  It 
was  a  time  in  which  the  truth  was,  I  trust,  exalted,  and  many, 


/ET.   39.  COOTEHILL  ;    ARMAGH.  341 

especially  of  tlie  Roman  Catholics,  have  since  been  applying  to 
our  host  for  tracts.  He  tells  me  his  whole  stock  has  been  ex- 
hausted, by  the  sudden  demand  our  meeting  occasioned.  The 
inquisitive  state  of  the  public  mind,  where  education  has  at 
all  prevailed,  is  deeply  interesting.  From  Cootehill,  our  four 
horses,  which  we  had  met  with  the  dav  before,  brought  us 
through  some  fine  nobleman's  domains,  and  afterwards  through 
a  dull  country  to  Monaghan ;  where  we  spent  an  hour  in  visit- 
ing a  new  and  very  tolerable  county  jail,  full  of  prisoners ;  and 
in  sowing  the  seeds  of  a  ladies'  committee.  We  dined  at  the 
inn,  and  reached  the  hotel  at  Armagh  in  the  evening.  The 
travelling  in  these  parts  is  uncommonly  tedious,  the  Irish 
sfages  swelling  to  an  unreasonable  length ;  and  no  mile  stones. 
It  is  difficult  to  get  on  without  four  horses.  Fifth  day  morn- 
ing at  Armagh,  w'as  highly  interesting.  It  is  a  fine  inland 
town.  We  first  visited  the  county  jail,  and  found  a  peculiarly 
open  door  for  intercourse  with  the  prisoners ;  the  first  time  this 
has  happened  to  us  in  Ireland.  Popery  has,  in  general,  ap- 
peared to  block  up  the  vray  in  the  minds  of  the  prisoners. 
From  the  prison  we  proceeded  to  the  lunatic  asylum  for  five 
counties,  admirably  managed,  none  under  restraint,  and  a  con- 
siderable number  of  both  men  and  women  employed.  We 
then  went  to  Lady  Lifibrd's,  at  the  deanery.  She  knew  dear 
Priscilla,  and  is  a  close  ally  of  Lady  Grosford's.  Here  we  met 
several  ladies,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  a  visiting  association. 
Lady  Lifibrd  is  a  charming,  elderl}'-  lady;  an  humble,  solid, 
practical  Chi^istian,  abounding  in  good  works.  On  separating 
one  from  another,  we  were  favoured  with  a  true  solemnity. 
Thence  to  Richill,  Avhere  a  larice  meetinc:  of  Friends  and  others 
were  assembled  at  two  o'clock ;  I  believe  to  a  good  purpose, 
as  the  gospel  was  fully  preached  and  gladly  received.  That 
night  we  reached  Rhoane  Hill,  near  Grange,  v/here  we  were 
kindly  entertained  by  an  interesting  family  of  Friends,  and  on 
sixth  day  morning  we  held  a  large  meeting  at  Grange.  It 
was  to  me  a  time  of  deep  exercise  of  mind.  These  were  the 
parts  in  which  Friends  were  once  so  led  away  by  infidelity, 
and  their  present  state  reminded  me  of  the  condition  cf  the 
Jews  after  they  came  from  Babylon ;  returned  indeed  from 


342  IRELAND.  1827. 

captivity,  but  yet  without  the  Urim  and  Thuinraim,  and  after 
a  time  without  prophets.  Through  all,  there  seemed  a  strong 
hope  of  revival,  and  two  young  people  have  lately  begun  to 
minister  there.  After  a  tedious  journey,  we  reached  this  place 
(Lisburn)  on  sixth  day  evening,  and  find  ourselves  quite  at 
home,  under  the  care  of  our  young  friend,  Jonathan  Richard- 
son, in  his  father's  comfortable  house ;  the  parents  in  England. 
There  is  an  excellent  Friends'  school  here,  the  Hibernian  Ack- 
worth,  and  most  of  yesterday  was  employed  in  the  examination 
of  the  children,  and  in  setting  on  foot  the  Ackworth  plans  of  • 
scriptural  instruction.  I  found  the  wheel  move  rather  heavily, 
but  believe  success  is  likely  to  crown  the  effort.  The  meeting 
of  ministers  and  elders  was  held  in  the  evening.  I  am  sitting 
up  nov/  to  finish  this  letter  after  a  laborious  day.  A  large 
meeting  with  Friends  this  morning,  and  Avith  the  public  this 
evening,  besides  a  continued  stream  of  family  engagements. 
One  of  our  companions  in  the  Avork  has  been  John  Conran,  a 
veteran  preacher  of  88  years,  who  stood  his  ground  valiantly 
in  the  time  of  the  secession,  and  was  for  some  years  afterward 
the  only  minister,  or  elder,  in  the  north  of  Ireland.  He  has 
already  been  joined  by  six  more,  and  many  others  seem  likely  to 
follow  in  the  train.  Nothing  can  well  exceed  the  loveliness 
of  this  dear  old  man's  spirit.  His  preaching  highly  animating, 
his  fine  white  locks  flowing  over  his  shoulders.  Our  meetings 
have  been  much  favoured  to-day,  and  I  think  we  all  retire  to 
rest  with  the  feelings  of  thankfulness  and  peace. 

Grace  Ilill,  County  Autiim,  Zvd  mo.,  14th,  1827. 

My  Journal  is  sadly  in  arrear.  I  last  wrote  on  first  day  the 
4th  from  Lisburn.  The  public  meeting  that  evening  was  re- 
markably interesting  ;  many  Roman  Catholics  there  ;  and  my 
doctrine,  as  I  supposed,  very  anti-papistical ;  but  the  report 
made  by  one  of  their  community  was,  that  I  preached  the  same 
things  as  their  own  priest  I 

The  following  day  was  devoted  to  the  business  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting,  which  was  large ;  twice  the  size  of  ours. 
It  was  a  day  of   unction.       Our   dear    sister   and  her  sister 


^T.  39.  LISBURX;    LURGAN.  343 

E.  F visited  the  men's  meeting ;  and  John   Conran,  that 

veteran  warrior  in  the  army  of  the  Lamb,  preached  in  the 
course  of  the  morning  one  of  the  b('st  sermons  I  ever  heard, 
on  the  Sonship  and  Divinity  of  oar  Saviour.  A  young  man 
in  a  low  line,  of  life,  knelt  down  and  supplicated  very  power- 
fully. There  is  a  remarkable  breaking  forth  of  the  ministry 
in  these  parts,  chiefly  in  the  poorer  class  of  the  Society. 

On  third  day  a  concluding  meeting  for  worship,  with  a 
very  large  and  interesting  body  of  Friends ;  it  was  an  extra- 
ordinary time,  and  one  that  could  not  fail  to  leave  very 
encouraging  impressions.  Then  to  the  County  Infirmary,  a 
valuable  institution,  a  Ladies'  Committee  established ;  then 
to  the  Provincial  School,  to  drink  tea  with  the  children, 
amongst  whom  I  finally  established  my  plan  of  scriptural  in- 
struction ;  then  another  large  public  meeting.  The  state  of 
the  public  mind  in  this  country  requires  a  nice  and  delicate 
touch,  and  the  greatest  care  is  requisite  to  keep  clear  of  all 
sectarian  and  party  feeling. 

On  fourth  day  we  left  Lisburn  on  our  way  to  several 
country  meetings.  The  weather  wild.  After  attending  a 
large  meeting  at  Ballinderry,  we  went  through  a  driving  snow 
to  Lurgan,  county  of  Down,  the  original  settlement  of  Friends 
in  this  land.  A  large  old  meeting-house,  and  a  small  scattered 
flock.  There  was  no  invitation,  and  the  weather  was  very 
severe,  yet  the  inhabitants  of  the  place  flocked  to  meeting, 
evidently  athirst,  in  no  common  degree,  after  living  waters ; 

and  a  very  solemn  assembly  we  had.     Dear  E was  much 

strengthened  for  the  occasion.  A  long  drive  through  wind 
and  snow,  brought  us  late  at  night  to  the  hospitable  mansion 
of  Thomas  Christy  Wakefield,  of  Moyallen.  This  was  once  a 
flourishing  colony  of  Friends  in  a  beautiful  country ;  a  village 
of  pretty  villas ;  but,  alas !  the  bright  scene  has  vanished 
under  the  deadly  touch  of  infidelity.  Many  of  the  principal 
Friends  seceded  many  years  ago,  and  have  remarkably  come 
to  nothing.  There  is  a  little  faithful  band  preserved  from  the 
wreck,  some  of  whom  are  particularly  pleasing.  Notwith- 
standinjr  the  snow,  we  had  a  racetins!:  with  Friends  in  the 
morning,  and  with  the  public  in  the  evening.     The  next  day, 


314  IRELAND.  1827. 

more  snow  having  fallen,  we  could  not  proceed  on  our  journey, 
the  roads  being  impassable.  I  called  on  the  Friends,  and  in  the 
afternoon  and  evening  we  ~\vere  met  by  a  large  party  of  young 
people.  We  were  anxious  to  go  oft"  the  next  morning,  and 
four  horses  took  us,  with  considerable  difficulty,  to  Hills- 
borough, where  there  is  a  small  settlement  of  Friends.  We 
held  a  meeting  there,  to  which  many  came  through  a  pouring 
rain. 

On  seventh  day  night  we  returned  to  our  old  lodgings  at 
Lisburn,  and  proceeded  on  first  day  morning  to  meeting,  at 
Belfast ;  a  beautiful  drive  of  seven  miles,  through  a  fruitful 
valley,  under  fine  mountains.  Belfast  is  the  Liverpool  of 
Ireland.  A  fevf  years  ago  there  were  only  two  or  three 
Friends ;  now  there  are  thirty  families.  A  remarkable 
seriousness  seemed  to  prevail  among  the  young  people,  and 
here  we  heard  another  young  man  minister  very  acceptably. 
Our  public  meeting  that  evening  was  held  in  a  large  school 
room,  on  an  upper  floor.  There  was  an  almost  frightful 
effusio  popuU.  When  we  arrived  punctually  at  the  time 
appointed,  we  found  the  j^eople  going  away  by  hundreds,  dis- 
appointed for  want  of  room.  We  were  put  to  difficulty  to  get 
into  the  room.  The  crowd  was  very  overpowering  to  our  dear 
sister,  and  I  was  afraid  she  would  have  fainted.  However  we 
got  to  our  places  at  last.  Protection  and  strength  were 
graciously  afforded.  I  was  enabled  to  declare  the  gospel  with 
rather  unusual  power,  and  all  was  soon  profoixndly  quiet ;  and, 
in  the  end,  the  vast  assembly  dispersed  in  quietness  and  safety. 
I  am  sure  you  would  have  felt  for  us,  could  you  have  watched 
our  movements  that  night. 

The  next  day  we  had  abundance  of  work  as  usual.  First,  a 
visit  to  the  House  of  Correction,  with  a  crowd  of  ladies  and 
gentlemen  flocking  after  our  dear  sister  ;  amongst  the  rest, 
the  clergA',  English  Church,  Presbyterian,  and  Boraan 
Catholic.  Dr.  Croly,  the  Boman  Catholic  Bishop,  was  with 
us,  a  very  liberal  man.  All  these  denominations  unite 
in  tlie  religious  instruction  of  the  prisoners.  I  sent  the 
bishop  both  my  Avorks.  They  say  his  liberality  enables 
him  to  proselyte  more  successfully.     Then  to  Carrickfergus, 


JET.  o9,  BELFAST;    CARRICKFERGUS.  345 

a  long  and  beautiful  drive  under  the  mountains  by  the  coast. 
There  is  a  large  county  jail  there  for  Antrim ;  and  very 
thoroughly  we  inspected  it.      While  I  visited  the  male  side, 

E succeeded    in    forming    a    ladies'    committee.      We 

returned  to  a  late  dinner  at  our  friend  William  Bell's ;  a 
crowd  of  Friends,  chiefly  young,  came  in  the  evening ;  and  it 
was  no  light  matter  to  meet  the  occasion  after  the  fatigue  of 
the  day.  However,  all  passed  oflf  well.  But  alas  !  on  our 
return  to  our  lodgings  to  supper,  behold  another  party  to 
meet  us,  some  of  the  principal  Presbyterians.  The  Presby- 
terians form  the  largest  portion  of  the  population  in  this  part 
of    Ireland,    and    are    at    Belfast    divided    into    two    parties, 

Orthodox    and    Arian.       By    dear    E 's    desire,    another 

public  meeting  was  appointed  for  yesterday  morning,  at 
eleven,  to  which  the  upper  classes  were  principally  invited. 
It  was  a  beautiful  congregation  of  upwards  of  1000  orderly, 
attentive,  well-dressed  people ;  and  a  highly  favoured  occasion. 
The  place  which  our  dear  sister  has  among  them  all,  is  truly 
remarkable ;  amongst  other  effects,  it  seems  in  a  singular 
degree  to  stop  the  objections  entertained  to  women's  preach- 
ing. A  clergyman  who  had  expressed  these  objections  before 
the  meeting,  said  after  it,  "  No  one  who  loves  the  truth 
Avould  dare  to  prevent  them."  A  variety  of  public  insti- 
tutions were  next  to  be  visited.  E went  to  the  Peni- 
tentiary, and  I  to  the  Schools ;  both  of  us  to  the  Poor-house, 
a  place  of  refuge   for    the  aged  and  infirm,  and  for  orphan 

children  ;    very  well   managed.     In  the  evening  dear  E 

had  a  congregation  of  ladies  at  the  meeting-house,  to  arranf^e 
committees  for  visiting  the  Poor-house,  the  Penitentiary  and 
the  Prison.  I  went  to  Carrickfergus  again,  having  been 
brought  under  a  concern  of  mind  to  hold  a  public  meeting 
there.  The  rain  poured  in  torrents ;  but  there  vras  a  pretty 
good  congregation  in  the  Methodist  meeting-house.  *  *  *  * 

Omagh,  county  Tyrone,  3rd  mo.,  19th,  1827. 

My  dearest  Sisters, 

I  wrote  to  you  from  Grace  hill,  the  Moravian 
settlement,  on  fourth  day  evening.     That  morning  we  passed 


346  IRELAND.  1827. 

an  interesting  hour  in  surveying  the  settlement ;  the  first 
I  had  ever  seen.  The  single  sisters,  about  fifty  in  number, 
occupy  one  large  house,  and  seemed  very  cheerful  and  h'appy ; 
but  they  do  not  appear  to  live  greatly  for  the  benefit  of 
mankind  ;  not  attending  much  to  the  education  of  the  poor, 
and  leaving  the  sick  to  their  ministers.  V»^e  left  our  various 
books,  and  proceeded  to  a  little  meeting  at  Low  Grange, 
consisting  of  an  aged  widow,  and  her  son  and  daughter,  with 
a  few  others.  However,  many  persons  came  in,  including 
two  clergymen,  and  we  had  a  very  comfortable  meeting. 

We  took  a  repast  of  eggs  and  bacon  at  a  public  house  in  a 
small  town  hard  by  —  Portglenone.  Here  we  distributed 
tracts.  The  ejnpressevient  of  the  people  to  obtain  these 
treasures,  is  really  interesting.  They  seemed  delighted  with 
my  letter  on  Christianity,  chiefly  because  of  its  neutrality. 
We  find  it  does  not  at  all  answer  for  us  to  issue  any 
controversial  tracts,  or  to  mix  ourselves  in  the  questions  now 
so  warmly  agitated  between  the  churches  of  Rome  and 
England.  It  seems  our  business  to  bring  home  to  the  one 
Foundation. 

We  arrived  in  the  evening  at  a  Friend's  house  in  the 
country,  where  we  held  a  mxceting,  with  a  very  small  flock : 
including  a  young  Roman  Catholic  lady,  who  seems  convinced 
of  the  principles  of  Friends.  Her  brother  trod  the  same 
course  before  her,  and  underwent  great  persecution,  and  has 
since  died  in  early  life.  We  travelled  that  day  on  the  banks 
of  Lough  Neagh.  Some  of  the  scenery  was  fine,  especially 
in  the  demesne  of  Earl  O'Neill,  whose  castle  overlooked  the 
lake,  till  it  was  consumed  by  fire.    It  is  now  a  pile  of  ruins.  *  * 

On  seventh  day,  we  proceeded,  chiefly  by  the  sea  coast  and 
the  banks  of  Lough  Foyle,  to  Londonderry  ;  where  we  arrived 
early  in  the  afternoon,  having  appointed  a  rendezvous  at  the 
jail  at  three  o'clock. 

The  .situation  of  this  little  city  is  highly  beautiful,  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  Foyle,  and  with  a  good  harbour  ;  the  town 
is  encircled  with  a  wall,  on  the  top  of  which  is  a  fine  walk  ; 
and  the  cathedral,  finer  than  Irish  cathedrals  in  general, 
towers  over  the  whole  scene. 


^T.  39.  LONDONDERRY.  347 

On  our  arrival  at  the  jail,  we  found  oiu*  letters  had  not 
reached  their  destination,  so  that  no  one  was  there  to  meet 
us.  But  it  was  curious  to  observe  how  soon  the  scene  was 
changed.  Forth  came,  on  the  notice  of  the  moment,  the 
major,  the  government  inspector,  the  clergy,  (Presbyterian 
and  Church  of  England,)  the  bishop  and  his  lady,  and  many 
others.  The  openness  of  everybody  towards  us  was  interesting. 
After  our  business  had  been  effected,  we  three  dined  at  the 
bishop's,  at  half-past  six,  and  met  rather  a  grand  party;  chiefly 
of  the  Northland  (or  Knox)  family,  of  which  he  is  one.  He 
is  a  generous,  and  liberal-minded  man ;  freely  spending  the 
large  income  which  his  see  produces.  Pie  is  the  head  and 
supporter  of  all  the  charitable  institutions.  It  was  amusing 
to  see  him  and  his  lady,  Avith  other  authorities,  arranging  the 
seats  of  the  great  court  house,  for  our  meeting  in  the  morning. 
We  may  truly  say  that  times  are  changed.  How  different 
from  the  persecutions  Friends  once  endured  ! 

Yesterday  was  one  of  deep  and  varied  exercise  of  mind. 
We  felt  it  very  much  in  prospect.  At  half-past  ten,  the  hour 
appointed,  the  court  house  was  rapidly  filled  with  the  gentry 
of  the  town  and  neighbourhood.  It  was  a  solemn  and  satis- 
factory meeting ;  many  seemed  deeply  impressed,  particularly 
a  lady  of  rank,  who  was  completely  broken  down.  She  said, 
after  our  afternoon  meeting,  that  she  must  have  come  to  it, 
had  it  even  cost  her  her  life.  The  afternoon  meeting  was  held 
at  fhe  Presbyterian  meeting  house,  at  half-past  three.  About 
2000  persons  there ;  the  bishop  himself  and  his  family  sitting 
immediately  in  front  of  us.  It  was  no  light  occasion.  I  never 
found  one  more  arduous.     But  all  ended  well,  thoue-h  throush 

deep  humiliation.       xVfter    it  was    over  dear  E met  the 

letdies,  and  completely  succeeded  in  forming  her  committee. 
The  bishop  took  me  in  his  car,  to  see  the  Infirmary  and  other 
institutions.  We  turned  our  backs  on  Londonderry,  Avith 
peaceful  minds,  at  half-past  six  this  morning ;  still  accom- 
panied by  our  four  active  and  agreeab!.'^  guides,  Thomas  and 
Charles  Wakefield,  John  Christy,  and  William  Bell.  We 
have  visited  two  large  jails  to  day,  twc  T'A'^cr:2";'v''^3,  and  one 


318  IRELAND.  1827 

Lunatic  Asylum  at  Lifforcl,  the  county  town  of  Donegal. 
Here  at  Omagh,  the  county  town  of  Tyrone,  there  are  104 
prisoners  for  trial ;  ten  for  murder  !  They  are  cases  of  violent 
political  feeling  and  revenge.  The  assizes  begin  to-morrow, 
and  we  are  stopped  for  want  of  horses.  It  was  entertaining 
to  see  the  members  of  the  bar,  in  numbers,  running  down  the 
Btreet,  on  our  arrival  being  known,  to  meet  us  at  the  prison. 
We  have  formed  our  committee,  and  our  dear  sister  has  been 
with  the  judges,  who  happily  agree  with  us  on  the  subject  of 
Capital  Punishment.  We  mean,  if  possible,  to  reach  Sligo 
to-morrow. 


1 

K 


•••# 


iET.  39.  ROUTE   TO    SLIGO.  349 


CHAPTER  XVIII.     ' 

1827.     iET.  39. 

ROUTE  TO  SLIGO;  STATE  OF  THE  COUNTRY;  HIBERNIAN  BLUNDER  ; 
GAL  way;  illness  OF  ELIZABETH  FRY;  CLONMEL  ;  CARLO  W;  DR. 
DOYLE;  BALLITORE;  yearly  MEETING  IN  DUBLIN  ;  FINAL  VISIT 
TO  LORD  WELLESLEY;  WICKLOW;  ENNISCORTHY;  WEXFORD; 
WATERFORD;    RETURN   TO    ENGLAND. 

Mountmellick,  Queen's  Connty, 

3rd  mo.,  25th,  1827. 

I  WROTE  last  from  Omagh,  in  Tyrone,  where  we  stopped  in 
the  midst  of  the  confusion  of  the  assizes.  This  was  last 
second  day.  I  went  to  bed  very  tired,  and  rose  at  half-past 
four  in  the  morning,  not  greatly  refreshed  by  the  damp  little 
bed  which  had  fallen  to  my  lot.  We  were  obliged  to  rise  thus 
early,  as  we  had  a  long  day's  journey  in  prospect.  A  very 
difficult  stage  of  about  twenty  English  miles,  over  a  road 
dangerous  for  night  travelling,  brought  us  to  Tempo,  a  little 
village,  where  we  obtained  some  breakfast  in  the  mud-floored 
room  of  a  public  house.  The  Roman  Catholic  population  of 
the  place  were  very  eager  for  our  tracts,  of  which  we  distributed 
many.  Indeed,  I  may  say  that  the  dissemination  of  them,  and 
particularly  of  the  Letter  on  Christianity,  has  been  one  of  our 
very  interesting  objects  during  the  past  week.  We  meet  on 
the  roads  vast  numbers  of  intelligent  looking  people,  to  whom 
the  gift^f  a  tract  is  most  acceptable.  They  commence  reading 
theti|J|^hwith,  with  much  zeal.  Sometimes,  however,  they 
are  afraid  to  receive  them.  I  happened  to  give  a  poor  man  a 
copy  of  the  Letter,  just  as  a  priest  was  riding  towards  him. 
The  man  immediately  delivered  up  his  treasure  to  the  priest, 
who,  with  an  expression  of  peculiar  bitterness,  tore  it  in  halves, 


350  IRELAND.  1827. 

and  tlu•e^T  it  into  a  ditch: — a  sly  little  bo}^,  lio^-ever,  ran  off 
"with  the  fragments.  The  thirst  for  information  which  prevails 
in  the  parts  of  Ireland  where  we  have  lately  been,  is  most 
remarkable.  I  believe  that  the  system  of  the  papal  priesthood 
begins  to  be  shaken  to  its  centre  ;  and  we  have  seen  enough 
to  convince  its,  that  provided  truth,  and  not  infidelity,  is 
the  alternative,  the  sooner  it  falls  the  better  ;  for  it  is  an 
iron  yoke. 

From  Tempo  to  Enniskillen,  a  populous  town,  prettily 
situated  on  the  banks  of  Lough  Erne.  Here  we  visited  the 
infirmary,  and  a  very  indifferent  jail,  in  which  were  six  persons 
under  a  charge  of  desperate  murder.  This  is  no  uncommon 
crime  in  Ireland.  Deeply  settled  revenge  is  in  general  the 
cause ;  and  it  is  often  attended  with  awful  barbarity.  I  do  not 
exaggerate  when  I  say  that  we  have  seen  dozens  of  murderers 
during  the  last  week.  In  Roscommon  jail  were  ten  more,  for 
the  murder  of  a  member  of  our  Society,  a  mere  nominal 
Friend,  who  had  a  quantity  of  arms  in  his  house,  which  were 
in  part,  the  object  of  pursuit.  He  defended  himself  vigor- 
ously, but  it  was  all  in  vain.  He  was  shot  by  the  assailants  ; 
and  more  desperate  characters  than  they  appeared  to  be,  I 
never  beheld.  At  Sligo  there  was  a  prisoner  who  had  roasted 
a  poor  woman  alive  !  Nothing  can  exceed  the  ferocity  into 
which  the  unbridled  passions  of  this  unhappy  people  lead 
them,  when  party  spirit  has  the  sway  over  them.  After 
forming  our  Committee  of  Ladies,  we  left  Enniskillen  in  the 
afternoon,  on  our  way  to  Sligo,  in  some  hopes  of  reaching  that 
place  before  night.  Our  drive  during  daylight  was  delightful ; 
the  scenery  like  that  in  the  Highlands,  under  fine  mountains, 
and  by  the  side  of  a  beautifully  wooded  lake ;  Lord  Enniskil- 
len's  castle,  at  Florence  court,  being  a  principal  object  in  the 
scene.  The  peasantry  very  numerous,  well  dressed,  ^decent, 
and  intelligent.  We  enjoyed  supplying  them  wit^j|%p.cts. 
The  linen  manufacture  extends  as  far  as  Sligo,  and  has  a  great 
eifect  in  promoting  the  decency  and  welfare  of  the  population, 
it  being  entirely  a  domestic  manufiicture. 

Our  efforts  to  reach  Sligo  proved  fruitless.  We  were  benighted 
just  as  we  arrived  at  an  inn,  called  the  Red  Lion,  which  the 


3LT.   oO.  SLIGO.  351 

persons  we  met  on  the  road  described  as  a  "  very  grand" 
place  ;  but  it  proved  so  wretched,  tbat  we  determined  to  push 
forwards  to  Manor  Hamilton,  ten  miles  farther,  notwithstand- 
ing the  risk  which  attends  travelling  by  night  on  these  roads ; 
both  from  the  deep  ditches  on  each  side,  and  from  the  preva- 
lence of  violent  robbery.  We  found  it  difficult  to  get  along, 
and  when  at  last  we  reached  the  town,  0  the  extreme  filth  and 
poverty  of  the  accommodation  which  aAvaited  ns  !  I  never 
before  lodged  in  so  sad  a  place ;  and  felt  really  anxious  for 

dear  E ,  and  her  sister,  who  had  risen  at  four  in  the 

morning.  But  we  ought  to  be  more  than  content  to  suffer  a 
little — and  it  is  but  a  little — for  the  sake  of  a  good  cause. 

I  set  off,  with  two  of  the  guides,  early  for  Sligo,  on  fourth 
day  morning,  to  prepare  the  way.  Our  visit  there  was 
uncommonly  interesting.  We  came  total  strangers  to  the 
place,  but  all  sorts  of  people  had  open  arms  to  receive  us.  I 
soon  found  a  few  pious  persons,  they  called  on  others,  and 
early  in  the  afternoon  we  visited  the  prison,  in  company  with 
a  croAvd  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  including  the  High  Sheriff. 
The  assizes  were  going  on  in  the  town,  and  not  a  bed,  room, 
or  hovel,  was  to  be  had  at  any  inn.  W^e  took  private  lodgings, 
but  this  was  unnecessary,  so  many  were  desirous  of  making 
us  their  guests.  In  the  evening  we  went  to  the  rector's,  where 
we  were  met  by  a  large  inquisitive  party.  We  did  what  we 
could  to  interest  and  instruct,  and  formed  a  Ladies'  Committee 
very  satisfactorily. 

The  next  morning  was  very  interesting.  We  breakfasted 
at  the  house  of  some  pious  people  named  Whitacre,  who  had 
provided  me  with  a  lodging.  After  breakfast,  several  of  the 
late  converts  from  Popery  came  to  see  us.  Sligo  has  already 
added  forty-two  names  to  the  "reformation,"  and  fourteen 
more  Avere  to  come  forward  to-day  as  recanters  of  error.  The 
people  who  met  us  that  morning  excited  our  sincere  regard 
and  interest.  They  Avere  intelligent  men  of  the  lower  middle 
class,  and  had  been  all  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth, 
chiefly  through  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures.  Their  account 
of  the  faith  that  was  in  them,. and  of  their  scriptural  reasons 
for   renouncing    Popery,  was  wonderfully  clear.     They  were 


352  IRELAXD.  1827. 

evidently  enlightened  by  a  power  more  than  human,  and 
appeared  spiritually  minded,  hungering  and  thirsting  after 
righteousness.  There  was  an  obvious  approach  in  some  of 
their  minds,  towards  the  principles  of  Friends.  It  is,  in- 
deed, a  Avonderful  work,  which  now  appears  to  be  rapidly  going 
forward  in  the  minds  of  this  afflicted,  but  interesting  people. 

As  the  morning  advanced,  we  held,  in  the  Linen  Hall,  a 
large  public  meeting ;  which  we  understood  to  have  been  the 
only  one  that  had  been  held  there  for  thirty  years  and 
upwards.  It  was  genteelly  attended,  which  I  attributed 
chiefly  to  E 's  public  character,  and  was  a  time  of  remark- 
able openness,  the  word  appearing  "  to  run"  and  find  entrance. 
It  was  difficult  to  make  our  escape  from  Sligo,  the  peoVo 
were  all  so  loving.  However,  after  an  early  dinner  we  drove 
off,  and  arrived  in  the  evening  at  the  pretty  town  of  Boyle, 
county  of  Hoscommon,  (still  in  Connaught,)  where  we  found 
a  comfortable  inn.  On  sixth  day  we  travelled  through 
much  of  that  desolate  looking  county,  and  reached  Eoscora- 
mon  to  dinner.  There  we  visited  the  Infirmary,  Jail,  and 
Lunatic  Asylum ;  the  last  a  horrid  place  indeed,  which 
we  have  represented  to  Lord  and  Lady  Lorton,  the  most 
influential  people  in  the  county,  the  latter  of  whom  was 
repeatedly  with  us  in  Dublin.  Some  of  the  scenes  we  have  of 
late  witnessed  in  the  public  institutions  have  been  most  dis- 
tressing ;  vice  and  misery  in  abundance.  Nobody  can  tell 
what  this  country  is,  without  visiting  it ;  but  long  must  be  our 
visit,  were  it  required  of  us  to  obtain  a  full  knowledge  of  the 
Irish  character.  We  held  our  evening  meeting  at  a  little 
village  called  Ballymurry,  where  there  are  a  few  Friends ;  and 
lodged  at  the  clean  comfortable  house  of  a  widow,  Margaret 
Robinson,  with  an  interesting  family  of  young  people.  Yes- 
terday morning  we  went  more  than  twenty  miles,  to  a  ten 
o'clock  meeting  at  Moate,  in  Westmeath,  from  which  place 
we  came  hither  last  evening.  Westmeath  is  one  of  the  most 
disturbed  of  the  counties ;  murders  very  frequent.  Fifteen 
pooT  men  are  expected  to  be  executed  at  the  jail  at  Mullingar ! 
You  may  depend  on  our  not  running  any  unnecessary  risks. 
I  fully  believe  we  have  nothing  to  fear. 


^T.  39.  m'ountjmellick.  353 

We  find  a  large  Quarterly  Meeting  assembled  liere,  about 
four  hundred  Friends,  and  the  day  has,  I  hope,  been  a  good 
one.  Dearest  Priscilla  is  remembered  Avith  peculiar  love 
and  delight.  We  have  been  spending  the  evening  at  the 
house  of  her  intimate  friend,  Ann  Shannon,  where  Tve  have 
seen  a  party  of  one  hundred,  chiefly  young  people.  I  hope 
they  were  ministered  to  with  some  effect.  Friends  are  not 
satisfied  here  Avith  a  large  circle  round  a  room ;  the  whole 
square  surface  is  filled  like  a  Lancasterian  school-room.  *  * 

Galway,  4th  mo.,  1st,  1827. 

After  a  deeply  exercising,  and,  in  various  respects,  serious 
day,  I  sit  down  to  continue  my  journal ;  though  I  despair  of 
giving  to  any  persons,  who  do  not  see  Ireland  for  themselves, 
a  full  notion  of  what  it  is,  and  what  the  people  are. 

Last  third  day  morning  the  large  Quarterly  Meeting  at 
Mountmellick,  for  the  province  of  Leinster,  concluded  with  a 
meeting  for  worship ;  in  which  there  was  an  uncommon  out- 
pouring of  that  influence  which  prepares  both  for  the  utterance 
and  the  reception  of  the  gospel.  Friends  parted  from  us  in 
much  love.  Afterwards  I  had  three  considerable  schools  to 
visit,  in  all  of  which  I  succeeded  in  establishing  my  system  of 
scriptural  instruction.  The  Provincial  Friends'  school  at 
Mountmellick,  has  been  reduced  to  a  very  low  ebb ;  and,  I 
rather  hope,  our  visit  to  it  will  have  a  considerable  effect  in 
its  revival.  In  the  evening  we  held  a  public  meeting,  which 
was  largely  attended. 

On  fourth  day  morning,  a  day  of  continued  and  impetuous 
rain,  we  went  to  breakfast  at  the  country  seat  of  James  Pim, 
of  Monkstown,  the  brother  of  our  host  at  Dublin ;  where  we 
met  about  twenty-four  of  that  family.  We  passed  an  interest- 
ing hour  with  them.  Then  to  the  county  jail  for  Queen's 
County,  at  Maryboro' ;  carefully  superintended  by  a  pious 
clergyman,  named  Harper ;  for  all  the  jails  in  Ireland  are 
under  the  care  of  local  inspectors  :  a  very  good  arrangement. 
The  state  of  immorality  in  these  parts  is  tremendous.  There 
were  eleven  cases  of  murder  for  trial  at  the  assizes,  which  Mere 

Vol.  I.— 23 


o54  IRELAND.  '  1827. 

tBen  about  to  commence.      Whilst  E was    forming  her 

Ladies'  Committee,  I  was  engaged  with  these  wretched  felons, 
who  appeared  considerably  affected,  especially  one  of  the  poor 
murderers. 

It  is  a  sad  circumstance,  that  the  priesthood  are  now  entirely 
set  against  the  schools  for  "all,"  especially  in  the  diocese  of 
the  famous  Dr.  Doyle,  where  we  find  all  the  children  of  the 
Roman  Catholics  removed,  and  many  a  noble  Institution 
miserably  ruined  in  consequence.  It  may  truly  be  said,  that 
the  blind  teachers  of  this  blind  people,  prefer  darkness  to  light. 
The  effect  produced  by  the  reading  of  Scripture,  has  alarmed 
them  thoroughly,  and  the  consequence  is,  at  present,  very 
laijientable ;  but  there  are  cheering  symptoms  of  the  gradual 
breaking  of  this  truly  iron  yoke. 

We  held  good  meetings  at  Mountrath  and  Abbeyheux,  in 
Queen's  County,  and  took  up  our  quarters  for  the  night  at 
A.bbeylieux  house,  Viscount  de  Vesci's.  Here,  in  consequence 
of  an  Hibernian  blunder  (and  in  this  land  accuracy  is  a  scarce 
article,)  we  found  ourselves  in  the  humbling  character  of  unin- 
vited guests.  We  had  been  led  to  understand  that  we  were 
warmly  invited,  whereas  nothing  of  the  kind  had  taken  place ; 
and  this  was  not  intentional  deception,  but  only  that  total 
want  of  exact  representation  of  the  truth,  to  which  the  traveller 
in  Ireland  is  frequently  exposed.  The  result  in  the  present 
instance  was  curious ;  a  party  of  seven  Friends  drove  up  to  a 
nobleman's  house,  on  a  dark  night,  knocked  at  his  door,  and 
quietly  informed  him  that  they  were  come  to  lodge. 

Lord  and  Lady  de  Vesci  are  truly  kind,  hospitable  people, 
resident  on  their  own  beautiful  estate,  and  the  benefactors  of 
the  population  around  them.  They  received  us  kindly,  and 
took  five  of  us  in.  The  next  morning  we  held  a  public 
meeting,  which  passed  off  well,  and  left  them  in  peace,  on  our 
way  to  Rathdowny,  where  we  dined  with  a  newly  settled  young 
couple  of  Friends  ;  and  proceeded  onwards  to  Knock,  to  attend 
a  little  country  meeting.  It  was  a  darkso9)e  evening,  but  the 
meeting  was  well  attended  by  Friends  and  others,  and  was  a  very 
solemn  one.  We  lodged  at  Ball^^malish,  the  house  of  Joseph 
Tbacker,  a  county  magistrate.     He  is  connected  with  Friends, 


.ET.  39.  ROSCREA,    BIRR,    AND    BALLYNASLOE.  355 

has  an  interesting  family,  and  received  us  with  great  hos- 
pitality; his  family  accompanying  us  in  their  carriage  to 
Roscrea  meeting  the  next  morning.  He  gives  a  curious 
account  of  the  Popish  population  by  which  he  is  surrounded. 
Their  late  "jubilee"  has  been  attended  by  very  injurious  moral 
effects ;  the  ceremonies  practised  on  the  occasion  being  thought 
to  have  the  effect  of  procuring  free  forgiveness  for  the  sins  of 
seven  years  past,  and  free  license  for  the  sins  of  the  seven 
years  now  to  come.  This,  at  least,  appears  to  be  the  notion 
of  the  extremely  ignorant  amongst  them. 

The  meeting  at  Roscrea,  a  large  town  in  Tippcrary  full  of 
curious  remains  of  antiquity,  was  a  large  one ;  and  the  truth 
seemed  to  make  its  way.  In  most  of  these  meetings,  besides 
the  small  company  of  Friends  we  have  their  neighbours  also, 
v;hich  we  find  relieving  to  our  minds.  Indeed,  a  greater  de- 
gree of  selectness  seems  impossible,  for  there  is  a  vast  eagerness 
on  the  part  of  the  people  to  come  to  our  meetings.  In  the 
evening  we  held  a  large  public  meeting  at  Birr,  in  King's 
County ;  a  fine  town  ;  where  the  Roman  Catholics  are  in  a 
state  of  much  agitation,  in  consequence  of  quarrels  between 
their  priests.  Many  of  them  came  to  the  meeting.  I  was 
much  led  to  insist  on  the  right  and  duty,  common  to  all,  of 
reading  the  Scriptures,  and  on  the  guidance  of  the  Spirit.  I 
believe  they  were  generally  satisfied.  This  town  belongs  to 
the  Earl  of  Ross,  who  resides  near  it.  He,  and  his  wife  and 
children,  were  at  the  meeting,  and  seemed  much  pleased. 

On  seventh  day  we  travelled  seventy  English  miles,  through 
the  county  of  Galway,  to  this  truly  foreign  place  ;  and  in  the . 
course  of  this  long  day's  journey,  held  a  good  public  meeting 
at  Ballynasloe,  a  large  town.  There  are  several  sei'ious  clergy- 
men in  that  part  of  the  county,  who  gave  us  a  warm  reception  ; 
amongst  the  rest  Archdeacon  Trench,  one  of  the  Archbishop 
of  Tuam's  brothers,  who  was  lately  in  danger  of  his  life  at  one 
of  the  discussion  meetings.  The  "  Refomnation"  is  2;oinc^  on 
at  Ballynasloe.  The  Roman  Catholics  flocked  to  our  meeting, 
which  was  an  open  and  favoured  opportunity.  We  could  not 
but  believe,  that  a  work  of  true  religion  is  going  on  there. 
The  drive  to  Galway  is  through   an    uninteresting    country. 


'356  IRELAND.  1827. 

The  population  appears  prettj  well  attired  ;  but,  in  some  parts, 
the  hovels  are  wretched  in  the  extreme.  On  visiting  one  of 
them,  we  found  a  poor  Roman  Catholic  widow,  a  true  Chris- 
tian, living  upon  almost  nothing,  and  full  of  a  peaceful,  thankful 
spirit.  She  had  contrived  to  impart  an  uncommon  degree  of 
iieatness  and  cleanliness  to  her  miserable  hut,  though  her  pig 
has  free  egress  and  ingress.  We  arrived  here  late  at  night. 
Galway  is  an  old  Spanish  town,  containing  40,000  inhabitants 
in  the  depths  of  popery,  150  priests,  three  nunneries:  filth  and 
ignorance  abounding,  notwithstanding  a  fine  harbour  and  con- 
siderable trade.  We  have  passed  a  truly  strange  day.  Early 
in  the  morning  the  mayor  came  to  us,  to  say  that  if  we  chose 
to  hold  meetings  here,  he  should  feel  it  his  duty  to  mount  a 
guard  of  soldiers  over  our  congregation  ;  at  the  same  time, 
professing  a  readiness  to  assist  us.  He  seemed  completely 
alarmed  at  the  prospect,  and  it  required  a  little  steadiness  and 
faith  to  go  forward  in  the  path  of  duty.  We,  of  course,  de- 
clined a  guard,  and  endeavoured  to  quiet  his  fears.  We  have 
since  held  our  meetings :  the  first  at  eleven  o'clock  in  a  large 
room  at  the  inn ;  about  200  people  with  us.  The  power  of 
truth  was  remarkably  to  be  felt ;  and  we  found  ourselves  ena- 
bled to  preach  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity,  and 
the  peaceableness  of  true  religion.  They  were  chiefly  Roman 
Catholics,  and  were  going  in  and  out  during  most  of  the  meet- 
ing. I  believe  we  were  as  strange  to  them  as  possible.  An- 
other meeting  was  appointed  for  four  o'clock  in  the  Corn 
Exchange,  a  large  room.  This  was  to  us  all  an  inexpressibly 
exercising  meieting ;  a  time  of  real  conflict  of  mind.  There 
was  a  vast  crowd,  chiefly  of  Roman  Catholics,  in  spite  of  their 
bishop,  and  some  tumult  on  the  stairs  and  at  the  doors  ;  the 
congregation  itself  of  the  more  respectable  order.  In  the  pre- 
sent irritable  and  touchy  state  of  public  feeling,  with  the  poor 
frightened  mayor  in  the  room,  we  had,  indeed,  need  of  the 
''  mind  of  Christ."  We  were  marvellously  helped  through. 
I  pi'eached  on  faith  in  the  Father,  in  the  Son,  and  in  the  Holv 
Ghost.  Dear  E unfolded  the  practical  part  with  admir- 
able force  and  clearness,  and  E.  F concluded  with  prayer. 

At  the  close  of  the  meeting  the  poor  Irish  8tam2:>ed  approbation. 


ST.  39.  GALWAY.  357 

We  were  greatly  relieved,  and  the  Roman  Catholics  of  tlie 
upper  class  appeared  fully  satisfied,  as  well  as  the  Protestants; 
who  are  here  a  small  minority,  about  one-fortieth  part  of  the 
population.  The  Roman  Catholics  were  heard  to  say,  that  if 
we  had  meetings  every  night,  they  would  be  sure  to  come, 
and  that  all  the  priests  in  the  kingdom  should  not  prevent 
them.  I  have  since  been  walking  by  the  harbour,  and  through 
the  crowded  streets.  It  is  like  one  of  the  populous  towns  in 
France,  quite  foreign  in  its  appearance.  We  have  jails,  schools, 
and  nunneries  to  visit  to-morrow. 

On  third  day  we  are  going,  (if  not  prevented)  to  Sir  Edward 
and  Lady  O'Brien's,  on  our  way  to  Limerick.  We  are  all  well, 
though  the  weight  of  our  engagements  is  great  indeed. 

TO    MARY    FOWLER. 

Curk,  4th  mo.,  8th,  1827. 

*  *  *  On  third  day  we  proceeded  to  Ennis,  in  the  county 
of  Clare,  where  we  were  met  by  a  crowd  of  ladies  and  gentle- 
men ;  inspected  the  county  prison,  poor-house,  and  infirmary, 
and  parted  after  a  short,  solemn  meeting  with  them.  We 
dined  and  slept  at  Dromland,  the  seat  of  Sir  E.  O'Brien.  The 
openings  for  religious  service  amongst  them  and  their  friends 
were  numerous ;  especially  m  a  little  town  called  Newmarket, 
where  Lady  O'Brien  employs  a  great  number  of  the  poor  in 
fine  needlework,  which  sells  well  in  London.  Our  visit  bein<T 
noised  abroad,  we  had  a  flock  to  meet  us  there,  chiefly  I  suppose, 
from  a  desire  to  see  my  dear  sister;  and,  amongst  the  rest,  the 
Roman  Catholic  dean  was  quite  caught  in  the  net.  I  read  the 
Scriptures  to  the  assembled  crowd,  and  we  had,  I  trust,  a  very 
precious  and  solemn  meeting.  We  went  thence  to  Limerick, 
where  we  were  most  kindly  entertained  by  our  dear  friends 
Joseph  Massey  Harvey  and  his  wife.  We  passed  three  nights 
under  their  roof.  Whilst  in  that  city  we  could  a  little  under- 
stand w^hat  the  apostle  Paul  meant  by  "being  pressed  out  of 
measure,"  for  the  multitudes  that  came  after  my  dear  sister 
put  us  to  some  inconvenience  at  the  prisons ;  and  the  meeting 
house  was  so  completely  filled,  that  ou  one  occasion  it  was  said 


35.8  IRELAND.  1827. 

500  went  away.      However,  I  trust  and  believe,  the  Master 
•  was  with  us  :    the  hearts  of  the  people  seemed  wonderfully 
opened  towards  us.  *  *  * 

■  At  this  period  of  their  journey  the  health  of  his 
sister,  Elizabeth  Fry,  began  to  give  way  under  the 
effects  of  over-exertion  and  fatigue,  and  they  were 
glad  to  avail  themselves  of  the  repose  and  unremitting 
attentions  afforded  them  under  the  hospitable  roof  of 
John  Strangman,  of  Waterford. 

Joseph  John  Gurney  subsequently  writes  to  his 
sisters : 

Carlow,  4th  mo.,  26th^  1827. 

We  passed  a  very  anxious  week  at  Waterford,  our  invalid 
requiring  the  closest  watching  and  attention.  The  attacks  of 
fever  were  certainly  violent,  and  we  could  not  tell  what  might 
come  of  it,  as  a  dangerous  fever  was  very  prevalent  in  the 
place.  It  was  some  trial  of  faith  and  patience  to  be  'detained 
day  after  day ;  but  I  endeavoured  to  make  some  use  of  spare 
moments,  in  calling  upon  Fi-iends,  &c.  Last  fifth  day  after 
meeting  I  went  to  examine  the  Mendicity  Institution.  There 
is  one  of  these  in  most  of  the  pwncipal  towns  —  a  receptacle 
where  the  extremely  indigent,  who  would  otherwise  have  no 
resource  but  begging,  are  fed  and  employed,  and  their  children 
instructed ;  very  useful  institutions,  but  not  now  adequate  to 
meet  the  wants  of  a  half-starved  population.  It  is  affecting  to 
think  of  the  sufferings  of  the  poor,  in  the  towns  particularly. 
The  landed  proprietors  have  driven  them  off  their  estates,  in 
large  numbers,  taking  advantage  of  the  expiration  of  the 
leases  on  which  they  once  held  their  miserable  huts ;  and  they 
have  no  refuge  but  in  the  towns,  where  many  of  them  are  re- 
duced to  an  extremity  of  want.  They  meet  their  afflictions 
with  a  very  strong  principle  of  resignation.  It  is  one  of  the 
effects  of  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  here,  which  above  every- 
thing else  preaches  "  submission." 

I  believe  the  bloody  and  riotous  part  of  the  population  are 


JET.  39.  WATERFORD    AND    CLONMEL.  359 

fcir  from  being  the  most  distressed.  It  is  no  wonder,  with  all 
this  want  and  misery,  that  the  low  fever  should  so  abound. 
In  Waterford  there  were,  while  we  were  there,  from  twenty  to 
thirty  applicants,  day  after  day,  for  admission  to  the  Fever 
Hospital.  This  hospital  I  did  not  visit,  but  it  is  admirably 
attended  to,  and  there  are  two  or  three  noble  minded  men, 
(Friends,)  who  have  long  been  accustomed  to  risk  their  live.'^ 
in  close  personal  attention  to  its  poor  inmates.  Happily,  there 
are  very  few  large  towns  in  Ireland  without  a  similar  provision. 

On  sixth  day  morning  last,  though  dear  E had  passed 

a  poor  night,  and  was  very  weak,  we  all  felt  it  right  to  move 
for  Clonmel,  where  the  Quarterly  Meeting  was  to  commence 
on  the  following  day.  The  way  opened  for  us  beyond  ex- 
pectation ;  and  at  one  o'clock  we  were  in  the  carriage.  The 
drive  of  about  thirty  miles,  English,  lies  through  the  "  golden 
valley,"  a  rich  and  beautiful  green  district,  watered  by  the 
Suir.  The  contrast  between  the  extreme  fertility  of  the  land, 
and  the  wretchedness  of  the  inhabitants,  which  we  never 
observed  more  striking  than  in  the  town  of  Carrick  on  Suii', 
is  melancholy  and  almost  unaccountable ;  partly  to  be  attri- 
buted to  the  whiskey  shops,  which  abound  on  every  side. 
Alas !  what  a  work  the  Prince  of  darkness  has  wrought  in 
this  land !  In  the  evening  we  arrived  at  Melbrook,  the 
picturesque    residence    of   the    widow  Mary  Strangman,  and 

her  agreeable  daughters.     Dear  E bore  the  journey  very 

tolerably,  and  slept  fairly.  Whilst  she  remained  quiet  in  her 
room,  on  seventh  day,  I  passed  some  hours,  after  the  select 
meeting,  in  a  laborious  visitation  of  the  prisons,  and  the  house 
of  industry. 

The  county  of  Tipperary  has  been  in  a  very  disturbed  state, 
and  the  outrages  committed,  almost  nightly,  have  been  of  a 
horrid  character,  not  much  connected  with  political  causes. 
They  are  rather,  I  fear,  symptoms  of  a  deep  moral  degeneracy. 
In  illustration  of  this,  I  may  mention  that  about  150  ruffians 
were  discharged  by  proclamation,  at  the  late  assizes  at  Clon- 
mel, because  the  prosecutors  were  prevented  by  the  law  of 
terror  from  coming  forward  against  them.     These  prosecutors 


360  IRELAND.  1827. 

are  liable  to  a  fine  in  consequence,  Avhich  is  paid  by  tlie  offend- 
ing parties,  and  so  the  matter  is,  in  many  cases,  compromised. 
But  this  state  of  things  is  only  in  two  oi'  three  of  the  counties. 

Dearest  E: was  able  to  attend  the  morning  meeting  on  first 

day,  (the  Quarterly  Meeting.)  and  was  wonderfully  helped  to 
minister.  It  was  a  time  of  close  and  rather  painful  exercise 
of  mind.  In  the  evening  she  went  down  to  Anner  Mills,  where 
we  took  up  our  abode  for  two  days ;  a  delightful  place,  in- 
habited by  a  veteran  in  the  good  cause,  Sarah  Grubb,  a  widow 
upwards  of  80,  and  strong  in  her  intellectual,  as  well  as  lively 
in  her  spiritual  faculties.  She  lives  with  her  daughter,  Eliza- 
beth Clibborn,  who  has  twelve  fine  children.  It  is  truly  an 
abode  of  peace,  a  Christian  family.     Here  we  were  most  com.- 

fortably    accommodated.      E 's    sister    and   I  joined    her 

there  after  attending  a  large  public  meeting  in  the  evening,  in 
which  it  was  particularly  laid  upon  me  to  unfold  the  spiritual 
nature  of  the  gospel,  and  the  universality  of  the  grace  of  God. 
It  was  a  time  of  deep  solemnity.  We  dined  that  day  with 
Margaret  Grubb,  an  aged,  but  lively  minister,  daughter  of  the 
late  Richard  ^hackleton,  and  were  enabled,  I  trust,  to  minister 
to  her  consolation.  There  is  nothing  more  enlivening  than  a 
srreen  old  age.  We  have  seen  much  of  this  lately,  and  ought 
to  be  confirmed  in  our  course  by  it. 

On  third  day,  the  concluding  meeting  for  worship  was  held, 
a  very  large  one,  and  I  have  not  often  sat  in  a  meeting  in 
which  there  was  a  more  evident  effusion  of  the  Spirit  of  the 
Great  Baptizer.  It  was  a  great  comfort  thus  to  end  well  at 
Clonmel,  and  to  leave  the  place  with  minds  so  much  relieved. 
After  parting  visits  of  an  interesting  nature,  to  our  dear 
Friends  at  Melbrook  and  Anner  Mills,  we  journeyed  on  for 
about  forty  miles  through  the  county  of  Kilkenny,  a  fine, 
iu-able,  cultivated  district,  to  the  Royal  Oak,  a  coimtry  inn, 
where  we  slept ,  our  beloved  invalid  evidently  improving. 

Dublin,  5th  mo.,  2nd,  1827. 

I  wrote  from  Carlow  last  fifth  day  morning.  That  day  tm-ned 
out  to  be  one  of  rather  peculiar  interest.     Whilst  dear  E • 


JET.  30.  CARLOW  ;    BALLITORE.  361 

and  her  sister  visited  some  of  the  Friends,  I  undertook  the 
more  laborious  task  of  inspecting  the  jail,  &c.  The  public 
mind  was  a  little  afloat  about  us,  and  numbers  of  the  gentry 
of  the  county  met  me.  In  the  course  of  our  round  the  Roman 
Catholic  priest  made  his  appearance,  and  began  to  lodge  his 
complaints  with  me  (as  if  I  was  umpire)  against  the  crowd  of 
Protestants  present,  and  chiefly  the  Protestant  clergy,  for 
interfering  wiih  his  spiritual  cure  in  the  jail.  The  two  parties 
have  been  a  good  deal  aggravated  against  each  other  in  these 
parts,  and  it  seemed  peculiarly  important  that  wo  should 
pacify  and  reconcile,  if  possible.  I  therefore  begged  the  priest 
and  the  Protestant  clergy  to  come  to  our  lodgings  to  discuss 
their  knotty  questions,  (chiefly  relating  to  the  use  of  the 
Scriptures  in  the  jail,)  with  my  sister  and  myself  quietly.  We 
happily  brought  them  to  terms,  and  I  went  afterwards  to  the 
Roman  Catholic  Bishop  Doyle  to  get  the  arrangement  con- 
firmed. He  is  considered  by  far  the  most  able  and  powerful 
supporter  of  the  Popish  system  in  this  land,  and  is  painted 
very  black  by  the  Protestants,  very  undeservedly  so  I  believe. 
He  gave  me  a  polite  reception,  and  is  not  more  acute 
than  gentlemanlike  and  pleasing.  He  gave  his  full  sanction 
to  the  arrangement ;  but  you  will  a  little  judge  of  the  state  of 
things  here,  when  you  are  told  that  the  only  terms  on  which 
we  could  get  the  Scriptures  read  to  these  miserable  criminals 
were,  that  only  the  Douay  version  should  be  used,  that  the 
priest  should  select  the  chapters,  and  that  either  he  or  some 
Roman  Catholic  prisoner  should  be  the  reader.  It  is  un- 
questionable that  Popery  presents  an  effective  bar  to  free  and 
fair  religious  instruction.  There  is  a  perpetual  fight  going  on 
between  the  tyranny  of  their  system,  and  the  desire  for  know- 
ledge which  is  every  where  arising.  I  was  glad  to  add  Dr. 
Doyle  to  the  number  of  extraordinary  men  seen  and  known 

by  us  in  Ireland.     Whilst  I  was  with  him,  dear  E paid  a 

visit  to  the  nunrtery,  where  she  was  warmly  received.  We 
proceeded  in  the  afternoon  a  long  stage  to  Ballitore,  not 
expecting  a  meeting  there  till  the  next  morning,  and  being 
very  weary  with  the  day's  work;  but  on  our  arrival,  we  found 
both  Friends    and    other  people  assembling  to  meet  us,  and 


362  ,  IRELAND.  1827. 

many  already  seated  in  the  meeting-house.  1  was  frightened 
for  our  weary  invalid ;  but  there  was  no  alternative,  and  she 
was  wonderfully  carried  over  the  difficulty,  being  enabled  to 
minister  to  what  we  afterwards  found  to  be  the  state  of  those 
present,  with  much  eflFect.  The  minister  of  the  parish  was 
there,  as  is  the  case  in  most  of  our  meetings.  He  seemed  a 
serious  character,  and  expressed  much  satisfaction. 

Ballitore  is  classic  ground  among  Friends  in  Ireland,  having 
been  from  generation  to  generation,  the  residence  of  the 
Shackletons,  by  one  of  whom  Edmund  Burke  was  educated. 
Burke's  schoolfellow  and  intimate  friend,  Richard  Shackletbn, 
a  venerable  elder,  is  still  remembered  in  Ireland  with  reverence 
and  affection.  Infidelity  made  sad  ravages  in  this  little  meet- 
ing at  the  time  of  the  secession.  The  school  is  still  main- 
tained by  a  learned  Friend,  named  James  White.  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  establishing  my  plan  of  scriptural  instruction, 
and  have  been  truly  glad  to  find  so  general  a  willingness  on 
the  part  of  Friends  to  co-operate  in  the  prosecution  of  this 
object. 

On  our  way  from  Ballitore  to  Dublin,  on  sixth  day,  we 
visited  the  jail  at  Naas,  the  county  town  of  Kildare,  reaching 
the  house  of  our  hospitable  friend  Jonathan  Pirn,  in  the 
evening. 

On  seventh  day  morning  Richard  Pope  came  to  breakfast 
with  us.  He  is  the  talk  of  Ireland  just  now,  and  a  highly 
interesting  person.  He  has  broken  off  his  connexion  with  the 
Church  of  England,  which  clears  him  of  all  ecclesiastical 
authority,  and  he  moves  about  in  the  work  of  the  gospel 
where  and  as  he  pleases.  His  late  public  disputation  with 
"  Father"  Maguire,  in  Dublin,  which  lasted  several  daj's,  has 
excited  intense  interest.  The  Papists  claim  a  "  splendid 
victory,"  and  I  believe  the  Jesuit  troubled  poor  Pope  more 
than  was  expected,  but  there  is  little  doubt  that  the  cause  of 
truth  will  be  promoted  by  the  discussiom  They  say  that 
Pope's  arguments  were  solid  and  convincing,  and  his  eloquence 
at  times  surprising.  I  felt  a  real  love  for  him,  he  is  modest 
and  deep.  I  fear,  however,  that  his  bodily  powers  are  rapidlv 
giving  way.     He  has  worked  too  hard. 


^T.  39.  VICE-REGAL   LODGE.  863 

I  hardly  know  how  to  enter  on  the  particulars  of  our 
Yearly  Meeting.  It  has  heen  so  far  a  remarkable  occasion ; 
much  life  and  solemnity  in  most  of  the  sittings ;  and  the 
meetings  for  worship  highly  favoured  by  the  presence  of  Him, 
who  can  alone  teach  his  disciples  how  to  worship  aright.  The 
Friends  are  collected  in  great  numbers,  and  we  have  the  com- 
pany of  many  from  England.  The  labour  is  considerable, 
many  pressing  after  us,  and  a  variety  of  visits  to  the  houses 
of  Friends  firiing  up  all  the  intervals  between  the  meetings. 
Yesterday  we  had  a  very  agreeable  interview  at  the  castle, 
■with  the  Lord  Chief  Justice  Burke,  a  very  superior  man, 
who  enters  warmly  into  our  views,  and  promises  all  the  aid 
he  can  give,  both  now  and  in  future.  We  have  been  cer- 
tainly much  gratified  with  the  acquaintance  we  have  formed 
with  the  Irish  judges,  many  of  whom  are  very  useful  cha- 
racters. 

To-day  we  again  paid  a  visit  to  Lord  Wellesley,  at  the 
Vice-regal  Lodge.  He  is  particularly  intelligent,  and  evidently 
very  desirous  to  promote  the  good  of  the  country.  Like  the 
king,  in  England,  he  has  the  power  of  life  and  death,  and  his 
hatred  of  capital  punishment  made  it  easy  ft>r  us  to  intercede 
for  one  poor  man,  whom  we  are  anxious  to  save  from  the 
gallows.  Ever  since  our  dear  sister  spoke  to  this  poor 
creature,  (at  Ennis,  in  the  county  of  Clare,)  he  has  shown 
marked  evidence  of  contrition  and  reformation.  I  have  no 
doubt  that  the  man's  life  will  be  saved.  The  Lord  Lieutenant 
listened  with  the  greatest  attention  to  our  suggestions  on 
■various  points,  and  it  is  agreed  between  us  that  we  are  to 
provide  him  with  a  written  report,  addressed  to  himself,  on 
every  subject  which  we  may  deem  worthy  of  notice  in  con- 
nexion with  the  state  of  Ireland.  This  he  intends  communi- 
cating to  the  government  at  home.  We  feel  the  responsibilitv 
much,  and  I  heartily  wish  I  may  be  enabled  to  draw  up  such 
a  report  as  will  be  useful  to  this  afflicted  people.* 

*See  infra,  p.  373,  a  notice  of  the  Keport  subsequently  pre- 
pared by  Joseph  John  Gurney. 


364  IRELAND.  1827. 

Milford  Ilavcn,  5th  mo.,  11th.  1827. 

My  dearest  Sisters, 

I  shall  begin  this  concluding  sheet  of 
my  journal,  by  telling  you  that  fair  wind  and  fine  weather 
were  our  agreeable  companions  in  crossing  the  sea  to-day,  and 
we  arrived  safely  at  our  desired  haven  after  a  good  vo3'age  of 
ten  hours. 

,  The  Yearly  Meeting  in  Dublin  concluded  in  great  solemnity 
on  sixth  day  eveninix,  and  we  afterwards  met  a  verv  large 
Irish  party  at  our  lodgings.  There  was  a  remnrkable  in- 
liuence  over  us  of  divine  love,  and  this  was  eminently  the 
case  the  next  morning  when  we  parted  from  our  kind 
friends  at  William  street,  as  well  as  in  the  concluding 
meeting  for  ministers  aad  elders. 

We  got  clear  of  the  great  city  after  a  final  call  at  the 
Secretary  of  State's  oflBce,  that  afternoon;  and  a  drive  of 
thirty  English  miles,  through  a  very  pleasant,  rich,  and  fertile 
country,  brought  us  at  night  to  Joseph  Pim's,  at  Wicklow,  a 
little  town  on  the  sea  coast,  something  like  Cromer.  There 
we  passed  a  very  interesting  "  Sabbath ;"  a  meeting  with 
Friends  in  the  morning,  a  public  one  in  the  evening ;  besides 
a  visitation  of  the  county  jail,  and  a  successful  effort  in  form- 
ing a  Ladies'  Committee.  There  are  some  very  pleasing  and 
serious  people  in  that  neighbourhood.  The  public  meeting, 
held  in  the  court  house,  was  excessively  crowded,  and  brought 
us  into  deep  exercise  of  mind.  Such  meetings  in  Ireland, 
under  its  present  circumstances,  are  occasions  of  peculiar 
responsibility.  A  curious  circumstance  in  connexion  with 
this  meeting  deserves  to  be  recorded.  The  rector's  usual 
service  was  appointed,  at  the  same  hour.  His  whole  congre- 
gation was  with  us,  with  the  single  exception  of  his  clerk,  who 
forthwith  preferred  a  humble  petition  that  he  also  might  go 
and  hear  the  Quakers.  The  rector  consented,  and  he  and  his 
clerk  came  to  the  meeting  together.  The  Protestants  are  in 
<Teneral  very  good  tempered  towards  each  other,  of  which  this 
is  a  specimen. 

On  second  day  we  took  a  fine  journey  through  one  of  the 
most  romantic  districts  in  Ireland — the  vales  of  Avoca  and 


2E.T.  39.  WICKLOW;    WEXFORD,  365 

Arklow.  The  ucather  was  fine,  and  the  scenery  very  admirable 
— much  on  a  level  with  some  of  the  finest  parts  of  the 
Highlands.  It  was  refreshing  to  us  to  revel  a  little  on  the 
beauties  of  nature,  and  our  numerous  guides  were  delighted 
by  our  pleasure.  The  land  in  the  fertile  valleys  of  Wicklow 
lets  in  parts  for  five  pounds  or  six  pounds  per  Irish  acre.  The 
barren  mountains  which  they  intersect  are  chiefly  of  fine 
granite.  We  arrived  in  the  evening  at  the  little  village-city 
of  Ferns,  a  bishop's  see  of  many  thousands  per  annum,  with 
an  old  ruined  castle.  In  the  neighbourhood  is  a  quiet  meeting 
of  Friends  :  few  in  number,  but  of  the  right  sort.  "VYe  had 
much  satisfaction  m  paying  them  a  visit.  On  third  day  morn- 
ing we  held  a  meeting  at  Enniscorthy  with  Friends  of  that 
district,  a  scattered  flock,  which  is  the  more  affecting,  as  the 
last  generation  made  so  noble  a  stand  in  those  parts  at  the 
time  of  the  rebellion.  Their  deliverances  were  truly  wonderful. 
The  meeting  was  spontaneously  attended  by  numbers  of 
strangers.  The  hearts  of  many  are  open  to  receive  the 
truth  in  the  love  of  it.  We  were  kindly  entertained  there  by 
Ann  Thompson,  a  young  woman  Avho  devotes  her  time  to  the 
education  of  the  poor,  and  accompanied  Hannah  Kilham  to 
Africa.  It  is  proposed  to  her  that  she  should  go  again  to 
Africa.  We  rather  advised  her  to  continue  in  Ireland.  No 
mission  more  important  I  believe.  The  county  of  Wexford  is 
a  very  interesting  part  of  Ireland ;  the  people  are  of  English 
origin,  and  in  some  parts  talk  the  old  Anglo-Saxon.  They 
are  much  more  decent  than  the  Irish  poor  in  general,  though 
deeply  distressed  at  present  by  the  failure  of  .the  potatoe  crop. 
We  arrived  at  Wexford,  a  large  town  on  the  sea  coast,  early 
in  the  evening,  and  truly  it  was  an  evening  of  overpowering 
exertion.  Crowds  were  waiting  for  us  at  the  jail,  at  the  entry 
of  the  town.  It  was  in  vain  to  attempt  to  pass  by  it,  though 
a  public  meeting  was  appointed  for  seven  o'clock :  we  visited 
it,  and  my  sister  formed  her  committee.  When  we  went  to  the 
appointed  place  of  meeting  in  the  evening  —  a  large  assembly 
room  on  an  upper  floor  —  we  found  it  fearfully  crowded,  and 

almost  insufl"erably  close.    Dear  E seemed  much  overcome, 

and  what  with  this,  and  what  with  the  ticklish  state  of  the  people, 


366  DEPARTURE    FROM    IRELAND.'  1827, 

the  noise  of  a  hooting  boy-mob  under  the  windows,  and  the  idea 
that  the  floor  might  possibly  or  probably  give  way,  it  was  a  time 
of  some  real  conflict  of  mind  to  iis.  However,  we  were  enabled 
to  get  pretty  well  through  it,  and  the  truths  of  the  gospel  were 
plainly  uttered,  and,  I  trust,  joyfully  received;  and  no  accident 
occurred  beyond  the  occasional  breaking  of  a  form.  You  can 
hardly  imagine  how  really  appalhng  some  of  our  public  meet- 
ings have  been  in  this  land ;  and  yet,  I  believe,  we  have  been 
engaged  in  no  service  which  has  told  so  much.  This  place  is 
one  of  the  strongholds  of  Popery,  and  it  was  in  vain  that  we  pro- 
posed to  the  Romish  priesthood,  our  conciliatory  plans  for  the 
reading  of  the  Scriptures  in  the  jail.  They  set  their  faces 
against  it,  under  every  modification.  How  long  will  such  a 
bondage  be  maintained  ? 

Tlie  next  day  (fourth  day)  we  held  meetings,  summoned  for 
Friends,  but  public  in  eflect,  at  Forest  and  Ross,  and  passed 
through  a  country  interesting  for  its  recollections.  Vinegar 
bill,  so  infamous  for  the  horrid  cruelties  practised  there  by  the 
rebels,  and  Scalabogue,  where  they  burnt  the  barn,  full  of  their 
Protestant  victims.  This  part  of  the  country  is  now  peculiarly 
peaceable,  and  free  from  crime.  We  dined  at  Hoareton  house 
with  a  county  magistrate,  once  a  Friend ;  and  at  Ross  were 
most  kindly  entertained  by  Samuel  Elly.  The  meeting  there 
formed  the  peaceable  and  solemn  conclusion  of  our  public  ser- 
vices in  Ireland. 

On  fifth  day  to  Waterford,  where  we  found  a  variety  of 
things  and  people  to  attend  to,  and,  in  the  evening,  with  many 
kind  attendants,  we  went  down  to  Dunmore,  the  harbour,  where 
we  were  glad  to  take  refuge  in  the  Vixen  steam  packet,  which 
has  now  so  happily  restored  us  to  our  own  land.  On  the  re- 
trospect of  our  whole  deeply  interesting  journey,  we  feel  quiet, 
peaceful,  and  unexcited;  and,  I  trust,  can  most  sincerely  adopt 
the  language  of  David,  "What  shall  we  render  unto  the  Lord 
for  all  his  benefits  towards  us?" 


JET.  39.  ARRIVAL    IN   LONDON.  3l'-T 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

1827—1829.     ^T.  39—42. 

ARRIVAL  IN  LONDON;  ALARMING  ILLNESS  OF  HIS  BROTHER-IN-LAW, 
THOMAS  FOWELL  BUXTON;  MARRIAGE  WITH  MARY  FOWLER;  HIH 
SISTER  RACHEL  GURNEY's  ILLNESS  AND  DEATH  ;  PUBLICATION  OP 
REPORT  ON  IRELAND;  VARIOUS  JOURNEYS;  EXTRACTS  FROM 
LETTERS    AND  JOURNAL. 

Joseph  John  Gurnet's  return  from  Ireland  was 
soruewliat  clouded  by  the  gradually  increasing  ill- 
ness of  his  sister  Rachel,  Avho,  v^ith  his  children, 
had  been  staying  at  Brighton  during  his  absence, 
for  the  benefit  of  her  health.  On  his  arrival  in 
London  he  found  his  brother-in-law  Thomas  Fowell 
Buxton  deeply  absorbed  in  preparing  for  the  im- 
pending debate  upon  the  question  of  the  continuance 
of  the  slave  trade  in  the  Mauritius.  His  brother's 
state  of  health  awakened  some  anxiety,  though  he 
little  anticipated  the  alarming  attack  of  illness  which 
soon  afterwards  threatened  suddenly  to  put  a  period 
to  his  important  labours.* 

TO   THOMAS   FOWELL    BUXTON. 

Upton,  fourth  day,  5th  mo.,  23rd,  1827. 

*  *  *  Pray,  my  dear  Buxton,  take  entire  rest  and  recrea- 
tion;  and  do  not  overwork  the  Mauritius  case.     A  few  broad 

*  See  Life  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  pp.  189—194 


36S  ILLNESS    OF    THOMAS    EOWELL    BUXTON.  1827. 

proofs  "will  tell  better  in  the  House  than  any  vast  quantity  of 
detail.  I  believe  the  best  of  helpers  Avill  not  fail  to  be  with 
thee ;  and,  after  all,  nothing  will  do  but  putting  our  trust  in 
Him. 

Be  sure  to  get  into  a  truly  Christian  spirit  towards  the  sup- 
posed offender,  which  will  tell  more  than  much  scolding. 

Earlham,  Qth  mo.,  6tJi,  1827.  Four  interesting  and  im- 
portant months  have  passed  away,  and  I  find  myself  once 
more  in  this  profoundly  quiet  and  peaceful  spot,  having  re- 
turned hither  by  the  Day  coach  last  second  day  evening.   *   * 

On  fourth  daj,  the  23rd  ultimo,  I  went  down  to  Brighton, 
where  I  was  greatly  .comforted  and  refreshed  in  being  once 
more  with  my  beloved  sisters  and  children.  I  found  dearest 
Rachel,  however,  a  good  deal  fallen  in  my  absence.  The  dear 
children  gave  me  a  most  affectionate  reception.  *  *  * 

On  second  day,  we  received,  by  a  special  messenger,  the 
account  of  Fowell's  extreme  illness.  He  was  lying  insen- 
sible at  Upton.  We  waited  the  next  post,  which  brought 
somewhat  better  tidings,  and  with  Bichenda  and  Edward,  I 
reached  Upton  on  third  day  afternoon,  the  29th.  There  we 
had  the  happiness  to  find  our  beloved  brother  gradually  re- 
covering; and  since  then  he  has  been  making  a  rapid  daily 
improvement.  The  relief  has  been  inexpressible.  I  am  re- 
markably favoured  on  my  return  with  quiet  waters  outwardly, 
and  with  a  precious  degree  of  inward  peace.  I'raised  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord  ! 

The  following  are  from  his  letters  to  Mary  Fowler 
at  this  period. 

Norwich,  6tli  mo.,  0th,  1827. 

*  *  *  Having  passed  a  very  salutary  and  reviving  Sabbath 
at  Upton,  Plashet,  and  Plaistow,  I  was  the  more  prepared  to 
enjoy  a  quiet  journey  hither ;  in  the  course  of  which  I  read, 
with  much  pleasure,  nearly  a  whole  volume  of  Bishop  Watson's 
Apologies.  *  *  * 


^T.  39.  SCHOOL   AT    CROYDON.  36& 

In  the  tender  mercy  of  my  heavenly  Father!  am  favoured, 
on  my  return  to  this  place,  with  more  than  a  common  portion 
of  the  reward  of  peace.  The  whole  place  is  clothed  in  abound- 
ing verdure,  and  I  promise  myself  that  thou  wilt  find  it  a 
peaceful  and  pleasant  home.  For  my  own  part,  I  feel  very 
thankful  that  such  a  resting  place  is  provided  for  us,  and  I  see 
no  reason  to  believe  that  it  may  not  be  our  permanent  resi- 
dence ;  to  be  exchanged  only  for  one  infinitely  brighter,  purer, 
and  sweeter.  I  find  my  solitude  not  only  very  pleasant,  but 
very  convenient,  as  it  affords  me  the  opportunity  of  continuing 
with  some  portion  of  vigour  and  stillness  my  Report  to  the 
Irish  Government.  I  shall  not  be  thoroughly  relieved  about 
Ireland  till  this  is  finished  and  despatched.  *  * 

Earlham,  6th  mo.,  15tb,  1827. 

*  *  ffo-day,  I  am  staying  at  home  to  write  my  Report.  I 
find  it  hard  work,  and  am  too  much  disposed  to  an  indolent 
feeling  about  it.  I  am  sure,  however,  it  cannot  be  right  for 
me  to  be  idle,  since  it  was  but  yesterday  that  I  was  preaching 
on  "  Whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy 
might."  *  * 

In  allusion  to  a  visit  to  the  school  at  Croydon,  he 
writes :  — 

6th  mo.,  25th,  1827. 

*  *  My  visit  was  interesting.  Though  tired  with  my  jour- 
ney, I  got  well  through  the  examination  of  the  whole  school 
on  seventh  day.  With  the  boys  I  was  pleased,  with  the  girls 
delighted.  I  never  saw  children  in  better  training ;  and  their 
knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  corresponding,  as  it  does,  with 
their  conduct,  is  very  gratifying.  In  the  evening  we  had  a 
table  spread  on  the  lawn,  covered  not  with  meats,  but  with  a 
variety  of  books  for  rewards.  About  seventy  children  received 
prizes.  The  next  day  I  had  the  boys  and  girls  assembled  for 
an  hour  before  meeting.  They  all  had  their  Bibles,  and  turned 
to  a  variety  of  passages  by  way  of  commentary  on  the  part 
which  principally  engaged  us  —  Rev.  xxi. 

Vol.  L  — 24 


370  MARRIED    TO    MARY    FOWLER,  1827. 

Earlham,  first  day  evening,  'Tth  mo.,  1st,  1827, 

*  *  *  How  apt  are  we  to  fail  both  in  faith  and  in  thank- 
fulness !  In  myself  I  can  truly  acknowledge  this  failure,  and 
it  is  my  prayer  that  in  both  of  us,  peace,  lov6,  gratitude,  and 
joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  may  more  and  more  abound.  Our 
meetings  to  day  have  been  solemn  and  edifying.  I  have  been 
but  little  engaged  in  ministry  since  my  return  until  this  morn- 
ing, when  the  stream  flowed,  I  believe,  from  the  depths.  The 
feelings,  thoughts,  and  words,  came  to  me  as  if  they  rose 
spontaneously  out  of  a  fountain  over  which  I  had  no  command, 
and  with  which  I  had  no  right  to  intermeddle,   *  *  * 

I  am  getting  on  pretty  well  with  my  Report,  and -have 
■received  a  very  polite  communication  on  the  subject  from  the 
Lord  Lieutenant.  I  hope  it  will  not  turn  out  a  very  dry  docu- 
ment. It  is  well  I  have  it  to  do  in  this  interval,  I  might  other- 
wise, possibly,  be  fretful  and  impatient.  • 

I  have  been  meditating,  during  my  solitary  walk  this  morn- 
ing, on  the  infinite  advantage  of  having  an  all-wise  and 
silmighty  Friend ;  and,  I  think,  I  have  been  in  some  slight 
degree  enabled  to  commend  myself  and  my  beloved  ones,  our 
pleasures,  pains,  cares,  wishes,  and  hopes,  to  him,  *  * 

On  the  18th  of  the  7th  month  he  was  married  to 
Mary  Fowler.  "  Bright,  hopeful,  and  happy,"  to  use 
his  own  words  in  the  Autobiography,  "was  our 
wedding  day.  We  dined  on  the  lawn,  a  large  united 
company,  and  rejoiced  together,  I  trust  in  the  Lord. 
Mary  and  I  left  the  party  at  Elm  Grove  in  the  after- 
noon for  North  Devon."     He  afterwards  writes :  — 

Linton,  North  Devon,  7tli  mo.,  24:th.  "We  are  now  on  the 
point  of  quitting  the  delightful  scenery  of  this  place,  on  our 
way  to  Ilfracombe,  dearest  Mary  being  my  only  companion. 
In  waiting  from  time  to  time  on  the  Lord,  chiefly  in  silence, 
we  have,  I  think,  notwithstanding  our  great  unworthiness, 
('and  my  own  is  great  indeed.)  been  favoured  with  a  sweet, 
enlivening  sense  of  the  divine  presence  and  favour.     It  is,  I 


(S,T.  39-40.  RETURN   TO    EARLflAM.  371 

believe,  our  great  and  separate  desire  to  be  devoted  to  the 
service  of  truth  in  this  evil  world.  And  0  that  we  may  be 
preserved  from  all  the  snares  of  the  enemy ! 

JEarlkam,  8th  mo.,  5th.  On  sixth  day  evening,  after  a 
pleasant  journey,  via  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  I  brought  my 
dear  wife  home.  Our  arrival  was  very  comfortable,  and  the 
darling  children  gave  us  a  truly  cordial  reception.  We  have 
since  settled  most  agreeably,  our  only  cloud  being  our  dearest 
Rachel's  state,  who  is  very  ill,  and  suffering  much.  It  is 
a  deep  interest  to  us  all,  but  adds  to  our  sense  of  the  value 
and  comfort  of  my  beloved  Mary's  arrival.  The  preciousness 
of  the  gift  bestowed  upon  me  is  inexpressible. 

8th  mo.,  10th.  The  death  of  Canning,  of  which  we  heard 
yesterday,  is  an  awful  stroke.  It  is  a  singular  circumstance, 
that  he  should  have  ended  his  career  in  the  same  house,  and  I 
believe  the  same  room  as  Fox,  under  political  circumstances 
so  very  similar.  Each  of  them  attained  the  summit  of  his 
ambition  and  fell.  I  cannot  help  entertaining  a  strong  hope, 
that  his  repeated  warnings  may  have  been  the  means  of 
bringing  him  to  his  God  before  he  died. 

TO   JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  8th  mo.,  25th,  1827. 

My  dear  sister  Rachel  is  greatly  sunk,  and  it  has  been  for 
the  last  two  weeks  our  affecting  task  to  watch  her  entrance 
on  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.  In  the  frame  of  her 
spirit  she  is  as  one  who  has  begun  to  die.  Remarkably 
redeemed  does  she  appear  to  be  from  all  dependence  on  human 
helj:.  She  finds  the  reality  of  those  things  in  which  she  has 
so  long  believed,  and  speaks  sweetly  of  the  inexpressible  privi- 
lege of  feeling  and  knowing  that  her  "  Redeemer  liveth." 

Sth  mo.,  21th.  On  our  return  with  Richenda,  from  Low- 
estoft, on  third  day,  we  found  our  dearest  Rachel  a  little 
further  sunk,  and  we  have  been  chiefly  occupied  during  the 
week  in  attending  to  her.  She  seems  wonderfully  helped  to 
meet  the  approach  of  death.     On 's  throwing  out  a  him; 


3"''?  RAOHEL   GURNEY's    ILLNESS.  1827. 

lespectiuo  the  "  sacrament,"  she  disclaimed  any  wish  or 
intention  to  partake  in  that  ceremony,  acknowledged  that  in 
past  days  she  had  received  benefit  from  the  services  of  the 
Church  of  England,  but  that  she  was  now  feeding  exclusively 
on  the  substance,  and  did,  indeed,  eat  the  flesh  and  drink  the 
blood  of  the  Son  of  Man.  I  am  truly  thankful  for  her  being 
brought  to  this  experience.  Indeed  her  abstraction  from  all 
dependence  on  human  help  is  wonderful. 

His  sister's  illness  continued  to  engross  much  of 
bis  attention  for  several  weeks.  The  following  are 
a  few  selections  from  his  own  more  detailed  account 
of  her  last  days.* 

One  morning,  on  going  into  her  bed-room  after  our  reading, 
I  found  her  enjoying  a  sensible  visitation  of  divine  love,  and 
she  sweetly  uttered  the  words  of  the  Psalmist,  "  I  have  none 
in  heaven  but  thee,  nor  on  all  the  earth  that  I  desire  beside 
thee."  Another  time  when'' my  sister  Fry  went  to  her  in 
the  night,  and  expressed  her  belief  that  peace  was  prevalent ; 
"yesj"  she  said,  "  I  feel  the  Ruler  and  Head  of  his  people  to 
be  very  near  to  me."  "Yesterday,"  she  added,  "was  one  of 
great  suffering ;  such  an  one  as  I  never  passed  before,  but, 
through  all,  I  leaned  on  the  Beloved." 

A  few  days  later,  upon  her  medical  attendant's  coming  into 
the  room,  she  said,  "  I  must  tell  you  that  there  is  but  one 
principle  which  can  support  us,  the  love  of  God  in  Chriat 
Jesus  ;"  and  speaking  of  her  own  feelings  she  added,  "  Divine 
love  and  power  are  with  me  every  moment." 

The  day  before  her  death  she  had  a  most  affecting  and 
Btriking  interview  with  the  dear  children  and  their  attendant, 
whom  she  summoned  to  her  bedside.     The  children  brought 

her  nosegays,  and  my  dear  wife  and  their  attendant  H 

S stood    beside    them.       Nothing    could    exceed  dearest 

*  In  making  these  selections,  a  few  slight  additions  and  verba] 
alterations  have  been  made,  in  order  to  connect  the  sentences,  but 
not  so  as  to  alter  the  sense.  * 


ST.  40."  AND    DEATH.  373 

Rachel's  tender  and  affectionate  manner  towards  them,  and 
their  intense  interest  in  what  they  saw  and  heard  was  strongly 
marked.  She  spoke  to  them  of  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  of  hei 
own  happiness,  of  her  love  to  them,  of  the  danger  of  all  sin, 
and  that  evil  thoughts  were  sin,  &c.  The  whole  picture  and 
group  cannot  easily  he  forgotten. 

Her  death  took  place  on  second  day  morning,  the  24th  of 
the  9th  month,  whilst  we  were  all  assembled  round  her  bed ; 
dear  Louisa  being  engaged  in  very  solemn  prayer  for  the 
accomplishment  of  the  blessed  work.  After  the  close  had 
taken  place,  dear  Elizabeth  uttered  a  song  of  thanksgiving  in 
the  midst  of  our  great  sorrow. 

"  A  sister,"  adds  Joseph  John  Gurney,  '"  so  persevering  in 
kindness,  so  entirely  interested  in  one's  concerns,  and  so 
affectionately  and  devotedly  attached,  few  brothers  have  ever 
enjoyed.  She  was  to  me  much  of  a  watcher  and  guardian, 
and  never  withheld  a  hint  that  could  be  useful.  Her  advices 
are  deeply  engraven  on  my  heart  and  recollection ;  and  I  can, 
with  respect  to  her,  feel  the  ful^ force  of  the  expression,  'she 
being  dead,  yet  speaketh.'  May  I  be  enabled,  through  the 
love  and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  rejoice  with  her  purified 
and  glorified  spirit." 

Joseph  John  Gurney  now  completed  his  Report 
on  the  state  of  Ireland,  which  he  addressed,  in  the 
joint  names  of  himself  and  his  sister  Elizabeth  Fry, 
to  the  Marquis  Wellesley,  and,  with  his  per- 
mission, subsequently  published.  In  this  report, 
he  takes  a  comprehensive  survey,  in  three  dis- 
tinct sections,  of  the  Prison,  the  Lunatic  Asylums, 
Houses  of  Industry,  Mendicity  Associations,  and 
Infirmaries;  and  histly,  of  the  general  condition 
of  the  people.  The  observations  on  this  last  sub- 
ject, in  particular,  will  still  repay  the  perusal  of 
the  reader  whose  heart  is  alive  to  the  welfare  of 
Ireland.       The    questions    of  pauperism    and    its  re- 


374  REPORT  ON  IRELAND.  '   1827. 

medies,  of  the  uncertainty  of  tenure,  of  the  system 
of  middlemen,  of  absenteeism,  emigration,  crime,  in- 
temperance, and  scriptural  education,  are,  amongst 
others,  successively  passed  und*er  review ;  and,  much 
as  has  been  attempted  and  accomplished  for  the 
improvement  of  Ireland  since  its  first  publication, 
nearly  thirty  years  ago,  the  intelligent  reader  can- 
not fail  to  notice  how  many  of  the  observations 
are  applicable,  with  nearly  equal  force,  at  the  pre- 
sent day.  The  Report  has  passed  through  three 
editions,  the  last  of  which  was  printed  in  1847,  in 
a  size  uniform  with  the  octavo  edition  of  Joseph 
John  Gurney's  works.''" 

*  In  the  course  of  the  late  Session  of  Parliament,  at  the  close  of 
the  year  1852,  the  late  Attorney-General  for  Ireland,  (Joseph  Napier,) 
on  moving  for  leave  to  bring  in  "a  series  of  measures,  having  for 
their  object,  the  adjustment  of  the  relation  between  Landlords  and 
Tenants  in  Ireland,"  alluded  t  *  this  Keport  in  terms  of  high,  but 
not  undeserved  commendation.  x\fter  referring  to  the  labours  of 
the  Parliamentary  Committees  of  1819  and  1823,  who  ''had 
appeared  to  arrive  at  the  conviction  that  the  people  of  Ireland 
were  a  nuisance,  and  that  the  main  question  was  how  to  get  rid 
of  them,"  and  stating  that  the  Committee  of  1827  had  "achieved 
only  the  proposition  of  some  equally  temporary  nostrum,"  he 
continued :  — 

"  He  had  perused  a  Ptoport  from  another  source  on  the  same 
subject,  to  which  he  would  direct  the  attention  of  the  House. 
It  was  a  Report*  emanating  from  some  members  of  the  Society 
of  Friends.  In  the  year  1827  the  excellent  Mrs.  Fry  and  her 
brother,  who  had  conceived  a  deep  interest  on  the  subject,  visited 
Ireland;  they  examined  every  county,  and  made  the  most  minute 
inquiries  into  every  element  of  her  condition,  and  the  result 
was  that  they  prepared  a  kind  of  Report  on  the  subject  for  tlie 
Marquis  of  Wellesley;  and  a  better  State  Paper  on  Ireland  never 
was  produced.  They  stated  that  what  they  found  in  Ireland  was 
jsrant  of  employment,  a  defective  administration  of  justice,  and  a 
want  of  education  prevalent  throughout  the  country  j  and  they 
added,  as  a  remarkable  feature,  that  scarcely  anything  was  made  the 


^T.  40.  TO  ELIZABETH  GURNEY.  375 

TO  HIS  SISTER-IN-LAW,  ELIZABETH  GURNEY. 

Earlham,  10th  mo.,  20th,  1827. 

The  longer  I  live  the  more  I  become  persuaded  that  the 
Lord's  children,  unworthy  as  they  are,  are  the  objects  not 
only  of  his  spiritual  grace,  but  of  his  especial  providence ;  that 
they  are  of  more  value  in  his  sight  "than  many  sparrows," 
who  yet  fall  not  to  the  ground  without  him,  and  that 
"the  very  hairs  of  their  head  are  numbered."  If  this  belief 
is  well  founded,  if  it  is  proved  both  by  Scripture  and  experi- 
ence, what  a  repose  we  may  feel  in  it,  in  the  various  turns  and 
changes  of  our  mortal  pilgrimage !  Truly  "  all  things  shall 
work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God."   *  * 

Dear  Catherine  is,  on  the  whole,  wonderfully  well,  pursuing 
her  objects,  especially  the  teaching  of  our  children,  with  vigour. 

luost  of,  and  that  everywhere  the  country  presented  the  spectacle  of 
a  fair  and  fruitful  land  with  utterly  inadequate  cultivation.  They 
expressed  their  conviction  that  if  sufficient  cultivation  was  applied 
to  the  soil  by  the  adequate  employment  of  the  people,  any  failure  of 
the  potato  crop,  under  existing  circumstances  so  terrible  a  calamity, 
would  be  amply  and  most  beneficially  mot  by  a  regular  supply  of  the 
more  suitable  and  far  more  nutritive  description  of  food,  wheatcn  bread. 
They  considered,  they  said,  that  employment  would  be  a  far  better 
remedy  for  the  distressed  people  of  Ireland  than  emigration,  although, 
to  a  limited  extent,  this  latter  remedy  also  might  be  useful;  and  they 
insisted  as  a  grand  remedy,  upon  the  effectual  alteration  of  the 
system  under  which  high  nominal  rents,  low  wages,  and  insecurity 
of  tenure  afflicted  the  country;  and  they  also  recommended  (for  this 
was  before  the  Emancipation  Act  of  1829)  the  establishment  of 
equality  of  civil  rights ;  adding  that  the  less  distinctions  of  religion 
were  insisted  on  in  civil  polity,  the  greater  would  be  the  probability 
of  the  establishment  of  a  state  of  things  leading  to  permanent  tran- 
quillity. Had  the  suggestions  made  by  these  able  and  benevolent 
persons  been  acted  upon  at  the  time,  he  would  venture  to  say — not 
scrutinizing  the  designs  of  the  Almighty  in  the  dispensations  whicK 
had  befallen  the  country,  nor  causes  over  which  men  had  no  control 
— he  would  venture  to  say,  humanly  speaking,  we  should  have  been 
spared  calamities  which  Ireland  had,  of  late  years,  endured." 
Hansard's  Debates,  House  of  Commons,  3rd  Series,  Vol.  123, 
column  312. 


376  LETTERS.  1827-1828. 

Mary  and  I  read  a  good  deal  together;  the  prophets  in  the 
mornmg,  and  Barclay's  Apology  in  the  afternoon.  Our  Bible 
Society  week  was  passed  through  with  a  considerable  degree 
of  facility,  and  I  hope  not  without  edification.  Our  dear 
sister  Fry  may  be  informed  that  I  have  received  a  polite  letter 
from  Colonel  Shaw,  with  Lord  Wellesley's  full  permission  for 
the  reprinting  of  our  Irish  Beport.     This  I  have  begun  doing. 

TO    HENRY    BRADY. 

Norwich,  lOtb  mo.,  6th,  1827. 

It  is  very  satisfactory  that  thy  first  engagement  in  the 
ministi-y  Avas  accompanied  by  such  a  flow  of  peace.  I  well 
remember  the  happy  day  I  passed  after  a  like  occurrence. 
Yet  it  is  more  than  probable  that  thou  wilt  have  thy  deep 
tribulations  of  spirit  in  connexion  with  .the  work.  In  such 
case  thou  Avilt,  I  trust,  be  able  to  recur  to  the  love  and  joy  of 
•'thine  espousals,"  as  an  evidence  that  the  Avork  is  the  Lord's, 
and  that  all  will  yet  be  well. 

TO    A    RELATIVE. 

10th  mo.,  14th,  1827. 

*  *  Blest  as  thou  and  thy  dear  partner  in  life  are ;  led 
along  by  so  many  tender  mercies,  how  peculiarly  are  you  bound 
by  the  ties  of  gratitude  and  allegiance,  to  devote  yourselves 
and  your  all  to  him  who  hath  loved  you ;  or,  to  use  the  expres- 
uve  phraseology  of  our  own  Society,  to  give  yourselves  up  to 
••  the  service  of  truth."  That  this  may  be  the  case  with  both 
of-  you  IS  my  earnest  desire ;  and  if  either  of  you  are  sensible 
of  a  call  to  the  more  open  services  of  the  gospel,  it  will  be  well 
to  exercise  the  active  as  well  as  the  retiring  virtues,  and  not  to 
wait  until  the  ripe  fruit  begins  to  wither  and  decay.  That  I 
would  have  the  fruit  ripe,  I  trust,  I  need  not  assure  you.  But 
tiie  time  is  short,  and  the  responsibility  infinite. 

First  day  night,  [lOthmo.,  21st.']  Our  meetings  have  been 
peculiarly  solemn.  In  the  afternoon,  I  found  it  my  place  to 
exalt  the  doctrine  always  professed  by  Friends,  of  a  divine  seed, 


:ET.  40.  RELIGIOUS   ENGAGEMENTS.  377 

or  principle,  placed  through  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus, 
in  the  hearts  of  all  men.  0  !  may  I  more  and  more  vitally 
understand  this  myself;  that  I  may  more  and  more  effec- 
tually present  it,  both  by  example  and  precept,  to  the  atten- 
tion of  others. 

The  close  of  the  year  was  devoted  by  Joseph  John 
Gurney  to  various  religious  engagements,  principally 
in  Buckinghamshire  and  the  counties  of  Gloucester 
and  Wilts.  "Some  of  the  meetings,"  he  writes  in 
his  Journal,  "  especially  those  at  Cambridge  and 
Aylesbury,  were  evidently  times  of  great  solemnity 
and  of  the  putting  forth  of  what  we  may  believe  to 
be  the  divine  power;  and  in  all  of  them,  I  may 
humbly  acknowledge  that  sufficient  strength  was 
afforded  to  meet  the  duties  of  the  day."  A  single 
incident  deserves  to  be  recorded.  At  one  of  the 
meetings  where  he  was  present,  a  marriage  v/as  so- 
lemnized, and  notwithstanding  the  apparent  unsuit- 
ableness  of  the  occasion,  he  felt  "constrained,"  as 
he  expresses  it,  to  preach  upon  the  subject  of  death. 
A  few  weeks  had  scarcely  elapsed  before  three  of 
the  assembled  party,  including  the  bridegroom  him- 
self, were  called  to  meet  their  God. 

1st  mo.,  25th,  1828.  Hoav  silent,  how  imperceptible,  yet 
how  awful  is  the  approach  of  death  and  eternity  !  The  Lord 
grant  that  I  may  be  ready  when  my  change  cometh ;  that 
all  my  pollutions  may  then  have  been  cleansed  away,  and 
all  my  doubts  and  fears  scattered  before  the  Sun  of  Right- 
eousness. 

2nd  mo.,  25th.  Never  that  I  remember  has  the  rapid  flight 
of  time  been  so  awfully  impressed  on  me  as  of  late;  "  the  sand 
is  running  out  of  the  glass  irresistibly;"  and  every  grain  that 
falls  is  bringing  me  nearer  to  death  and  eternity.  Is  it  pos- 
sible that  there  should  be  any  true  repose  but  in  Christ  ? 


378  SARAH   ALDRICH.  1828 

First  day  night,  [3rc?  mo.,  IQtli.']  Deep  discouragement  was 
the  clothing  of  mj  soul  during  the  greater  part  of  our  two  nearly 
silent  meetings,  chiefly  in  the  apprehension  that  several  amongst 
us  are  taking  retrograde  steps.  Alas  !  for  the  power  of  the  world, 
the  flesh,  and  the  enemy  !  An  increasing  neglect  of  meetings  is 
apparent  in  some  of  our  members  and  attcnders  ;  and  how  can 
we  expect  it  to  be  otherwise  with  those  who  refuse  to  take  up 
their  cross  and  follow  Jesus  ?  Some  painful  fears  have  also 
found  their  way  to  my  heart,  lest  a  lurking  infidelity  should 
have  insinuated  itself  into  the  bosoms  of  some  of  our  juniors. 
In  the  midst  of  these  sources  of  anxiety  and  depression,  I  was 
a  little  gladdened  by  a  visit  to  old  Sarah  Aldrich,  whom  I 
found  in  a  lively,  loving  frame  of  mind ;  full  of  joy  and  thank- 
fulness in  the  midst  of  her  infirmities.  She  said,  that  the  Lord, 
in  bringing  her  into  trial,  had  brought  her  into  his  "  banquet- 
ing house,"  and  that  her  consolations  in  Christ  were  inex- 
pressible. 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  Srd  mo.,  22nd,  1828. 

*  *  We  must  not  spend  all  our  time  and  our  strength  in 
merely  exclaiming  "0  wretched  man  that  I  am!"  but  rather 
consider  what  a  favour  it  is,  that  amidst  all  our  trials  and 
changes,  even  our  passions  may  be  restrained  and  regulated  by 
a  superior  principle,  and  directed  into  their  proper  channels 
by  the  pointing  of  an  unerring  hand.  And  does  not  this  view 
of  our  situation  raise  us  from  the  dust,  and  inspire  the  devout 
and  grateful  ejaculation,  "thanks  be  to  God?" 

2>rd  mo.,  I^rd..  I  am  permitted  to  feel  some  substantial 
relief  this  evening,  after  a  well  attended  afternoon  meeting,  in 
which  I  was  brought  into  deep  exercise,  and  had  not  only  to 
supplicate  for  the  visited  ones,  the  wanderers,  and  the  poor  pri- 
soners appointed  to  die,  but  also  to  preach  Christ  to  the  people 
as  the  Rock,  the  very  rock.  The  ministry  has,  I  trust,  arisen 
from  a  right  source,  but  it  has  of  late  been  to  me  unusually 
difficult  of  utterance  !     0  !  that  I  may  be  more  deeply  hum- 


^T.  40.      RELIGIOUS   MEETINGS   IN   YORKSHIRE,    ETC.  379 

bled ;  more  willing  to  be  as  a  fool ;  as  one  of  no  repute,  if  it 
can  but  serve  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness ! 

In  the  fourth  month  he  was  again  engaged  in  the 
service  of  the  gospel  in  Lincolnshire  and  Yorkshire, 
and  some  parts  of  the  counties  of  Nottingham  and 
Northampton.     From  Halifax  he  wrote 

TO   HIS    BROTHER    SAMUEL   GURNEY. 

4th  mo.,  9th,  1828. 

My  BELOVED  Brother, 

In  the  midst  of  some  deep  exercise  of  mind,  which 
must  be  expected  to  attend  me  as  I  pass  along  in  this  work, 
my  heart  very  much  turns  toward  thee,  from  whom  I  have  in 
every  way  derived  so  much  assistance  and  encouragement. 
I  find  myself  bowed  before  the  Lord  in  a  sense  of  great  weak- 
ness and  of  utter  inability  to  serve  him  and  promote  his  cause, 
except  through  the  gracious  renewal  of  his  love  and  power. 
We  left  Ackworth  early  this  morning,  and  arrived  here  in  time 
for  meeting  with  the  increasing  body  of  Friends  in  this  place. 
I  am  resting  this  afternoon  in  the  prospect  of  a  public  meeting 
this  evening,  appointed  to  be  held  at  seven,  in  a  large  Metho- 
dist meeting  house.  To-morrow  the  like  services  appear  to 
await  me  at  Huddersfield ;  and  on  fifth  day  I  propose  being 
with  Friends  of  Wooldale  in  the  morning,  and  with  Friends 
of  Sheffield  in  the  evening.  On  seventh  day  to  take  coach  for 
Leicester.  On  the  whole,  the  journey  has  produced  a  feeling 
of  some  renewed  encouragement  as  to  the  prospects  of  our 
own  Society. 

I  feel  it  profitable  to  be  extricated  for  a  season  from  the 
thoughts  of  this  world,  and  am  the  more  easy  in  it,  as  I  left 
the  business  after  thoroughly  attending  to  my  own  department 
of  it.  That  thou  mayest  be  favoured  to  arise  from  time  to  time 
above  the  trammels  of  business,  and  to  hold  daily  communion 
with  God  in  spirit,  is  my  earnest  desire  and  prayer. 

4:th  mo.,  21th.  I  have  felt  a  peculiar  desire  to-day,  that 
the  ministry  in  me  may  be  preserved  within  its  true  limits, 


380  THE   MIBflSTEY   AND   ITS   HUMILIATIONS.  1828. 

bright  and  deep.  It  is  a  powerful  principle  on  ^vbicll  our 
ministry  turns,  if  faithfully  kept  to.  0  that  it  may  be  more 
and  more  appreciated  and  understood  ! 

5tk  mo.,  2nd.  Notwithstanding  this  desire,  I  have  some 
reason  to  believe,  that  in  the  exercise  of  the  gift,  I  have  not 
always  the  unity  of  those  Avhom  I  greatly  love  and  approve : 
and  this  sometimes  happens,  when,  to  my  own  apprehension, 
the  unction  has  been  rather  peculiarly  bestowed  upon  me, 
and  when  the  seal  of  peace  has  been  more  than  usually 
impressed.  On  such  occasions  I  do  not  wish  to  say,  "  I  am 
right."  I  rather  look  upon  such  circumstances  as  evidences 
of  the  deep  imperfection  which  hangs  about  us  in  this  com- 
paratively clouded  condition  ;  and  desire  that  every  discourage- 
ment of  the  kind  may  tend  to  my  further  humiliation  in  the 
presence  of  Him,  who  is  perfect  in  wisdom,  and  Avho,  through 
good  report  and  evil  report,  unity  and  disunity,  has  an  un- 
doubted right  to  be  obeyed  and  served  to  the  very  best  of  the 
ability  which  he  is  pleased  to  bestow.  In  the  mean  time,  love 
and  forbearance,  and  the  spirit  which  can  prefer  another's 
judgment  to  our  own,  are  great  matters. 

TJiird  day  morning,  [ptli  mo.,  QtJi.']  Yesterday  the  anti- 
slavery  meeting  Avas  well  got  through  ;  large  and  interesting 
The  exertion,  however,  was  considerable.  0  !  that  the  friends 
of  religion  may  be  more  and  more  awakened  and  bound  to  the 
cause,  and  that  it  may,  in  due  season,  please  infinite  wisdom 
and  grace  to  loosen  the  bands  of  the  oppressed !  The  detail 
of  the  subject  is  horrid  indeed ! 

First  day  afternoo7i,  [oth  mo.,  ll^A.]  The  scythe  of  the 
fell  destroyer  of  mankind  seems  put  forth,  stroke  after  stroke. 
0  that  I  were  divested  of  the  fear  of  death  !  O  that  I  had 
faith  and  love  enough  to  rejoice  in  the  withering  away  of  that 
which  is  mortal !  Rapidly  advancing  towards  the  completion 
of  my  fortieth  year,  with  the  prospect  before  me  of  but  a 
short  additional  journey,  and  with  the  retrospect  of  innume- 
rable sins  and  infirmities  on  my  part,  and  of  many  great 
mercies  on  the  part  of  my  God,  I  think  I  can  preach  to 
myself  a  sermon  on  the  following  text  of  Scripture :   "  Thou 


iET.  40.  FKIENDS'    YEARLY    MEETING.  SSt 

shalt  remember  all  the  way  wliicli  the  Lord  thy  God  hath  led 
thee,  these  forty  years  m  the  wilderness,  to  humble  thee  and 
to  prove  thee,  to  know  what  was  in  thy  heart,  whether  thou 
wouldest  keep  his  commandments  or  no  :"  Deut.  viii,  2. 

1th  mo.,  I'ith.  We  left  home  in  the  expectation  of  a  three 
weeks'  excursion,  and  returned  on  seventh  day  evening  after 
an  absence  of  eight  weeks.     So  little  are  we  in  our  own  power ! 

On  my  journey  to  London,  I  was  exposed  for  a  short  time 
to  extreme  danger  from  an  accident,  being  thrown  from  the 
coach-box ;  but  Avas  mercifully  delivered  without  material 
injury.  Dearest  Mary,  however,  suffered  from  her  journey ; 
and  during  the  whole  of  our  sojourn  in  London  w^as  very 
unwell ;  so  much  so  as  to  excite  great  uneasiness  and  even 
alarm  in  her  mother  and  myself.  It  was  a  comfort  to  me  to 
be  able,  nevertheless,  to  attend  our  Yearly  Meeting ;  my  dear 
Avife  being  laid  up  in  the  interim  at  our  lodgings,  hard  by,  in 
Bishopsgate  street ;  so  that  I  could  undulate  between  private 
and  public  duties  without  difficulty.  The  Yearly  Meeting  was 
memorable ;  deeply  interesting  to  me,  from  the  nature  of  the 
subjects  brought  before  it,  especially  that  of  the  disturbances 
in  America.*  We  were  addressed  in  an  epistle  by  the  seceding 
Yearly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia ;  but  without  any  dissenting 
voice,  it  was  resolved  neither  to  read  nor  to  receive  the  com- 
munication. The  unity  and  harmony  of  the  body  were  never, 
in  my  recollection,  more  comfortably  experienced. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  a  meeting  of  the 
young  people  was  appointed  at  my  request.  It  was  a  large 
and  beautiful  assembly,  and  I  hope  it  was  not  in  vain,  that 
gospel  principles  were  unfolded,  under  the  influence,  I  trust, 
of  the  love  and  power  of  Christ. 

Amongst  the  many  dear  friends  who  were  at  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  it  was  peculiarly  pleasant  to  me  to  be  again  in  close 
intercourse  with  my  beloved  friends,  William  Forster  and 
Jonathan  Hutchinson.  I  also  enjoyed  some  precious  intimate 
hours    with   my   uncle    Joseph.     After    the    Yearly  Meeting 

*  This  alludes  to  the  separation  from  Friends  in  America,  of  Elia? 
Hicks  and  his  followers.     See  infra,  chap,  xxvii. 


382  ELIZABETH    FRY.  182R. 

we  took  up  our  abode  for  a  time  at  Upton,  where  my 
dear  wife  gradually  improved.  I  was  occupied  in  the  mean 
time  by  the  meeting  for  sufferings,  preparing  Friends'  petition 
on  slavery,  attending  Gracechurch  street  Monthly  Meeting, 
&c.  As  soon  as  my  dear  wife  was  fit  to  move,  -we  went  to 
Hastings  and  passed  three  weeks  there,  and'  at  Brighton, 
Worthing,  and  Bognor.  On  our  return  we  made  short  visits 
to  Bury  Hill,  Tottenham,  Upton,  and  Saffron  Walden ;  all  of 
which  were  satisfactory,  and  were  favoured  at  length  to  arrive 
in  safety  with  our  beloved  mother,  at  this  peaceful  and  pleasant 
home. 

1th  mo.,  29?7i.  During  the  past  week,  visits  to  the  Bethel,* 
visit  from  Friends,  and  the  meeting  of  the  Bible  Association  at 
Melton,  were  satisfactory  points ;  also  our  reading  meeting  here 
last  evening.  To  live,  in  any  measure  for  the  good  of  others, 
gives  a  feeling  of  satisfaction  not  to  be  derived  from  any  other 
mode  of  life.  But  surely  a  vast  deal  of  self  indulgence  is 
worked  up  into  my  whole  system.  And  as  to  philanthropy, 
how  tainted  sometimes  are  its  secret  springs  ! 

^th  mo.,  17th.  The  time  which  has  passed  since  I  last 
wrote,  has  been  fraught  with  lively  interests.  My  dear  sister 
Fry's  satisfactory  an^  comforting  visit,  from  fourth  to  seventh 
day  last,  was  perhaps  the  principal.  I  never  saw  her,  that  I 
remember,  in  a  more  favoured  condition,  and  she  was  the 
means  of  raising  me  considerably  in  the  scale  of  spiritual  feel- 
ing, wherein  I  am  so  very  apt  to  find  a  low  place.  Greatly 
gifted  she  assuredly  is,  both  by  nature  and  grace,  and  is 
enabled  to  exercise  a  gentle  and  unseen,  yet  powerful,  influence 
over  all  about  her.  She  was  present  at  our  large  and  highly 
favoured  Monthly  Meeting,  last  fifth  day,  and  was  memorably 
engaged  amongst  us  as  a  daughter  of  consolation. 

9th  mo.,  22nd.  Solemn  and  sober  silence  was  the  almost 
unijiterrupted  characteristic  of  our  meeting  on  fifth  day.  I 
felt  the  value  of  it  as  a  release  to  myself,  and  as  profitable  to 
all.  On  sixth  day  a  pleasant  and  successful  expedition  with 
Kinghorn  and  Brightwell,  to  the  Aylsham  Bible  Meeting.     T 

*  An  establishment  for  the  insane,  at  Norwich. 


^T,  40-41.     TYPHUS  FEVER  AT  ACKWORTH.  38S 

found    the  Wilberforces    here  on  ray  return,  and  very  much 
feasted  on  his  society  the  next  morning,  before  his  departure. 

In  the  tenth  month  he  again  left  home  in  the 
service  of  the  Gospel.     Upon  his  return  he  writes  : — 

11th  mo.,  9th.  *  *  During  my  late  journey  I  visited  all 
the  meetino-s  of  Bedfordshire  and  Hertfordshire.  Cambridge- 
shire  and  Huntingdonshire,  a  large  proportion  of  the  families, 
particularly  at  Hitchen  and  Hertford,  and  held  nineteen 
public  meetings.  It  has  been  a  time  of  deep  occasional 
depression  ;  but,  I  clearly  experienced  the  value  of  the  guiding 
hand.  The  public  meetings  were  generally  favoured  times, 
especially  so  at  Bedford  and  Cambridge. 

During  the  autumn  the  institution  at  Ackworth 
was  visited  with  typhus  fever,  which,  besides  carrying 
off  several  of  the  children,  proved  at  length  fatal  to 
Henry  Bradj,  in  whose  gradually  maturing  charac- 
ter Joseph  John  Gurney  had  long  taken  a  lively 
interest,  and  whose  loss  to  Ackworth  seemed  to  him 
at  the  time  almost  irreparable.  This  event,  together 
with  the  continued  delicacy  of  his  beloved  wife,  the 
decease  of  his  valued  cousin  Priscilla  Hannah 
Gurney,  and  more  than  all,  the  deep  sorrow  into 
which  his  sister  Elizabeth  Fry  was  now  plunged, 
all  contributed  to  throw  a  shade  of  mourning  over 
the  conclusion  of  the  year.  Cast  down  and  brought 
very  low,  it  was,  to  use  his  own  expressiv.e  words, 
"  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,"  that,  "  in  prayer  and 
supplication"  he  was  permitted  to  find  refuge  and 
consolation. 

12th  mo.,  1st.  The  gloom  which  rather  remarkably  hangs 
Dver  the  world  of   temporals,  has  been  accompanied  with    a 


384  TRIALS.  1828-29. 

measure  of  painful  anxiety.  I  wish  I  may  be  enabled  to 
imitate  the  example  of  Wesley,  who  tells  us,  that  although  he 
grieved,  he  nex ex  fretted,  which  he  speaks  of  as  the  result  of 
many  fervent  prayers.  I  think  there  is  good  reason  to 
suppose  a  period  of  some  strift  and  considerable  loss  to  be  at 
hand.  Well,  let  it  be  so,  if  it  be  the  divine  will  and  purpose, 
and  let  me  be  quietly  resigned.  Why  should  I  perplex  myself 
by  anticipations  ?  Why  should  I  not  rather  fix  my  whole 
soul  on  God,  and  grasp,  more  firmly  than  ever,  those  un- 
searchable riches,  which  are  in  Christ  my  Lord  ? 

\2th  mo.,  loth.  The  accounts  received  on  fifth  day  deter- 
mined me  to  go  to  Upton  the  next  morning.  On  first  day 
the  meeting  at  Plaistow  was  instructive  and  aifecting.  The 
necessity  and  benefit  of  complete  humiliation,  and  the  saving 
power  of  the  Redeemer  were  livingly  before  us  ;  and  temporal 
in  some  measure  were  bidden  to  recede  from  our  view.  In 
the  evening,  previously  to  my  departure  by  the  Ipswich  mail, 
my  dear  sister  Fry  and  I  went  to  Newgate  to  pay  a  farewell 
visit  to  a  convict  who  was  appointed  to  sufier  the  awful  penalty 
of  death  the  next  morning.  The  interview  was  aifecting,  but  in 
a  short  and  solemn  time  of  religious  retirement  a  remarkable 
degree  of  hope  and  encouragement  on  his  account  was  felt  by 
us  both. 

TO   A   FRIEJSID. 

Earlham,  12th  mo.,  22nd,  1828. 

lam  grieved  to  hear  the  tidings  of  thy  dear  wife's  renewed, 
and  I  fear  severe  illness,  though  I  hardly  like  to  use  the  word 
severe,  in  reference  to  any  of  the  dispensations  of  a  most 
merciful  God  towards  his  unworthy  but  believing  children. 
0  that  we  may  all  be  enabled,  amidst  the  various  painful 
vicissitudes,  to  which  in  this  world  we  are  exposed,  to  place  a 
yet  firmer  trust  in  Him  who  is  head  over  all  things  to  his 
church,  and  who  undoubtedly  orders  all  things  well  for  those 
who  love  and  serve  him  !  It  has  certainly  been  a  period  of 
deep  afiliction  to  our  religious  society  since  thou  and  I  met. 
What  can  we  do  but  quietly  resign  all  into  the  hands  of  our 
heavenly  Father,  and  encourage  the  hope,  that  from  the  depth 


^T.  41.  TO    THE    BISHOP    OF    NOKWICH.  o8c 

of  these  Immiliations,  his  children  may  yet  arise  to  serve  and 
praise  him  in  the  beauty  and  strength  of  true  Christian 
principle  ? 

At  the  opening  of  the  following  year,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  writes :  — 

Isf  mo.,  2nd,  1829.  I  rose  early  and  have  been  endeavouring 
to  pour  forth  my  heart  in  prayer  to  the  Almighty,  and  to  com- 
mend all  my  cares,  and,  above  all,  my  own  soul,  to  his  merciful 
providence.  In  temporals,  I  have  many  weights  and  somewhat 
extensive  solicitudes.  I  pray  to  be  preserved  from  fretting  on 
these  subjects,  domg  my  daily  duty  with  faithfulness,  and 
leaving  all  results  in  quietness  to  Him  who  hath  the  disposing 
of  all  our  matters.  *  *     . 

The  condition  of  that  part  of  the  church  of  Christ,  which 
is  within  the  borders  of  "  Quakerism,"  is  a  cause,  from  time 
to  time,  of  much  humiliation  and  depression.  Life  is  at  a 
low  ebb  amongst  us,  I  greatly  fear ;  and  the  removal  from  the 
scene  of  warfare  of  so  many  promising  young  persons,  seems, 
to  our  finite  eye,  almost  to  preclude  the  hope  of  revival. 
And  yet  in  such  a  notion,  I  am  sure  there  is  a  radical  want  of 
faith.  At  the  commencement  of  this  new  year,  which  begins 
in  clouds,  I  feel  a  renewed  persuasion,  that  it  is  my  place  and 
duty,  to  maintain  an  unbroken  testimony,  whether  Friends 
survive  or  perish,  to  the  spirituality,  simplicity,  freedom, 
peaceableness,  and  perfection  of  the  gospel  dispensation. 

TO   THE   BISHOP   OF   NORWICH. 
(Then  under  severe  domestic  affliction.*) 

Norwich,  1st  mo.,  3rd,  1829. 
'       My    BELOVED    AND    HONOURED    FrIEND, 

Though  I  have  for  some  days  hesitated  respecting 
the  propriety  of  intruding  upon  thy  sorrows,  I  cannot  feel  satis- 
fied without  just  saying  that,  under  thy  present  circumstances, 

*  See  the  Life  of  Bp.  Bathurst,  by  his  daughter,  p.  345. 
Vol.  L  — 25 


386  OLD  ROGER  XORMAN.  1829. 

tTiou  and  thy  family  have  my  sympathy  and  my  pra^^ers.  For 
many  years  have  I  now  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  thy  friendship, 
and  I  can  truly  say  that  I  have  never  more  felt  the  value  and 
pleasure  of  it  than  during  our  late  intercourse.  I  have  con- 
templated thee  as  one  gradually  descending  with  a  peaceful 
step  to  the  grave,  mercifully  endowed  with  unimpaired  facul- 
ties, and  still  enabled  to  communicate  comfort  and  happiness 
to  thy  family  and  friends.  That  events  should  have  occurred, 
one  after  another,  to  disturb  thy  repose,  and  to  occasion  thee 
heartfelt  sorrow,  can  be  no  matter  of  indifference  to  one  who 
has  so  long  experienced  thy  kindness.  Nevertheless  I  enter- 
tain a  firm  conviction  that  these  painful  ^dispensations  are 
graciously  intended  for  the  promotion  of  thy  eternal  welfare, 
through  a  yet  closer  communion  with  God,  and  a  yet  more 
intimate  dependence  on  that  Redeemer,  whose  Mood  alone 
cleanses  from  all  sin.  *  *   * 

\st  nio.,  5th.  In  the  afternoon  of  yesterday,  a  satisfactory 
time  of  solemniity,  beside  the  dying  bed  of  poor  old  Roger 
Norman,  who,  I  trust,  is  about  to  enter  into  the  rest  prepared 
for  the  righteous.  In  our  silent  waiting  this  morning,  (my 
dearest  wife  and  I  being  alone,)  I  could  not  do  otherwise  than 
express  "ray  desire  that  we  might,  during  this  week,  dwell 
near  to  God,  and  be  found  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  of  Christ ; 
that  we  might  be  faithful  in  our  stewardship ;  that  while 
diligent  in  the  performance  of  daily  duty,  we  might  have  our 
conversation  in  heaven  ;  that  even  the  little  circumstances  of 
life  might  be  sanctified  to  us  ;  that  the  life  which  we  now  live 
in  the  flesh,  we  might  live  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  who 
loved  us,  and  gave  himself  for  us." 

Ist  mo.,  12th.  Much  prosperity,  and  much  care  and 
responsibility,  seem  to  be  my  allotment  in  things  temporal, 
and  I  often  feel  anxious  that  neither  the  advantages,  nor  the 
perplexities  of  riches,  may  divert  me  from  the  one  thing 
needful.  I  would  have  deeply  impressed  on  my  soul,  our  blessed 
Saviour's  precept,  "  Make  to  yourselves  friends  of  the  mam- 
mon of  unrighteousness,  that  when  ye  fail,  they  may  receive 
vou  into  everlasting  habitations."    Comp.  1  Tim.,  vi.    17 — li*. 


ST.  41.  MEETINGS    AT    OXFORD,    ETC.  SSI 

2nd  mo.,  14:th.  The  trying  position  of  tiie  affairs  of 
some  of  my  near  friends,  is  one  of  tlie  crosses  of  the  day. 
Some  exercises  of  patience  must  be  expected ;  yet  a  secret 
hope  lives  with  me,  that,  with  patience  and  watchfulness, 
I  shall  know  my  way  to  open  for  such  services  in  the  gospel, 
as  may  be  in  store  for  me.  In  the  mean  time,  it  is  my 
wish  to  be  like  the  poor  penitent,  who  lay  at  the  feet  of  Jesus, 
washing  them  with  her  tears,  and  wiping  them  with  the  hairs 
of  her  head. 

Sj'd  mo.,  18th.  Some  precious  communion  with  God 
graciously  permitted  this  morning,  and  often  of  late.  Inward 
conjQict  drives  even  wandering  minds  to  a  throne  of 
grace. 


Having  been  again  occupied  from  liome  in  various 
ligious    engagements,    lie    writes, 
of  rather  more  than  ten  weeks : — 


religious   engagements,   he    writes,  after   an    absence 


•Earlham,  Qth  mo.,  20th.  I  visited  all  the  meetings  in 
Berks  and  Oxon,  several  of  those  in  Bucks,  including  a 
general  visit  to  families,  and  holding  nearly  twenty  public 
meetings. 

The  visits  to  Reading  and  Oxford,  were  both  particularly 
interesting  to  me.  At  the  former  place,  two  meetings,  with  a 
large  company  of  young  people,  were  relieving  and  cheering. 
The  public  meeting  at  Oxford  was  very  large,  and  very  fairly 
attended  by  the  students.  A  great  many  Friends  met  us 
there,  and  it  was  a  memorable  occasion.     Through  the  zealous 

intervention  of  A H ,  I  was  introduced  to  m^any  of 

the  pious  collegians,  whom  I  met  at  his  rooms,  the  day  after 
the  meeting,  at  breakfast  and  dinner.  More  ingenuous  youths 
than  the  young  students  among  them,  I  have  scarcely  ever 
met  with,  and  their  piety  seemed  very  genuine.  Several  of 
them  accompanied  us  in  the  evening  to  Farringdon,  where  the 
public  meeting,  though  deep  and  difficult  exercise  to  me, 
proved  to  be  a  very  uniting  time  ;  and  the  young  men  seemed 
afterwards  to  overflow  with  love.   *   "*=  * 


388  TRIALS    AND    TRANQUILLITY.  1829. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  was  very  absorbing  during  its  whole 
continuance,  and  certainly  was  an  occasion  of  powerfully 
renewed  favour.  It  was  well  attended,  and  the  vinanimity 
which  prevailed  among  Friends,  especially  in  issuing  the 
document  respecting  America,  and  declaration  of  our  faith 
in  our  blessed  Redeemer,  was  peculiarly  precious.* 

On  the  whole  retrospect  of  this  interesting  time,  I  feel  that 
I  have,  under  a  deep  sense  of  my  own  unworthiness,  abundant 
cause  for  thankfulness  to  the  Author  of  all  good,  who  has 
most  mercifully  led  me  about  and  instructed  me,  and  supported 
me  in  times  0^  more  than  common  mental  trial ;  covering  me 
with  favour  as  with  a  shield,  and  anointing  me  from  time  to 
time  for  the  work  and  service  to  which,  I  believe,  he  was 
pleased  to  send  me  forth  ;  and  now,  on  my  return  home,  I  am 
favoured  to  feel  a  degree  of  tranquillity  and  of  renewed 
encouragement  to  trust  in  his  holy  name. 

Qth  mo.,  IZtJi.  On  waking  this  moniing,  I  was  favoured 
with  a  precious  tranquillizing  sense  of  the  Lord's  preserving 
care  and  undeserved  love.  How  delightful  it  is  to  feel  the 
extension  of  the  wing  of  divine  goodness ! 

After  writing  the  above,  I  went  to  the  bank,  and  came  home 
with  a  tried  and  perturbed  spirit,  the  world  not  having  pleased 
me.  Alas  !  how  great  is  my  weakness  !  Our  dear  friends 
William  and  Martha  Smith  came  to  dinner.  On  sitting 
together  after  tea,  we  were  eminently  favoured  with  a  sense  of 

dinne    love ;  and  M S was  particularly  enabled  to 

minister  to  us,  according  to  our  necessities.  The  trial  of  mind 
which  I  have  lately  passed  through,  was  aptly  described  by 
her,  and  strong  encouragement  given  to  persevere  in  the  work 
of  the  Jjord,  fearing  nothing  hut  disohedienee  to  his  loill. 

Qth  mo.,  22nd.  *  *  I  am  afresh  persuaded  that  I  shall 
never  gain  strength  by  committing  myself  to  the  guidance  of 
other  people's  scruples.  I  heartily  desire  to  follow  the 
"  anointing,"  and  verily  believe  that  our  society,  (never  more 
dear  to  me  than  at  present.)  can  be  preserved  and  improved, 

*  A  copy  of  this  document  is  inserted  infra,  in  the  Appendix  to 
the  second  volume. 


ST.  41-42.  BIBLE-MEETING   VISITORS.  389 

only  by  our  individually  following  on  to  know  and  servo  tlio 
Lord  in  the  way  wliich  he  condescends  to  point  out  to  us.  In 
the  mean  time  may  we  be  preserved  from  judging  one  another  ; 
may  love  reign  and  abound;  and  may  the  ungodly  part  in  us 
all  be  judged,  condemned,  and  die,  through  the  Lord's  own 
'  power,  that  nothing  may  obstruct  our  final  and  perfect  union 
with  him. 

"ith  mo.,  10th.  Friends  of  our  Monthly  Meeting  have  set 
me  at  liberty  to  hold  a  few  meetings  in  the  course  of  our 
intended  Ackworth  journey,  as  "  Truth  may  open  the  way.'' 
I  have,  of  late,  heard  objections  raised  to  this  quaint  expres- 
sion, in  which  the  word,  "truth"  appears  to  stand  for  Christ, 
or  rather  the  Spirit  of  Christ ;  as  it  operates  on  the  under- 
standincT  and  will.  For  one,  I  cleave  to  it  as  sound  and 
scriptural,  (John  xiv,  &c.,)  well  understood  by  Friends,  and 
rendering  unnecessary  the  too  familiar  or  frequent  expression 
of  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ. 

After  his  journey  to  Ackworth,  and  the  attendance 
of  a  few  meetings  in  connexion  with  it,  which  occu- 
pied little  more  than  two  weeks,  he  continued  mostly 
at  home  until  towards  the  close  of  the  3'ear.  During 
his  intervals  of  leisure  at  this  period,  he  was  still 
closely  engaged  in  the  completion  of  the  Biblical 
Notes, 

.  8tJi  mo.,  oOtJi.  Yesterday  my  mind  was  brought  into  a 
considerable  degree  of  conflict,  but  in  the  evening  peace  seemed 
remarkably  restored,  and  was  permitted  to  flow  in  my  soul 
more  than  I  have  known  it  for  some  time  past.  This  day  has 
also  been  a  favoured  One ;  in  the  morning  particularly  we  Avere 
permitted  to  know  the  breaking  of  bread  as  at  the  Master's 
table.  On  the  whole,  a  little  rest  to  the  sole  of  the  foot. is 
just  now  experienced. 

9tJi  mo.,  11th.  Our  party  has  come,  and  is  gone  ;  our 
meetings  have  been  held  and  are  over.  Our  Earlham  lodgers 
were  Fowell,  Edwards,  SteinkopfF,  Fitzgerald,  Tyrell,  Long, 


390  CHLIST    THE    ONLY    REST.  1820. 

Weylaud,  Lord  and  Lady  Radstock,  kc. ;  and  vre  have  been 
mei'cifully  favoured  with  the  quieting  and  delightful  influence 
of  an  infinitely  more  glorious  and  powerful  Visitor  and  Guest ; 
and  -on  fourth  day  morning  especially  Avero  enabled  to  obtain 
living  access  to  the  throne  of  grace.  The  public  meetings 
have  been  also  excellent.  That  of  the  Bible  Society  a  noble 
one  indeed. 


.    TO    JONATHAN   HUTCHINSOSr. 

I 

Earlham,  lOlh  mo.,  4th,  1S29. 

The  sanguine  hopes  of  youth  are  now  pretty  fairly  passed 
away  with  me,  (for  I  am  41,)  and  I  no  longer  entertain 
glowing  expectations  of  great  things  within  our  borders;  but 
still  in  my  best  moments,.  I  am  the  most  settled  in  the  belief, 
that  a  remnant  will  be  preserved  amongst  us,  by  Avhom  the 
principles  professed  by  us  will  still  be  manifested  in  some 
degree  of  brightness  and  purity.  For  ourselves,  as  individuals, 
I  am  increasingly  convinced  that  the  only  resting-place  is  in 
the  fulness  and  perfection,  Avhich  are  in  Christ.  Come  what 
may  of  height  or  depth,  of  life  or  death,  we  may  still  flee  to 
him  as  to  an  all-sufficient  Saviour,  and  find  safety.  That  this 
is  thv  constant  refuse  I  am  assured,  and  cannot  doubt ;  and 
that  it  is  one  which  will  never  fail  thee,  either  for  time  or 
eternity,  is  my  comforting  conviction. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year  he  was  engaged  in 
a  visit  to  all  the  meetings  and  families  of  Friends 
in  the  Quarterly  Meetings  of  Essex,  besides  holding 
many  religious  meetings  Avith  others  not  in  profes- 
sion with  Friends;  an  arduous  engagement  which 
"afforded  close  hourly  occupation,"  for  the  greater 
part  of  six  weeks.  He  returned  home  commemora- 
ting the  mercy  through  which  his  ''  wants  in  every 
way  had  been  graciously  provided  for."  "  May  we." 
he  adds,  ''  be  filled  v.-itli  gratitude,  trust,  and  love." 


^T.  42.  REJOICING   IX   HOPE.  SOI 

"I  have  been  often  led  to  think  lately,"  he  writes  to 
Jonathan  Hutchinson,*  "of  the  Christian  grace  of  hope.  We 
are  to  be  '  rejoicing  in  liope,'  as  well  as  '  patient  in  tribula- 
tion ;'  and  I  am  apt  to  think  that  many  of  our  dear  sorrowing 
Friends  are  more  exemplary  in  the  latter,  than  in  the  former 
duty.  But  I  find  it  easier  to  preach  this  doctrine,  than  to 
apply  it  to  myself,  as  a  dark  cloud  is  often  permitted  to  rest 
on  my  path,  at  which  time,  patient  submission  seems  to  b*^ 
nearly  all  that  I  can  attain  to." 

*  Under  date  l'2th  mo.,  25th. 


S92  ACTIVE   BENEVOLENCE. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  CHARACTER. 

interest  in  norwich  poor  ;  breakfast  to  operatives  at 
earlham;  visits  to  prison;  john  stratford;  the  bethel; 
reconciling  letter ;  visits  of  school  children  to  earlham  j 
advice  to  a  young  friend  on  his  marriage;  giving  and 
receiving;  day  upon  a  stage  coach;  household  disci- 
pline;   economy    of    time  j    youthful    recollections    op 

EARLHAM. 

Numerous  as  are  the  details  of  tlie  "  inner  life/' 
furnished  by  such  a  Journal  as  Joseph  John  Gur- 
ney's,  it  is  yet  not  always  easy  to  collect  from  them 
the  materials  necessary  for  the  full  illustration  of 
his  character.  In  that  mirror  in  which  he  appears 
as  reflected  to  himself,  we  do  not  perceive  with 
sufficient  distinctness  how  he  appeared  in  the  sight 
of  others.  The  disclosure  of  the  inward  warfare  is 
necessarily  very  much  unconnected  with  the  exhi- 
bition of  those  practical  results  that  were  consj)icuous 
to  all  around.  It  is  the  object  of  the  present  chapter 
to  endeavour  to  furnish  a  few  hints  that  may  assist 
the  reader  in  supplying  this  deficiency. 

None  can  have  attentively  perused  the  foregoing 
pages  without  perceiving  that  one  leading  feature  of 
Joseph  John  Gurney's  character  was  an  unwearied 
active  benevolence.  Like  liis  sister,  Elizabeth  Fry, 
he   seemed    continually  to    live   under  a  deep    sense 


RESPONSIBILITY    TOWARDS    OTHERS.  393 

of  his  responsibility  toward  others.*  A  cheerful 
and  bountiful  giver,  it  was  not  merely  Ijy  large 
pecuniary  assistance  that  he  proved  his  interest  in 
objects  connected  with  the  welfare  of  his  fellow  men : 
to  these  objects  he  was  exemplary  in  devoting  no 
common  share  of  time  and  personal  attention.  His 
steady  devotion  to  the  Anti-slavery  and  Bible  Socie- 
ties is  already  before  the  reader.  In  addition  to 
these  great  and  often  absorbing  interests,  his  exer- 
tions for  the  distressed  labouring  population  of 
Norwich  were  unremitting.  Year  after  year,  during 
the  winter,  or  on  any  occasion  when  their  distress 
was  aggravated  by  want  of  employment,  he  was  at 
his  post,  stirring  up  his  fellow  citizens  to  the  neces- 
sary measures  for  the  alleviation  of  their  Avants. 
The  District  Visiting  Society,  (which  he  was  himself 
mainly  instrumental  in  originating,)-)-  the  Soup  So- 
ciety and  the  Coal  Society  found  iu  him  a  'steady 
and  effective  supporter.  Often  would  he  say  that 
the  painful  consciousness  of  the  poverty  and  suffer- 
ing of  many  thousands  around  him,  almost  prevented 
his  enjoyment  of  the  abundant  blessings  with  which 

*  ''  I  may  say,  I  am  morning,  noon,  and  night  under  a  deep  im-  ■ 
pression  of  my  responsibility  towards  others."     From  an  address  of 
Elizabeth  Fry  to  a  Bible  committee,  preserved  by  one  of  her  nieces. 
A  great  example  was  before  them,  Rom.  i,  14. 

•j"  He  led  the  way  towards  the  raising  of  the  necessary  funds  by 
a  donation  of  £500.  The  formation  of  the  Society  is  thus  noticed 
in  his  Journal  under  date  11th  mo.,  26th,  1830.  <'  In  Norwich  I 
have  been  deeply  interested  in  the  endeavour  to  /orm  a  District  « 
Society,  for  visiting  and  relieving  the  poor;  and,  I  may  confess,  it 
has  been  a  subject  of  daily  prayer.  After  several  preparatory  meet- 
ings of  gentlemen,  in  a  private  way,  we  launched  our  vessel  yester- 
day, under  the  kind  and  masterly  pilotage  of  Charles  AYodehouse^ 
for  which  I  have  felt  truly  thankful." 


394:  DISTRESS    DEPLORED    AND    MITIGATED. 

he  was  himself  so  richly  favoured.  On  one  occasion, 
he  expended  a  considerable  sum  in  providing  the 
capital  for  an  attempt  to  supply  the  poor  weavers 
and  mechanics  with  employment  during  a  sciircity 
of  work.  But  though,  like  many  similar  attempts, 
it  failed  to  answer  the  expectation  of  the  promoter, 
and  Avas  abandoned,  it  served  at  least  to  furnish 
another  proof  of  the  sincerity  and  earnestness  with 
which  he  laboured  for  their  welfare. 

The  depression  in  trade  occasioned  by  the  "  panic" 
of.  1825  will  be  long  remembered.  Norwich  did  not 
escape  its  influence.  As  a  banker,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  Avas  more  than  usually  absorbed  in  his  own 
more  immediate  cares,  but  his  heart  at  once  turned 
towards  his  suffering  fellow-citizens.  "  The  dread- 
ful distress,"  he  writes  to  a  friend,*  "  which  prevails 
in  the  great  mass  of  our  once  labouring,  now,  alas ! 
idle  i}i)pulation,  has  been  such  as  to  call  forth  my 
strenuous  efforts  on  their  behalf.  In  this,  success 
has  been  mercifully  vouchsafed,  and  many  thousands 
of  families  have  been  already  fed.  We  have  raised 
£3300  in  five  days." 

One  more  illustration  deserves  notice.  In  the 
winter  of  1829-30,  the  manufactures  of  Norwich 
were  again  greatly  depressed.  The  weavers  be- 
came unsettled,  holding  riotous  meetings  and  using 
threatening  language  against  their  emploj^ers.  The 
state  of  things  was  alarming.  Joseph  ^John  Gurney 
felt  it  his  ^uty  to  use  his  influence  in  checking  the 
spirit  of  discontent  that  was  rapidly  spreading.  He 
attended  one  of  the  very  large  and  tumultuous  meet- 
ings of  the  operatives,  and  endeavoured  to  persuade 
them    to    desist    from    their    disorderly    proceedings, 

*  Under  date  1st  mo.,  21st,  1826. 


INTERVIEW   WITH   NORWICH   WORKMEN.  395 

and  quietly  to  resume  their  work.  With  a  view  of 
still  further  winning  them  by  kindness,  he  invited  a 
deputation  from  those  assembled,  to  breakfast  at 
Earlhani  the  following  morning.  Between  forty  and 
fifty  of  them  cg-me,  with  Dover,  a  notorious  Chartist 
leader,  at  their  head.  After  the  usual  family  reading 
of  the  Scriptures,  they  sat  down  to  a  plentiful  repast, 
which  had  been  provided  for  them  in  the  large  dining 
room,  of  which  they  partook  heartily,  and  their  host 
afterwards  addressed  them  in  a  kind,  conciliatory 
]iianner  upon  the  subject  of  wages,  and  their 
duty  to  their  emploj^ers.  The  men  conducted  them- 
selves in  an  orderly  manner,  and  ajDpeared  grateful 
for  the  attention  shown  them.  The  scene  was  one 
not  soon  to  be  forgotten. 

His  visits  to  the  prisoners  at  the  jail  have  been 
already  alluded  to.  These  visits,  whilst  doubtless 
greatly  contributing  to  the  benefit  of  many  a  poor 
degraded  criminal,  frequently  introduced  him  into 
considerable  personal  labour  and  great  mental  suffer- 
ing. This  was  particularly  the  case  in  regard  to 
prisoners  left  for  execution.  In  their  behalf  he 
w^ould  spare  neither  trouble  nor  expense,  if  he 
thought  the  circumstances  such  as  to  warrant  an 
application  for  a  reprieve.  Several  instances  of  this 
kind  have  been  already  noticed.  To  another  case 
arising  out  of  his  prison  labours,  we  owe  the  well- 
known  Tract  containing  the  touching  account  of  John 
Stratford.  The  story  is  thus  simply  recorded  in  the 
Autobiography. 

"  It  was  at  the  summer  assizes  at  Norwich,  in  the  year 
1829,  that  John  Stratford,  ono  of  our  most  ingenious  me- 
chanics, was  condemned  to  death  for  poisoning.     He  had  been 


390  '    JOHX    STRATFORD. 

guilty  of  gross  immorality ;  and,  in  attempting  to  destroy  the 
husband  of  the  "object  of  his  shameful  passion,  he  occasioned 
the  death  of  another  individual,  and  endangered  tlie  hves  of 
several  more.  His  complicated  wickedness  was  the  practical  - 
result  of  infidelity ;  and  afforded  me,  when  I  visited  him  in 
prison,  an  awful  example  of  the  effect  of  tHose  dreadful  pub- 
lications, which  are  employed  by  the  enemies  of  religion  to  sap 
the  principles  of  the  working  classes.  He  was  a  man  of  strong 
understanding;  and  warm  feelincfs.  In  his  low  estate  the  Lord 
opened  his  eyes  to  behold  his  aggravated  sinfulness.  I  was 
with  him  in  private  shortly  before  his  execution,  noted  down 
his  confessions,  and  listened  to  his  earnest  petitions  for  rnercy. 
His  doubts  respecting  the  truth  of  religion  fled  swiftly  away 
at  the  awful  approach  of  death.  As  far  as  I  coxdd  judge,  he 
was  a  deep  and  thorough  penitent,  who  turned  to  Christ  vath 
much  fervour  of  spirit ;  and  I  entertain  a  humble  belief,  that 
in  his  extremity  he  found  mercy  of  the  Lord.  He  died,  call- 
ing on  the  name  of  Jesus.  As  boon  as  possible  after  his  exe- 
cution, I  published  a  tract,  containing  an  account  of  the  case, 
and  put  out  an  advertisement,  offering  it  gratis  to  any  of  my 
fellow  citizens  who  chose  to  apply  for  it.  About  10,000  copies 
were,  on  these  terms  rapidly  taken  ;  and  it  has  since  been 
largely  circulated  by  Tract  Societies,  and  through  other  means.* 
I  trust  the  Lord  of  whom  it  testifies,  may  have  blessed  it  to 
some. 

The  afiiictecl  inmates  of  the  Bethel  and  the 
Norfolk  and  Norwich  Hospital  were  also  objects  of 
his  Christian  solicitude,  and,  for  several  years,  he  was 

*  Besides  the  10,000  copies  which  were  thus  disposed  of,  more 
than  10,000  were  afterwards  sold  at  Id.  each.  Norwich  did  not  then 
possess  a  steam  press;  and  the  comparatively  slow  operations  of  the 
ordinary  printing  press  were  insufficient  to  satisfy  the  eagerness  of  the 
applicants.  So  great  was  the  rush  when  a  fresh  handful  was  brought 
out  of  the  printing  office,  that  it  was  not  safe  to  deliver  them  in  the 
shop  or  at  the  door;  but  it  was  found  necessary  to  carry  them  some 
paces  into  the  market-place,  where  they  were  eagerly  seized,  all  wet 
and  unfolded  as  they  came  from  the  press. 


VISITS    TO    THE   AFFLICTED.  397 

in  the  habit  of  regularly  visiting  them  at  short  stated 
periods.  The  time  between  the  two  meetings  for 
worsiiip  on  tlie  first  day  of  the  week  was  frequently 
devoted  to  this  object.  Not  very  long  after  his 
return  from  America,  as  he  was  travelling  in  an ' 
omnibus  between  Yarmouth  and  Lowestoft,  a  well- 
dressed  female,  with  an  anxious  countenance,  who 
had  sat  gazing  at  him  for  some  time,  suddenly  ex- 
claimed, "  You  are  Mr.  Gurney — I  am  sure  you  are. 
Ah  !  it  was  a  bad  day  for  us  when  you  went  awa}-, 
Sir ;  we  felt  as  if  we  had  lost  our  best  friend.  How 
well  do  I  remember  your  blessed  Scripture  readings 
and  your  solemn  prayers !"  He  recognized  her  as  a 
former  inmate  of  the  Bethel,  and,  taking  advantage 
of  a  pause,  observed,  "  Then  I  hope,  my  good  friend, 
mv  visits  to  thyself  and  thy  poor  fellow  sufferers 
were  not  all  in  vain."  "  0  no,  indeed,  Sir,"  she 
replied,  "  we  used  to  watch  for  your  coming ;  all  you 
said  had  such  a  soothing  effect  upon  our  minds;  and 
we  missed  you  sadly  when  you  went  away.  I  shall 
never  forget  the  last  chapter  you  read  to  us,  Sir. 
Here  it  is :"  and  she  pointed  to  the  103rd  Psalm. 
'•  We  used  to  read  it  over  and  over  again ;  and,  for 
my  ow.n  part,  I  learned  it  all  by  heart."  He  then 
took  the  Bible  and  read  some  verses :  the  poor 
creature,  says  an  eye-witness,  seemed  to  cling  to 
him,  as  if  she  thought  he  had  indeed  the  power  to 
heal  the  malady,  which,  (though  she  was  no  longer 
an  inmate  of  the  Bethel,)  was  evidently  not  yet 
removed. 

The  following  letter  affords  an  apt  illustration  of 
another  feature  of  his  character.  It  relates  to  a 
member  of  another  denomination  of  Christians,  an 
individual  whom  he  greatly  esteemed. 


398  RECONCILING    LETTER. 


Dear  Friend, 


TO  

Earlham,  Sth  mo.,  31st,  1832. 


From  information  which  I  have  received 
from  a  friend  of  mine,  not  connected  "with  your  congregation, 
I  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  illness  of  our  valued  friend 

is  partly  to  be  traced  to  great  vexation  of  mind  arising 

from  some  diflference  in  his  church ;  and  I  very  much  fear 
that,  unless  this 'vexation  can  be  removed,  his  recovery  will 
be  greatly  endangered.  I  understand,  on  further  inquiry, 
that  certain  resolutions  proposed  by  thyself  are  matters  of 
great  grief  and  agitation  to  him  ;  indeed  I  am  pretty  certain 
that  this  is  the  fact,  to  an  extent  probably  quite  unknown  to  thy- 
self. I  have  no  doubt  that  thy  resolutions  were  brought  forward 
with  a  good  intent ;  and,  of  course,  I  can  be  no  judge  of  the 
affairs  of  your  church.  But,  as  a  member  (I  trust)  of  the 
Church  of  Christ,  I  do  feel  a  very  high  value  indeed  for  the 
life  of  our  honoured  friend ;  and  I  am  deeply  convinced  that 
the  carrying  of  a  point  in  your  own  body,  ought  not  to  be 
put  in  competition  with  the  interest  which  the  church  at  large 
has  in  the  labour  and  influence  of  this  our  exemplary  fellow- 
citizen.  I  venture,  therefore,  to  entreat  thee,  if  possible,  to 
set  his  mind  entirely  at  rest  on  the  subject.  As  a  common 
friend  I  thought  I  might  make  this  appeal,  but  I  can  assure 
thee  that  it  is  from  my  own  sense  of  duty,  and  of  true  regard 
to  both  parties  that  I  do  it ;  for  no  one  has  suggested  such  a 
thing  to  me. 

I  am  thy  sincere  friend, 

J.  J.  Gurney. 

After  what  has  already  appeared  in  the  preceding 
chapters,  it  will  not  be  needful,  in  this  place,  to 
dwell  long  upon  his  warm  and  affectionate  interest 
in  children  and  young  persons.  And  yet  a  trait  so 
prominent  and  characteristic  claims  some  further 
notice.  ''  It  has  long  been  one  of  my  greatest 
pleasures,"  he  writes  in  his  Autobiograpl^y,  (and 
they    who    knew    him    most    intimately    will    best 


VISITS    OF   SCHOOL-CHILDREN   TO    EARLHAM.  399 

appreciate  the  triitli  of  his  words,)  "to  communi- 
cate at  my  ease  with  children,  especially  in  schools, 
to  amuse  them,  and  play  upon  their  minds  as  on  an 
instrument  of  music;  to  bring  forth  their  powers, 
and  to  lead  them  as  through  a  flowery  path  into 
the  habitations  of  Zibn."  Perhaps  few  occasions 
presented  a  more  complete  illustration  of  this  part 
of  his  character,  than  the  happy  summer  evenings 
which  the  children  of  many  of  the  different  schools 
in  Norwich  used  to  enjoy  at  Earlham  by  his  in- 
vitation. Year  by  year  he  delighted  to  share  in 
their  holiday  pleasure;  and  beautiful  was  the  sight 
of  the  youthful  parties  seated  upon  the  lawn  in  front 
of  the  house,  in  companies  of  from  100  to  200, 
whilst  he  would  assist  in  handing  the  tea,  cake, 
and  fruit  provided  for  them;  or,  with  joy  beaming 
upon  his  countenance,  would  listen  to  their  happy 
voices  reciting  the  hymn  or  psalm  which  he  had 
given  them  to  learn  ;  or  when,  in  the  pause  which 
followed,  he  would  himself  affectionately  address 
them,  reminding  them  of  their  duty  to  their  teachers, 
their  parents,  and  above  all  to  that  Heavenly  Shep- 
herd who  had  given  his  life  for  the  sheep. 

The  playful  seriousness  of  his  character  is 
strikin'gly  exhibited  in  the  following  letter  to  a 
nephew,  who  had  gained  one  of  the  highest  positions 
in  the  university  examination.  .; 

Earlham,  6th  mo.,  7th,  1S27. 

My  dear  Nephew, 

I  received   thy  laconic  epistle,  the 
^^  veni,  vidi,  vici"  of  our  family   Caesar,  with  true  pleasure. 
"As  right  I  have  — 

"  I  swell  the  triumph,  and  partake  the  gale." 
At  the  same  time,  to  be  sincere  and  serious,  I  may  just  tell 


400  •    CONGRATULATIONS    ON    LITERARY    SUCCESS. 

tliee  in  addition,  that  the  intelligence  conveyed  to  my  mind  a 
little  touch  of  anxiety ;  first,  lest  thou  shouldst  overwork  thy- 
self, and  spoil  a  good  constitution  both  of  body  and  mind,  by 
a  vast  surplusage  (not  usable  in  after  life)  of  logic  and  algebra  : 
and  secondly,  or  rather  principally,  lest  the  glitter  of  this 
gilded  chaplet  should,  by  any  means,  divert  a  dear,  innocent 
lad  from  "the  simplicity  which  is  in  Christ." 

For  the  first  point ;  endeavour  to  bear  in  mind  the  "  modus 
in  rebus,''  the  '■'■  certi  denique fines."  Unloose  the  bowstring; 
take  a  few  weeks  of  perfect  pastime.  Come  and  grace  the 
green  solitudes  of  Earlham,or  SAvim  over  the  sea  to  France. 
Be  any  thing,  for  the  next  month,  but  a  mathematician  and  a 
scholar.  Forget  that  thou  art  "  celeherrimus"  one  of  the 
"  oi  cavu  " — be  a  child. 

As  to  the  second  point,  it  is  a  serious  one,  and  I  must  now 

look  grave.     Truly  it  would  be  an  ill  exchange,  if  academic 

honours,  and  the  love  of  thy  own  doings,  and  the  flattery  of 

this   fair  world,  were  to  deprive  thee  of  that    old-fashioned 

apostolic  ground  of  joy : — "This  is  my  rejoicing,  that  with 

simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  not  with  fleshly  wisdom,  but 

by  the  grace  of  God,  I  have  had  my  conversation  in  the  world." 

So  said  a  man  of  learning  and  genius,  under    the  powerful 

influence  of  pure  Christianity.    So  mayest  thou  say,  my  learned 

nephew,  under    the    same   influence,  in    every  stage    of  thy 

career,  and  especially  at  the  near  approach  of  that  hour  when 

thy  honours  must  sleep  in  the  dust,  and  thy  soul  awake  in 

eternity  !     As  I  can  rise  no  higher  in  my  wishes  for  thee,  I 

had  better  conclude,  and  with  warm  congratulations  to  a  fond 

father  and  mother, 

I  remain,  th}''  affectionate    uncle, 

J.  J.  GURNEY. 

*  TO    A   YOL'XG   FRIEND    ON    HIS    MARRIAGE. 

Norwich,  llth  mo.,  13th,  1S27. 

My  Dear  , 

I  have  ordered  Barclay  &  Co.  to  j  ay 

Denison  &  Co.  XI 00  on  thy  account.     I  quite  disapprove  of 

thy  borrowing  money,  either  of  me  or  any  body  else,  either  now 


^100   AND    GOOD   ADVICE.  401 

or  henceforward.  Let  me  as  an  old  and,  I  trust,  dear  friend, 
advise  tliee  never  to  do  it ;  but,  whatsoever  sacrifice  it  may 
involve,  to  cut  thy  coat  to  thy  cloth,  and  to  pay  for  everything 
at  once.  I  am  satisfied  that  if  thou  and  thy  dear  friend  are 
willing,  with  all  simplicity  and  humility,  to  meet  your  real 
situation,  you  may  make  two  ends  meet  without  difficulty,  and 
save  a  little  into  the  bargain,  which  I  consider  indispensable. 
Make  it  a  Christian  duty  to  be  a  rigid  and  perfect  economist, 
and  let  thy  partner  do  the  same,  and  you  will,  I  believe,  find 
this  the  road  to  ease  and  comfort,  if  not  to  wealth. 

Having  bestowed  this  advice  upon  thee,  I  need  scarcely 
add  that  the  ^6100  is  a  gift  and  not  a  loan.  *  *  * 

"Wilt  thou  execute  a  little  commission  for  me  at 
Arch's?  said  Joseph  John  Gurney,  addressing 
another  of  his  young  friends,  whom  he  had  kindly 
taken  one  day  to  dine  at  his  lodgings,  during  the 
interval  between  the  sittings  of  the  Yearly  Meeting. 
His  young  friend,  of  course,  readily  assented. 
Joseph  John  Guniey  wrote  a  few  lines  on  a  slip  of 
paper,  which  he  handed  to  his  young  friend,  enclosed 
to  his  booksellers,  but  without  giving  to  his  young 
companion  any  intimation  of  its  contents.  The  note 
was  duly  delivered,  and  the  circumstance  was  for- 
gotten until,  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  weeks,  the 
young  friend,  no  less  to  his  surprise  than  to  his 
delight,  received  a  large  parcel  sent  to  him,  as  he 
was  informed,  at  Joseph  John  Gurney's  request, 
consisting  of  upwards  of  thirty  volumes,  comprising 
the  Lexicons  of  Simonis  and  Schleusner,  and  the 
Scholia  of  the  Rosenmiillers  (the  fiither  and  son)  on 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments  :  a  great  prize  indeed 
to  a  youthful  student.  Many  were  the  instances  in 
which  he  thus  encouraged,  amongst  his  young 
friends,    a    taste    for    reading,    more    especially    in 

Vol.  L  — 26 


402  WISE    LIBERALITY. 

connexion  with  those  pursuits  in  which  he  himself 
delighted. 

Ilis  gifts  were  made  additionally  acceptable,  by 
the  "  simplicity  "  and  "  cheerfulness  "  with  which 
they  were  bestowed.  He  gave  as  one  who  remem- 
bered that  he  was  but  a  steward,  having  nothing 
that  he  had  not  received. 

"  Rest  assured,"  he  -writes  on  one  occasion  to  a  Friend 
whom  he  had  assisted,  "  that  I  have  no  feeling  of  the  kind 
alluded  to  in  thy  letter.  I  helieve  that  the  assistance  I  gave 
thee  was,  on  my  part,  a  matter  of  duty,  and,  on  thine,  a  pro- 
vidential help.  How  precious  is  that  love  which  overflows  the 
boundary  line  of  giving  and  receiving,  and  levels  us  all  in  one 
feeling  of  our  unworthiness  of  God's  unspeakable  gift." 

His  watchfulness  to  seize  and  to  take  advantage  of 
openings  for  usefulness,  was  another  striking  point  in 
his  character.  He  might  be  deceived  again  and  again 
by  false  appearances,  (and  perhaps  his  charitable  view 
of  others,  contrasted  as  it  was  with  his  severe  judg- 
ment upon  himself,  might  be  considered  by  some  to 
amount  almost  to  an  infirmity,)  yet  still  he  went  on, 
sowing  his  seed  ''  by  all  waters,"  humbly  confiding  the 
result  to  Him,  who  could  alone  cause  it  to  be  "  found 
after  many  days."  But  it  is  Avorthy  of  remark  that 
this  Christian  liberality  was  rarely,  if  ever,  allowed 
to  interfere  with  his  great  habitual  caution  and 
discrimination  in  matters  of  business.  "  Constantly," 
says  his  son,  "was  he  found  helping,  as  an  indi- 
vidual, parties  to  whom  he  refused  accommodation  as 
a  banker." 

His  intercourse  with  the  poor  failed  not  to  afford 
him  many  illustrations  of  the  practical  power  of  the 
Gospel,  when  received  in  living  faith; — a  theme  on 


A   POOR   AND    BLIND    CHRISTIAN.  403 

which  he  loved  to  dwell.  One  day,  at  Earlham,  a 
poor  man  in  the  servants'  hall  attracted  his  atten- 
tion. He  was  old  and  blind.  Joseph  John  Gurney 
addressed  him  with  the  voice  of  sympathy,  but  he 
seemed  to  be  more  alive  to  his  blessings  than  his 
privations.  "  It  is  true,"  he  said,  "  I  have  not 
much  of  this  world's  goods,  and  my  sight  has  almost 
failed  me ;  but  I  have  food  and  clothing,  and  every 
thing  I  need  during  my  earthly  pilgrimage,  and  then 
I  am  heir  to  a  kingdom — think  of  that."  Joseph  John 
Gurney  was  greatly  affected  by  the  cheerful  and  con- 
tented spirit  of  the  good  old  man,  and  much  impressed 
by  his  childlike  confidence ;  and  turning  away,  he 
observed  to  one  of  his  sisters,  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
''  Who  w^ould  not  exchange  the  w^ealth  and  honours 
of  this  world  for  the  simple  faith  of  this  poor  old  man, 
that  it  is  his  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  him  the 
kingdom  ?" 

When  engaged  in  travelling  with  others,  it  ap- 
peared to  be  Joseph  John  Gurney's  habitual  aim  to 
make  such  opportunities  occasions  of  interesting  and 
profitable  communication.  A  day  passed  with  him 
upon  a  stage  coach  is  thus  described  by  one  of  his 
fellow  passengei's :  — 

It  was  on  a  lovely  day,  in  spring,  that  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
travelling  from  Norwich  to  London  with  Mr.  Gurney.  We  met 
unexpectedly  at  the  coach  office ;  and,  with  our  respective  com- 
panions, had  taken  outside  places.  Mr.  Gurney's  companion 
was  a  lady  whom  he  was  escorting  back  to  London  after  a  visit 
to  Earlham ;  and,  besides  the  friend  who  was  accompanying  me  to 
the  "May  meetings,"  two  excellent  dissenting -ministers,  known 
to  us  all,  had  taken  their  places  by  our  side.  We  were  a  party 
of  six,  just  filling  up  the  space  behind,  and  happily  leaving  no 
room  for  intruders.     It  was  not  very  long  after  Mr.  Gurney's 


404  DAY  UPON  A  STAGE  COACH. 

return  from  Ireland,  and  the  subject  of  Ireland  being  intro- 
duced, he  gave  us  a  very  animating  account  of  his  visit  to  that 
country  in  company  with  Mrs.  Fry.  Although  some  questions 
were  asked  as  he  proceeded,  Ave  were  listeners  rather  than 
talkers ;  and  when  he  had  finished,  there  was,  very  naturally, 
a  pause.  After  a  short  interval  of  silence,  Mr.  Gurney,  address- 
ing us,  said,  "  I  always  make  it  a  rule  to  read  a  portion  of 
Scripture  every  morning ;"  and,  having  proposed  to  read  a 
chapter  aloud,  inquired  whether  any  one  had  a  Testament. 
There  Avas  no  lack,  as  it  happened,  of  Greek  Testaments,  but, 
singularly  enough,  no  one  had  an  English  one.  He  accord- 
ingly took  out  his  pocket  Greek  Testament,  and,  translating  as 
he  went  on,  read  us  a  chapter  in  very  literal  English,  adding 
a  few  remarks,  explanatory  and  practical,  and  pausing  at  its 
close,  as  was  his  wont,  for  inward  devotion  and  prayer.  I 
very  much  regret  that  I  made  no  memoranda  of  the  conversa- 
tion of  the  day ;  for  though  the  general  impression  of  it  is 
left  deeply  engraven  on  my  mind,  the  incidents  and  remarks 
that  contributed,  in  so  large  a  degree,  to  make  it  what  it  was, 
have  faded  from  the  memory.  A  little  before  noon  we  arrived 
at  Bury,  and  were  quite  prepared,  by  a  ride  of  two-and-forty 
miles,  for  breakfast.  Mr.  Gurney  seemed  to  enjoy  his  wasli 
and  his  breakfast  as  much  as  any  of  us,  and  when  he  took  hk 
seat  again  on  the  coach,  called  fpr  the  bag  of  books  I  had  in 
charge,  and  handing  a  book  to  each  of  us  said,  "  I  have  been 
giving  out  all  the  morning,  I  must  now  be  taking  in."  We 
had  left  one  of  our  party  at  Bury,  and  had  taken  up  in  his 
stead  a  young  man,  who  proved  to  be  a  student  at  the  TJniver 
sity  of  Glasgow ;-  and  having  lent  him  the  Edinburgh  Review, 
which  I  had  been  reading,  and  called  his  attention  to  certain 
paragraphs,  he  and  I  fell  into  conversation.  Mr.  Gurney, 
seeing  this,  said  to  me  quietly  aside,  "  I  see  thou  art  interested 
in  that  young  man  ;  if  thou  wouldst  like  to  give  him  a  copy 
of  my  Essays,  thou  mayst  call  at  Arch's  and  get  one."  This 
was  but  one  instance  among  a  thousand,  of  his  being  "instant 
in  season  and  out  of  season,"  overlooking  out  for  opportunities 
of  usefulness.  The  commission  was  not  forgotten;  the  young- 
2aan  received  the  book,  and  if  he  still  lives,  remembers,  I  doubt 


THE  LAW  OF  KINDNESS  AT  EARLHAM.        405 

not,  as  we  all  do,  "  the  day  upon  the  stage  coach."  Towards 
evening  therQ  was  a  shifting  of  places,  and  the  seats  vacated 
by  one  and  another  were  fdled  by  drovers.  Mr.  Guiney 
adapted  himself  equally  to  his  less  refined  companions,  and, 
after  a  time  addressing  them  said,  "  We  commenced  the  day 
by  reading  a  chapter  of  the  Bible,  perhaps  you  will  not  object 
to  our  closing  it  in  the  same  manner."  There  was  a  hearty 
consent,  and  he  read  a  chapter  from  one  of  Paul's  Epistles, 
making  a  few  explanatory  remarks  as  he  went  on.  He  had 
not  long  concluded,  and  relapsed  into  silence,  when  we  arrived 
at  the  inn,  where,  finding  his  brother's  carriage  in  attendance, 
he  took  his  leave,  bidding  us  all  farewell. 

But  it  was  at  Earlham  that  he  was  emphatically 
at  home.  To  this  beloved  retreat,  he  again  and 
again  returned  with  new  delight.  Plere  he  Avas  to 
be  seen  at  his  ease,  and  it  was  here  that  the  peculiar 
brightness  of  his  character  was  displayed.  Love 
was  the  ruling  principle  that  reigned  in  his  house- 
hold; a  love  not  degenerating  into  a  weak  indul- 
gence, but  strong  in  its  combination  with  Christian 
discipline.  Upon  his  servants,  upon  his  children, 
upon  all  that  came  within  the  range  of  his  influence, 
he  inculcated  by  precept,  and  more  than  all,  by  his 
own  example,  the  inestimable  value  of  order,  method, 
and  true  economy  of  time.  It  was  a  grief  to  him 
when  moments  were  squandered  away  to  no  purpose. 
Even  when  walking  for  health  or  recreation,  he 
would  often  employ  himself  in  storing  his  memory 
with  some  new  hymn  or  passage  of  Scripture.  And 
he  was  especially  careful,  that  the  time  spent  with 
ids  family,  or  with  a  more  extended  social  circle, 
should  be  improved  by  intelligent  conversation,  or 
useful  reading.  In  later  years  he  practised  the  art 
of    sketching    from    nature,    in    wliich    he    attained 


406  EARLHAM    VILLAGERS. 

considerable  facility  and  skill,  and  which  he  oft^a 
pursued,  as  an  agreeable  recreation,  whikt  listening 
to  reading  or  conversation. 

Amidst  the  widely  extended  claims  upon  his  in- 
terest and  sympathies,  the  villagers  of  the  little 
hamlet  of  Earlham  were  not  forgotten.  Besides  the 
liberal  attention  to  their  varied  wants  afforded  them 
from  the  hall,  they  were  accustomed  for  nearly 
thirty  years  to  assemble  with  the  fiimily  on  the 
evening  of  the  first  day  of  each  Aveek.;  when  a  por- 
tion of  Scripture,  a  religious  tract,  or  a  selection  of 
Christian  Biography  was  read;  the  opportunity  con- 
cluding in  deep  religious  silence,  broken,  at  times, 
under  the  constraining  influence  of  divine  love,  with 
affectionate  Christian  counsel  and  fervent  prayer. 
They  were  occasions  long  to  be  remembered  by 
those  present. 

His  beloved  daughter,  in  a  little  sketch  which 
will  find  a  more  appropriate  place  at  the  conclusion 
of  this  memoir,  has  beautifully  illustrated  his  cha- 
racter as  a  father.  It  may  not,  however,  be  im- 
proper here  to  introduce  the  following  letter  written 
to  his  son,  soon  after  his  first  settlement  at  school, 
which  may  serve  as  a  si>ecimen  of  the  style  in 
which  he  was  accustomed  to  communicate  with  his 
children  : — 

Earlham,  2ncl  mo._,  28th,  1830. 

My  dearest  J.  H , 

Since  thou  hast  been  at  school  nearly  two 
months,  I  begin  to  be  impatient  to  receive  a  nice,  long,  inti- 
mate letter  from  thee,  and  I  hope  thou  wilt  send  me  such  a 
one  without  delay.  I  think  thou  ought  to  write  a  few  lines  to 
some  one  of  us  every  week,  or  at  least  every  fortnight.  We 
all  kve  thee  dearly,  and  none  so  much  so,  perhaps,  as  papa 


LETTER  TO  HIS  SON  AT  SCHOOL.  407 

and  mamma.  My  own  heart  has  been  much  with  thee,  and  I 
cannot  tell  thee  with  how  much  earnestness  I  desire  thy  wel- 
fare. Not  merely  temporal  prosperity  and  good  bodily  health, 
though  I  trust  thou  mayst  be  mercifully  favoured  with  a  good 
share  of  even  these  blessings,  but  I  mean  chiefly,  the  welfare 
of  that  part  in  thee  which  will  endure  for  ever  and  ever.  0, 
my  precious  child !  how  greatly  does  thy  father  desire  that  thy , 
soul  may  be  happy  through  all  eternity  !  Remember,  my  dear- 
boy,  that  thou  art  born  for  eternity,  and  that  the  great  object 
of  the  present  uncertain  state  of  being,  is  to  prepare  for  a 
state  which  will  never  have  an  end.  In  order  to  be  perfectly 
good  and  happy  in  the  world  to  come,  we  must  repent  of  all 
our  sins,  humble  ourselves  before  God,  come  to  Christ  as  our 
only  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  and  in  all  things  endeavour  to 
obey  and  follow  his  blessed  Spirit,  which  visits  and  enlightens 
our  dark  hearts.  This  Spirit  will  lead  thee  to  live  in  the  fear 
of  God,  and  to  serve  him  with  a  perfect  heart  and  a  willing 
mind. 

I  shall  now  repeat  some  of  the  advice  which  I  have  often 
given  thee. 

First.  Never  begin  or  end  the  day  without  prayer.  Wait 
on  the  Lord  more  often  than  the  day,  and  call  upon  his  holy 
name,  for  without  his  help  we  can  do  nothing  truly  well. 
Secondly.  Read  a  small  portion  of  Scripture  every  day,  by 
thyself,  in  thy  own  private  chamber,  besides  attending  the 
family  reading.  The  Scriptures  are  the  best  of  books.  Learn 
to  love  them  dearly,  to  prize  them  highly,  and  to  use  them 
diligently.  Thirdly.  Keep  carefully  to  the  plain  language, 
and  never  be  ashamed  of  being  a  consistent  Friend.  Rest 
assured  that  to  be  half  a  Christian  and  half  not,  and  half  a 
Friend  and  half  not,  will  never  answer  any  good  purpose. 
Fourthly.  Be  a  whole  man  to  everything.  At  Latin,  be  a 
whole  man  to  Latin.  At  geometry  or  history,  be  a  whole 
man  to  geometry  or  history.  At  play,  be  a  whole  man  to 
play.  At  washing  and  dressing,  be  a  whole  man  to  washing 
and  dressing.  Above  all,  at  Meeting,  be  a  whole  man  to  wor- 
ship. Fifthly.  Never  speak  or  think  highly  of  thyself.  Thou 
art  a  poor  unworthy  creature ;  a  mere  worm  of  earth.     Thou 


408  "  REMINISCENCES    OF 

hast  not  a  single  talent  or  foculty  which  thou  hast  not  received 
from  God.  Dwell  in  liuraility  before  him.  Sixthly.  Avoid 
all  vain  and  evil  thoughts.  Remember  dearest  aunt  Rachel's 
saying,  "Evil  thoughts  are  sin."  Seventhly.  Mind  thy 
manners  as  well  as  thy  morals.  Do  not  be  clumsy  and  awk- 
ward. Be  always  ready  to  serve  and  please  all  around  thee. 
Be  swift  to  give  up  thy  own  will  to  the  will  of  others  in  little 
things :  this  is  the  way  to  be  a  true  gentleman.  Finally, 
■'  whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might, 
for  there  is  no  work,  nor  device,  nor  knowledge,  nor  wisdom, 
in  the  grave  whither  thou  art  going." 

So  farewell,  my  dearest  boy.     We  are  all  well  and  happy. 
I  am  thy  loving  father, 

J.  J.  Gurnet. 

The  following  graphic  reminiscences  of  youthful 
days  spent  at  Earlham,  may  form  an  appropriate 
conclusion  to  the  present  chapter. 

"  Activity  of  benevolence,  practical  kindness,  seemed  to  me 
to  be  the  ruling  spirit  of  Earlham.  I  did  not  hear  much 
of  great  schemes,  but  I  saw  much  of  real  acts  of  charity ;  and 
these  recollections,  on  that  account,  are  both  pleasant  and 
profitable.  The  whole  household  seemed  imbued  with  the 
same  happy  feeling.  As  I  sat  pondering  on  how  little  I  had  ever 
<lone,  and  making  in  my  inmost  heart,  first  excuses,  and  then 
resolutions,  I  caught  sight  of  some  lady's  maid,  or  upper  ser- 
vant of  the  family  cheerfully  crossing  the  scarcely  tracked  path, 
amidst  the  drifting  snow,  on  some  errand  of  mercy  to  a  poor 
neighbour.  I  have  forgotten  many  and  many  a  sermon  and 
lecture  on  the  duty  of  benevolence :  that  one  little  act  of 
<elf-denial  has  remained  in  my  memory  for  a  long  course  of 
years.   *  *  *  * 

"  One  night — I  remember  it  well — I  received  a  severe  lesson 
on  the  sin  of  evil-speaking.  Severe  I  thought  it  then,  and 
my  heart  rose  in  childish  indignation  against  him  who  gave 
it;  but  I  had  not  lived  long  enough  in  the  world  to  knoAv  how 
much  mischief  a  child's  inconsiderate  talk  may  do,  and  how 


A  GOOD  man's  life."  409 

frequently  it  happens,  that  great  talkers  run  off  the  straight 
line  of  truth.  I  was  talking  very  fast  about  some  female 
relative,  who  did  not  stand  particularly  high  in  my  estimation  ; 
and  was  proceeding  to  give  particulars  of  her  delinquencies, 
failings  of  temper,  &c.,  to  the  amusement,  I  suppose,  of  one 
or  two  of  my  hearers.  In  a  few  moments  my  eye  caught  an 
expression,  in  that  of  one  of  my  auditors,  of  such  calm  and 
steady  disapprobation,  that  I  stopped  suddenly  short.  There 
was  no  mistaking  the  meaning  conveyed  by  that  dark,  speak- 
ing eye ;  it  brought  the  colour  to  my  temjDles,  and  confusion 
and  shame  to  my  heart.  I  was  silent  for  a  few  moments, 
when  Joseph  John  Gurney  asked  very  gravely, 

"  *  Dost  thou  not  know  of  any  good  thing  to  tell  us  of V 

I  did  not  answer,  and  the  question  was  more  seriously  repeated. 
'.Think,  is  there  nothing  good    thou    canst    tell  us  of'her?' 

'  Oh,    yes  I  know  of   some    good  things  certainly,  but ' 

'  Would  it  not  have  been  better  then  to  relate  those  good 
things,  than  to  have  told  us  that  which  must  lower  her  in  our 
estimation  ?  Since  there  is  good  to  relate,  w^ould  it  not  be 
kinder  to  be  silent  on  the  evil?'  '  Charity  rejoiceth  not  in 
iniquity,'  thou  knowest.'   *  '^  * 

"  It  was  our  custom  every  morning, — that  of  Miss  Gurney 
and  any  little  visitor  she  might  have  with  her, — to  go  before 
breakfast  into  the  room  adjoining  her  father's  dressing  room, 
and  recite  certain  portions  of  Scripture,  either  of  our  own 
choice  or  his  selection.  There  was  a  particular  appropriateness 
in  the  13th  chapter  of  1st  Corinthians,  which,  on  the  follow- 
ing morning,  I  was  desired  to  read,  and  afterwards  to  commit 
to  memory.  There  was  no  comment  made  on  what  I  read. 
It  was  unnecessary ;  the  reproof  was  felt  even  to  the  shedding 
of  tears  ;  but  the  kind  voice  and  silent  caress  soon  spoke  love 
and  peace,  and  I  was  comforted.  'xV  word  spoken  in  season 
how  good  it  is  !'  *  *  * 

"  Children  are  so  observant  of  inconsistency  in  those  who 
reprove,  that  had  I  ever  found  my  mentor  guilty  of  the  sin  of 
uncharitableness,  I  should  not  have  failed  to  put  it  down  in 
the  note-book  of  my  heart ;  but  I  can  truly  say  that  the  force 


410  "  BEMINISCENCES    OF   A    GOOD    MAN'S    LirE." 

of  that  beautiful  precept  was  never  weakened  by  a  contradictory 
example.  I  never  heard  a  censorious  word  pass  those  calm 
lips,  nor  knew  a  cloud  of  unworthy  suspicion  to  darken  his 
bright  trusting  hope  of  the  best  of  every  one.  Most  emi- 
nently was  that  grace  his,  which  '  hopeth  all-  things.'  Every 
one  Avho  has  visited  Earlham,  must  have  been  impressed  with 
the  superior  tone  of  conversation  there  ;  with  the  absence  of 
scandal  and  small  talk  ;  and  when  persons,  rather  than  things, 
were  a  little  too  prominent  in  the  discourse  of  the  juniors,  how 
ingeniously  and  yet  how  kindly  has  the  subject  been  put  aside, 
and  some  other  matter  of  innocent  interest  introduced  in  its 
stead. 

."  Such  was  the  home  of  Joseph  John  Gurney  as  it  appeared 
to  a  child.  Clouds  there  were,  doubtless;  from  human 
frailty  and  infirmity  it  was  not  entirely  exempt;  but  few 
Christian  households  display  a  happier  scene  of  concord, 
consistency,  and  holiness,  than  that  which  we  have  just 
visited."* 

*  From  Reminiscences  of  a  Good  Man's  Life,  by  H.  E,.  Geldart, 
whose  father,  the  late  Simon  Martin,  was  one  of  Joseph  John  Gur- 
ney's  pai'tners  in  the  Norwich  Bank.  It  was  originally  printed  in 
the  Monthly  Christian  Spectator  for  the  third  month.  1852,  and  has 
since  been  published  in  a  separate  form. 


^T.  42.  VISIT   TO    FRIENDS    IN   SUFFOLK.  411 


CHAPTER  XXL 

1830.     ^T.  42—43. 

VISIT  TO  FRIENDS  IN  SUFFOLK;  LETTER  TO  SIR  JAMES  MACKIN- 
TOSH ON  CAPITAL  PUNISHMENT  FOR  FORGERY  ;.  YEARLY  MEETING  J 
CHALMERS  AND  WILBERFORCE  J  JOURNEY  IN  SCOTLAND  AND 
CUMBERLAND;  DETENTION  AT  EDINBURGH;  CHALMERIANA ; 
SOUTHEY  ;  CARLISLE ;  PENRITH  ;  KENDAL  ;  MANCHESTER  ;  RETURN 
HOME;   DEATH   OF    HIS   UNCLE   JOSEPH   GURNEY. 

Joseph  John  Gurney  commenced  the  year  1830, 
with  two  weeks  of  close  religious  labour  in  the 
county  of  Suffolk.  "  I  traversed  the  snows  in  my 
gig,"  he  writes  to  Jonathan  Hutchinson,*  "in  order 
to  visit  the  scattered  meetings.  I  do  not  know  that 
I  ever  "roughed  it"  so  much  before,  nor  do  I 
remember  many  occasions  in  wdiich  a  little  sacrifice 
in  the  cause  of  truth  was  more  rewarded." 

TO    HIS    SISTER    ELIZABETH    FRY. 

Norwich,  1st  mo.,  19th,  1830. 

My  heart  and  mind  have  been  much  and  closely  with  -thee 
for  some  timp  past,  and  I  trust  I  have  been  enabled  to  remember 
thee,  when  access  has  been  permitted  to  the  ttirone  of  grace. 
Thou  mayest  rest  assured  of  my  constant  unity  and  faithful 
sympathy  with   thee,  in  every  tribulation,  and    under  every 

wave  of  conflict.  *  *  I  often  think  of with  great  interest. 

I  plead  not  for  forms ;  but  a  thorough,  unqualified  submission 
to  the  internal  power  of  the  cross  of  Christ  in  the  heart,  is  that 

*  Under  date  3rd  mo.  ITth,  1830. 


AIQ  ALARM   FROM    FIRE.  1830 

■which  I  fully  believe  will  alone  satisfy  and  give  true  rest.  *  "* 
We  had  a  very  uncomfortable  alarm  last  evening  at  Earlham^ 
in  consequence  of  some  beams,  near  the  flue  in  the  hall, 
Igniting.  What  a  mercy  that  it  did  not  happen  in  the  night ! 
As  it  was,  we  were  apparently  in  imminent  danger  of  an  over- 
whelming conflagration  ;  but  happily,  the  fire  was  surmounted 
before  it  burst  forth.  We  have  felt  humbled  under  a  sense  of 
gratitude  for  this  merciful  deliverance. 

2nd  mo.,  1st.  The  continuance  of  this  very  wintry  weather 
is  afiecting,  as  it  relates  to  the  poor.  Indeed,  the  chastising 
hand  seems  rather  remarkably  put  forth  on  this  nation ;  and 
who  can  wonder,  when  we  consider  the  vast  multitude  of  those 
Avho  are  living  in  sin,  and  in  open  rebellion  against  the  Most 
High  ?  Neither  ought  our  faith  to  be  shaken,  if  those  who 
are  not  partakers  of  the  pollutions,  are  "  partakers  in  the 
plagues."  The  time  is  coming,  when  all  apparent  inequalities 
will  be  made  even  ;  when  He  shall  "return,  and  discern  between 
the  righteous  and  the  wicked,  between  him  that  serveth  God 
and  him  that  serveth  him  not." 

2nd  mo.,  IWi.  Much  enjoyment  of  the  quietness  and 
loveliness  of  this  dear  place,  and  of  the  domestic  happiness 
which  it  is  still  permitted  to  contain.  Should  it  be  right  for 
me  to  quit  business  altogether,  it  would  follow,  I  think,  that 
Earlham  must  be  given  up.  If  the  Lord  condescends  to 
require  the  sacrifice,  I  trust  a  willingness  to  offer  it  will  be 
wrought  in  me.  I  think  I  desire  no  more  than  clearly  to  see 
his  will. 

Reference  has  been  more  than  once  made  to  Joseph 
John  Gurnet's  strong  feeling  upon  the  subject  of 
capital  punishment.  For  any  crime  short  of  murder, 
he  was,  in  fact,  altogether  opposed  to  it.'*' 

*  "I  cannot  pay,"  he  writes  in  his  Journal,  under  date  8th  mo., 
17th,  1829,  "that  my  spirit  greatly  revolts  against  life  for  life; 
though  capital  punishment  for  any  thing  short  of  this,  appears  to  me 
to  be  execrable."  In  later  life  he  became  opposed  to  capital  punish. 
ment  even  for  murder. 


^T.  42.  CAPITAL    PUNISHMENT.  413 

This  vie\Y  of  the  question  had  been  for  some 
years  gradually  gaining  ground.  Among  the  many 
salutary  practical  reforms  for  which  this  country 
is  indebted  to  the  late  Sir  Robert  Peel,  not  the 
least  was  the  complete  revision  and  consolidation 
of  the  criminal  law ;  by  which  many  barbarous  enact- 
ments were  swept  from  the  statute  book,  and  a  milder 
and  more  efficacious  system  of  punishment  was 
introduced.  This  distinguished  statesman,  who  was 
at  this  time  Home  Secretary,  was  now  turning  his 
attention  to  the  amendment  of  the  law^s  relating  to 
forgery.  On  this  subject,  however,  he  was  not  pre- 
pared to  go  so  far  as  the  advocates  of  the  abolition 
of  capital  punishment  desired.  His  bill  retained  the 
punishment  of  death  in  several  cases  of  forgery.  The 
opportunity  was  felt  to  be  an  important  one,  and 
the  advocates  of  a  more  lenient  system  lost  no  time 
in  availing  themselves  of  it.  Joseph  John  Gurney 
exerted  himself  in  Norwich,  in  procuring  a  petition 
to  Parliament  for  the  entire  abolition  of  the  punish- 
ment of  death  in  these  cases;  and,  availing  himself 
of  his  practical  experience  as  a  banker,  he  subse- 
quently addressed  the  following  letter  to  Sir 
James  Mackintosh,  with  the  view  of  strensrthenino: 
his  hands  in  his  noble  advocacy  of  the  cause  of 
humanity. 

Norwich,  4th  mo.,  20th,  1830. 

Esteemed  Friend, 

Although  I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  more 
than  a  very  slight  personal  acquaintance  with  thee,  the  useful 
and  honourable  public  part  thou  hast  taken  in  the  cause  of 
the  abolition  of  capital  punishments,  will,  I  trust,  afford  a 
sufficient  apology  for  my  addressing  thee  on  the  subject. 

It  has  been  a  matter  of  deep  regret  to  me  to  observe,  that 


414  TO    SIR    JAMES    MACKINTOSH.  1830. 

the  alterations  and  amendments  proposed  by  the  Homo 
Secretary,  in  regard  to  the  penal  acts  respecting  forgery,  arc 
almost  exclusively  in  matter  of  form,  and  not  of  practice.  It 
seems  that  the  pristine  ferocity  of  the  law  is  to  continue 
without  alleviation,  as  it  relates  to  all  instruments  representing 
money,  such  as  bills  of  exchange,  drafts,  and  notes,  —  all 
instruments,  in  short,  with  which  a  hanker  has  any  concern. 

I  have  long  been  engaged  extensively  in  the  business  of  a 
banker,  and  have  always  considered  it  a  heavy  grievance  that 
the  law,  as  it  now  stands,  leaves  me  wholly  unprotected  from 
the  attacks  of  the  forger.  I  cannot  in  conscience  take  any 
steps  towards  destroying  the  life  of  a  fellow  creature,  whose 
crime  against  me  affects  my  property  only;  being  deeply 
convinced  that,  should  I  do  so,  I  should  thereby  sacrifice  as 
plain  a  principle  of  equity  as  Avas  ever  proposed  to  the  attention 
of  mankind.  Besides  I  am  in  possession,  hke  other  men,  of 
the  feelings  of  common  humanity ;  and  to  aid  and  abet  in 
procuring  the  destruction  of  any  man  living,  would  be  to  me 
extremely  distressing  and  horrible.  And  yet  I  considet- 
forgery  a  shameful  and  heinous  crime.  I  well  know  the  cruel 
losses  and  inconveniences  to  which  it  subjects  the  money- 
changing  world ;  and  if  the  law  would  but  help  me  to  put 
such  an  offender  on  the  tread-Avheel  for  a  couple  of  years,  I 
should  feel  the  highest  satisfaction  in  availing  myself  of  its 
provisions.  *  *  Mine  is  no  insulated  or  uncommon  case: 
multitudes  in  the  commercial  world  are  placed,  by  the  severity 
of  the  law,  in  the  same  uncomfortable  and  unprotected 
situation. 

Bfeing  thoroughly  persuaded  that  all  penal  enactments  with 
which  the  public  cannot  heartily  co-operate,  are  bad  in  prin- 
ciple, and  injurious  in  operation,  I  have  only  to  express,  in 
conclusion,  my  earnest  wish,  that  thy  great  p9wers  may  con- 
tinue to  be  steadily  directed  against  a  system  at  once  so  unjust 
and  so  ineffective. 

I  am,  with  much  respect, 

Thy  sincere  friend, 

J.  J.  Gurnet. 


mT.  42.  CAPITAL    PUNISHMENT.  415 

It  is  satisfactory  to  know  that,  altliougli  the 
efforts  made  at  this  time  did  not  then  result  in  any 
modification  of  the  proposed  measure  on  this  point, 
the  abolition  of  capital  punishment,  in  these  cases, 
has  been  since  conceded  by  the  legislature,  and  that 
no  person  has  suffered  death  for  forgery,  in  this 
country,  since  that  period,* 

To  return  to  the  Journal : — 

5th  mo.,  Zrd.  How  entirely  do  I  feel  that  all  my  hope  of  a 
happy  futurity  depends  on  my  casting  myself,  or,  rather,  on 
ray  being  cast  by  a  divine  hand,  on  the  mercies,  merits,  and 
righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ ;  that  I  may  be  seen  in  him  ; 
judged  in  him  ;  justified  in  him  ;  glorified  in  him.  Be  thou  for 
ever  abased,  0  my  soul !  polluted  and  degraded  as  thou  art  in 
thyself,  in  the  contemplation  of  his  glorious  attributes,  his 
perfect  sufiiciency  for  thy  eternal  salvation. 

bth  mo.,  l^th.  Our  beloved  friends  William  and  Anna 
Forster  left  us  this  morning  for  London.  Their  company 
and  ministry  amongst  us  have  been  very  acceptable.  Yester- 
day especially,  at  our  Monthly  Meeting,  the  former  was 
largely  and  nobly  engaged  in  preaching.  It  was  a  time  of 
much  sweetness  and  comfortable  ingathering,  for  which  we 
cannot' be  too  thankful.  The  same  precious  feeling  continued 
here  in  the  evening.  Some  banking  exigencies  have  been 
more  trying  to  my  sensitiveness,  this  Aveek,  than   they  ought 

*  The  punishment  of  death  is  now  abolished  in  all  cases  of  forgery, 
except  where  the  act  amounts  to  High  Treason,  as  in  the  case  of 
counterfeiting  the  Royal  sign  manual,  or  the  Great  or  Privy  Seal, 
This  desirable  change  did  not,  however,  take  place  until  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present  reign,  in  1837.  Even  in  the  last  reign, 
several  new  forgeries  were  made  capital  felonies.  The  gradual 
progress  of  humane  legislation,  on  this  subject,  may  be  seen  by 
reference  to  the  statutes  11  Geo.  iv,  &  1  Will,  iv,  c.  66,  (Sir  Robert 
Peel's  Act,  to  which  Joseph  John  Gurney's  letter  refers,)  2  &  o 
Will,  iv,  c.  123,  and  c.  125 ;  5  &  6  Will,  iv,  c.  45;  1  Vict.,  c.  14: 
and  4  &  5  Vict.,  c.  66  :  and  as  to  counterfeiting  the  coin,  see  statute 
2  Will,  iv,  c.  34. 


116  THE    YEAllLY    MEETING.  1880. 

to  have  been.  Unworthy  as  I  know  myself  to  be,  I  venture 
to  crave  divine  protection  even  in  these  affairs  ;  and  I  think  I 
feel  a  degree  of  confidence  in  the  dealings  of  tliat  gentle  and 
paternal  hand,  which  has  hitherto  led  me  along.  0  that  I 
may  be  blessed  with  quietness,  diligence,  faith,  and  fortitude  ; 
that  I  may  be  arrayed,  earth-worm  as  I  am,  in  the  whole 
armour  of  my  God  ! 

Second  day  morning.  I  have  many  things  to  attend  to  ; 
but  am  favoured  with  a  precious  degree  of  calmness.  How 
delightful,  and  I  hope  edifying,  has  been  my  intercourse 
with  my  beloved  Mary  during  the  past  spring !  Such  happi- 
ness I  feel  to  be  quite  a  store ;  a  privilege  to  have  enjoyed  it, 
let  the  future  produce  what  it  may. 

Qth  mo.,  ISf/i.  I  continued  alone  at  home  till  sixth  day, 
5th  mo.,  19th,  when  I  Avent  by  mail  to  London,  exchanging 
the  delightful  summer  solitude  of  Earlham,  for  a  busy  and 
exercising  scene,  into  which  I  miade  my  plunge  on  seventh 
day.  The  Yearly  Meeting  was  a  time  of  remarkable  interest. 
On  the  men's  part  well  attended,  sometimes  much  gathered; 
at  other  times  too  much  of  what  was  superficial,  and  of  our- 
selves. We  seem  to  want  a  greater  depth,  and  0  that  it 
may  be  graciously  bestowed  upon  us  !  Yet  we  had  cause  for 
thankfulness  on  account  of  the  general  harmony  and  abound- 
ing sense  of  brotherly  love.  Of  the  sittings  I  .should 
distinguish,  as  the  most  remarkable,  that  in  which  the  claims 
of  the  heathen  were  considered,  w^hich  resulted  in  the 
recognition  of  the  concern  as  worthy  of  the  deliberate  con- 
sideration of  the  meeting  next  Tear ;  and  the  last  sitting  but 
one,  in  which  a  Friend  spoke  most  powerfully  on  the  doctrine 
of  the  atonement. 

It  was  about  this  period,  whilst  on  a  visit  at 
Hampstead,  at  the  house  of  his  brother-in-law, 
Samuel  Hoare,  that  Joseph  John  Gurney  was  first 
introduced  to  the  late  Dr.  Chalmers,  who  was  then 
in  London.  Li  the  interesting  memoranda  of  their 
intercourse,  which  has  since  been  printed,  Joseph 
John  Gurnev  writes  : — 


MT    42.  INTRODUCTION    TO    Dll.    CHALMERS.  41T 

"  We  walked  together  for  an  hour  before  dinner  in  the 
garden  ;  and  soon  found  that  we  were  led,  by  a  feeling  of 
congeniality,  into  familiar  intercourse.  He  had  just  been 
presented  by  a  friend  with  a  copy  of  my  Essays,  which 
led  to  much  interesting  conversation  on  the  Evidences  of 
Christianity,  on  which  we  had  both  written  —  their  cumulative 
and  harmonious  character,  and  the  enlargements  which  had 
been  made  in  this  branch  of  theological  knowledge  of  late 
years.  It  was  a  noble  encouragement  to  a  good  cause  to  find 
that  these  evidences  were  better  understood,  and  more  fully 
appreciated,  eighteen  hundred  years  after  the  introduction 
of  our  religion,  than  at  any  period  of  Church  history,  since  the 
days  when  men  were  brought  into  actual  contact  with  miracles. 

"  We  talked  over  the  subject  of  a  moral  law,  universally 
written  by  the  Moral  Governor  of  the  universe  on  the  hearts 
of  mankind.  He  allowed  the  existence  of  this  principle,  and 
its  universality,  although  we  were  both  aware  that  the  light, 
though  pure,  is  often  faint.  The  darkness  of  fallen  human 
nature  comprehendeth  it  not.  I  remarked  the  distinction 
which  exists  between  this  law  and  the  natural  faculty  of  con- 
science ;  the  law  being  the  light,  the  conscience  the  eye ;  the 
law  the  guide,  the  conscience  the  presiding  judge.  He 
admitted  this  distinction ;  but  when,  after  the  example  of 
Butler,  I  misnamed  this  law  the  moral  sense,  he  corrected 
me,  and  said,  '  No,  the  moral  sense  is  identical  with  the 
conscience:  the  law  you  speak  of  is  that  which  the  moral 
sense  perceives.'  I  argued,  that  the  law  thus  written  on  the 
hearts  of  all  men,  although  faint,  and  perpetually  misread 
by  an  obscured  and  perverted  conscience,  is  in  itself  perfectly 
pure  and  holy,  an  efflux  of  the  divine  character.  When 
therefore  I  reflected  on  the  utter  corruption  of  human  nature, 
and  on  the  apostolic  doctrine,  '  In  me,  that  is,  in  my  flesh, 
there  dwelleth  no  good  thing,'  I  could  not  but  conclude  that 
this  universal  law  is  a  work  of  the  Spirit. 

"  Chalmers.  '  I  have  no  objection  to  admit  that  it  is  a 
work  of  the  Spirit.' 

"  This  was  a  conclusion,  worthy  of  the  breadth  and  liberality 

Vol.  I.  — 27 


418  CHALMERIANA.  1830. 

of  Dr.  C's  mind,  and  of  the  simplicity  which  he  displays  in 
admitting  truth,  from  whatever  quarter  it  may  come.  It 
reminded  me  of  the  broad  assertion  twice  made  to  me,  in 
private  conversation,  by  William  Wilberforce,  that,  according 
to  his  full  belief,  an  effective  offer  of  salvation  was  made  to 
every  man  born  into  the  world.  I  will  just  add,  that  since 
Ohrist  is  expressly  declared  to  have  died  for  all  men,  and 
since  the  law  of  God — a  principle,  when  obeyed,  in  its  nature, 
saving — is,  as  Ave  believe,  universally  communicated  to  men, 
it  is  only  reasonable  to  believe  that  our  fallen  race  has 
obtained  this  blessing  through  the  redemption  which  is  by 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

"  At  dinner,  we  had  an  interesting  party — Dr.  Bird  Sumner, 
Bishop  of  Chester  ;*  Dr.  Lushington  ;  Buxton ;  and  a  family 
party,  including  our  sister  Elizabeth  Fry.  The  conversation 
during  dinner  turned  to  the  subject  of  capital  punishments. 
Lushington,  in  the  warmest  terms,  expressed  his  abhorrence 
of  the  system ;  and  declared  his  opinion,  that  the  poor  criminal 
was  thus  hurried  out  of  life,  and  into  eternity,  by  means  of 
the  perpetration  of  another  crime,  far  greater,  for  the  most 
part,  than  any  which  the  suffere''*  himself  had  committed. 
He  even  indicated  a  feeling,  that  the  worse  the  criminal,  the 
more  improper  such  a  punishment. 

"  On  this  Buxton  rallied  him,  and  re-stated  his  argument 
with  great  pleasantry ;  '  The  doctor  assures  us  that  if  your 
Lordship  were  condemned  to  the  gallows,  or  that  you,  Dr. 
Chalmers,  were  about  to  suffer  the  ultimum  supplicium,  he 
would  be  the  last  man  to  interfere  with  the  execution  of  the  law, 
or  prevent  the  translation  of  the  virtuous  to  a  happier  state. 
But  to  terminate  the  probationary  existence  of  the  most 
degraded  of  our  race,  of  the  worst  of  robbers  or  the  most 
outrageous  of  murderers,  was  opposed  at  once  to  all  the  feelings 
of  humanity,  and  to  all  the  principles  of  religion.'  After  all, 
there  is  a  great  deal  of  truth  in  Dr.  Lushington's  statement, 
and  substantially  we  were  all  agreed. 

"  After    dinner    a   brisk   discussion    arose    respecting    the 

*  Now  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 


.ET.  42.  CHALMERIANA.  419 

comparative  religious  condition  of  the  long  parliament,  and  of 
our  representatives,  in  the  present  day  of  latitudinarianism 
and  laxity.  Lushington  contended  that  the  advantage  lay  on 
the  side  of  our  modern  senate  ;  and  that  the  looseness  of  the 
present  was  a  less  crying  evil  than  the  hypocrisy  of  past  times. 
The  bishop  and  Chalmers  took  the  other  side ;  and  not  only 
demonstrated  the  religious  superiority  of  the  Puritans,  but 
strongly  insisted  on  the  great  principle,  that  it  is  godliness 
which  exalteth  a  nation,  and  which  can  alone  impart  true 
strength  and  stability  to  human  governments.  Chalmers  stated 
the  points  of  the  argument  with  great  strength  and  clearness, 
and  the  bishop  confirmed  what  he  said. 

"  In  the  evening  Joanna  BalUie  joined  our  party  ;  and,  after 
the  bishop  and  others  were  gone,  we  formed  a  social  circle,  of 
which  Chalmers  was  the  centre.  The  evidences  of  Christianity 
became  again  the  topic  of  conversation.  The  harmony  of 
Scripture,  and  the  accordance  and  correspondence  of  one  part 
with  another  were,  I  think,  adverted  to.  This  evidence  of 
accordance  is  one  to  which  Dr.  C.'s  mind  is  obviously  much 
alive.  He  knows  how  to  trace,  in  the  adaptation  between  one 
branch  of  truth  and  another,  and  especially  between  God's  re- 
ligion and  man's  experience,  the  master-hand  of  perfect  wisdom 
and  goodness. 

"  Chalmers.  '  The  historical  evidences  of  Christianity  are 
abundantly  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  scrutinizing  researches  of 
the  learned ;  and  are  within  the  reach  of  all  well-educated 
persons.  But  the  internal  evidence  of  the  truth  lies  within 
the  grasp  of  every  sincere  inquirer.  Every  man  who  reads 
his  Bible,  and  compares  what  it  says  of  mankind  with  the 
records  of  his  own  experience ;  every  man  who  marks  the 
adaptation  of  Its  mighty  system  of  doctrine  to  his  own 
spiritual  need  as  a  sinner  in  the  sight  of  God ;  Is  furnished 
with  practical  proof  of  the  divine  origin  of  our  religion.  I 
love  this  evidence.  It  is  what  I  call  the  portable  evidence  of 
Christianity.' 

*'  On  the  following  morning  Dr.  Chalmers  read  the 
Scriptures  to  the  family  circle,  and  selected  the  latter  half  of 
John  xiv.     The  verse  which  peculiarly  attracted  his  attention 


±20  CHALMERIANA.  1830. 

was  the  twentj-first ;  '  He  that  hatli  my  commandments,  and 
keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me  ;  and  he  that  loveth  me 
shall  be  loved  of  my  Father ;  and  I  will  love  him,  and  will 
manifest  myself  to  him.'  The  observations  which  he  made 
on  this  verse.,  and  on  the  whole  bearing  of  what  he  had  read, 
were  excellent ;  and  completely  accordant  with  the  views 
which  Friends  have  so  long  been  accustomed  to  take  of  the 
true  method  of  obtaining  religious  knowledge.  'While  we  are 
bound,'  he  observed  in  substance,  'to  make  a  diligent  use  of 
the  Scriptures,  that  appointed  depository  of  all  religious  in- 
formation, we  are  ever  to  remember,  that  obedience  to  the 
law  of  Christ  is  the  means  of  bringing  us  into  a  capacity  of 
rightly  understanding  and  appreciating  their  contents ;  as  our 
Lord  has  himself  declared,  that  those  who  do  his  Father's 
will  shall  know  of  his  doctrine,  and  of  its  divine  authority. 
Every  act  of  childlike  obedience  to  the  dictates  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  prepares  the  way  for  an  increase  of  light ;  and  where 
Christ  manifests  ^himself,'  there  will  be  a  true  and  saving 
apprehension  of  religion,'  In  setting  forth  these  views.  Dr. 
Chalmers  was,  I  believe,  speaking  from  his  own  experience ; 
for  it  seems  to  have  been  by  the  gradual  following  up  of  his 
convictions  of  duty,  and  through  the  operation  of  a  remarkaj^le 
moral  energy,  that,  under  the  grace  of  God,  he  found  his  way 
out  of  the  dark  regions  of  barren  speculation,  into  the  green 
pastures  of  the  fold  of  Christ. 

"  When  comparatively  ignorant  and  worldly  he  was  called 
upon  by  his  learned  friend,  Dr.  Brewster,  to  write  the  article 
on  Christianity  for  the  Edinburgh  Encyclopedia.  He  obeyed 
the  summons,  though  himself  scarcely  a  believer ;  and  his  re- 
searches in  order  to  this  end,  especially  the  study  of  Scripture 
itself,  were  the  means  first  of  convincing  his  understanding 
of  the  truth  of  religion,  and  next  of  impressing  his  heart  with 
a  sense  of  its  unspeakable  importance  and  excellence.  In  the 
whole  of  this  process  he  w^as  doubtless  marvellously  assisted 
by  that  childlike  simplicity  of  mind  which  he  recommended  to 
us  so  beautifully  ;  and  which  is  so  marked  a  feature  in  his  own 
character.  'The  meek  will  he  guide  in  judgment,  the  meek 
will  he  te^ch  his  way.' 


MT.  42  CHALMERS   AND   WIIBERFORCE.  421 

"  Before  he  concluded  his  familiar  yet  impressive  discourse, 
he  powerfully  contrasted  two  methods  of  religious  education. 
The  former  —  no  stranger  in  Scotland- — that  of  imparting 
to  the  minds  of  children  a  complete  system  of  doctrinal 
orthodoxy ;  and,  without  moral  culture,  leaving  that  system 
to  produce  its  own  fruits  as  it  might.  The  latter,  that 
of  training  children  in  such  a  course  of  virtuous  obedience 
to  the  divine  law,  as  would  prepare  them  for  the  reception  of 
greater  and  greater  light  respecting  the  doctrines  of  religion. 
He  pointed,  out  the  vast  superiority  of  the  latter  system.  He 
would  neglect  neither  moral  nor  religious  culture ;  but  he 
would  make  the  former  the  pathway  to  the  latter.  *  *  * 

"  "When  our  conversation  was  concluded,  my  brother,  Samuel 
Hoare,  took  me  with  him  on  the  box  of  his  chariot,  and  drove 
Dr.  Chalmers  and  his  pleasing  wife  to  Wilberforce's,  at  High- 
wood  Hall,  beyond  Hendon.  Dr.  Chalmers  and  his  lady  were 
engaged  to  stay  some  days  there  ;  and  we  were  glad  of  the 
opportunity  of  enjoying  the  company  of  the  senator  emeritus, 
together  with  that  of  Dr.  C,  for  a  few  hours.  Our  morning 
passed  delightfully.  Chalmers  was,  indeed,  comparatively 
silent,  as  he  often  is  when  many  persons  are  collected,  and  the 
stream  of  conversation  flowed  between  ourselves  and  the  ever 
lively  Wilberforce.  I  have  seldom  observed  a  more  amusing 
and  pleasing  contrast  between  two  great  men,  than  between 
Wilberforce  and  Chalmers.  Chalmers  is  stout  and  erect,  with 
a  broad  countenance ;  Wilberforce  minute,  and  singularly 
twisted ;  Chalmers,  both  in  body  and  mind,  moves  with  a 
deliberate  step  ;  Wilberforce,  infirm  as  he  is  in  his  advanced 
years,  flies  about  with  astonishing  activity :  and  while,  with 
nimble  finger,  he  seizes  on  every  thing  that  adorns  or  diversi- 
fies his  path,  his  mind  flits  from  object  to  object  with  unceasing 
versatility.  Chalmers  can  say  a  pleasant  thing  now  and  then, 
and  laugh  when  he  has  said  it,  and  he  has  a  strong  touch  of 
humour  in  his  countenance;  but  in  general  he  is  grave — his 
thoughts  grow  to  a  great  size  before  they  are  uttered :  Wilber- 
force sparkles  with  life  and  wit,  and  the  characteristic  of  his 
mind  is  'rapid  productiveness.'  A  man  might  be  in  Chalmers' 
company  for  an  hour,  especially  in  a  party,  Avithout  knowing 


422  WILBERFORCE.  1830. 

who  or  what  he  Avas  —  though  in  tlie  end  he  avouIcT  be  sure  to 
be  detected  by  some  unexpected  display  of- powerful  originality  ; 
Wilberforce,  except  when  fairly  asleep,  is  never  latent :  Chal- 
mers knows  how  to  veil  himself  in  a  decent  cloud ;  Wilberforce 
is  always  in  sunshine.  Seldom,  I  believe,  has  any  mind  been 
more  strung  to  a  perpetual  tune  of  love  and  praise.  Yet  these 
persons,  distinguished  as  they  are  from  the  world  at  large, 
and  from  each  other,  present  some  admirable  points  of  resem- 
blance. Both  of  them  are  broad  thinkers  and  liberal  feelers  : 
both  of  them  are  arrayed  in  humility,  meekness,  a^nd  charity  : 
both  appear  to  hold  self  in  little  reputation  :  above  all,  both 
love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  reverently  acknowledge  him 
to  be  their  only  Saviour. 

"  Wilberforce  was  the  son  of  a  wealthy  merchant  at  Hull, 
and  was  scarcely  more  than  of  age  when  he  was  elected  mem- 
ber of  Parliament  for  that  town.  But  he  was  not  long  to 
occupy  this  station,  for  a  higher  one  awaited  him.  Immediately 
after  the  Hull  election,  he  attended  the  county  election  at 
York  ;  where,  to  the  vast  assembly  collected  in  the  castle  yard, 
he  made  a  speech  on  the  popular  question  of  the  day  —  Fox's 
India  bill.  His  eloquence,  especially  in  the  earlier  stages  of 
his  course,  was,  as  I  understand,  of  a  most  animated  and  diver- 
sified character  ;  and  his  voice  sonorous  and  mellifluous.  The 
speech  produced  an  almost  magical  effect  on  the  assembled 
multitude ;  and  under  a  strong,  and  apparently  unanimous  im- 
pulse, they  cried  out,  'We  will  have  the  little  man  for  our, 
member.'  In  short,  though  without  pretensions  from  family 
or  fortune  to  the  honour  of  representing  that  vast  county,  he 
was  elected  its  member  by  acclamation. 

"  Wilberforce  was  now  one  of  the  most  popular  of  men.  His 
fine  talents,  his  amiability,  his  wit,  his  gaiety,  adapted  him  for 
the  highest  worldly  circles  in  the  county.  Happily,  however, 
that  heavenly  Father,  whom  his  pious  parents  had  taught  him 
to  love  in  early  life,  was  preparing  for  him  '  better  things  '  than 
the  blandishments  of  the  world,  even  '  things  which  accompany 
salvation.'  Not  long  after  his  election  he  was  travelling 
through  France,  in  order  to  visit  a  sick  relation  at  Nice,  in 
company  with  his  friend,  Isaac  Milner,  afterwards  Dean  of 


MT.  42.  WILBERFORCE.  42S 

Carlisle,  a  person  somowliat  older  and  more  serious  than  him- 
self. In  the  course  of  their  journey  they  happened  to  converse 
about  a  clergyman  in  Yorkshire,  who,  having  been  impressed 
with  evangelical  views,  was  remarkably  .devoted  to  his  paro- 
chial duties. 

"  WiLBERPORCE.  '  That  man  carries  things  a  great  deal 
too  far,  in  Tny  opinion.' 

"MiLNER.  'Do  you  think  so?  I  conceive  that  if  you 
tried  him  by  the  standard  presented  to  us  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment, you  would  change  that  opinion.' 

"  WiLBERFORCE.  '  Indeed,  Milner — well,  I  have  no  objec- 
tion to  try  the  experiment.  I  will  read  the  New  Testament 
with  you,  if  you  like,  with  pleasure.' 

"  Important,  indeed,  were  the  results  of  this"  casual  and  un- 
expected conversation.  The  two  friends  read  the  whole  of  the 
New  Testament  together  as  they  journeyed  on  towards  Nice : 
and  this  single  perusal  of  the  records  of  inspiration  was  so 
blessed  to  Wilberforce,  that  he  became  a  new  man.  His 
opinions  and  feelings  underwent  a  rapid  revolution.  He  found 
himself  to  be  a  sinner,  and  rejoiced  in  the  discovery  of  his 
Saviour.  Ho  renounced  the  world,  and  devoted  himself  to  the 
fear  and  service  of  Almighty  God.  When  he  arrived  at  Nice, 
he  found,  in  the  chamber  of  his  sick  relative,  a-  copy  of  Dr. 
Doddridge's  Rise  and  Progress  of  Religion  in  the  Soul.  Thi:s 
useful  manual  of  religious  experience  he  read  with  extreme 
eagerness,  and  it  appears  to  have  been  the  means  of  confirming 
and  completing  his  change. 

"  The  news  now  swiftly  flew  into  Yorkshire  that  their^opular 
young  member  was  gone  mad.  Wilberforce  followed  the  re- 
port, in  propria  persona  ;  threw  himself,  with  noble  boldness, 
amongst  his  friends  and  supporters ;  plainly  told  them  of  his 
change  of  sentiment ;  and  with  good  reason  adopted  (as  it  may 
be  presumed)  the  words  of  a  yet  more  eminent  convert,  '  I  am 
not  mad,  most  noble  Festus — I  speak  the  words  of  truth  and 
soberness.'  From  that  time  his  influence  in  the  county  was 
constantly  extending  itself;  and  when,  many  years  afterwards, 
a  contested  election  took  place  between  Colonel  Lascelles  and 
Lord  Milton,  he  polled  almost  double  the  number  of  tne  votes 


424  WILBERFORCE    AND    CHALMERS.  1830. 

of  eithex'  of  the  other  candidates  ;  and  a  voluntary  subscription 
flowed  in  of  about  £40,000,  to  defray  his  expenses.  A  great 
part  of  this  subscription  was  returned.  Wilberforce  afterwards 
voluntarily  retired  from  the  representation  of  the  county,  being 
unable,  from  want  of  health,  to  cope  with  the  Aveight  of  busi- 
ness which  it  threw  on  his  shoulders. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  reflect  on  this  story  without  much 
pleasure.  What  a  mercy  to  Wilberforce  was  the  petty  and 
apparently  fortuitous  circumstance,  Avhich  led  him  to  an  atten- 
tive perusal  of  the  New  Testament !  And  how  divine  the  book 
which,  through  the  blessing  of  its  almighty  Author,  could  bear 
with  so  irresistible  a  moral  and  spiritual  force  on  tiie  intellect, 
the  genius,  and  the  dispositions  of  Wilberforce  !  In  like  man- 
ner, what  a  mercy  to  Dr.  Chalmers  was  the.  unexpected,  and 
at  that  time  unlikely,  application  made  to  him  by  Dr.  Brew- 
ster !  It  was  in  the  order  of  Providence  that  two  chance 
circumstances,  as  the  world  would  call  them,  should  be  the 
means  of  translating  two  mighty  minds  from  the  region  of 
spiritual  darkness,  into  the  kingdom  of  light ;  converting  the 
sceptical  philosopher  into  the  profound  theologian,  and  the 
witty  songster  into  the  abolisher  of  the  slave  trade,  the  faith- 
ful and  ardent  Christian  labourer  in  the  cause  of  justice  and 
humanity.* 

"The  author  of  that  extraordinary  book,  the  Natural  His- 
tory of  Enthusiasm,  proposes  a  beautiful  analysis  of  the  order 
and  harmony  of  providence.  He  says,  that  events  may  be 
divided  into  two  classes — those  which  arise  in  the  ordinary 
course t)f  experience;  and  which,  being  regulated  by  certain 
known  laws,  natural  or  moral,  may,  to  a  certain  and  often  a 
great  extent,  be  calculated  beforehand ;  and  thus  bring  into 
exercise  the  quality  of  prudence,  or  the  useful  faculty  of  long- 
sightedness. Indeed,  a  careful  observation  and  right  estimate 
of  such  causes  and  eifects,  may  be  said  to  constitute  the  best 

*  The  foregoing  incidents  are  related  by  Joseph  John  Gurney  from 
information  received  in  conversation  with  Wilberforce  himself.  For 
Wilberforce's  own  reflections  on  the  circumstances  of  his  life  here 
referred  to,  see  the  first  vol.  of  his  Life,  Appendix  pp.  379 — 384. 


MT.  42.  TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  425 

kind  of  worldly  wisdom.  Another  and  more  limited  class  of 
events  may  be  described  as  incidental  or  fortuitous.  These 
intersect  the  common  course — the  straight  onward  line  of  our 
experience — from  a  multitude  of  diflferent  points.  They  bear 
laterally. upon  us,  and  arise  out  of  an  endless  and  ever  varied 
train  of  causes ;  connected,  very  probably,  with  the  life  and 
conduct  of  others — originating,  it  may  be,  in  some  idle  word, 
or  some  thoughtless  action,  of  some  unknown  person,  whose 
mortal  existence  has  been  closed  for  centuries.  And  yet  these 
apparently  stray  circumstances  often  intersect  our  path,  just 
at  such  a  time  and  in  such  a  manner,  as  enable  them  to  serve 
the  most  important  purposes  for  our  temporal  and  spiritual 
good.  How  perfect  must  be  the  skill  and  wisdom  of  that  om- 
niscient Being,  who  wields  this  infinitely  intricate  machinery ; 
often  inclines  its  forces  in  answer  to  J3ra^/g/•,  and  never  fails 
to  apply  them  to  the  highest  advantage  of  his  believing  and 
obedient  children !" 

TO    JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

(Oa  the  decease  of  one  of  his  daughters  within  a  year  after  her  marriage.) 

London,  6th  mo.,  3rd,  1830. 

My  dearly  BELOVED  Friend, 

Thou  well  knowest  that  the  affectino;  intelligence 
from  Leiston  must  come  closely  home  to  me  and  my  wife ;  for 
we  feel  so  nearly  united  with  thee  and  thine,  that  Avhatsoever 
you  suffer  becomes  our  suffering  by  reflection.  I  can  truly 
say,  that  we  have  grieved  and  mourned  with  you  over  the  loss 
of  your  beloved  Lydia.  I  am  aware  that  she  was  peculiarly 
precious — that  she  was  one  of  those  who  imparted  a  charm  to 
life  in  the  circle  in  which  she  moved.  And  of  such  as  these  it 
often  pleases  a  wise  Providence  to  deprive  us,  that  we  may  be 
the  better  prepared  to  say,  "  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee  ?, 
and  there  is  none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  beside  thee."  Thus 
the  Lord  claims  an  undivided  sovereignty  over  our  affections, 
as  well  as  over  our  actions. 

Amidst  your  deep  sorrowing,  you  will  not,  we  feel  fully  as- 
sured, be  disposed  to  murmur.     We  trust  that  the  Christian's 


426  "   JOURNEY.  1830. 

faith,- bv  which  he  sees  things  invisible  to  mortal  eve,  ■will 
gild  the  dark  cloud,  and  lead  you  ever  to  rejoice  for  her 
emancipated  spirit  with  "  a  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory."  Such  is  the  nature  of  the  Christian's  joy,  that  the 
tongue  of  human  wisdom  cannot  utter  it ;  and  there  is  a  full- 
ness of  glory  in  it,  even  here,  which  the  eye  unanointed 
cannot  perceive.  Nevertheless  we  know  it  is  progressive,  ad- 
mitting of  almost  infinite  enlargement  and  elevation.  We 
will  not  therefore  mourn  for  those  who  have  happily  exchanged 
its  fainter  irradiations  for  its  meridian  fulness.  What  a 
solidity,  as  well  as  brightness,  my  beloved  friend,  characterizes 
the  Christian's  life  !  It  is  like  the  paving  of  that  holy  city 
of  apostolic  vision,  transparent  glass,  and  yet  pure,  weighty 
gold. 

In  reference  to  your  dear  departed  one,  I  have  been  led  to 
dwell  with  much  satisfaction,  on  the  security  which  attaches  to 
the  absence  of  self-righteousness ;  and  to  a  quiet,  steadfast  de- 
pendence on  the  mercy  of  God,  through  the  appointed  Media- 
tor. Comparatively  blameless  as  she  was  in  the  eye  of  man,  I 
feel  a  persuasion  that  her  hope  rested,  uoj  on  the  rewarding 
of  her  virtue,  but  on  the  pardoning  of  her  sins.  She  was  not 
(I  fully  believe)  a  stranger,  either  in  heart  or  understanding, 
to  the  efficacy  of  that  blood,  by  which  all  sin  is  obliterated  for 
the  humble  believer. 

A  large  Committee  had  been  appointed  at  the  late 
Yearly  jMeeting  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  general 
visit  to  the  various  meetings  of  Friends  in  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland.  As  a  member  of  this  commit- 
tee, Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  company  with  several 
other  Friends,  attended  the  meetings  in  Scotland  and 
Cumberland,  and  was  also  engaged  in  other  services 
as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  He  was  absent  from 
home  nearly  four  months. 

"  On  seventh  day,  the  24th  of  the  7th  month,"  he  writes  in 
^h  Journal,  "  I  left  home  for  Upton,  in  order  to  attend  the 


^T.  42.  TO   SCOTLAND.  427 

interment  of  our  beloved  friend  and  cousin,  Lucy  Sheppard. 
I  found  the  Upton  party  in  deep  sorrow;  and  truly  rejoiced 
in  being  present  to  sympathize  with  them,  and  help  them  a 
little,  during  the  scenes  of  that  touching  and  sorrowful  day.  I 
joined  my  wife  at  Stamford,  on  second  day  evening,  and  pro- 
ceeded with  her  to  Ackworth,  where  the  general  meeting 
passed  off  much  to  our  satisfaction. 

On  seventh  day,  a  delightful  journey  by  Fountain's  Abbey 
and  Richmond,  brought  us  to  Darlington ;  where,  in  the 
absence  of  all  our  nearer  connexions,  we  were  most  hospitably 
received  by  our  dear  cousins  E.  and  E,.  Pease,  and  remained 
until  fourth  day  morning.  Public  meetings  there,  and  at 
Staindrop,  and  Stockton.  The  public  meeting  at  Staindrop 
much  favoured,  as  was  also  one  at  Sunderland  on  fourth  day 
evening.  The  meeting  with  Sunderland  Friends  on  fifth  day 
morning,  was  much  to  my  satisfaction  and  relief;  and  there 
was  a  public  one  at  Newcastle  that  evening,  in  a  Dissenting 
Meeting  House.  Pleasant  visit  to  our  dear  cousin  Margaret 
Bragg.  The  meeting  of  Friends  on  sixth  day  morning  largely 
attended  by  young  people,  and  very  hopeful. 

TO    SAMUEL   GURNET. 

Darlington,  Stli  mo.,  1st,  1830. 

I  believe  that  as  Christians,  and  as  Friends,  we  miist 
adhere  closely  to  our  religious  principles,  and  learn  to  bring 
everything  more  and  more  to  that  test ;  looking  quietly  for- 
wards to  the  day  when  "the  stone  cut  without  hands"  will 
become  "a  great  mountain"  and  fill  the  whole  earth.  *  * 

The  commotions  in  France  are  somewhat  awful,  but  I  trust 
they  will  end  in  a  bloodless  revolution.  The  worst  feature  in 
the  case  appears  to  me  to  be  the  infidelity  with  which  the 
support  of  freedom  is  connected.  Would  that  mankind 
knew  more  of  that  "perfect  law  of  liberty"  which  is  pro- 
claimed to  us  in  the  Gospel  of  our  Redeemer  ! 

After  attending  the  General    Meeting  for  Friends 


428  DETENTION  AT  EDINBURGH.  1830 

in  Scotland,  lield  at  Aberdeen,  he  returned  to 
Glasgow ;  and  after  various  religious  services  there, 
and  in  the  neighbourhood,  proceeded  to  Edinburgh. 
Here  he  was  detained  nearly  five  weeks  from  the 
consequences  of  a  severe  bruise  on  the  leg,  received 
in  the  course  of  the  journej'.  He  did  not,  however, 
allow  this  interval  of  comparative  repose  to  pass 
away  unimproved.  Under  the  hospitable  roof  of 
his  valued  friend  Alexander  Cruickshank,  he  had 
opportunities  of  religious  intercourse  .  with  the 
individuals  composing  the  small  body  of  Friends 
resident  at  Edinburgh,  and  three  meetings  with 
the  3'Oung  people.  He  was  also  enabled  to  be 
present,  one  first  day,  at  a  public  meeting,  held 
at  his  request,  wdiich  was  attended  by  many  in 
the  upper  circles.  Besides  these  engagements,  his 
sojourn  at  Edinburgh  was  agreeably  relieved  by 
much  highly  interesting  social  intercourse.  Dr. 
Chalmers,  amongst  others,  was  a  frequent  visitor, 
'"coming,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "from  a 
considerable  distance  about  every  other  day  to  sit 
with  me.  We  enjoyed  much  intimate  and  lively 
conversation,  which  I  was  accustomed  to  record 
from  day  to  day,  after  he  had  left  me,  as  I  lay 
upon  my  sofa."  A  brief  selection  from  these 
memoranda  will  give  tlie  reader  some  idea  of 
the  general  character  of  their  intercourse ;  and 
few  will  object  to  listen  whilst  they  converse 
together.'^ 

The    conversation     one     day    turning    upon    the 

*  The  Chalmeriana  have  been  published  since  this  chapter  was 
compiled ;  but  I  have  not  thought  this  a  sufficient  reason  for  omit- 
ting the  extracts. 


^T.  43.  CHALMERIANA.  429 

wonderful    order    and    harmony    of    Divine    Provi- 
dence, 

"I  observed,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "that  the  great 
object  of  Bishop  Butler's  Analogy  was  to  parry  objections ; 
and  we  agreed  that  in  this  respect  that  noble  work  had  served 
a  most  important  purpose  in  promoting  the  cause  of  truth. 
Chalmers  expressed  his  admiration  of  Butler's  unsophisticated 
mind  and  absence  of  .aifectation.  But  Butler  possessed  a  mind 
of  singular  depth  and  originality,  and  such  minds  are  beyond 
the  limits  of  affectation. 

"  Chalmers.  '  I  strongly  recommend  your  reading  Leibnitz, 
'  Essais  sur  la  Theodicee.'  Pie  combines  the  mind  of  a  phi- 
losopher, and  a  profound  knowledge  of  metaphysics,  with  an 
unqualified  regard  for  Christianity  and  its  whole  system  of 
essential  doctrine.  I  was  telHng  Mrs.  Gurney,  at  the  Mu- 
seum, of  the  hypothesis  by  which  he  accounts  for  the  origin 
of  evil.  Take  any  complete  part  of  creation — an  animal  for 
example.  How  perfect  is  the  machine,  how  beautiful  its  pro- 
portions, how  absolute  the  harmony  of  its  constituent  parts, 
how  admirably  it  works  !  But  look  at  some  fragment  of  the 
creature  ;  a  piece  of  a  nail,  a  broken  bit  of  bone  or  a  claw. 
How  unsightly  it  is,  how  unmeaning !  how  little  worthy,  as  far 
as  appears,  of  the  master  hand  of  infinite  skill  and  wisdom  ! 
Now  all  the  evil  which  we  perceive  around  us,  afflicting  as  it  i's 
to  our  feelings,  and  trying  to  our  faith,  may  be  nothing  more 
than  a  small  unsightly  fragment ;  and  yet,  in  its  connexion  with 
the  moral  universe  of  God,  it  may  form  a  part  of  a  perfectlv 
harmonious  and  glorious  whole.' 

"I  mentioned  a  work,  popular  among  the  Unitarians,  which 
resolves  all  the  attributes  of  God  into  pure  benevolence ;  de- 
nominates sin  'moral  evil;'  ascribes  it  to  the  direct  appointment 
of  God ;  and  presumes  to  infer  that  it  not  only  promotes  the 
general 'good,  kit,  taken  in  connexion  with  its  corrective  con 
sequences,  in  the  end  enhances  the  happiness  of  the  sinner. 

"  Chalmers.  '  It  is  a  dangerous  error  to  reduce  the  divine 
attributes  to  the  single  quality  of  goodness.  Our  best  meta- 
physicians, (especially  Brown)  teach  us  that  the  ethical  virtues 


430  DETENTION  AT  EDINBURGH.  1830 

are  in  their  nature  unalterably  independent.  Justice  is  an 
ethical  virtue ;  distinct  in  its  origin,  character,  and  end,  and 
must  not  be  confounded  -with  any  other.  These  principles 
apply  to  the  moral  attributes  of  God.' 

"  Yes,  I  said,  they  are  blended  but  not  confused. 

"  Chalmers.  'There  is  union  in  them  but  not  unit3^  The 
harmony,  yet  distinctness,  of  the  divine  moral  attributes,  is  most 
instructively  inscribed  on  the  atonement  of  Christ.' 

"  Trul3%  I  replied,  that  is  a  point  where  justice  and  benevo- 
lence meet ;  where  God  has  displayed  at  once  his  abhorrence 
of  sin,  and  his  mercy  to  the  sinner, 

"  Chalmers.  'Brown  had  very  low  and  inadequate  views 
of  the  character  of  God.  The  same  may  be  said  of  Paley  — 
witness  his  founding  his  system  of  morals  on  expediency. 
This  was  indeed  a  degradation  in  a  Christian  moral  philoso- 
pher ;  and  the  more  so,  as  even  a  Cicero  could  declaim  against 
^utiUtas'  as  the  basis  of  morals.' 

"  I  mentioned  an  anecdote  which  I  had  heard  of  Paley  in 
his  last  illness,  that  is  said  to  have  had  the  authority  of  Wra. 
Hey,  the  late  noted  surgeon  of  Leeds ;  and  which,  if  true,  is 
remarkably  consoling.  When  not  far  from  his  end,  Paley,  in 
conversing  with  some  of  his  family  or  friends,  took  a  calm 
review  of  his  several  works.  He  expressed  the  deep  regret 
and  dissatisfaction  which,  at  that  awful  time,  he  felt  in  the 
recollection  of  his  'Moral  Philosophy.'  He  was  happy  to 
believe  that  his  '  Natural  Theology '  and  '  Evidences  of 
Christianity '  were  sound  and  useful  works ;  but  the  book  on 
v/hich  his  mind  then  dwelt  with  the  greatest  pleasure  was  his 
'  Horse  Paulina?.' 

"  Chalmers.  '  I  am  not  surprised  at  this.  It  is  an  ad- 
mirable statement  of  evidence,  and  displays  a  more  masterly 
hand  than  any  of  his  other  works.' 

^  ^  *  *  *  * 

Dr.  Chalmers'  conversations  with  us  have  been  much  more 
frequently  about  things  than  persons ;  and  indeed  he  has  too 
much  intelligence  aud  power  of  mind  to  descend  to  a  species 
of  conversation  commonly  called  gossip,  which  is  the  frequent 
refuge  of  many  whose  understandings  are  meagrely  stored  with 
information. 


5;T.  43.  CHALMERIANA.  431 

"  It  is  evident  that  lie  is  deeply  impressed  -with  the  opinion, 
that  an  overAvhelming  tide  is  but  too  likelj,  ere  long,  to  sweep 
down  many  of  our  civil,  literary,  and  religious  institutions. 
The  spirit  which  prevails  abroad,  he  apprehends  to  be  in 
somewhat  active  operation  at  home,  and  he  ascribes  its  exist- 
ence and  increase  to  the  wide  dissemination  of  superficial 
knowdedge. 

"  The  new  revolution  in  France,  and  the  commotions  which 
have  since  taken  place  in  other  parts  of  Europe,  have  all 
occurred  since  our  lot  has  been  cast  in  Scotland.  They  have, 
of  course,  been  the  subject  of  daily  thought,  meditation,  and 
converse.  Although  there  is  much  in  these  changes,  especially 
as  regards  France,  with  which  every  liberal  mind  must  sym- 
pathize, it  is  easy  to  perceive  that  the  spirit  of  insubordination 
is  increasingly  prevalent  in  the  world.  I  fear  it  runs  through 
many  both  of  our  private  and  public  relations ;  parent  and 
child,  master  and  servant,  magistrate  and  citizen,  king  and 
subject.  It  is  probable  also  that  even  the  Christian  church  is 
affected  by  this  change  of  feeling;  and  that  in  every  denomi- 
nation there  is  less  of  wholesome  restraint,  and  a  greater 
impatience  of  discipline,  than  was  the  case  fifty  or  a  hundred 
years  ago.  If  this  be  one  of  the  consequences  of  '  the  march 
of  intellect,'  it  is  assuredly  a  fearful  one;  and  I  know  of  no 
remedy  but  the  diffusion  of  the  gospel.  The  Scriptures  Avill 
never  cease  to  teach  us  to  fulfil  all  our  relative  duties  aright, 
'and  to  be  subject  one  to  another  in  love.'  I  believe  the 
spirit  of  rebellion  against  man  to  be  intimately  associated 
with  that  of  rebeUion  against  God.  That  which  can  alone 
counteract  both  is  genuine  Christianity. 

"  We  were  favoured  one  day  with  a  call  from  a  man  of  very 
superior  parts,  John  Brown,  the  pious  and  able  minister  here 
of  one  of  the  largest  seceding  congregations.  When  we  asked 
him,  'What  dost  thou  think  will  be  the  end  of  all  these 
national  commotions  ?'  he  answered  emphatically,  '  the  king- 
doms of  this  world  shall  become  the  kingdoms  of  the  Lord 
and  of  his  Christ.'  To  this  scriptural  declaration  Ave  can  all 
set  the  seal  of  a  willing  belief;  but,  in  the  meantime,  tribula- 
tions and  trials  of  faith    may  perhaps  be  ordained    for    the 


432  DEPARTURE    FROM    EDIISBURGH.  1830. 

fui'ther  purification  of  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  ;  preparatory, 
it  may  be,  to  their  final  victory. 

''  Chalmers.  '  I  think  the  Scriptures  afi"ord  us  good  reason 
to  believe,  that  the  ultimate  diffusion  of  pure  Christianity  in 
the  Avorld,  must  be  preceded  by  commotion  and  confusion,  and 
distress  of  nations.  Look  at  the  new  French  revolution. 
There  is  much  that  one  approves  at  present,  both  in  its 
tendency  and  in  its  results.  But  you  see  it  has  been  effected  by 
the  growth  of  merely  human  intelligence ;  by  the  working  of 
the  unregenerate  mind,  without  a  particle  of  Christian  prin- 
ciple. It  is  just  the  striving  of  the  natural  wisdom  and  pride 
of  man,  after  that  which  we  ai'e  apt  to  conceive  to  be  the  con- 
summation of  our  happiness,  a  condition  of  independence.  I 
am  not  one  of  those  who  underrate  the  value  of  civil  and 
political  liberty ;  but  I  am  well  assured  that  it  is  only  the 
principles  of  Christianity,  which  can  impart  true  security, 
prosperity,  and  happiness,  either  to  individuals  or  to  nations. 
I  am  prepared  to  expect,  that  on  the  efforts  which  are  now 
making  in  the  world  to  regenerate  our  species,  without  religion^ 
God  will  impress  the  stamp  of  a  solemn  and  expressive 
mockery.' 

"We  parted  from  our  dear  friend  Dr.  Chalmers,  his  wife, 
and  daughters,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney  at  the  conclusion 
of  the  memoranda  from  which  the  above  extracts  are  taken, 
"  as  well  as  from  some  other  persons  who  have  been  endeared  to 
us  in  Edinburgh,  after  a  solemn  and  refreshing  time  of  silence, 
ministry  and  prayer,  on  the  25th  of  the  9th  month,  1830." 

From  Edinburgh,  Joseph  John  Gurnej's  course 
was  directed  to  Cumberland.  Though  not  yet  equal 
to  his  usual  amount  of  continued  exertion,  he 
attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Cockermouth, 
on  the  30th,  in  company  with  the  rest  of  the 
Yearh'  Meeting's  Committee  for  that  county;  and 
after  a  meeting  with  the  Friends  there  on  the 
following  morning,  he,  with  his  wife,  proceeded,  by 
wa}-  of  Keswick,  to  Whitehaven. 


SiJ,  43.  KESWICK;    WHITEHAVEN;   WIGTON.  433 

"  At  Keswick,"  he  writes  in  his  Journal,  "  we  spent  an  agree- 
able and  interesting  evening  with  Robert  Southey  and  family. 
He  read  us  some  of  his  unpublished  poetry,  and  we  had  much 
conversation,  ending  with  some  religious  communication. 
Southey's  religious  feelings  are  sincere  and  warm,  but  his 
prejudices  more  than  a  few.  On  the  whole  he  is  a  man  whom 
one  cannot  help  liking,  and  I  have  no  doubt,  that  he  engages 
the  love  of  those  who  know  him  well. 

"  On  seventh  day,  10th  mo.,  2nd,  we  drove  through  a  country' 
of  delightful  scenery,  the  weather  being  fine,  first  round  Der- 
wentwater  and  into  Borrowdale,  and  afterwards  over  the  moun- 
tains to  Scale  Hill,  and  thence  by  Crummock  and  Lowes-water 
to  Whitehaven ;  which  place  we  reached  in  the  evening,  weary, 
yet  delighted  with  our  journey,  and  were  hospitably  received 
by  our  dear  friends,  John  and  Mary  Spencer. 

"  We  continued  at  Whitehaven  until  fifth  day  morning, 
during  which  time  the  families  were  visited,  much  to  m}^ 
comfort;  for  there  are  many  hopeful  Friends  there,  especially 
young  married  persons.  0  that  the-  enemy  of  souls  may 
not  be  permitted  to  mar  the  work !  There  was  a  good  public 
meeting  on  first  day  evening,  and  a  very  solemn  young 
people's  meeting  at  John  Spencer's.  We  parted  from  all 
our  dear  Friends  in  true  love." 

After  various  religious  engagements  at  Pardshaw 
and  Cockermouth,  and  the  neighbouring  district, 
they  went  forward  to  Wigton. 

"  Our  visit  to  the  school,"*  says  Joseph  John  Gurney, 
"  was  interesting  and  satisfactory.  We  were  much  pleased  with 
the  young  master  of  the  boys ;  and  the  examination  of  the 
children  on  both  sides  of  the  house  was  encouraging.  That 
of  the  boys  was  delightful,  and  the  tenderness  of  their  minds 
was  very  remarkable.  There  appeared  to  be  prevailing  in  this 
institution    a   really  religious    influence.     May  it    more    and 

*  An    Institution  similar  in  its  object  to  the  Friends'  school  at 
Ackworth,  but  on  a  much  smaller  scale. 
Vol.  I.  — 28 


434  CARLISLE  ;    SCOTBY.  1830. 

more  abound  among  them !  On  the  whole,  I  think  this 
school  has  served,  and  is  still  serving,  an  admirable  purpose. 
We  had  a  large  and  solemn  public  meeting  in  the  evening. 
I  Avas  very  poorly  in  the  night,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  conclude 
that  it  Avould  be  impossible  for  us  to  attend  Beckfoot  meeting, 
;is  fixed,  the  next  morning ;  twelve  miles  oif,  and  a  desolate 
place  on  the  sea  coast.  However  in  the  morning  our  diffi- 
culties disappeared ;  and,  after  an  early  breakfast,  we  were  on 
the  road  for  Beckfoot.  On  our  arrival,  we  found  the  meeting- 
house filled  with  a  considerable  number  of  countr}'-  Friends, 
and  the  whole  of  Joseph  Saul's  school,  more  than  one  hundred 
boys,  tishers,  &c.  I  had  to  plead  earnestly  for  Christianity, 
and  for  evangelical  doctrine,  combating  with  an  infidel  spirit. 
I  hope  it  might  not  be  in  vain,  as  power  was  to  be  felt  in  the 
meeting.  That  night  we  reached  Carlisle,  and  took  up  our 
abode,  very  comfortably  to  ourselves,  with  Thomas  and 
Elizabeth  Stordy.  The  week-day  meeting  there  the  next 
morning  was  largely  attended,  and  a  searching  time.  After- 
wards we  went  to  Scotby ;  dined  with  our  dear  Friends,  Lydia 
Sutton  and  Tabitha  Irwin,  and  held  a  meeting  there  in  the  after- 
noon; which  to  me  was  painfully  exercising,  but  ended  in  peace. 
Sixth  day  was  spent  in  a  long  excursion  to  Solport  and 
Kirklington  meetings.  It  proved  one  of  our  most  interest- 
ing days.  Both  these  meetings  were  once  large,  but  are  now 
mere  relics,  especially  Solport,  on  the  borders  of  Scotland. 
There  is,  however,  a  valuable  little  body  of  Friends ;  and  we 
had  particular  pleasure  in  visiting  John  and  Peggy  Story,  at 
Moss-side;  Friends  in  a  very  humble  line  of  life,  true  originals, 
and  alive  to  that  which  is  good.  On  our  way  to  Kirklington 
we  drank  tea  at  four,  o'clock  with  some  other  friends,  not  much 
above  them  in  worldly  dignity,  Richard  Graham  and  his 
worthy  wife,  little  shopkeepers  by  the  road-side ;  and,  after  an 
exercising  meeting,  walked  across  the  country  to  old  William 
Dodson's,  where  we  met,  in  their  neat  little  kitchen,  an  agree- 
able company  of  simple  hearted  Friends.  After  a  solemn  little 
meeting,  we  parted  from  them  in  much  love,  and  returned  to 
("Carlisle,  where  seventh  day  was  passed  in  writing,  rest,  and 
family  visits.  *  *  *  * 


.ET.  43.  PENRITH ;    KENDAL.  485 

On  fifth  day  morning  we  left  Carlisle  and  protjeeded  to 
Gillfoot  meeting,  about  sixteen  miles,  over  a  fine  country ;  the 
weather  being  inclement.  We  met  a  poor  little  scattered  flock, 
the  rain  pouring,  and  the  large  old  meeting  house  being  now 
the  picture  of  desolation.  We  dined  *at  Joseph  Priestman's ; 
and  in  the  afternoon  proceeded,  under  the  guidance  of  his  son, 
to  Penrith ;  where  we  took  up  our  abode  in  the  peaceful  dwell- 
ing of  our  dear  aged  friends  Elizabeth  Ritson  and  Hannah 
Walker,  who,  with  their  niece  Hannah  Hayton,  received  us 
most  hospitably.  We  much  enjoyed  the  company  of  this 
interesting  and  truly  peculiar  trio  ;  especially  that  of  E.  Ritson, 
who,  in  her  ninety-third  year,  is  all  alive,  intellectually 
and  spiritually,  and  a  cheerful,  well  informed  companion. 
Meetings  at  Penrith,  with  Friends  in  the  morning,  and 
the  public  in  the  evening,  brought  close  exercise  of  mind. 
I  also  visited  most  of  their  little  flock  (a  comfortable  body 
of  Friends)  in  their  own  houses.  Thomas  Wilkinson  met 
us  at  E.  Ritson's  in  the  morning,  and  although  almost 
entirely  blind  and  very  infirm,  he  is  very  cheerful ; 
doing  credit  to  the  cause  of  truth,  which  is  so  near  to 
his  heart.  On  seventh  day,  after  a  visit  to  the  Beacon, 
and  also  to  the  workh'buse,  two  stages,  through  a  wild  moun- 
tainous country,  brought  us  to  Kendal ;  where  we  met  a  cordial 
reception  from  our  dear  cousins,  W.  D.  and  Sarah  Crewdson. 
At  their  house  we  lodged  seven  nights;  and  six  days  were 
passed  amongst  Friends  of  that  place,  in  very  close  exercise 
and  labour.  There  was  a  true  baptism  on  the  young; 
especially,  perhaps,  on  many  of  the  young  men.  The  meetings 
with  Friends  were,  I  trust,  good  ones ;  particularly  one  on 
fifth  day  morning,  in  which  the  wondrous  machinery  of 
Christian  motives  was  set  in  order  before  me,  and  through 
me,  before  others.  In  three  successive  evening  meetings  with 
the  young,  I  had  to  consider  the  questions,  "  Why  am  I  a 
Christian,"  and  "Why  am  I  a  Quaker?"  —  the  external 
evidences  of  Christianity ;  the  internal  evidences  :  (including 
a  statement  of  essential  doctrine ;)  and  the  principles  of  Friends. 
They  were  times  of  arduous  exercise  of  mind  to  me,  but  I 
trust  were  of  some  use  in  the  way  of  teaching.     A  large  public 


4-36  MANCHESTER;    RETURN    HOME.  1830. 

meeting  on  first  day  evening  also  passed  off  well.  My  subject 
was  "As  in  Adam  all  die,  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be  made  alive." 
We  greatly  prized  the  society  of  our  friends  and  numerous 
relatives. 

On  seventh  day,  10th  mo.,  30th,  Sarah  W.  Crewdson 
accompanied  us  to  Manchester.  We  were  somewhat  cheered 
on  our  way,, by  a  Adsit  to  the  Female  Penitentiary  in  Lancaster 
Castle,  where  we  had  a  heart-melting,  though  short  meeting, 
with  about  fifty  poor  criminals.  We  arrived  safely  at  night 
at  the  peaceful- dwelling  of  our  dear  friends  the  Dockrays,  at 
Ardwick. 

The  next  day,  first  day  the  31st,  was  to  me  an  arduous 
one.  Upwards  of  500  at  the  morning  meeting ;  a  large  mixed 
flock,  Avith  very  few  shepherds.  The  loss  of  Isaac  Stephenson 
greatly  to  be  felt  and  deplored.  We  dined  and  spent  the 
afternoon  with  our  dear  friends,  I.  and  E.  Crewdson ;  and  in 
the  evening  there  was  a  vast  public  meeting,  about  2000 
people,  respectable  and  quiet.  I  felt  very  calm  on  taking  my 
seat ;  and  voice  as  well  as  inward  power  were  graciously  given 
to  me,  to  plead  for  "  baptism,  the  true  and  living  baptism, 
into  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost."  There  was  afterwards  mucliisolemnity  to  be  felt  in 
prayer. 

They  returned  to  Earlham  by  way  of  Melksham, 
and  London,  arriving  at  home  on  the  1 6th  of  the 
11  til  month. 

FROM   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

12th  mo.,  6th,  1830. 

I  was  pleased  with  thy  sketch  of  the  grand  scenery  of  some 
of  our  northern  counties ;  and  thy  connecting  it  with  a  line 
from  a  beautiful  and  devout  passage  of  my  favourite  Cowper, 
made  it  not  the  less  acceptable.  There,  too,  it  seems,  thou 
hast  found  a  poet's  corner,  surrounded  by  mountain,  lake,  and 
riven  In  many  respects,  I  think  such  a  situation  must  be  very 
favourable  to  literary  pursuits,  if,  by  thus  abstracting  the  mind 
from  practical  subjects,  it  does  not  too  much  favour  dreaming. 


MT.  43.  DEATH    OF   JOSEPH    GURNEY.  487 

It  micrht  be  well  that  thou  wast  there,  and  that  thou  hadst 
an  opportunity  of  endeavouring  to  rouse  a  certain  celebrated 
author  from  some  of  his  reveries ;  into  which,  whilst  I  acknow- 
ledge his  talents,  I  think  he  has  proved  himself  liable  to  fall, 
perhaps  both  in  prose  and  in  verse.  To  some  such  cause  may 
probably  be  attributed  his  classing  Friends,  as  I  think  he  has 
done,  in  his  Book  of  the  Church,  among  the  "  crazier"  sects. 
If  neither  to  slumber  nor  to  absence  of  mind,  to  what 
must  we  ascribe  this  strange  expression  ?  I  can  find  only 
one  other  solution — that  the  discipline  of  our  Society,  which, 
by  way  of  distinction,  we  may  call  its  morality,  and  for 
which  he  gives  us  high  credit,  was  intelligible  to  his  under- 
standing, whilst  the  more  spiritual  parts  of  our  profession,  or 
its  divinity,  may  have  been  as  little  comprehended  by  him  as 
was  the  worship  of  the  early  Christians  by  those  who  called  it 
heresy ;  or  the  reasoning  of  the  apostle  before  Agrippa,  when 
Festus  thought  him  mad. 

The  close  of  the  year  was  marked  by  the  decease 
of  his  uncle  Joseph  Guriiey;  which  took  place, 
very  suddenly,  on  the  morning  of  the  25th  of  the 
12th  month.  Joseph  John  Gurney  afterwards 
writes :  — 

12th  mo..,  27th.  I  saw  my  dear  uncle  last  on  fifth  day.  He 
was  silent  at  our  meeting ;  which  was,  however,  a  solemn  one : 
Lucy  Aggs  was  well  engaged  in  ministry  on  the  sufierings  of 
our  Redeemer.  My  uncle  expressed  to  me  afterwards  his 
satisfaction  in  her  testimony.  lie  was  uncommonly  glowing 
and  tender.  I  met  him  at  the  Magdalen  Committee,  and 
walked  with  him  thence  to  the  bank.  How  little  did  I  ima- 
gine that  I  should  next  see  him  stretched  on  the  floor,  a 
corpse ! 

Mild,  cheerful,  universally  benevolent,  strong  in  sense, 
in  principle,  and  in  manly  fortitude ;  he  was,  above  ail,  the 
tender,  broken,  and  humble  Christian.  His  humility  was  the 
most  conspicuous  feature    of  his  character ;    and   his    lovely 


438  JOSEPH   GURNET.  1830. 

tempei'  threw  a  gleam  of  sunsliine  over  every  person  and  thing 
around  him.  To  associate  with  him  has  long  been  one  of  my 
greatest  delights  and  privileges ;  and  there  was  no  one  to  whom 
I  was  so  much  accustomed  to  look  for  protection,  a'dvice,  and 
help.  I  have  sometimes  been  ready  to  conclude  that  I  could 
not  do  without  him ;  but  I  desire  to  bow  submissively  under 
the  stroke ;  and  the  cutting  of  a  string,  at  once  sa  strong  and 
so  tender,  will,  I  hope,  be  the  means  of  compelling  a  yet  nearer 
approach  to  the  Fountain  of  all  Good. 

My  dear  uncle's  ministrj'-  has  increased  in  brightness  as  he 
advanced  in  age  and  experience.  It  was  to  me  a  source  of 
lively  pleasure,  as  well  as  edification.  On  the  whole,  nothing 
is  so  cheering,  among  many  cheering  things  in  the  retrospect, 
as  the  clear  views  which  he  has  of  later  times  evinced,  of  the 
fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity ;  and  especially  of  the 
exceeding  great  preciousness  of  that  blood  "which  cleanseth 
from  all  sin."  This  was  the  subject  of  a  short  but  memorable 
address  which  he  delivered  to  our  young,  men  at  the  close  of 
our  last  Preparative  Meeting.  May  it  have  sunk  deeply  into 
many  hearts ! 


JET     id.  JOURNAL.  439 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

1830—1831.     ^1.  43. 

PUBLICATION  OF  THE  BIBLICAL  NOTES  AND  lUSSERTATIONS  ; 
LETTERS  RESPECTING  THEM  J  WORK  UPON  THE  SABBATH  J  RELI- 
GIOUS  ENGAGEMENTS  AT  BRISTOL;  "=  TEACHING"  MEETINGS; 
LETTER  TO  HIS  SON,  DESCRIBING  AN  EVENING  AT  CAMBRIDGE 
AND  A  MORNING  AT  OXFORD. 

1st  mo.,  1st,  1831.  The  commencement  of  the  new  year  it^ 
icarked  indeed.  I  hope  I  do  not  enter  upon  it  heedlessly. 
Forgiveness  for  the  past,  and  help  for  the  future,  are 'what 
I  have  to  crave  at  the  hands  of  a  most  merciful  God  and 
Father.  When  rejoicing  predominates,  let  us  not  forget  to 
tremble.  When  trembling  more  especially  is  our  lot,  let  us 
Btill  endeavour  to  rejoice  ! 

First  day  night.     1st  mo.,  oOtli.     This  afiernoon has 

been  our  agreeable  guest  at  Earlham  ;  having  been  brought  to 
Norwich  by  the  death  of  a  sister-in-law.  We  called  for  her 
at  the  Roman  Catholic  chapel,  out  of  which  a  large  crowd  was 
issuing ;  and  from  her  account  it  appears  they  are  making 
many  converts;  What  a 'strange  tendency  there  is  in  man  to 
believe  too  much  or  too  little  ;  or,  in  other  words,  to  Popery 
or  Infidelity  !  Yet  these  extremes  are  often  found  to  meet.  I 
do  believe  there  is  much  amongst  this  people  of  an  honest 
seriousness  and  pursuit  of  eternal  things ;  but  they  appear  to 
lose  sight  of  the  distinction  between  things  contrary  to  reason, 
and  things  beyond  reason.  The  doctrine  of  the  Atonement  is 
beyond  reason.     May  I  be"  preserved  from  ever  doubting  it  I 


440  BIBLICAL   NOTES.  1830. 

Transubstantiation  is  contrary  to  reason.  Therefore,  as  reason 
is  a  divine  gift,  I  consider  that  I  have  divine  authority  for 
rejecting  it. 

The  composition  of  the  Biblical  Notes  and  Dis- 
sertations, chiefly  intended  to  confirm  and  illustrate 
the  Doctrine  of  the  Deity  of  Christ,  had  been  occu- 
pying Joseph  John  Gurney's  leisure  for  several  years. 
This  work  was  at  length  published  in  the  year  1830. 
Though  designed  principally  for  learned  readers,  the 
first  edition  sold  rapidly ;  and  a  second,  with  a  few 
corrections  and  additions,  was  published  in  1833. 
Tn  the  twenty-one  chapters  or  dissertations  of  which 
the  volume  is  composed,  the  author  has  carefully 
collected  and  arranged  a  large  amount  of  evidence, 
historical  and  critical,  on  some  of  the  most  inter- 
esting and  important  topics  of  biblical  research. 
The  canonical  authority  of  the  Epistle  to  the 
Hebrews;  the  eternal  pre-existence  of  "the  Word;" 
the  illustrations  which  this  doctrine  receives  from 
the  Chaldee  Targums,  and  from  the  theological 
literature  of  the  later  Jev/s;  the  glorious  character 
and  attributes  of  Christ,  as  the  Creator  of  the  world, 
as  the  "  image  of  the  invisible  God,"  as  the  "  angel 
of  the  covenant,"  as  our  ''great  God  and  Saviour," 
and  as  he  is  "  over  all,  God  blessed  for  ever," 
too'ether  with  the  various  testimonies  of  Scripture 
relating  to  these  momentous  questions,  are  severally 
treated  with  great  depth  and  clearness;  nor  are  the 
dissertations  on  the  important  and  difficult  pro- 
phecies in  Isaiah  vii,  viii,  ix  ;  on  the  prophecy  of 
Jeremiah  xxiii,  5,  6  ;  and  on  the  correct  reading  of 
the  original  text  of  the  memorable  declaration  of 
the  apostle  Paul,  1   Tim.  iii,  16,  less  interesting  and 


^T.  43.  AND   DISSERTATIONS.  441 

instructive*  The  whole  is  concluded  by  a* chapter 
ill  which  the  practical  importance  of  faith  in  the 
Deity  of  Christ  is  powerfully  stated  and  enforced. 
The  spirit  which  pervades  the  work  is  admirably 
expressed  in  the  motto  from  Athanasius,  selected 
for  the  title-page^  In  the  preface  it  is  translated 
as  follows  : — 

"  I  know  that  he  (the  Lord  Jesus  Christ)  is  truly  God,  from 
heaven,  impassible.  I  know  that  he  was  of  the  seed  of  David, 
according  to  the  flesh,  man,  and  passible.  I  do  not  inquire 
Jiow  the  same  person  is  both  passible  and  impassible ;  liow  he 
is  both  God  and  man ;  lest  whilst  I  busy  myself  about  the 
HOW,  and  am  investigating  the  mode,  I  should  miss  of  that 
GOOD  THING  which  is  Set  before  us." 

*  The  more  recent  researches  of  the  learned  do  not  appear  to  sup- 
port the  conclusion  at  which  Joseph  John  Gurney  arrives  in  his 
elaborate  defence,  (pp.  372 — 410,)  of  the  common  reading,  0?6s 
i^ain^(^9rij  in  1  Tim.  iii,  16,  against  the  criticisms  of  Griesbach. 
It  seems  now  clearly  ascertained  that  the  original  reading  of  the 
codices  A  and  C,  is  OC,  not  GC;  and  several  other  of  the  authori- 
ties'on  which  Joseph  John  Gurney  relied,  in  support  of  the  received 
text,  are  now  discovered  to  he  favourable  to  the  other  reading.  The 
evidence  will  be  found  briefly  but  clearly  summed  up  in  a  valuable 
communication  with  which  Dr.  Tregelles  has  kindly  favoured  me, 
printed  in  the  Appendix  to  the  present  volume.  (See  Appendix  A.)f 
Those  who  desire  a  more  complete  discussion  may  consult  the  recent 
work  of  Dr.  Davidson  on  Biblical  Criticism,  vol.  ii,  pp.  382 — 403. 
Without  venturing  to  differ  from  such  authorities,  they  whose 
opportunities  do  not  admit  of  such  investigations,  may  take  comfort 
in  remembering  that  the  doctrine  of  the  Deity  of  Christ  is  so  firmly 
grounded  upon  other  evidence,  altogether  conclusive  in  its  character, 
that,  to  use  Joseph  John  Gurney's  language,  *'  it  is  wholly  unneces- 
sary to  insist  on  any  passage  of  Scripture,"  in  support  of  it,  "of 
which  the  reading  is  justly  liable  to  dispute."  (Biblical  Notes,  p.  373.) 
Dr.  Tregelles  adds  his  strong  testimony  to  the  general  excellence  of 
Joseph  John  Gurney's  "work.  ''Thoroughly,"  he  observes,  ''as  the 
field  of  criticism  has  since  changed,  the  value  of  that  book  remains." 
f  English  edition. 


442  BIBLICAL  NOTES.  1830-18:31 

"  My  own  attainments  in  Biblical  criticism,"  observes  Joseph 
John  Gurnej,  "  are  by  no  means  great.  Yet  I  know  enough 
of  that  pursuit  to  be  thoroughly  convinced  that,  when  con- 
ducted on  just  principles,  it  Avill  never  support  those  novel 
explanations  of  Holy  Writ  which  have  been  seized  upon  with 
eagerness  by  modern  writers  of  a  speculative  turn.  If  I  am 
not  greatly  mistaken,  it-condemns  all  the  floating  fancies  of  the 
sceptic,  and  ranges  itself  on  the  side  of  that  sound  and  simple 
interpretation  of  Scripture,  which  has  been  familiar,  in  all 
ages  of  the  Church,  to  the  humble  followers  of  a  crucified 
Redeemer." 

It  is  not  needful  to  dwell  upon  the  commendation 
of  a  work  which  cannot  fail  to  be  highly  valued  by 
the  sound  Biblical  scholar.  The  present  notice  of  it 
might,  however,  appear  imperfect  if,  from  amongst 
the  numerous  letters  received  upon  its  publication, 
a  few  were  not  here  presented  to  the  reader. 

FROM    DANIEL    WILSON, 
(now  Bishop  of  Calcutta.) 

October  27th,  (1830.) 

*  *  *  I  may  tell  you  how  very  much  I  have  been  gratified 
by  the  entire  perusal.  I  wish  you  could  go  on  to  some  other 
line  of  scriptural  passages,  on  the  same  or  some  other  kindred 
subject.  The  bishops  of  London  and  Salisbury  *  have  ex- 
pressed their  warmest  approbation. 

FROM    CHARLES    SIMEON. 

K.  C,  February  4th,  1831. 

My  beloved  Friend, 

Not  I  only,  but  the  whole  Christian  world  are 
greatly  indebted  to  you.  How  you  ever  found  time  for  such 
research  I  cannot  imagine.     But  God  has, given  you  industry, 

*  This  was  the  late  Bishop  Burgess,  from  whom,  as  well  as  from 
the  Bishop  of  London,  and  several  others  of  the  English  bishops, 
Joseph  John  Gurney  himself  received  testimonials  of  their  high 
value  of  the  work. 


MT.  43.  BIBLICAL    NOTES.  443 

and  wliat  in  such  labours  is  of  no  less  value,  method ;  and  by 
these  you  have  accomplished  what  puts  us  ministers  all  to 
shame.  I  am  quite  delighted  with  the  clearness  of  your  state- 
ments, and  with  the  temperance  and  candour  with  which  you 
treat  those  from  whom  you  differ.  I  think  no  one  will  hence- 
forth hesitate  to  ascribe  to  its  true  author,  the  epistle  to  the 
Hebrews.  For  all  your  criticisms  I  thank  you  from  ray  inmost 
soul,  but,most  especially  for  that  on  Blayney's  interpretation 
of  Jer.  xxiii,  6.  I  had  exceedingly  grudged  him  that  text, 
and  lamented  that  I  was  not  able  to  rescue  it  from  his  grasp. 
And  all  who  love  our  most  adorable  Saviour  will  bless  you  for 
the  service  you  have  in  this  instance  rendered  to  the  Church. 
Had  I  conceived  that  your  powers  were  such  as  I  now  see 
them'  to  be,  I  should  never  have  dared  to  advise,  as  I  did  about 
nine  years  ago,  that  your  productions  should  wait  for  the 
notium  annum.  But  I  do  not  repent  of  my  rashness,  for 
time  has  not  only  matured,  but  greatly  increased  your  re- 
searches, and  enabled  you  to  bring  them  forth  to  far  greater 
advantage.  May  God  of  his  infinite  mercy  long  protract  your 
life,  that  you  may  render  yet  greater  and  greater  services  to 
his  cause.  I  am  most  thankful  to  have  such  books  as  that  and 
your  last,  to  recommend  to  the  young  students  of  the  University. 
And  •now,  my  beloved  friend,  let  me  say,  that,  whilst  I 
admire,  and  honour,  and  love  the  talents  with  which  God  in 
his  mercy  has  endoAved  you,  I  feel  anxious  that  you  should 
carefully  bear  in  mind  what  line  of  labour  that  is.  It  is  of 
immense  use  to  the  Church  of  God ;  but  it  may  be  followed 
too  exclusively  as  it  respects  your  own  soul.  Do  not  mistake 
me.  I  do  not  intend  to  intimate,  in  the  slightest  degree,  that 
such  pursuits  must  operate  to  the  disadvantage  of  your  soul  in 
its  devotional  feelings,  but  only  to  suggest,  Avith  truly  brotherly 
affection,  that  they  may.  Vitam  jjerdidi  operose  nihil  agendo, 
was  the  dying  complaint  of  a  great  critic  ;  and  therefore  it 
will  be  well  to  bear  in  mind,  that  the  species  of  research, 
which  God  has  so  wonderfully  enabled  you  to  prosecute,  may, 
hj  possibility,  become  a  snare,  and  rob  the  soul  whilst  it  is 
furnishing  the  mind.     It  may  doubtless    be  united,  as  I  am 


444  BIBLICAL   NOTES.  1831. 

■well  assured  it  is  in  you,  with  rauch  devotional  feeling,  and  be 
as  great  a  blessing  to  yourself  as  it  is  to  the  world ;  but  as 
there  is  a  possibility  of  giving  it  too  exclusive  a  place  in  your 
heart,  I  venture,  with  all  humility  and  in  tender  love,  to 
suggest  the  idea  to  your  mind :  and  I  the  rather  do  this 
because,  whilst  others  may  be  afraid  of  offering  such  a  hint,  I 
am  no  more  afraid  of  your  imputing  it  to  me  for  evil,  or 
feeling  offended  at  it,  than  I  am  afraid  of  such  a  reception  of 
it  at  the  hands  of  my  heavenh'  Father.*  If  you  needed  any 
proof,  you  would  find  in  it  a  proof  with  what  truly  Christian 
regard  I  am 

Your  much  edified  disciple, 
and  your  most  afiectionate  brother  in  the  Lord, 

C.  Simeon. 

FROM  ABRAHAM    RAWLINSON    BARCLAY. 

Leytonstone,  28th  1st  mo.,  1831. 

*  *  *  I  have  been  reading  at  my  ease  thy  last  work,  and 
have  been  much  interested  with  some  of  the  Essays,  especially 
the  critical  parts,  which  form  a  very  valuable  addition,  I  think, 
to  our  Biblical  criticisms.  Number  sixteen  I  have  noted,| 
particularly  the  latter  half,  parts  of  which  are  beautifully 
striking.  *  *  *  With  thy  motto  from  Athanasius  I  have  often 
finished  ofi"  my  reading ;  and  again  and  again  with  deep  profit. 

FROM    HENRY   HUXTINGFORD. 

Winchester,  June  27th,  1832. 

Though  I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  your  acquaintance,  yet 
the  perusal  of  your  works  on  Christianity  has  made  me  feel 
for  you  something  much  more  than  respect,  —  a  \erj  great 
esteem.     But  my  object  in  troubling  you  with  this  letter,  is 

*  How  much  alive  Joseph  John  Gurney  was  to  these  considerations 
his  Journal  bears  ample  testimony.  But  the  faithfulness  and  love 
which  this  letter  breathes,  may  surely  be  classed  among  the  fruits  of 
that  "  one  Spirit "  which  circulates  through  the  various  members  of 
the  "one  body"  of  Christ. 

■j-  On  the  Prophecies  of  Isaiah,  in  chap,  vii,  viii,  and  ix. 


iET.  43.  BIBLICAL    NOTES.  445 

to  mention  to  jou  that,  had  my  beloved  and  levered  relative, 
the  late  Bishop  of  Hereford,  lived  longer,  you  would  have 
received  a  letter  from  him  expressing  the  very  great  satisfac- 
tion he  had  derived  from  reading  your  two  volumes  ;*  the 
sentiments  of  which  I  have  heard  him  often  say,  exactly 
corresponded  with  his  own.  He  delighted  in  your  strenuous 
support  of  0£o.c  s(pavsgwd»),  and  of  the  epistle  to  the  Hebrews : 
and  in  the  exalted  notions  you  entertain  of  the  divine  nature 
and  supreme  and  uncreated  dignity  of  that  blessed  Saviour, 
in  whose  merits  alone  man  can  find  refuge  or  hope.  It  was 
my  dear  relative's  habit,  not  to  thank  any  author  for  sending 
a  work  till  he  had  read  it  through ;  which  he  had  not  had 
sufficient  leisure  to  do  with  yours,  till  lately.  He  had  half 
finished  a  letter  to  you,  containing  some  remarks  on  various 
passages,  when  it  pleased  a  merciful  Providence  to  call  him 
from  this  state  of  trial,  into  the  presence  of  that  Being,  in 
Avhom,  though  he  had  not  seen  him,  he  so  firmly  believed, 
and  so  afi'ectionately  confided. 

To  return  to  the  Journal :  — 

2nd  mo.,  Qth.  Some  praises  bestowed  upon  me  in  the 
Quarterly  Review  are  mixed  with  abuse  of  the  sect  to  which  I 
belong.  There  is  often  to  be  observed  a  tendency  in  the  world, 
to  exalt  individual  Quakers,  and  utterly  to  trample  on  the 
principles  which  give  birth  to  what  little  good  may  be  found 
in  them.  May  we  be  content  to  be  accounted  fools  for  our 
Redeemer's  sake !  And  may  we  be  increasingly  delivered 
from  everything  in  religion,  which  is  not  pure  and  simple 
Christianity  ! 

2nd  mo.,  20th.  A  fortnight  since  1  wrote.  I  find  it 
difficult  to  catch  time  in  its  rapid  flight.  What  a  ceaseless 
stream  is  bearing  me  onwards  to  eternity  !  On  sixth  day  the 
11th,  I  went  with  my  dear  sister  Fry,  (who  had  been  staying 
with  us,)  to  Upton,  reading  the  Chalmeriana  as  we  journeyed. 
It  was  a  privilege  to  enjoy  her  society  quietly.     In  London 

*The  Essays  on  Christianity,  and  the  Biblical  Notes. 


446  JOURNAL.  1831. 

and  its  neighbourhood,  many  duties,  some  pain,  and  move 
pleasure,  awaited  me.  An  anti-slavery  party  at  Buxton's:, 
with  a  view  of  arranging  his  parliamentary  proceedings,  was  a 
lively  and  interesting  occasion.  Present,  IMackintosh,  Lush- 
ington.  Lord  Calthorpe,  Lord  Nugent,  Macaulay,  (father  and 
son,)  Evans,  Briscoe,  Wood,  Sykes,  Weyland,  (all  M.P's..) 
Daniel  Wilson,  Richard  Watson,  Burnet  from  Ireland, 
•James  Cropper,  Samuel  Hoare,  my  brother  Samuel,  and 
myself.  I  was  glad  to  be  enabled  to  give  the  discussion  a 
turn  in  a  way  that  helped  Fowell,  our  leader  and  chief 
labourer. 

2nd  mo.,  2Sth.  My  studies  have  been  in  some  degree 
prospered ;  and  the  subject  of  the  Sabbath,  on  which  I  am 
now  writing,  has  become  deeply  interesting  to  me.  Yesterday 
was  a  solemn  sabbath  indeed,  especially  at  the  morning 
meeting,  in  which  the  apostolic  declaration  that  "whether 
we  live  or  die,  we  are  the  Lord's,"  was  treated  of  as  a  "two- 
edged  sword,"  (Heb.  iv.)  for  the  alarm  of  the  ungodly,  and 
for  the  consolation  of  the  afflicted.  In  our  eveninnj  reading, 
also,  the  glories  of  the  heavenly  state  were  much  before  us. 
I  earnestly  pray,  that  the  truth  of  these  things  may  be  brought 
home  to  my  own  spirit. 

ord  mo.,  20th.  First  day  morning.  What  an  amazing 
privilege  for  so  poor  and  vile  a  creature  as  I  am,  to  be  per- 
mitted to  hold  intercourse  with  a  being  of  perfect  purity,  and 
infinite  power  and  glory.  How  could  it  be  so,  Avere  it  not  for 
him  who  is  the  way?  "Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  all 
that  is  within  me,  bless  his  holy  name  !"  *  *  Age  is  beginning 
to  make  perceptible  inroads  upon  us  all.  May  we  be  pre- 
pared for  every  change  that  can  befall  these  short-lived  bodies  ! 
It  is  cheering  to  believe,  and  certainly  to  know  (on  the  sure 
evidence  of  God's  promise)  that  if  we  live  and  die  in  Christ, 
we  shall  be  made  partakers  of  a  glorious  resurrection,  and 
shall  inhabit  spiritual  bodies,  like  unto  the  body  of  our  Lord, 
glorious  and  incorruptible.  Christ  has  abolished  the  whole 
law  of  death.     "Thy  dead  men  shall  live,"  &;c.,  Isa.  xxvi,  19. 

Afternoon.  The  morning  meeting  was  to  me  unusually 
iolemn,  and  I  humbly  hope  the  language  of  invitation  and 


^.T.  43.  WOBK    UPON    THE    SABBATH.  447 

exhortation  "was  not  held  out  in  vain.  Yet  I  have  feared  lest  in 
tlie  flow  of  the  gift,  I  should  in  any  degree  lose  sight  of  sim- 
plicity and  hiunility.  How  needful  to  abide  in  them,  even  as 
the  little  child  ! 

Third  day  morning,  {2>d  mo.,  21nd.)  Having  felt  a  lively 
interest  in  the  parliamentary  reform  question,  I  wrote  a  long 
letter  on  the  subject  to  Lord  Calthorpe,  but  have  been  this 
morning  called  home  to  my  centre,  and  reminded  that  much  of 
these  matters  is  not  my  business.  Rather  let  me  leave  all  with 
prayer  to  the  gracious  care  of  my  God  afid  Saviour. 

In  the  earl  J  part  of  this  year  lie  was  closely  en- 
gaged, in  preparing  for  the  press  his  work  upon  the 
Sabbath. 

"  When  the  Biblical  Notes  were  completed,"  he  writes  in  his 
Autobiography,  "  I  believed  it  right  to  direct  my  studies  to  a 
subordinate  point  of  no  small  practical  importance,  the  History, 
Authority,  and  Use  of  the  Sabbath  day.  The  investigation 
occupied  the  leisure  of  a  full  winter,  and  my  little  work  on  this 
subject  was  the  result.* 

"  The  Original  Sabbath,  the  Sabbath  under  the  Mosaic 
Law,  and  the  Sabbath  under  the  Gospel,  are  there  severally 
examined  with  a  good  deal  of  pains  and  attention.  The 
general  conclusion  in  which  the  pursuit  of  this  study  fully 
confirmed  me  was,  that  the  practice  of  setting  apart  one- 
seventh  part  of  time,  for  the  special  purposes  of  rest  and 
worship,  belongs  to  that  law  of  the  Lord  which  changes  not ; 
that  it  is  no  affair  of  expediency,  but  clearly  a  duty  which 
has  received  the  divine  sanction  from  the  beginning.  Yet,'  I 
think,  there  is  abundant  authority,  under  the  Gospel,  both  for 

*  The  title  of  the  work  is,  Brief  Eemarks  on  the  History, 
Authority,  and  Use  of  the  Sabbath.  The  first  edition  was  published 
in  the  spring  of  1881,  and  numerous  editions  have  been  subse- 
quently issued.  It  has  been  reprinted  and  largely  circulated  in 
the  United  States,  with  a  preface  and  notes  by  the  late  Moses 
Stuart. 


448  WORK    UPON    THE    SABBATH.  1831. 

the  relaxation  of  legal  strictness  in  this  matter,  and  for  tlie 
change  of  day  from  the  seventh,  a  day  of  death  to  the  Saviour, 
to  the  first  of  the  week ;  when  he  afresh  displayed  his  glorious 
power  by  his  resurrection  from  the  dead.  Of  that  most  im- 
portant event,  the  Christian  Sabbath,  held  on  the  first  day  of 
each  week,  has  been  a  living  and  efi'ective,  though  silent  wit- 
ness, in  each  succeeding  age  of  the  church ;  and  will,  I  doubt 
not,  continue  to  be  so,  until  she  is  finally  glorified  where  the 
Sabbath  never  ceases." 

"  I  wish  it  to  *be  distinctly  understood,"  he  remarks  on 
another  occasion,  "that  in  sometimes  applying  the  term 
Sabbath  to  the  first  day  of  the  week,  as  it  is  observed  among 
Christians,  I  have  had  a  view  to  the  simple  meaning  of  the 
Hebrew  word,  A'iz  :  '  cessation  from  labour.'  '  And,  while  I 
am  of  the  judgment  that  the  setting  apart  of  one  day,  after 
every  recurring  period  of  six  days  of  labour,  for  the  blessed 
purposes  of  rest  and  worship,  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  a  mat- 
ter of  mere  expediency,  but  as  a  moral  and  rehgious  duty,  truly 
belonging  to  the  law  of  our  God;  I  fully  unite  in  the  sentiment 
expressed  by  Robert  Barclay,  and  others  of  our  early  Friends, 
that  no  one  portion  of  time  ought  to  be  regarded  by  Christians 
as  in  itself  holier  than  another ;  that  all  our  time  is  the 
Lord's,  and  that,  ceasing  from  our  own  wicked  works,  and  all 
the  willing  and  running  of  the  carnal  mind,  we  must  press 
forward  after  that  glorious  rest,  (typified  by  the  sabbath  of 
the  Jews,)  of  which  a  precious  foretaste  is  bestowed  even  here ; 
and  which  is  perfected,  for  the  people  of  God,  in  the  world  to 
come."  * 

FROM   SIR   FRANCIS   PALGRAVE. 

July  30th,  1831. 

I  cannot  deny  myself  the  pleasure  of  addressing  you  on  the 
subject  of  your  late  little  work.  It  is  perhaps  one  of  the 
most  thoroughly  argumentative  and  conclusive  of  any  of  the 
productions  of  a  similar  kind  ;  and,  under  Providence,  we  may 

*  Letter  to  Stephen  A.  Chase,  dated  7th  nic,  26th,  1846. 


mi.  48.  RELIGIOUS    ENGAGEMENTS    IN    BRISTOL.  449 

hope  that  its  utility  will  equal  its  merits.  The  seventh  day 
cycle  must  have  been  adopted  simultaneously  (if  such'a  term 
can  be  used)  by  all  the  different  nations  who  adopt  it,  because 
they  all  seem  to  have  had  the  same  starting  point.  The  first 
day  of  the  Hindoos  is  the  same  actual  first  day  as  that  of  the 
Jews,  or  of  the  Teutonic  nations.  Had  it  been  merely 
arbitrary,  nations  might  have  agreed  in  employing  the  same 
cycle,  but  their  starting  points  would  not  necessarily  have  beer 
uniform.  *  *  In  London  the  evil  arising  from  Sunday  papers 
is  incalculable,  though  it  is  hopeless  to  attempt  any  legislative 
remedy. 

In  the  Spring  of  this  year  he  believed  himself 
called  into  religious  service  in  the  West  of  England, 
particularly  at  Bristol  and  its  neighbourhood.  After 
alluding  to  the  "  deep  conflict"  into  which  his  mind 
had  been  plunged  in  reference  to  this  engagement, 
he  says  :  — 

0  that  I  may  be  for  ever  delivered  from  my  own  willings 
and  runnings,  and  have  faith  to  follow  the  clue  which  is 
leading  me,  I  trust,  through  the  mazes  of  life  to  a  joyful 
eternity. 

"Whilst  absorbed  in  his  labours  at  Bristol,  one  of 
his  nephews,  resident  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Lon- 
don, was  seized  with  a  violent  attack  of  illness. 

"  "Were  my  engagements  of  a  different  kind,"  he  writes  to 
his  sister  Catherine,  then  in  London,  "  it  would  be  the  greatest 
happiness  that  I  could  have,  under  the  circumstances,  to  be 
with  my  dearest  brother  and  sister ;  whose  concerns  you  all 
know  to  be  as  near  to  me  as  almost  anything  in  life,  and 
I  believe  as  life  itself.  But  I  dare  not  quit  my  work  at 
present.*  I  never  before,  that  I  remember,  set  my  hand  to 
80  weighty  an  engagement." 

*  This  sentence  is  slightly  transposed. 

Vol.  L  —  29 


450  MEETINGS    WITU    THE    YOUNG.  1831. 

Tn    liis    Autobiography    he    writes,  in    allusion    to 
this  period  :  — 

About  270  visits  were  paid  to  the  families  of  Friends  ;  many 
public  and  other  meetings  were  held ;  and  tbe  conclusion  was 
marked  by  great  peace,  and  the  general  love  and  unity  of  my 
friends.  I  met  with  some  interesting  persons  at  Bristol 
besides  Friends ;  among  others,  Conybeare,  the  geologist ; 
and  Dr.  Prichard,  the  author  of  the  Physical  History  of 
Man,  &c.  :  persons  in  whose  hands  science,  of  prime  order, 
comes  in  as  the  handmaid  and  supporter  of  religion.  Among 
the  meetings  held  at  my  request  at  Bristol,  four  were  for  the 
express  purpose  of  instructing  the  younger  part  of  the  Society, 
in  the  evidences  of  the  Christian  religion,  historical,  pro- 
phetical, and  internal ;  also  the  scriptural  ground  of  the  views 
which  distinguish  our  own  body.  They  were  appointed  under 
a  direct  apprehension  of  duty,  then  and  there  impressed ;  and, 
I  may  truly  say,  in  as  much  of  dependence  on  divine  help  as 
meetings  of  a  higher  character.  Friends  entered  into  the 
concern  with  cordiality,  and  it  is  not  to  be  denied  that  the 
seal  of  solemnity  was  graciously  permitted  to  rest  upon  these 
meetings,  and  to  crown  their  termination-  I  had  previously 
held  meetings  of  this  kind  at  Kendal;  and  have  since  held 
many  of  the  same  description  in  Manchester,  Liverpool, 
Newcastle,  London,  &c. ;  always  with  the  sanction  of  the 
Friends  among  whom  my  lot  was  cast.  My  view  of  the 
subject  is,  that  there  is  to  be  known  and  used  in  the  Church, 
the  gift  of  teaching,  as  well  as  that  of  preaching ;  that  both 
these  gifts  are  from  the  Spirit  of  the  Redeemer ;  but  that  the 
■former  allows  of  fi*eer  exercise  of  our  natural  powers  than  the 
latter.  It  ought,  in  my  opinion,  to  have  no  place  in  our 
meetings  for  worship ;  but  on  other  occasions,  both  pubUc 
and  private,  may  be  rightly  exercised  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 
We  shall  never  thrive  upon  ignorance.  Our  Creator  would  have 
us  cultivate  our  understandings  in  matters  of  a  religious  as 
weU  as  civil  nature.  The  great  rule  is,  that  all  should  be 
subordinate  to  the  highest  object,  all  "in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,"  all  "  for  the  glory  of  God."     While  this 


-ET.  43.  LETTER   TO   HIS    SON   AT   SCHOOL.  451 

rule  is  observed,  there  is  no  danger.  When  I  speak  of 
teaching  as  having  no  place  in  our  meetings  for  worship,  I 
refer  to  that  lower  gift,  the  exercise  of  which  does  not  rise  to 
the  scale  of  gospel  ministry ;  but  in  a  wider  sense  of  the  term 
there  will  often  be  much  of  teaching  in  the  public  services  of 
rightly  qualijSed  ministers.  Like  the  apostles  of  old,  they  will 
"not  cease  to  teach  and  to  preach  Jesus  Christ."  * 

A  letter  to  one  of  his  children  has  already  been 
introduced.  His  mode  of  communicating  with  them 
may  be  further  illustrated  by  the  following  extracts 
from  a  letter  to  his  son  at  school,  written  whilst  at 
Melksham,  on  his  way  to  Bristol. 

Elm  Grove,  4th  mo(.,  8th,  1831. 
Rom.  xii,  11.     Griesbach's  Text, 

My  Dear  J H , 

I  suppose  thou  hast  observed  the  motto  on 
my  title-page,  and  I  trust  thou  hast  found  no  difficulty  in 
translating  it.     "  Serving  the  time."     The  more  commonly 

*  Some  idea  of  the  general  character  of  the  addresses  delivered  at 
the  meetings  here  referred  to  may  be  obtained  from  a  little  volume 
published  in  1835,  by  Hamilton,  Adams,  and  Co.,  under  the  title  of 
Four  Lectures  on  the  Evidences  of  Christianity,  delivered  in  South- 
wark,  1834,  to  the  Junior  Members  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  by 
J.  J.  Gurney,  Esq.  This  volume,  printed  from  short-hand  notes, 
never  received  Joseph  John  Gurney's  sanction,  and  abounds  with 
inaccuracies  obvious  to  every  intelligent  reader.  With  all  these 
disadvantages,  however,  the  excellent  spirit  that  pervades  the 
addresses,  as  here  given,  is  very  conspicuous ;  and  many  of  the 
observations,  especially  in  the  third  lecture,  •'  On  the  Divinity  of 
Christ;"  and  in  the  fourth,  ''On  the  Doctrine  of  the  Holy  Spirit," 
and  its  development  in  the  principles  and  practices  of  Friends,  arc 
striking  and  appropriate,  and  throughout  highly  practical.  Far 
indeed  was  it  from  his  desire,  to  cherish  the  acquisition  of  knowledge, 
rather  than  that  deep-searching  heart-work  which  he  knew,  from 
his  own  experience,  to  be  all-important. 


452  "SERVING    THE    TIMBi"  1831. 

received  text  is  rendered,  "  Serving  the  Lord;"  but  there  is  a 
preponderating  authority  of  ancient  manuscripts  and  versions 
in  favour  of  the  words  of  my  motto;  and,  whilst  the  whole 
Scripture  is  calculated  to  impress  upon  us  the  primary  duty  of 
serving  the  Lord,  we  may  be  content  to  derive  from  this 
particular  passage  a  very  useful  though  subordinate  lesson. 
What  is  that  lesson  ?  It  is,  that  we  should  be  always  on  the 
watch  to  mahe  a  good  use  of  our  time.  As  the  servant  who 
waits  well  on  his  master  is  ever  on  the  qui  vive  to  know  what 
will  next  be  wanted,  so  are  we  to  wait  on  the  hours,  and  even 
on  the  moments,  of  each  passing  day,  to  know  what  duties 
they  point  out  to  us,  or  what  employment  they  suggest  for 
the  improvement  of  our  minds.  There  is  nothing  more 
astonishing,  or  more  calculated  to  impress  us  with  the 
glorious,  incomprehensible  nature  of  God,  than  the  infinite 
magnitude  and  minuteness  of  nature.  The  wonders  developed 
to  us  by  the  telescope  are  matched  by  those  which  the 
microscope  reveals  —  and  powerful  as  these  instruments  are 
become,  through  the  devices  of  modern  science,  they  each 
leave  unperceived  an  infinity  of  marvels  into  which  man 
cannot  dive.  Something  after  the  same  sort  may  be  observed 
as  it  relates  to  time.  Philosophers  are  sometimes  heard  to 
speak,  not  only  of  the  eternal  courses  of  ages  and  centuries, 
but  of  the  endless  divisibility  of  moments ;  and  the  best  of  all 
philosophy  teaches  us  that  with  God  "  a  thousand  years  are  as 
one  day  ;"  and  also,  that  "  one  day  "  is  "  as  a  thousand  years." 
How  watchful  and  diligent  then  ought  we  to  be  in  applying 
even  the  shortest  spaces  of  time  to  their  right  use  !  I  do  not 
mean  to  infer  that  we  are  always  to  be  on  the  strain  ;  far 
from  it.  We  do  not  serve  a  hard  Master.  I  mean  only,  that 
while  we  tread  the  course  of  life  with  a  step  at  once  steady 
and  easy,  we  should  never  degenerate  into  indolence ;  but  be 
quick  to  seize  every  passing  opportunity,  both  for  doing  good 
to  others  and  for  the  cultivation  of  our  own  minds.  We 
should,  in  this  respect,  endeavour  to  form  the  habit  of  vigi- 
lance, and  such  a  habit  will  be  sure  to  yield  us  an  abundant 
return  both  of  pleasure  and  profit. 

I  have  sometimes  endeavoured  to  apply  these  principles  to 


^T.  43.         APPLIED  AND  ILLUSTRATED.  453 

travelling,  in  which  a  considerable  portion  of  the  time  of  maiy 
persons  is  ahiiost  unavoidably  occupied.  A  call  of  duty  or 
business  may  often  carry  us  to  places  at  a  distance  from  our 
own  homes.  Is  the  time  taken  up  by  the  journeij  to  be  one  of 
mere  indolence  ?  Is  the  convenience  of  being  conveyed  from 
one  place  to  another  to  be  the  only  profit  which  it  shall  yield  ? 
Oucht  we  not  rather  to  make  a  point,  on  such  occasions,  of 
adding  to  our  stock  of  knowledge,  and  of  useful  ideas,  by  read- 
ing, conversation,  and  reflection  ?  Is  there  no  object  of  interest 
which  may  be  examined  by  the  way?  Is  there  no  person  of 
piety  or  talent  with  whom  we  may  find  a  passing  opportunity 
of  communicating  ?  Are  the  motions  of  the  coach  or  the 
chariot  so  rapid  that  we  cannot  leave  behind  us,-  as  we  pass 
from  place  to  place,  important  instruction,  in  the  form  of 
Bibles,  Testaments,  or  Tracts  ?  3Iuch  may  not  be  required 
of  us,  but  it  is  well,  if  on  our  arrival  at  the  place  of  our  desti- 
nation, we  can  acknowledge  that  we  have  both  received  and 
communicated  a  little  good  in  the  course  of  our  journey. 

I  propose  to  illustrate  these  remarks  by  some  account  of  the 
incidents  of  the  journey  which  thy  dear  mother  and  I  have 
just  been  taking  from  Earlham  to  Elm  Grove :  not  because  we 
consider  ourselves  by  any  means  so  watchful  over  our  time  in 
travelling,  as  we  ought  to  be ;  but  because  it  so  happened  that 
this  transit  from  Norfolk  to  Wiltshire,  required  as  it  was  by 
the  calls  of  afi"ection  and  duty,  has  afforded  us  some  unexpected 
opportunities  both  of  pleasure  and  mental  improvement.  Had 
we  not  been  in  some  degree  on  the  watch  for  them,  they  might 
have  passed  by  us,  unnoticed  and  unimproved.  Since,  how- 
ever, our  route,  for  the  most  part,  lay  through  an  uninteresting 
country,  I  shall  confine  myself  to  some  notice  of  an  afternoon 
at  Cambridge,  and  a  morning  at  Oxford,  for  both  these  places 
were  on  our  nearest  road. 

We  left  home  last  third  day  morning  before  breakfast, 
with  dear  little  Anna  for  our  companion,  and  arrived  at  Cam- 
bridge— sixty-three  miles — by  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon- 
How  grateful  ought  we  to  be  for  well  trained  horses,  and  well 
made  roads,  which  of  late  years  have  been  the  means  of  so 
suriously  compressing   distances;    so    that,  for   example,  th<i 


464  ATTERNOON    AT    CAMBRIDGE.  1831. 

(•itizen  of  Nonvich  becomes  the  near  neighbour  of  the  citizen 
of  Cambridge.  Ere  long,  stcatn  may  probably  bring  us  into 
yet  closer  proximity  I 

As  we  drove  up  to  the  Eagle  Inn,  -we  met  our  dear  nephew, 
E —  B — ,  a  student  of  Trinity  college,  who  was  our  faithful 
companion  during  the  remainder  of  the  day  ;  and  G —  H — 
afterwards  joined  us.  After  ordering  dinner  we  sallied  forth 
for  a  walk ;  but  first  sent  a  note  to  our  dear  friend,  Charles 
Simeon,  the  well-known  fellow  of  King's  College,  to  propose 
spending  part  of  the  evening  with  him.  While  we  were  absent 
from  the  inn,  there  arrived  a  small,  characteristic  note,  hastily 
written  by  him  in  pencil — "Yes,  yes,  yes,  come  immediately 
and  dine  with  me  !"  Simeon  has  the  warm  and  eager  manners 
of  a  foreigner,  with  an  English  heart  beneath  them.  He  is 
full  of  love  towards  all  who  love  his  Master,  and  a  faithful, 
sympathizing  friend  to  those  who  have  the  privilege  of  sharing 
his  more  intimate  affections.  To  all  around  him,  whether 
religious  or  worldly,  he  is  kind  and  courteous :  and  by  this 
means,  as  well  as  by  the  weight  of  his  character,  he  has  gra- 
dually won  a  popularity  at  Cambridge,  which  now  seems  to 
triumph  over  all  prejudice  and  persecution.  He  is  upwards 
of  seventy  years  of  age,  but  his  eye  is  not  dim,  his  joints  not 
stiffened,  his  intellect  not  obscured.  His  mind,  lips,  eyes,  and 
hands  move  along  together  in  unison.  And  singularly  pliable 
and  rapid  is  he  both  in  his  mental  and  bodily  movements ; 
quick  to  utter  what  he  feels,  and  to  act  what  he  utters.  His 
conversation  abounds  in  illustrations ;  and,  while  all  his  thoughts 
and  words  run  in  the  channel  of  religion,  he  clothes  them  with 
brightness  and  entertainment ;  and  men,  women,  and  even 
children,  are  constrained  to  listen.  *  *  * 

We  declined  his  invitation  to  dinner,  and  had  no  intention 
of  intruding  upon  him  before  the  evening ;  but  as  we  were 
walking  near  King's  College,  we  heard  a  loud  halloo  behind 
us,  and  presently  saw  our  aged  friend,  forgetful  of  the  gout, 
dancing  over  the  lawn  to  meet  us.  Althouo^h  the  said  lawn  is 
iorbidden  ground,  except  to  the  fellows  of  the  college,  we  had 
little  hesitation  in  transgressing  the  law  on  such  an  occasion  ; 
and  our  hands  were  soon  clasped  in  his  with  all  the  warmth  of 


.ET.  43.  SIMEON.  4o« 

mutual  friendship.  He  then  became  our  guide,  and  led  ui 
through  several  of  the  colleges.  *  *  * 

Our  venerable  friend  seemed  to  take  great  delight  in  show- 
in  (^  us  the  beauties  of  his  favourite  Cambridge ;  and  as  we 
walked  along,  we  conversed  pleasantly  together. 

I  was  observing  that  age  was  not  suOicientlj  reverenced  in 
the  present  day. 

Simeon.  '•  It  is  worthy  of  reverence  vrhen  found  in  the  way 
of  righ.teousneg^." 

We  were  soon  afterwards  talking  of  the  crude  zeal  of  many 
persons,  who  lose  their  balance  in  religion,  and  seem  inclined 
to  drive  up  the  church  of  Christ  into  a  narrow  corner.  This 
led  us  to  think  of  the  wisdom  which  is  without  partiality. 

Simeon.  "  I  have  long  pursued  the  study  of  Scripture  with 
a  desire  to  be  impartial.  I  call  myself  neither  a  predestinarian 
nor  an  anti-predestinarian :  but  I  commit  myself  to  the  teach- 
ing of  the  inspired  writers,  whatever  complexion  it  may  assume. 
In  the  beginning  of  my  inquiries,  I  said  to  myself,  one  thing 
I  know  assuredly — that  in  religion,  of  myself,  /  knoic  nothing. 
I  do  not  therefore  sit  down  to  the  perusal  of  Scripture  in  order 
to  impose  a  sense  on  the  inspired  writers,  but  to  receive  one. 
as  they  give  it  me.  I  preten'd  not  to  teach  them  ;  I  wish,  like 
a  child,  to  be  taught  b]/  them.  When  I  come  to  a  text  which 
speaks  of  election.  I  delight  myself  in  the  doctrine  of  election. 
When  the  apostles  exhort  me  to  repentance  and  obedience, 
and  indicate  the  freedom  of  my  will,  I  give  myself  up  to  that 
side  of  the  question,  and  behold  I  am  an  Arminian !  Don^ 
you  know,  my  dear  brother,  that  the  wheels  of  your  watch 
move  in  opposite  directions  ?  Yet  they  are  all  tending  to  one 
result.  Let  two  balls  be  projected  from  equal  angles — I  case 
not  what  angle  it  may  be — against  a  third  ball  lying  before 
them  ;  and  if  the  forces  afe  even,  it  will  move  forward  in  a 
line  perfectly  straight.  But  if  the  ball  on  the  right  hand  be 
alone  projected  against  the  central  ball,  the  latter  will  fly  off 
to  the  left.  If  the  left  hand  ball  is  the  only  one  which  strikes 
it,  away  it  rolls  to  the  right.  So  it  is  in  religion.  Hope  and 
fear  are  the  strongest  motives  which  actuate  the  mind  of  maii. 
Here  comes  the  doctrine  of  election,  fraught  with  hope  and 


456  AFTERNOON  AT  CAMBRIDGE.  1831. 

consolation,  and  strikes  the  mind  of  tlie  believer  from  one 
fjuarter.  From  the  opposite  quarter  comes  tlie  doctrine  of 
free-will  and  man's  responsibility,  calculated  to  excite  onr  fear. 
They  operate  in  true  harmony,  and  the  believer  moves  straight 
forward.  Let  him  embrace  the  doctrine  of  election  only,  and 
off  he  goes  to  the  left  hand ;  or  of  free-vfill  only,  and  away  he 
Hies  to  the  right.  Nothing  will  preserve  him  in  a  straight 
line,  but  the  joint  action  of  both  motives,  or,  in  other  words, 
undivided  Christianity.  Why  in  Scotland,  Sir,  they  will  toll 
you  that  heaven  itself  is  not  large  enough  to  hold  John 
Wesley."  AVe  now  reached  the  new  hall  of  King's  just  as 
the  college  dinner  was  awaiting  him.  "  You  see  I  have  taken 
leave  of  the  gout,"  said  he  merrily,  as  he  leaped  up  the  steps. 

In  the  evening  we  walked  to  Simeon's  rooms,  and  met 
with  the  usual  warm  and  courteous  reception.  Over  the  chim- 
ney piece,  in  his  drawing  room,  hangs  an  interesting  picture 
of  Heniy  Martyn  ;  once  the  eleve  of  Simeon  at  Cambridge, 
and  senior  wrangler  in  his  year ;  afterwards  the  devoted  mis- 
sionary of  high  talent  and  love  unfeigned,  who  counted  not  his 
life  dear  unto  himself,  "  that  he  might  finish  his  course  with 
joy,  and  the  ministry  which  he  had  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
to  testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace-of  Grod." 

Simeon.  "  The  picture  was  painted  in  India.  When  I 
went  to  the  India  House,  in  London,  and  saw  the  box  opened, 
I  started  back  with  mixed  emotions  of  sorrow  and  delight, 
when  I  beheld  the  countenance  of  my  beloved  Henry.  As  I 
retreated  to  the  other  end  of  the  room,  I  heard  the  people 
saying — 'That  is  his  father.'" 

Whilst  we  were  enjoying  our  cup  of  tea,  our  dear  friend 
continued  to  converse  in  his  own  peculiar  manner.  *  *  * 

Simeon.  "  Perfect  religion  is  to  the  soul  what  the  soul  is 
to  the  body.  The  soul  animates  the  whole  person.  It  sees 
through  the  eye — hears  through  the  ear — tastes  through  the 
mouth  —  handles  through  the  hands  —  talks  throujih  the 
tongue  —  reflects  through  the  -brain.  The  whole  body  is 
moved  and  regulated  by  an  impulse  from  within.  Let 
religion  take  full  possession  of  the  soul,  and  it  will  be  found 
to  actuate  all  its  movements,  and  direct  all  its  powers.     There 


JET.  43.  SIMEON.  457 

will  be  no  violent  efforts,  no  stiffness,  no  awkwardness.  All 
will  be  natural  and  easy.  An  unseen  and  gentle  influence  will 
pervade  the  zohole  mind,  and  regulate  the  whole  conduct ;  and 
thus  the  creature  Will  gradually  become  conformed  to  the  image 
of  his  Creator.     This,  my  brother,  is  perfect  religion." 

We  talked  of  spiritual  discernment.  I  mentioned  the  de- 
claration of  Paul,  that  "the  spiritual  man  judgeth  all  things 
(■irav-a  avax^/vfi)  and  is  judged  himself  of  no  man." 

Simeon.  "  Yes,  my  brother,  the  spiritual  man  has  a  sense 
of  his  own ;  or  rather,  his  natural  vision  is  corrected,  and 
rendered  applicable  to  divine  things,  by  an  influence  from 
above.  I  am  told  to  look  at  the  planets.  I  can  see  Jupiter 
and  Venus ;  but  there  is  the  Georgium  Sidus.  I  look  again 
— I  strain  my  eyes  —  I  cannot  see  it.  Here,  take  the  tele- 
scope. 0  !  yes,  now  I  see  it.  How  beautiful  the  star !  how 
perspicuous  the  vision  !  You  tell  me  to  read  that  almanack. 
I  am  young  and  short  sighted.  The  ball  of  my  eye  is  too 
convex  ;  the  rays  meet  before  they  arrive  at  the  retina.  My 
brother,  it  is  all  confusion.  I  am  old,  my  lens  is  flattened; 
the  rays  meet  even  behind  my  head :  the  retina  is  left 
untouched  by  them.  Give  the  young  man  those  spectacles 
with  a  concave  glass.  Now  he  sees  !  now  he  can  read  the 
book  !  now  the  rays  meet  precisely  on  his  .retina.  Here,  my 
old  friend,  take  these  convex  glasses  ;  they  will  rectify  your 
fading  vision.  He  sees  !  he  reads  !  again  the  retina  is  touched 
and  pencilled  with  nice  precision.  So  it  is  with  the  Spirit. 
In  whatever  manner  or  degree  the  vision  of  the  soul  is 
disordered,  the  Spirit  is  always  applicable — always  a  rectifier ! 
The  wordling  is  like -the  mariner  of  ancient  times,  who  had 
nothing  to  guide  him  through  the  trackless  deep  but  the 
sun,  the  mooa,  and  the  stars :  Avhen  these  were  veiled,  all 
was  obscurity,  guess  work,  and  peril.  But  the  religious  man, 
however  simple,  is  like  the  modern  mariner,  who  has  a 
compass  on  board,  which  will  always  guide  him  aright,  how- 
ever cloudy  the  atmosphere,  however  dark  the  night.  The 
Christian  has  a  compass  within  him  —  a  faithful  monitor  —  a 
olear  director.  If  he  consult  his  compass  diligently,  he  will 
be  sure  to  form  a  right    decision    on  every  moral  question  ; 


458  MORNING   AT   OXFORD.  1831. 

Avliile  the  proud  pliilosoplier,  who  knows  no  such  teacher,  is 
tossed  on  the  Vv'aves  of  doubt  and  confusion.  And  how  is  this  ? 
Why,  mj  dear  brother,  '  he  is  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  his 
mind.'  It  is  because  his  dispositions  are  rectified,  that  his 
vision  is  restored." 

The  hour  of  the  evening  was  advancing,  and  these  beautiful 
remarks  formed  a  happy  conclusion  to  familiar  conversation. 
His  respectable  elderly  female  servants  were  now  called  in, 
and  I  was  requested  to  read  the  Scriptures.  I  chose  the  first 
half  of  the  third  of  Lamentations,  and  the  passage,  as  I  read 
it,  seemed  to  me  to  be  full  of  marrow.  A  very  precious  so- 
lemnity ensued,  during  which  the  language  of  prayer  and 
praise  arose  ;  I  humbly  hope  with  acceptance.  I  believe  both 
my  dear  Avife  and  myself  veere  ready  to  acknowledge  that  we 
had  seldom  felt  with  any  one  more  of  the  "  unity  of  the  Spirit 
in  the  bond  of  peace.''     Under  this  feeling  we  took  our  leave. 

We  arrived  at  Oxford  the  following  evening  soon  after  dark. 
The  next  morning  we  rose  early,  and  sallied  forth,  the  v^eather 
being  fine,  for  a  stroll  before  breakfast.  Anna  accompanied 
us,  and  our  walk  was  very  agreeable. 

Adorned  as  Cambridge  is  with  new  buildings,  we  were  con- 
strained to  confess  that  in  point  of  scale,  and  grandeur,  and 
classic  beauty,  Oxford  is  far  the  superior.  It  is  indeed  a 
delightful  city  ;  rendered  peculiarly  pleasant,  by  the  intermix- 
ture of  broad  streets,  noble  buildings,  and  extensive  gardens. 
W6  returned  after  bjeakfast  to  the  Radcliife  Library,  from 
the  roof  of  which  very  handsome  edifice  there  is  quite  an 
enchanting  coup  d'ceil,  which  fully  justifies  this  description. 
The  inside  of  the  Radclifie  Library  furnishes  some  objects  of 
great  interest.  It  is  a  library  of  medicine"  and  natural 
history ;  with  the  exception  of  a  few  theological  books. 
Amongst  these  are  two  Bibles,  well  worthy  of  particular 
notice.  The  first  is  a  highly  finished  and  delicate  manuscript 
of  the  Hebrew  Scripture,  exquisitely  illuminated.  The  second 
is  Dr.  Kennicott's  own  manuscript,  from  which  was  published 
his  Hebrew  Bible,  with  collations.  He  is  said  to  have  collated 
upwards  of  600  Hebrew  MSS.;  and  this  copy,  from  which  his 


^T.  43.  DR.    MACBRIDE.  "         459 

great  work  was  printed,  affords  an  evidence  that  order  came 
to  the  assistance  of  his  industry.  A  slip,  containing  a  single 
verse  of  printed  Hebrew,  is  pasted  on  the  top  of  every  blank 
space,  and  below  those  slips  the  Dr.  has  notified  all  the 
various  readings  with  a  neatness  and  beauty  of  penmanship 
which  are  quite  uncommon.  He  is  said  to  have  been  taught 
writing  by  his  father,  who  was  a  merchant's  clerk.  From 
this  work  of  elaborate  assiduity,  we  turned  to  some  of  the 
ever  varied,  ever  easy  sports  of  nature, — a  thousand  admirable 
specimens,  collected  and  arranged  in  beautiful  order,  of 
marbles,  alabasters,  gypsums,  lavas,  porphyries,  agates,  &c. 
The  collection  was  made  and  presented  to  the  University  by 
Corsi,  the  Italian  naturalist.  The  various  beauty  of  these 
stones,  which  are  all  finely  polished,  almost  overwhelms  the 
mind  with  a  sense  of  the  profusion  with  which  the  Creator 
has  scattered  his  ornaments  even  where  they  lie  deeply  hidden 
from  the  eye  of  man. 

"  Full  many  a  gem  of  purest  ray  serene 
The  dark  unfathomed  caves  of  ocean  bear; 
Full  many  a  flower  is  born  to  blush  unseen, 
And  waste  its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air." 

I  now  proposed  to  make  a  call  on  Dr.  Macbride,  the  master 
of  Magdalen  Hall.  He  is  a  man  who  bears  the  character  of 
much  literary  acquirement,  as  well  as  talent,  and  what  is 
better,  of  decided  piety.  He  has  supported  the  Bible  Society 
at  Oxford  with  a  noble  spirit  of  independence.  We  found 
him  at  home,  and,  with  his  lady,  he  received  us  very  courteously. 
I  had  sent  him  a  copy  of  my  Biblical  Notes,  which  I  was 
pleased  to  find  had  met  his  approbation,  and  we  soon  fell 
into  conversation.  He  told  me  that  the  number  of  religious 
young  men  in  the  University  was  increasing,  and  that  many 
of  them  bore  the  stamp  of  sober  piety.  One  preacher  at 
Oxford,  known  to  both  of  us,  flies  high  in  doctrine,  and  holds 
out  glowing  expectations  of  the  outward  reign  of  the  Messiah, 
even  venturing  to  declare  in  what  year  he  may  be  expected  to 
appear. 


460  MORNING    AT    OXFORD.  1831 

Macbrtde.  "  These  new  fancies  are  much  to  be  reo-retted. 
Persons  who  occupy  their  speculative  powers  with  calculations 
of  the  year  of  Christ's  coming,  may  easily  forget  to  j^'epare 
themselves  for  the  event  (whenever  he  may  be  pleased  to 
come)  by  watchfulness  and  prayer.  Such  persons,  instead  of 
preacliing  the  home  truths  of  practical  Christianity,  convert 
religion  into  a  sort  of  romance." 

As  we  walked  along  to  the  New  Press,  we  enjoyed  some 
agreeable  intercourse,  and  I  soon  found  him  to  be  an  acute 
and  well-informed,  yet  unaffected  person.  He  told  us  that 
the  Bodleian  Library  had  now  increased  to  a  great  extent, 
but  that  it  was  of  no  great  use  to  the  resident  members  of  the 
University.  Persons  engaged  in  authorship  often  come  from 
a  distance,  and  obtain  a  free  access  to  its  almost  innumerable 
treasures.  The  New  Press,  situated  near  the  Observatory, 
and  on  the  borders  of  the  town,  is  an  extensive  and  superb 
structure.  The  centre  of  the  front  is  an  imitation  of  the 
triumphal  arch  of  Antoninus,  and  the  Corinthian  pillars  are 
remarkably  fine.  Dr.  Macbride  pointed  out  to  us  a  singular 
ornament  which  crowns  each  of  their  chapiters.  It  is  the 
figure  in  stone  of  a  small  open  Bible,  with  the  University 
motto,  (adopted  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation,)  "  DoMiNUS 
ILLUMINATIO  MEA."  A  truly  appropriate  device  !  On  our 
entrance  we  found  my  old  friend,  Samuel  Collingwood,  con- 
ductor of  the  press ;  who  first  introduced  us  to  the  spacious 
apartment  in  which  is  Ciirried  on  the  miscellaneous  printing. 
It  is  a  curious  and  animating  scene;  very  new  to  Anna,  who 
seemed  eager  to  take  a  lesson  from  one  of  the  compositors, 
who  was  picking  out  his  types  with  peculiarly  rapid  fingers. 
I  was  interested  in  observing  the  operation  of  the  roller, 
which  effects  a  far  more  even  distribution  of  the  ink  than  the 
old  ball  or  puff;  and  we  were  delighted  with  the  rapidity 
with  which  the  pressmen  were  converting  blank  sheets  of 
paper  into  the  well  printed  pages  of  Dr.  Burton's  ncAV  edition 
of  the  Greek  Testament  with  English  notes.  *  * 

Samuel  Collingwood  now  led  us  to  the  other  side  of  the 
house  into  the  vast  room  where  the  Bibles  are  printed.  A 
more  interesting  sight  can  hardly  be  imagined.     To  behold 


MT.  43.  BIBLE   PRINTING.  46t 

the  mighty  powers  of  the  press  directed  exclusively  and  per- 
petually to  one  object,  and  that  object  the  diffusion  of  the  truths 
of  Christianity,  could  not  fail  to  excite  many  sensations  of  a 
very  satisfactory  as  well  as  interesting  kind.  Nor  does  it  ap- 
pear that  the  business  of  this  part  of  the  University  Press  will 
be  diminished  even  if  the  printing  of  Bibles  (now  restricted  by 
law  to  the  King's  printer  and  the  two  Universities)  should  be 
thrown  open ;  since  the  many  advantages  which  they  possess 
will  enable  them,  according  to  their  own  account,  to  defy  all 
competitors.  Collingwood  is,  however,  of  opinion,  that  the 
measure  would  be  a  dangerous  one,  as  giving  an  almost  un- 
limited opportunity  for  the  falsification  of  the  sacred  text. 
He  says  this  has  already  taken  place,  to  a  dangerous  extent, 
in  Bibles  printed  with  notes ;  such  Bibles  not  being  included  in 
the  restriction.  Thus  are  we  often  driven  in  this  world  of 
variety  and  change,  to  a  choice  of  evils ;  for  the  present 
restriction  is  certainly  in  some  respects  an  evil. 

Macbride.  "  It  is  'a  singular  circumstance,  that  the  ex- 
clusive right  of  the  Universities  to  print  Bibles  is  grounded  on 
no  royal  grant  or  charter  given  to  us.  It  is  merely  implied  in 
a  few  words  of  exception,  contained  in  the  charter  of  the  King's 
Printer." 

The  Doctor  now  began  to  time  the  printers,  and  to  calculate 
in  what  space  of  time  all  of  them  together  could  produce  a 
whole  Bible. 

Collingwood.  "  I  will  save  you  the  trouble  of  that  calcu- 
lation, as  I  have  gone  over  the  ground  before  you.  Supposing 
all  our  presses  to  be  in  action,  (as  they  often  are,)  and  sup- 
posing the  work  to  be  distributed  for  the  purpose,  we  should 
produce  a  complete  Old  Testament,  New  Testament,  and 
Prayer  Book  every  minute.  This  is  the  rate  at  which  we  pour 
forth  religious  knowledge  into  Great  Britain." 

While  we  walked  up  and  down  the  apartment,  we  enjoyed 
some  interesting  converse.  I  was  comparing  the  immense 
rapidity  of  production  thus  obtained,  through  the  art  of 
printing,  with  the  life-long  manual  labour  of  the  scribe  who 
produced  that  exquisite  manuscript  of  the  Hebrew  Scriptures 
which  we  had  just  been  examining  in  the  Radcliffe  Library. 


162  MORNING   AT    OXFORD.  1831 

Macbride.  "Yet  I  sometimes  think  that  the  art  of  print- 
ing came  before  its  time,  was  discovered  before  it  was  wanted. 
Many  years  elapsed  before  printed  books  were  much  circulated. 
Caxton's  productions,  for  example,  were  kept  in  closets,  and 
shown  as  curiosities." 

Collingwood,  who'  now  joined  us,  recalled  our  attention  to 
his  own  subjects.  ''  The  invention  of  stereotyping  is  so  far 
good  that  it  will  enable  us,  with  the  same  plates,  to  strike  off 
about  one  hundred  thousand  copies  of  a  book,  but  this  is  the 
extent.  After  this  number  the  book  becomes  very  shabby  and 
indistinct.  But  standing  types,  composed  in  the  usual  way, 
and  not  forming  one  plate,  are  vastly  more  efficacious.  With 
these  we  can  print  more  than  a  million  copies  of  a  book 
with  scarcely  any  perceptible  deterioration.  Not  only  can 
we  rid  ourselves,  when  we  please,  of  a  defective  letter,  but  the 
manufacture  of  individual  letters  is  far  more  successful  than 
of  stereotype  plates.  The  article  produced  is  very  much 
stronger." 

He  now  showed  us  the  hydraulic  presses,  used  in  compress- 
ing the  sheets  after  they  are  printed.  The  pressure  is  that  of 
water,  rising  in  a  tube  from  below ;  and  although  the  machine 
is  not  large,  yet  with  a  very  small  amount  of  manual  labour 
it  exerts  a  force  equal  to  that  of  the  weight  of  250  tons  of 
water.  How  admirable,  how  unquestionably  useful  is  such 
an  application  of  natural  philosophy  I  And  what  a  shame, 
my  dear  boy,  that  any  of  us  should  be  ignorant  of  these 
things ! 

We  were  now  led  through  the  wetting  room,  where  the 
quires  of  paper  are  dipped  and  sprinkled,  and  the  moisture 
diffused  by  pressure  through  the  whole  mass ;  also  through 
the  drying  room,  where  innumerable  printed  sheets  are  hung 
like  linen  on  horizontal  poles ;  and  lastly  we  visited  a  sort  of 
warehouse,  where  stacks  of  unbound  printed  Bibles  and 
Prayer  Books  are  seen  rising  on  every  side  to  various 
elevations. 

Our  time  of  leisure  was  now  fully  spent,  we  took  a  cordial 
leave  of  our  benevolent  and  agreeable  friends,  and  returned 
to  our  inn.     As  the  clock  struck  twelve,  our  carriage  came 


X.T.  43.  EMPLOYMENT   OF  TIME.  463 

round  to  tLe  door,  and  we  soon  found  ourselves  on  the  road 
to  Melksliam. 

Of  our  diligence  in  general,  or  of  the  use  wliicli  we  make 
of  our  journeys,  we  freely  confess  that  we  have  nothing  to 
boast.  But  I  wish,  thee  to  observe,  that  on  the  present 
occasion,  a  very  little  vigilance  and  activity  enabled  us  to  see 
much  that  was  worth  seeing,  and  to  hear  much  that  was 
worth  hearing  in  a  short  space  of  time. 


464  LETTERS.  1831. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

1831—1832.     ^T.  43—45. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS  AND  JOURNALS;  ESSAY  ON  THE  MORAL 
CHARACTER  OF  CHRIST  ;  CONTROVERSY  IN  THE  BIBLE  SOCIETY  OX 
THE  ADMISSION  OF  UNITARIANS;  TERMS  OF  UNION;  THE  PORTABLE 
EVIDENCE  OF  CHRISTIANITY;  RELIGIOUS  VISITS  TO  BIRMINGHAM 
AND  LANCASHIRE;  MEETINGS  IN  THE  OPEN  AIR;  ADDRESS  TO  TH1-; 
MECHANICS  OF  MANCHESTER;  DEATH  OF  JOSEPH  KINGHORN  ;  CON- 
FERENCE IN  LONDON  ON  THE  REVISION  OF  THE  '^  BOOK  OF 
EXTRACTS."  '      " 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  6th  mo.,  26th,  1S31. 

*  *  I  do  love  and  hail  that  blessed  princijDle  of  the  Lord's 
own  "  anointing"  which  fits  the  weakest  and  poorest  for 
his  service,  and  "  out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and  sucklings 
perfects  praise."  If  our  religious  Society  be  preserved  amidst 
the  shakings  of  the  day,  it  must  be  by  our  adhering  firmly  to 
this  principle,  not  forgetting  the  foundation  on  which  it 
stands,  even  "  Christ  crucified,"  our  "  resurrection  and  our 
life,"  our  only  "  hope  of  glory." 

Ref3rring  to  the  illness  of  one  of  his  children,  he 
writes  in  his  journal :  — 

Third  day  morning,  [7^A  mo.,  12ifA.]  Yesterday  was  one 
of  great  anxiety  respecting  our  dear  boy.  I  have  had  a  short 
time  of  religious  communication  with  him  this  morning.  I 
explained  to  him  that  as  his  medical  attendants  were  phy- 
sicians to  his  body,  so  Christ  is  the  physician  to  his  soul ; 
that  he  made  an  atonement  on  the  cross  for  our  sins,  and  that 
when  we  are  made  to  suffer  we  ought  to  remember  him  who 


^T    43.  .  AND    JOURNAL.  .  465 

suffered  unutterably  for  us.  I  read  to  liim  some  verses  of 
evangelical  consolation  from  1  Peter  ii,  and,  after  a  little 
silence,  poured  forth  with  him  a  few  words  of  thanksgiving 
and  prayer. 

Sixth  day  morning.  Since  the  last  entry  there  has  been 
gradual  amendment,  and  to-day  an  evident  appearance  of  con- 
valescence. It  is  to  me  like  a  second  edition  of  this  precious 
gift  of  my  Heavenly  Father. 

FROM   JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  7th  mo.,  16th,  1831. 

I  would  that  we  always  approached  the  writings  of  our 
early  predecessors  with  caution  and  tenderness ;  treading 
lightly  on  the  remains  of  the  honourable  dead.  With  the 
controversies  of  these  ancient  Avorthies,  or  their  manner  of 
conducting  them  according  to  the  spirit  of  their  age,  we  have 
now,  I  apprehend,  little  or  nothing  to  do.  Neither  are  we 
called  upon  to  imitate  or  defend  the  occasional  obscurity  and 
tautology  of  their  style.  One  thing  it  may  be  well  for  us  to  re- 
member, that  from  these  voluminous  works  may  be  extracted 
an  essence  of  as  pure  and  sublime  truth  as  (if  we  except  the 
Holy  Scriptures,)  ever,  perhaps,  fell  from  the  lips  or  flowed  from 
the  pen  of  man ;  so  that,  on  the  whole,  I  am  inclined  to  believe 
the  best  apology  for  the  writings  in  question,  if  indeed  they 
need  one,  would  be  an  attentive  and  unprejudiced  perusal  of 
them,  when  they  would  themselves  be  found  to  be  their  best 
and,  perhaps,  altogether  sufficient  expositors. 

1th   mo.,  31sf.     This  morning  we  committed  to  the  earth 

the  mortal  remains  of  poor ,  whom  I  have  several  times 

visited  on  his  death-bed,  and  to  whom  I  endeavoured  to  speak 
faithfully.  He  was  one  for  whom  I  felt  a  regard,  though  the 
world  spoke  against  him,  and  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  his 
illness  was  blessed  to  him,  as  the  means  of  bringing  him  home 
to  Christ  as  his  only  hope. 

In  the    8  th  and  9  th  months  of  this  year   Joseph 
John  Gurney  was  engaged  in  the  holding  of  various 
Vol.  I.  —  30 


iQ6  RELIGIOUS    MEETINGS.  1831. 

religious  Meetings  in  his  own  county,  and  after- 
wards, as  a  member  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's 
Committee,  in  a  visit  to  Friends  in  Suffolk. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  Sth  mo.,  17th,  1831. 

*  *  *  I  sometimes  think  that  the  ministry  of  the  gospel 
is  the  only  thing  I  know  which  practice  never  maJces  easy. 
I  believe  I  may  say  with  truth  that  much  engagement  of  this 
kind  was  never  preceded  in  me,  by  a  greater  degree  of 
conflict,  than  it  has  been  during  the  present  year.  I  doubt 
not  that  this  very  thing,  though  a  source  of  suffering,  is  to  be 
numbered  among  the  tender  mercies  of  our  Lord.  *  *  *  How 
beautiful  is  the  idea  of  "  living,  ever  springing  water  !"  An 
old  Greek  commentator  remarks  on  John  iv,  that  Paul  had 
drunk  -of  this  water,  when  he  said,  "forgetting  those  things 
which  are  behind,  and  reaching  forth  unto  those  things  which 
are  before,  I  press  towards  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high 
calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus."  May  this  heavenly  spring 
continue  to  refresh  and  nourish  thee,  my  beloved  friend,  and 
may  it  yet  make  glad  the  whole  heritage  of  the  Lord ! 

^th  mo.,  25th.  My  dearest  wife  and  I  left  home  on  sixth 
day  afternoon,  after  a  busy,  clearing  morning,  the  9th  of  the 
9th  month.  I  held  a  good  public  meeting  in  the  Methodist 
Meeting  House,  at  Attleborough,  that  CA^ening ;  and  Avent  up 
the  next  day  to  Upton,  where  we  spent  an  interesting  Sabbath. 
The  death  of  our  dear  friend  Eliza  Masterman  cast  a  deep 
and  affecting  solemnity  over  the  day.  I  went  down  to  Chelms- 
ford on  third  day  morning.  There  I  met  my  brethren  on  the 
Suffolk  committee,  Peter  Bedford,  Joseph  Marriage,  and 
Richard  Burlingham.  The  Essex  Quarterly  JMeeting  on  third 
day  was  large ;  and,  to  my  apprehension,  a  time  of  remarkable 
and  dignified  solemnity. 

It  is  a  confirmmg  circumstance  to  me  that,  looking  at  the 
multitude  of  hours  I  have  spent  at  Monthly  and  Quarterly 
Meetings,  I  have  never  found  reason  to  believe  that  time  so 
occupied  is  lost,  or  that  it  could  be  better  spent.     The  Master 


ST.  44.  RELIOIOUS   MEETINGS.  "4^ 

often  condescends  to  smile  upon  us  at  such  times.  I  do  believe 
he  still  graciously  protects  our  little  scattered  Society ;  and 
sanctions  our  principles,  as  flowing  from  himself. 

10th  mo.,  Sth.,  Seventh  day.  The  visit  of  the  [Yearly 
Meeting's]  committee  in  this  county  has  been  very  acceptable. 
They  have  all  been  staying  at  Earlham,  much  to  our  pleasure 
and  comfort,  and  we  desire  to  be  thankful  for  such  society 
and  intercourse. 

Fi7-st  day.  We  have  our  friend  Richard  Oockin  still  with 
us.  His  bright  and  tender  old  age  is  very  animating,  and  I 
hope  his  example  and  Christian  deportment  will  long  Jive  in 
our  recollection. 

Second  day.  The  Reform  Bill,  it  seems,  is  thrown  out  by  a 
large  majority  (41)  of  the  Lords.  I  do  not  feel  either  grieved 
or  anxious ;  yet  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the  event  will  cause 
considerable  agitation.  May  the  protecting  hand  of  Divine 
Providence  be  over  the  nation,  and  with  its  head  ! 

lOf/i  r?2<?.,  24ith.  Visits  last  week  to  Tivetshall  and  Harling, 
connected  with  the  subject  of  tithe  paying ;  in  which  some  few 
in  different  parts  of  the  county  continue  to  be  unfaithful. 
The  importanrce  of  the  testimony  which  Friends  bear  against 
the  ecclesiastical  system  has  been  confirmed  to  me  in  the 
course  of  this  little  service. 

After  feelingly  alluding  to  "  the  awful  riots,  con- 
flagrations, and  loss  of  life  at  Bristol,"  he  continues 
his  Journal  a  few  days  later:  — 

Wth  mo.,  14iA.  The  accounts  of  the  cholera  at  Sunderland 
affecting  and  alarming ;  the  whole  prospect  calculated  to  bring 
the  mind  into  much  seriousness.  But  I  have  felt  the  inex- 
pressible privilege  of  having  a  "Rock"  to  flee  to;  and  have 
been  permitted,  at  times,  the  enjoyment  of  much  precious 
(quietness  of  mind. 

First  day  morning,  [11th  mo.,  2.Qth.'\  A  fire  at  one  of  our 
neighbour's  farn#;  supposed  to  be  the  work  of  an  incendiary; 
the  frequently  repeated  acts  of  this  description,  and  the  appa- 
rently unsettled  and  ungodly  state  of  the  population  are  deeply 


468  THE    CHOLERA.  1831, 

jiffecting.  The  cholera  at  Sunderland  appears  to  increase.  It 
has  been  my  prayer  this  morning,  for  all  near  and  dear  to  me, 
that  "we  may  find  our  refuge  in  the  Ark  of  God.  May  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  graciously  condescend  to  bless  this 
Sabbath  day,  to  the  quieting  and  comforting  of  many  weak  and 
sorrowful  minds,  to  the  calming  of  many  fierce  passions,  and 
to  the  gathering  in  of  many  souls  from  the  reign  of  darkness 
and  sin,  to  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ ! 

VltJi  mo.^  9th.  We  were  favoured  with  a  comforting  meet- 
ing yesterday.  I  felt  the  oil  flow  in  a  way  to  which  I  have 
been  of  late  much  a  stranger ;  and  two  of  our  women  Friends 
were  lively  in  the  use  of  their  gifts.  How  different  from  the 
confusion  which  appears  to  mark  the  wild  notions  of  some 
worthy  people  in  the  present  day  I  If  there  be  gifts  in  the 
church,  of  which  the  exercise  is  spontaneous,  and  under  the 
immediate  influence  of  the  Spirit,  (in  however  low  a  degree,) 
silence  is  the  only  medium  in  which  they  can  be  exercised  in 
order ;  and  how  abundantly  good  in  itself  is  silence — the  silence 
of  the  soul.     May  we  increasingly  know  it  to  be  in  the  life  ! 

llth  mo.,  llth.  The  accounts  of  the  more  rapid  increase  of 
the  cholera  at  Sunderland,  &c.-,  are  affecting  and  alarming.  But 
let  us  remember  that  the  scourge  is  sent  in  perfect  wisdom 
and  righteousness:  I  trust  also  in  mercy,  to  call  a  wandering, 
sinful  nation  home  to  God.  The  unemployed  and  half-starving 
state  of  the  poor  has  also  been  deeply  trying  to  my  feelings ; 
and  business  has  been  fraught  with  considerable  cares.  0 
that  I  may  have  strength  given  to  me,  both  to  trust  and  to 
rejoice  in  the  Lord  my  God  ! 

12th  mo.,  16th.  My  wife  and  I  went  to  Tivetshall  Monthly 
Meeting  yesterday,  being  much  interested  about  an  appoint- 
ment of  overseers  there.  The  meeting  was  a  good  one,  and 
the  appointment  satisfactorily  made  ;  so  that  we  returned  home 
with  a  peaceful  and  satisfied  feeling.  I  find  that  such  a  feeling 
peculiarly  rests  on  any  little  service  tending  to  build  up  or 
maintain  our  religious  Society  :  which,  I  trust,  amidst  all  dis- 
couragements, we  may  humbly  receive  as  a  %ken  for  good. 

First  day  night,  12th  mo.,  26th.  This  has  been  a  peaceful 
and  edifying  day.      I  rose  in   good    time,  and  wrote  before 


MT.  44.  ESSAY   ON   THE   CHARACTER    OF    CHRIST,  4G9 

breakfast,  read  Isaiah  xxvi  in  Hebrew,  and  walked  to  Meet- 
ing. The  working  of  truth  in  the  mind  of  John  Fothergill, 
as  represented  in  his  Journal,  has  been  a  source  of  instruction 
to  me  this  afternoon.  May  the  same  "anointing"  be  in  me 
and  upon  me ;  and  may  the  Lord  still  graciously  make  a  way 
for  me,  that  I  may  be  devoted  to  his  service.  This  evening 
we  have  enjoyed  the  first  two  chapters  of  Luke.  It  is  a 
blessed,  delightful,  soul-satisfying  thing,  to  think  of  the 
unutterable  gift  of  a  Saviour.  0  that  all  men  knew  and 
loved  him ! 

The  year  1832  was  one  of  much  exertion.  In 
the  early  part  of  it,  Joseph  John  Gurney's  intervals 
of  leisure  were  closely  occupied  by  several  important 
literary  undertakings,  whilst  other  labours  of  vari- 
ous kinds  continued  rapidly  to  succeed  one  another. 
[n  the  course  of  the  preceding  summer,  he  had 
written  a  brief  Essay  on  the  Moral  Character  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  which  was  soon  afterwards 
published.  The  following  characteristic  extract  may 
properly  find  a  place  here : — 

"  In  these  days  of  much  polemical  discussion  of  various 
clashing  opinions,  and,  I  fear,  of  no  little  bitterness  of  spirit 
among  the  professed  followers  of  Jesus,  it  is  well  for  us  all  to 
remember  that,  in  Scripture,  his  example  is  presented  to  us 
with  an  especial  reference  to  love  and  union  ;  humility  and 
condescension ;  patience  and  forbearance.  '  If  I  then,  your 
Lord  a,nd  Master,  have  washed  your  feet ;  ye  ought  also  to 
wash  one  another's  feet.  For  I  have  given  you  an  example 
that  ye  should  do  as  I  have  done  to  you.'  *  '  This  is  my 
commandment,  that  ye  love  one  another  as  I  have  loved 
you.'f  *  *  It  is  of  the  highest  importance  to  the  cause  of 
true  religion,  that  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  should 
keep    the    watch    over    their    own    spirits,    and    pray    for 

*  John  xiii,  14,  15  '        t  John  xv,  12. 


470  CONTROVERSY    ON    THE    BIBLE    SOCIETY.  1832. 

ability  to  fulfil  these  injunctions.  In  order  to  this,  let  iis 
cultivate  a  sense  of  our  ignorance  and  weakness,  and  dwell  in 
deep  humility  before  God.  Let  us  be  more  ready  to  cast  the 
beam  out  of  our  own  eye  than  to  attempt  to  extract  the  mote 
out  of  the  eye  of  a  brother.  And  while  we  adhere  with 
unalterable' firmness  to 'the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,' let  our 
religion  be  the  religion  of  principle  rather  than  of  opinion,  of 
the  heart  rather  than  of  the  head."  * 

With  such  views  and  feelings,  it  can  excite  no 
surprise  that  he  looked  with  anxiety  and  sorrow 
apon  the  controversy  that  was  now  agitating  the 
Bible  Society,  whether  Unitarians  should  be  allowed 
to  continue  in  membership  with  it ;  whether  some 
test  should  not  be  imposed  which  would  insure 
their  exclusion ;  and  whether  prayer  should  not  be 
publicly  offered  at  the  various  meetings  of  the  insti- 
tution. The  object  of  the  Bible  Society  leaving 
been,  from  the  first,  the  circulation  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  '■''wWtout  note  or  comment,'^  nothing 
sectarian  had  hitherto  marked  its  character;  and 
no  other  test  of  membership  was  required  than  the 
desire  to  co-operate  in  the  circulation  of  the  inspired 
volume.  ' 

"Like  other  old-fashioned  friends  of  the  cause,"  says 
Joseph  John  Gurney,  "  I  was  anxious  to  maintain  the 
original  principles  of  the  Society;  and  in  support  of  them  I 
published  a  pamphlet  entitled  Terms  of  Union,  of  which 
many  thousands  were  circulated.  I  trust  it  was  beneficial  as 
showing  that  the  security  of  the  Society  lay  not  in  the 
ineffectual  bondage  of  a  test ;  but  in  the  purity  and  evangeli- 
cal bearing  of  its  object,  and  in  that  gracious  protection  of 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church  with  which  it  had  hitherto  been 

*  From  the  Amethyst  for  1832 ;  reprinted  in  Joseph  John 
Ourney's  Minor  "WoriiSj  Y6L  ii,  1S2 — 133. 


^T.  44.  TERMS    OF    UNION.  471 

favoured.  In  short,  the  strength  and  glory  of  the  Bible 
Society  consists  in  two  things,  the  godliness  of  its  design, 
and  the  simplicity  of  its  constitution.  Many  there  were  of 
various  denominations,  who  then  rallied  round  the  old 
standard  ;  the  Society  weathered  the  storm  and  continues  to 
flourish.  Most  wisely  have  its  managers  hitherto  abstained 
from  those  public  vocal  offerings  of  prayer,  which  would  have 
changed  the  true  character  of  the  meetings,  and  would  almost 
certainly  have  become  a  source  of  difficulty  and  contention 
among  the  different  denominations.  Yet  what  true  friend  of 
this  noble  institution  does  not  feel  the  importance  of  conduct- 
ing all  its  concerns  in  the  spirit  of  prayer ;  and  in  reverent 
dependence  upon  Him,  without  whose  blessing  all  our  exertions 
in  his  cause  ai'e  less  than  nothing  and  vanity?" 

The  following  extract  from  the  Terras  of  Union, 
will  illustrate  his  views  upon  a  question  of  much 
practical  importance. 

"  I  have  often  thought  that  the  grounds  on  which  a  serious 
Christian  stands  in  connexion  with  other  men,  while  he 
prosecutes  his  various  objects  in, life,  may  be  compared  to  the 
successive  stories  of  a  pyramid.  When  he  is  transacting  the 
common  business  of  the  day,  with  men  of  all  characters  and 
'  conditions,  he  is  surrounded  by  vast  numbers  of  people,  and* 
stands  on  the  broad  basement  story.  Here,  while  he  abstains 
from  evil  things,  he  is  compelled  to  communicate  with  many 
evil  persons ;  and  he  calls  to  mind  the  words  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  '  I  pray  not  that  thou  shouldest  take  them  out  of  the 
world,  but  that  thou  shouldest  keep  them  from  the  evil.' 
But  now  an  hospital  is  to  be  built ;  he  mounts  to  the  second 
story,  his  ground  is  narrowed  and  his  company  lessens.  The 
utterly  selfish  and  dissolute  disappear  from  his  view  ;  but  he 
still  finds  himself  in  communication  with  the  worldly  as  well 
as  the  religious ;  with  the  infidel  as  well  as  with  the  believer. 
Christian  benevolence  however  has  new  services  in  store  for 
him.  A  society  is  formed  for  distributing  the  Scriptures 
without  note  or  comment.     The  object  is  one  of  undoubted 


472  THE    PORTABLE    EVIDENCE    OF    CHRISTIANITY.  1832. 

excellence,  and  he  heartily  engages  in  the  cause.  Here  ho 
stands  on  the  third  section  of  the  pyramid.  Again  the 
company  is  diminished ;  again  the  circumference  is  contracted. 
Yet  it  is  large  enough  to  comprehend  all  reflecting  persons  of 
every  class  who  A'alue  the  Bible  and  approve  of  its  dissemi- 
nation. Our  philanthropist  knows  that  the  v.ork  is  pure  and 
good,  and  though  he  by  no  means  agrees  in  sentiment  with 
all  who  co-operate  in  it,  the  last  thing  he  dreams  of  is  to 
narrow  the  circle  either  of  its  friends  or  of  its  efficacy. 

"  But  while  in  distributing  the  Bible  he  stands  on  a  com- 
mon level  with  all  who  approve  that  object,  he  well  knows 
the  importance  of  a  sound  interpretation  of  its  contents ;  and 
on  the  next  story  of  the  pj'ramid  he  finds  himself  engaged 
with  rather  fewer  companions,  and  within  soracAvhat  narrower 
boundaries  in  a  Missionary  Society,  or  in  a  sabbath-day 
school,  formed  for  the  express  purpose  of  affording,  to  those 
who  need  it,  evangelical  instruction.  The  merely  nominal 
Christian,  and  the  Socinian  subscriber  to  the  Bible  Society 
have  now  parted  from  him ;  yet  he  is  still  encompassed  by 
many  persons  whose  religious  views,  on  secondary  points, 
differ  from  his  own.  He  ascends,  therefore,  when  occasion 
requires  it,  to  an  area  of  still  sm.aller  dimensions,  and  there 
he  joins  the  members  of  his  own  church,  in  distributing 
Jtracts  written  in  defence  of  the  sentiments  or  practices 
peculiar  to  themselves.  Finally  he  has  some  solitary  duty  to 
perform,  or  some  opinion,  all  his  .own,  to  maintain  or  develope; 
and  behold,  he  stands  alone  on  the  top  of  the  pyramid." 

The  Terms  of  Union  had  engaged  his  leisure  in 
the  early  part  of  the  3^ear.  Another  work,  of 
greater  magnitude  and  importance,,  completed  about 
the  same  time,  had  been  in  hand  for  a  much  longer 
period. 

"  Dr.  Chalmers  had  much  impressed  me,"  he  writes  in  the 

Vutobiography,  "  with  a  sense  of  the  value  of  the  Portable 

Evidence  of  Christianity,  as  he  called  it,  meaning  that  which 

every    Christian    carries    about  with    him    in    his    own    mind 


jET.  44.  RELIGIOUS    MEETINGS.  473 

and  experience.*  I  subsequently  gave  up  no  Inconsiderable 
portion  both  of  mind  and  time  to  the  thinking  out  of  this  sub- 
ject ;  the  result  of  which,  after  some  delays,  was  the  little 
volume  published  by  me  under  that  name.  I  am  inclined  to 
consider  it  the  most  useful  of  my  works ;  and  I  hope  it  is  cal- 
culated to  lay  hold  of  the  heart,  as  well  as  to  convince  the 
head.  This,  at  least,  was  my  intention.  It  has  sold  largely 
in  England  ;  has  been  translated  into  French ;  and  has  been 
republished  in  America  by  Dr.  Wayland,  president  of  one  of 
the  colleges.  The  Searcher  of  hearts  knows  that  I  boast  not 
of  the  performance.  If  there  be  any  good  in  it,  it  is  all  of 
him  ;  and  as  for  myself,  I  can  only  wonder  that  such  an  one 
should  be  employed  in  any  such  service.  Praised  and  for  ever 
adored  be  his  holy  name !  May  it  be  glorified  by  me  whether 
in  life  or  in  death."  | 

The  Terms  of  Union  and  the  Portable  Evidence, 
were  both  of  them  published  early  in  the  Spring. 
They  were  hardly  completed  before  he  was  called  into 
another  extensive  field  of  labour.  He  left  home  in 
the  beginning  of  the  third  month ;  and,  after  visiting 
the  families  of  Friends  at  Birmingham  and  its  neigh- 
bourhood, proceeded  into  Lancashire,  where,  especially 
at  Liverpool  and  Manchester,  and  the  adjacent  manu- 
facturing districts,  he  was  largely  engaged  in  preach- 
ing the  gospel.     From  Liverpool  he  writes 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

5th  mo.,  7th,  1832. 

My  dear  Friend, 

The  constant  flow  of  religious  engagements 
(like  wave  after  wave,)  has  prevented  my  earlier  notice  of  thy 

*  See  supra,  p.  419. 

■j-  Besides  being  largely  circulated  through  other  channels,  it  has 
been  published  in  a  cheap  form  by  the  Religious  Tract  Society  in 
London.  It  is  reprinted  in  the  first  volume  of  Joseph  John 
Gumey's  Minor  Works. 


474  YEARLY  MEETING.  1832. 

very  acceptable  and  timely  letter.  The  train  of  thought 
which  it  contains  is  just  in  correspondence  "with  my  own ;  for 
I  have  had  to  plead  for  immediate  revelation,  and  for  that 
ancient  principle  of  our  religious  profession,  the  Lord's 
"  anointing,"  or  the  Spirit  of  Christ  in  us,  and  upon  us, 
without  which  we  can  do  nothing  well  for  his  precious 
cause,  or  for  our  own  soul's  salvation.  There  are  many 
dangers  abroad  in  the  present  day.  Some  are  for  justifying 
themselves  by  their  own  works  ;  and  others,  while  they  delight 
in  the  evangelical  foundation,  are  too  apt  to  disregard  that 
superstructure  which  has  been  long  precious  to  some  of  us,  as 
to  our  forefathers  in  the  truth.  I  cannot  describe  to  thee  the 
exercise  of  mind  through  which  I  have  passed,  especially  in 
Manchester  and  at  this  place. 

His  labours  in  Lancashire  were  interrupted  b}'  the 
Yearly  Meeting  and  an  interval  of  rest  at  home. 

Uarlham,  6th  mo.,  llth.  The  Yearly  Meeting  was  on  the 
whole  well  attended,  and  appcai-ed  to  me  to  be  an  improvement 
upon  that  of  last  year.  Something  like  conflict  of  opinion  was 
apparent ;  some  being  rather  prone  to  clip  the  gospel,  and 
others  full  enough  inclined  to  omit  a  sufficient  reference  to 
the  spiritual  work,  and  the  testimonies  of  Friends.  For  my 
own  part,  I  felt  deeply  concerned  on  the  one  hand,  that  the 
glorious  gospel  should  have  free  course,  and  Christ  be  set  forth 
in  all  his  gracious  offices ;  and,  on  the  other,  that  Friends  might 
be  called  home  to  their  ancient  spiritual  principles,  and  that 
we  might  be  encouraged  not  to  forstike  any  of  our  testimonies. 
I  found  it  my  duty  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  women  Friends,  when 
the  comparison  of  the  word  of  God  to  a  two-edged  sword  was 
deeply  before  me.  The  minister  of  Christ  must  cut  down  self- 
righteousness  by  the  right  hand  stroke  of  his  sword,  and  with 
the  left  hand  stroke,  self-indulgence.  It  was  a  deep  and  difficult 
exercise. 

Li  allusion  to  various  communications  in  the 
ministry,  he  remarks:  — 


^T.  41.  STEPHEN    GRELLET.  475 

I  felt  a  desire  to  open  my  ear  to  what  the  Spirit  might  saj 
to  the  churches  through  whatever  instrument,  under  whatever 
complexion.  We  must  still  have  our  watchmen  and  watch- 
women  at  different  and  even  opposite  doors :  but  0  that  it 
may  please  the  Head  of  the  Church  to  inspire  more  and  more 
of  unanimity  as  well  as  love,  and  preserve  us  in  the  unity  of 
the  Spirit  and  the  bond  of  peace  ! 

The  epistle  is  weighty,  Christian,  and  comprehensive.  A 
large  committee  sat  on  the  subject  of  the  heathen,  and  some 
important  principles  were  discussed,  and  I  hope  settled.  It 
Avas  an  interesting  circumstance,  that  we  had  at  this  Yearly 
Meeting  the  company  of  four  American  brethren.  Jonathan 
Taylor,  who,  had  he  lived,  would  have  been  a  j5fth,  died  in 
Ireland  last  autumn ;  and  left  behind  him  a  character  of  un- 
usual purity,  loveliness,  and  brightness. 

First  day  night,  6th  mo.,  11th.  I  have  to  record  a  delight 
ful  Sabbath,  rendered  peculiarly  instructive  by  the  company 
of  our  dear  friend  Stephen  Grellet.  This  evening,  in  a  well- 
filled  public  meeting  at  Goat  Lane,  he  preached  on  the  new 
birth,  in  the  fulness  and  clearness  of  the  gospel.  It  was 
indeed  a  refreshing  and  satisfying  occasion.  May  it  sink 
deeply  into  many  hearts,  and  lead  to  the  production  of  much 
good  fruit  ! 

Second  day  morning.  In  my  quiet  sitting  with  my  wife  this 
morning,  a  view  was  opened  to  me  of  several  distinct  evil 
tendencies  in  my  own  mind.  That  view  has  been  rathei  ap- 
palling, and  reminds  me  of  the  absolute  necessity  of  our 
endeavouring,  through  prayer  and  watchfulness,  to  have  the 
work  of  sanctification  applied  to  our  particular  failings, — to 
the  sinfulness  which  actually  besets  us.  In  all  this  there  is 
a  large  scope  for  the  active  and  diligent  co-operation  of  the 
believer  with  the  grace  of  God. 

1th  mo.,  2nd.  The  Quarterly  Meeting  last  week  was  well 
attended,  and  was  a  time  of  renewed  grarcious  visitation, 
chiefly  through  the  instrumentality  of  our  dear  friend  Charles 
Osborne,  from  Indiana.  He  passed  tAvo  days  under  our  roof. 
His  simplicity,  humility,  and  Christian  piety,  are  very  exem- 
plary.    Yesterday  evening  he  held  a  large  public  meeting  in 


476  OPEN  AIR  MEETINGS.  1832, 

the  Gildencroft,  in  which  the  gospel  was  proclaimed  with 
power,  and  which  has  left  behind  it  a  sweet  savour  on  my 
mind. 

"ith  mo.,  2'2nd.  We  intend  leaving  home  early  to-morrow 
morning.  Tidings  of  cholera  from  various  quarters  ;  but  we 
desire  to  go  forth  trusting  in  the  Lord.  How  sweet  to  know 
that  we  belong  to  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  bought  us  with 
his  blood,  and  who  is  supreme  over  all  things,  natural  and 
spiritual,  to  his  church.  "May  he  condescend  to  be  our  guide ; 
to  be  with  us  every  moment ! 

The  young  people's  meeting  last  sixth  day  evening  was 
very  relieving.  I  again  found  much  peace  in  explaining  the 
principles  of  Friends. 

The  completion  of  his  labours  in  Lancashire  was 
his  principal  object  in  again  leaving  home.  Re- 
ferring to  this  visit,  which  occujiied  about  five 
weeks,  he  writes  :  — 

I  believed  it  to  be  my  duty  to  hold  several  meetings  in  the 
open  air  in  some  large  places ;  particularly  at  Oldham  and 
Middleton,  where  the  population  is  at  once  very  large  and 
uncultivated.  A  waggon  was  prepared  for  me  at  both  places ; 
and,  besides  my  dear  wife,  our  friend  Abigail  Dockray  and 
others  were  my  companions.  At  Middleton,  where  about 
two  thousand  persons  were  present,  I  was  exposed  to  peculiar 
difficulty  in  consequence  of  having  nearly  lost  my  voice-;  but 
we  were  favoured  to  get  through  pretty  well.  At  Oldham, 
the  assembly  was  also  very  large,  and  I  have  seldom  attended 
a  more  solemn  and  satisfactory  meeting.  I  wish  we  had  more 
of  that  faith  which  dwelt  so  largely  in  our  forefathers,  and  led 
them  to  proclaim  the  truth  in  the  highways  and  market  places. 
It  is  obvious  to  me,  that  more  of  this  kind  of  aggressive  war- 
fare is  wanted ;  it  is  almost  impossible,  by  any  other  means, 
to  have  communication  with  a  large,  rough,  irreligious  popu- 
liition ;  such  as  still  exists  in  Lancashire,  notwithstanding  the 
increasing  diffusion  of  the  truth. 


^T,  46.         ADDRESS  TO  MECHANICS  AT  MANCHESTER.  477 

But  another  service  in  which  I  was  at  this  time  engaged, 
was,  if  possible,  still  more  exercising  to  my  mind.  Feeling  a 
lively  interest  in  the  mechanics  of  Manchester,  a  hard-headed, 
ingenious  set  of  men,  and  having  in  vain  attempted  to  obtain 
the  company  of  any  large  number  of  them  at  the  public  meet- 
ings for  worship,  I  believed  it  right  to  give  a  lecture,  at  the 
Mechanics'  Institution,  "  on  the  right  use  and  application  of 
knowledge."  The  advertisement  of  my  intention,  which  met 
the  approbation  of  the  committee,  was  published  a  fortnight 
beforehand.  In  the  meantime,  I  was  daily  and  hourly  occu- 
pied in  ministerial  labours,  and  utterly  unable  did  I  feel  to 
direct  my  thoughts  to  the  subject.  Only,  I  believed,  I  had 
that  blessed  sanction,  for  proposing  both  the  lecture  and  the 
subject,  which  I  have  ever  found  to  be  the  seed  of  a  happy 
result.  So  I  went  on  with  each  day's  woi'k,  in  the  humble 
hope  that  the  Lord  would  be  with  me  in  the  hour  of  need. 
When  the  day  came  I  was  very  poorly,  my  voice  almost  en- 
tirely gone.  As  I  lay  resting  on  my  bed  during  the  morning, 
and  reading  a  little  of  Beattie  and  some  other  writers,  a  very 
few  thoughts  only  was  I  able  to  collect  that  bore  on  the  sub- 
ject, so  that  in  the  evening,  I  went  to  the  appointed  place 
with  a  weak  body  and  unfurnished  mind,  yet  with  some  degree 
of  humble  confidence  in  the  Lord.  When  I  entered,  I  took 
my  station  on  the  floor,  and  could  not  but  enjoy  the  spectacle 
of  more  than  1200  mechanics,  occupying  the  raised  seats  of 
the  amphitheatre  to  a  very  considerable  elevation.  0  how 
merciful  was  the  Lord  to  his  poor  servant  on  that  occasion  I 
Many  were,  I  believe,  secretly  praying  for  me ;  and  their 
prayers  were  answered.  After  speaking  for  about  ten  minutes, 
I  entirely  recovered  my  voice.  This  might  have  been  owing  in 
part  to  the  arrangement  now  alluded  to,  which  constrained 
me  to  lift  up  the  head  and  throw  out  the  chest ;  but  I,  never- 
theless, gratefully  acknowledge  it  to  have  been  a  special  favour 
from  the  hand  of  my  Divine  Master.  Clearness  of  ideas  and 
fluency  of  speech  were  also  graciously  bestowed  ;  matter  in 
abundance  both  presented  and  developed  itself  as  I  proceeded ; 
the  audience  was  extremely  attentive ;  and  I  spoke  for  an  hour 
and  three  quarters  without  difficulty,  taking  them  by  guile, 


•178    .  ADDRESS    TO    MECHANICS.  1832. 

and  gently  leading  them  from   one  point  to  another,  until  we 
ended  with  Christ.* 

At  once  brief  and  comprehensive,  popular  and 
argumentative,  the  address  is  one  eminently  adapted 
for  the  class  to  whom  it  was  delivered.  None,  per- 
haps, of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  published  writings 
contain  so  many  thoughts  in  so  small  a  compass.  The 
littleness  of  man  ;  his  ignorance  and  dependence  con- 
trasted with  his  exhaustless  longings  as  an  immortal 
being;  the  effect  of  all  true  knowledge  in  producing 
still  deeper  and  deeper  huinihty ;  the  necessity  of 
faith  even  in  the  ordinarv  transactions  of  life,  and 
much  more  in  our  relation  to  the  infinite  Creator; 
the  matchless  wisdom,  harmony,  and  love  displayed 
in  all  the  works  of  God,  and,  above  all,  in  the  great 
and  glorious  facts  revealed  in  the  Christian  religion  ; 
the  overwhelming  amount  of  evidence  in  support  of 
those  facts;  and  the  wondrous  adaptation  of  the' 
doctrines  founded  upon  them  to  the  wants,  the 
capacities,  and  the  otherwise  unsatisfied  desires  of 
fallen  man,  are  among  the  important  topics  which 
are  here  successively  touched  upon  and  enforced. 
One  of  his  favourite  illustrations  may  serve  as  a 
specimen  of  the  whole. 

"When  a  lock  and  key,"  he  says,  addressing  his  audience 
of  mechanics,  "  are  well  fitted,  a  fair  presumption  arises,  even 
though  they  be  of  a  simple  character,  that  they  were  made  for 
each  other.  If  they  are  complex  in  their  form,  that  presump- 
tion is  considerably  strengthened.    But  if  the  lock  is  composed 

*  This  address  was  soon  afterwards  published  upon  a  penny  sheet; 
and  has  been  since  widely  circulated.  It  is  repri-nted  in  Joseph 
iohn  Gurney's  Minor  Works,  Vol.  ii,  pp.  169  to  199. 


JET.  45.  AT    MANCHESTER.  479 

of  such  strange  and  curious  parts  as  to  baffle  the  skill  even  of 
a  Manchester  mechanic — if  it  is  absolutely  novel  and  peculiar, 
differing  from  everything  which  was  ever  before  seen  in  the 
world — if  no  key  in  the  universe  will  enter  it,  except  one,  and 
by  that  one  it  is  so  easily  and  exactly  fitted,  that  a  child  may 
open  it,  then  indeed  are  we  absolutely  certain,  that  the  lock 
and  the  key  were  made  by  the  same  master-hand,  and  truly 
belong  to  each  other.  No  less  curiously  diversified,  no  less 
hidden  from  the  wisdom  of  man,  no  less  novel  and  peculiar, 
are  the  prophecies  contained  in  the  Old  Testament  respecting 
Jesus  Christ.  No  less  easy,  no  less  exact,  is  the  manner  in 
Avhich  they  are  fitted  by  the  gospel  history.  Who  then  can 
doubt  that  God  was  the  author  of  these  predictions  —  of  the 
events  by  which  they  were  fulfilled  —  and  of  the  religion  with 
which  they  are  both  inseparably   connected  ?" 

FROM   THE    LATE    BISHOP   BURGESS. 

Palace,  Salisbury,  October  23rd,  1832. 

Respected  Friend, 

I  return  you  many  thanks  for  the  very  interesting 
•  and  valuable  Address  which  you  have  had  the  kindness  to  send 
me.  I  should  have  thought  it  very  improbable  that  a  lecture 
to  a  meeting  of  mechanics  could  have  given  any  one  an 
opportunity  of  pressing  upon  their  attention  such  a  variety  of 
intellectual,  moral,  and  spiritual  views.  I  cannot  omit  this 
occasion  of  saying  how  much  I  have  been  lately  pleased  with 
your  beautiful  compendium  of  Christian  Evidences. 
I  am,  with  very  sincere  respect, 

Your  faithful  servant, 

T.  Sarum. 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  llth  mo.,  14tb,  1832. 

*  *  *  Amidst  the  much  that  pleases  me  in  this  Address, 
there  is  one  sentiment  which  I  can  most  fully  and  cordially 
receive ;  it  is  that  which  supposes  our  humility  to  bear  a  con- 
siderable proportion  to,  if  not  to  be  dependent  on,  the  depth 
of  our  knowledge,  whether  this  knowledge  be    derived  from 


480  JOSEPH   KINGHOIIN.  1832. 

self-examination,  philosophical  research,  religious  inquiry,  or 
the  united  influence  of  all  these ;  a  sentiment  in  support  of 
which  thou  hast  very  appropriately  introduced  the  name  of 
one  who,  on  account  of  his  eminence  hoth  in  science  and  lowli- 
ness of  mind,  has  been  justly  denominated  the  child-like  sage. 
As  the  true  Christian  would  not  desire  a  higher  title,  so  perhaps 
he  can  scarcely  propose  to  himself  a  brighter  example  than 
that  of  the  pious  philosopher,  Isaac  Newton. 

First  da?/,  9th  mo.,  12th.  On  our  arrival  at  Norwich  this 
morning,  we  wei"^  met  by  the  affecting  news  of  Joseph  King- 
horn's  death,  which  took  place  last  night  about  nine  o'clock,  I 
have  no  doubt  in  peace.  "  Surely,"  have  I  said  in  my  heart, 
"our  brother  rests  with  God."  He  was  a  man  for  whom  I 
have  long  entertained  a  settled  and  deep  esteem,  and  a  true 
affection.  Although  not  without  his  prejudices,  he  was  distin- 
guished by  unbending  integrity  and*  true  piety,  great  learning, 
and  a  very  happy,  cheerful  disposition.  His  conversation  has 
been  often  delightful  to  me.  Very  few  minds  are  better  stored 
than  his  was ;  and  very  few  persons  knew  better  how  to  bring  forth 
from  their  treasury  "things  new  and  old."  May  the  event 
quicken  our  footsteps  towards  that  celestial  city,  of  which  I 
reverently  believe  he  is  now  an  inhabitant !  His  death  has 
reminded  me  of  that  of  my  beloved  uncle.  I  think  they  were 
two  of  the  most  thoroughly  respectable  and  estimable  men  in 
Norwich  ;  and  neither  of  them  has  left  his  like  behind. 

9th  mo.,  17th.  Catherine  and  I  attended  Joseph  Kinghorn's 
funeral  yesterday  morning.  After  the  service  was  over,  I 
addressed  a  few  sentences  to  the  congregation,  under  a  feeling 
of  great  solemnity,  and  bore  testimony  to  my  friend ;  but 
more  especially  to  the  grace  and  goodness  of  the  Master  whom 
he  desired  to  serve. 

9th  mo.,  'list.,  The  day  «f  the  Bible  Society  meeting.  We 
have  abundant  cause  to  be  thankful  for  the  aiding  and  pre- 
serving mercies  of  a  most  gracious  God.  I  invited  our  Bible 
party  to  our  Meeting  at  Goat  Lane.  It  was  a  very  solemn 
and  interesting  time. 


MT.  45.  BOOK    OF    EXTRACTS.  481 

In  the  eleventh  month  he  attended  a  Conference 
of  Friends  in  London,  appointed  to  assist  in  a 
general  review  of  the  volume  (then  known  as  The 
Book  of  Extracts)  containing  the  rules  and  advices 
of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  which  more  particularly 
relate  to  the  internal  government  and  discipline  of 
the  Society  of  Friends. 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Earlham,  11th  mo.,  18th,  1832. 

The  revisal  of  The  Book  of  Extracts  brought  before  us,  in 
succession,  every  subject  of  interest  and  importance  to  our 
Society ;  and  some  of  the  discussions  were  at  once  lively  and 
weighty.  We  worked  very  hard :  beginning  at  ten  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  and  going  on  till  half-past  seven  in  the  evening, 
allowing  little  more  than  an  hour  for  dinner  and  about  twentv 
minutes  for  tea,  which  was  comfortably  provided  on  the 
premises.  This  daily  tea  drinking  appeared  to  me  to  be  a 
sort  of  love  feast.  We  were  about  eighty  in  number,  and  1 
think  every  sitting  was  begun  and  ended  in  a  feeling  of 
solemnity.  The  whole  was  concluded  by  a  meeting  for 
worship  last  fourth  day  morning  at  Gracechurch  Street.* 

Thus,  my  dear  friend,  it  is  evident  that  we  are  not  forsaken 
of  our  great  and  glorious  Head.  May  we  trust  him  and  serve 
him  with  all  good  fidelity,  and  we  shall  yet  do  well.  I  suppose 
thou  hast  heard  of  our  friend  Daniel  Wheeler's  prospect  of 
visiting  the  Islands  of  the  Pacific,  Van  Diemen's  Land,  and 
Kew   South   Wales.     It  was   brought   before   the  "Morning 

*The  results  of  the  deliberations  of  the  ''Conference"  here 
alluded  to,  after  having  been  submitted  to  the  approval  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  of  1833,  were,  with  a  valuable  explanatory  preface, 
embodied  in  the  volume,  published  in  1834,  under  the  title  of  The 
Rules  of  Discipline  and  Advices  of  the  Yearly  Meeting;  a  volume 
which,  as  containing  an  authentic  account  of  the  discipline  and 
usages  of  Friends,  as  well  as  for  the  Christian  wisdom  breathed 
throughout  its  pages,  is  well  worthy  the  serious  attention  of  members 
of  other  bodies  of  professing  Christians. 

Vol.  L  —  31 


482  CLOSE  OF  THE  YEAR.  1832. 

Meeting"  on  second  day;  most  of  the  "Conference  Friends" 
l)cino-  present ;  and,  after  serious  deliberation,  met  with  the, 
full  unity  of  the  meeting.     John  and  Martha  Yeardley  have 
a  view  to  visiting  Greece  and  the  Islands  of  the  Archipelago. 
Thus  our  "Missions"  are  going  on  apace  ! 

First  day  afternoon,  [\.\th  mo.,  2ofA.]  It  is  an  unspeakable 
blessing  to  have  our  faith  in  the  vast  realities  of  the  gospel 
enlivened  and  strengthened.  The  thought  of  many  beloved 
ones  now  centred,  I  trust,  with  their  Lord,  is  often  very 
sweet  to  me.  How  joyful  will  be  our  re-union,  where  trouble, 
sorrow,  and  death  will  be  no  more  !  0  Christianity,  how  great 
are  thy  treasures,  and  what  rays  of  sunshine  art  thou  the 
means  of  casting  over  a  darkly  clouded  w^orld  ! 

Fourth  day,  [12^^  mo.,  llth.'\  Public  affairs ;  the  strife  of 
party ;  the  victories  of  the  hot  Tory  partizans  on  the  one  side, 
and  the  brawlings  of  Radicals  on  the  other ;  the  absence  of 
relio-ious  and  even  decently  moral  restraint,  are  subjects  of 
deep  lamentation  to  me,  and  I  tremble  lest  the  righteous 
cause  of  the  Abolition  of  Slavery  should  still  be  frustrated. 
But  I  know  there  is  One  who  surmounts  the  storm  and  rides 
on  the  wings  of  the  wind. 

[12.^7i  mo.,  26f7i.]  I  found  it  best  to  take  the  mail  for 
Ipswich,  on  second  day  afternoon,  with  a  view  to  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  held  there  yesterday.  I  returned  this 
morning.  The  meeting  in  the  morning  w^as  large  and 
solemn,  and  in  the  evening  the  young  people  met  me  at 
the  house  of  our  dear  friend  Dykes  Alexander;  the  party 
amounting  to  nearly  ninety.  The  scriptural  grounds  of  our 
various  testimonies  were  unfolded.  I  trust  the  whole  day 
was  a  time  of  favoured  visitation  to  many,  and  I  feel  refreshed 
and  comforted  by  the  retrospect.  What  a  mercy  that  one  so 
weak  and  unworthy  should  be  helped  in  time  of  need ! 

12^/i  mo.,  31si.  I  feel  the  present  a  period  of  some  critical 
importance  in  my  life,  and  my  soul  has  been  brought  into 
deep  exercise  and  conflict,  in  the  fear  lest  I  should,  in  any 
respect,  become  a  prey  to  the  enemy.  But  I  will  not,  I  dare 
not   doubt  the  faithfulness  of  my  God  and  Saviour. 


JST.  45.  ANTI-SLAVERY   PEOCEEDINGS.  483 


CHxiPTER  XXIV. 

1833.     ^T.  45. 

ANTI-SLAVERY  PROCEEDINGS;  MEETING  OF  DELEGATES;  PASSING  OF 
EMANCIPATION  ACT;  ELECTION  AT  NORWICH  ;  PETITION  AGAINST 
BRIBERY;  PROSPECT  OF  ENTERING  PARLIAMENT;  DOUBTS  RESPECT- 
ING IT  ;  ULTIMATE  DECISION;  COMMENCEMENT  OF  VISIT  TO  FRIENDS 
IN  LONDON  AND  ITS  NEIGHBOURHOOD;  LETTER  TO  A  YOUNG  FRIEND; 
LETTER  TO  HIS  CHILDREN;  RACHEL  FOWLER;  GEORGE  WITHY; 
WILLIAM    WILBERFORCE. 

The  important  subject  of  Slavery,  wliicli  had  of 
late  years  given  place  to  other  questions  of  a  more 
directly  domestic  and  absorbing  interest,  was  now 
again  beginning  to  claim  a  large  share  of  public 
attention.  The  efforts  of  the  Abolitionists  in  1823 
and  1824,  to  which  reference  has  been  already 
made,*  had  spurred  on  the  Government  to  some 
exertion;  and  for  several  of  the  following  years  no 
way  had  appeared  open  for  more  decided  steps. 
But  the  opportunity  aftbrded  by  the  interval  wfts 
not  lost.  The  leading  Abolitionists  were  diligently 
occupied  in  watching  the  progress  and  working  of 
the  remedial  measures  of  the  Government,  and  the 
disposition  and  conduct  of  both  the  planters  and 
the  slaves ;  and  they  fjxiled  not  to  take  advantage  of 
the  openings  that  were  presented   for   keeping  alive 

*  See  mpra.,  pp.  253 — 255. 


484  ANTI-SLAVEKY    PROCEEDINGS.  1833 

the  attention  of  parliament   and   the  public   to   the 
enormities  and  ruinous  consequences  attendant  upon 
the   system.     A   large    mass   of  important   evidence 
was    accumulated.     From    tables,    furnished    by    the 
Colonial   authorities   themselves,   it   was   proved,   in 
the  most  decisive  manner,  that  the  slave  population 
was  on  the  decline.     The  alarming  fact  was  disclosed, 
that  within    the    short    space  of  twenty-three  years, 
the  number  of  slaves  had  diminished  to  the  extent 
of  100,000.     And  yet,  while  ruin  was  thus  following 
in    the    train  of  oppression,  the  planters  had  turned 
a   deaf  ear   to   the  voice   of  warning.     The   golden 
opportunity    had    been    frittered    away    unimproved. 
Not  a  step  had  been  taken  by  any  of  the  Colonial 
legislatures  with  a  view  to  the  extinction  of  slavery. 
The    remedial    propositions  of  the  Government    had 
been  either  wholly  rejected   or   coldly  received    and 
studiously  evaded.     Meanwhile,  public   attention   in 
England  was  more  and  more  turned  to  the  subject. 
And  now  that    the  great  question  of  parliamentary 
reform  was  considered    for    the   present   settled,  the 
abolition  of   Slavery  became  a  leading   topic  of  dis- 
cussion ;  and  soon  ranked  amongst  the  most  popular 
questions  of  the  day.     The  details  of  the  movement 
are  stated  with  so  much  clearness  in  the  Memoirs  of 
tlie  late  Sir  Thos.  Fowell  Buxton,*  that  it  is  equally 
unnecessary  as  it  would    be    out   of  place  to  repeat 
them  here.     The  part  taken  by  Joseph  John  Gurney 
in  these  efforts  was  necessarily  subordinate,  but  his 
unabated    interest   in    the  cause  requires    that   they 
should  be  briefly  noticed.     Whether  the  call  was  to 
cheer   by   encouragement,  to   aid   by  counsel,  or    to 

*  See  particularly,  chapters  xvi  to  xx. 


^T.  45.  ANTI-SLAVERY    PROCEEDINGS.  485 

co-operate  in  a  more  active  way,  he  was  ever  on  the 
watch  to  assist  his  brother-in-law  in  the  arduous 
struggle.  In  his  Journal,  towards  the  close  of  1830, 
he  describes  himself  as  "closely  engaged"  with  him 
"in  arranging  his  parliamentary  plan  for  the  Abolition 
of  Slavery."  A  few  months  later,  oifering  to  share 
his  expenses  in  the  contested  election  at  Weymouth, 
he  writes*:  — 

I  am  sure  that  whatsoever  thou  mayest  find  it  necessary  to 
spend  will  be  spent  virtuously.  Thy  return  to  parliament  was 
never  more  important  than  it  is  now  that  thou  hast,  so 
satisfactorily  to  everybody,  taken  the  lead  in  the  Slavery 
question. 

And  when,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1833,  he 
saw  the  near  approach  of  what  he  felt  persuaded 
would  prove  the  final  contlict,  he  was  induced  at  the 
election  for  the  county  of  Norfolk  to  make  an  excep- 
tion to  his  general  practice  of  non-interference ;  and 
his  speech  to  the  electors  against  Slavery,  with  that 
of  another  gentleman  upon  the  same  subject,  being 
immediately  published  and  widely  circulated,  had 
considerable  influence  in  promoting  the  return  of  the 
xinti-Slavery  candidate. 

Early  in  the  first  session  of  the  new  parliament, 
the  Government  were  prevailed  upon  to  undertake 
the  final  settlement  of  this  great  question.  They 
w^ere  anxious,  however,  that  the  Anti-Slavery  party 
should  accede  to  some  arrangement  which  v/ould 
include  a  plan  for  compensation  to  the  slaveholder. 
This    occasioned    fresh    difficulties.      In    1824,    the 

♦Under  date  4th  mo.,  30th,  1831.  See  also  Memoirs  of  Sir  T. 
F.  Buxton,  pp.  188—189. 


486  ANTI-SLAYERY    PROCEEDINGS.  1833. 

question  of  gradual  emancipation  had  been  con- 
nected in  the  minds  of  many  of  its  advocates, 
(and  Joseph  John  Gurney  was  one  of  this  number,) 
with  the  idea,  in  a  form  more  or  less  defined,  of  com- 
pensation to  the  planter.  It  was  thought  (whether 
rightly  or  wrongly  this  is  not  the  place  to  inquire) 
that  the  state,  which  had  vested  in  the  master  the 
Jegal  right  of  property  in  the  slave,  could  not, 
without  sharing  in  the  loss,  honourably  undo  the 
wrong  which  it  had  itself  occasioned.  But  gradual 
emancipation,  as  it  had  been  before  understood,  was 
now  abandoned  as  hopeless.  Notliing,  it  was  now 
felt,  was  practicable  but  the  total  and  immediate 
extinction  of  Slavery.  And  with  an  increased 
acquaintance  with  the  horrors  of  the  system,  and 
a  growing  detestation  of  its  inherent  evils,  many  of 
the  warm  friends  of  the  cause,  carried  away  by 
their  anxiety  to  do  justice  to  the  Negro,  deemed  all 
concession  to  his  owner  a  dereliction  of  principle ; 
nor  could  they  endure  the  idea  of  striking  a  bargain 
with  the  oppressor." 

Notwithstanding  these  difBculties,  "it  was  determined,"  to' 
use  the  words  of  the  Memoir  already  referred  to,  "  that  the 
idea  of  acquiescing  in  some  system  of  compensation  should 
he  hroached  to  the  Anti-slavery  Society  at  its  approaching 
annual  meeting.  This  meeting  was  held  on  the  2nd  of  April, 
Lord  Suffield  taking  the  chair ;  and  Mr.  Buxton  undertook 
the  delicate  task  of  introducing  the  proposal.  *  *  *  He  was 
ably  followed  by  Dp.  Lushington,  INIr.  Joseph  John  Gurney, 
and  others ;  and  their  exertions  appeared  to  be  crowned  wath 
unexpected  success.  *  *  *  But  Avhile  the  leaders  of  the 
Anti-slavery  party  made  this  concession  to  Government,  they 
s-till  deemed  it  necessary  to  rally  all  their  forces,  and  render 
their  victory  comjdete.    *  *  *    A  circular  was  addressed  b\ 


JET.  45.  ABOLITION    OF    SLAVERY.  487 

the  Committee  to  tlie  friends  of  the  cause  in  every  considerable 
town,  requesting  them  to  appoint  delegates,  who  were  to  meet 
in  London  on  the  18th  of  the  month,  to  represent  in  person 
the  wishes  of  the  nation.  *  *  *  ^j^g  q.^\\  ^..^g  answered  to  an 
unexpected  extent ;  and  now  the  question  arose,  how,  most 
prudently  and  effectually,  to  wield  the  force  about  to  join 
them.  Nor  was  the  moment  unattended  with  anxiety.  It 
vras  very  doubtful  whether  so  many  earnest  advocates  could 
be  broucht  to  act  in  concert.  *  *  *  Thev  were  not  unlikelv 
to  mistake  matters  of  expedience  for  matters  of  principle  ;  and. 
in  particular,  to  think  that  it  would  be  a  crime  to  give  the 
planter  compensation,  however  much  the  interests  of  the 
Negro  might  require  concession.  It  was  an  occasion  which 
called  forth  all  Mr.  Buxton's  tact  and  powers  of  argument : 
but  the  delegates,  strong  and  independent  as  their  views  were, 
placed  a  generous  confidence  in  their  leaders,  and  a  sufficient 
degree  of  unanimity  w^as  at  length  obtained. 

"  It  was  necessary  to  frame  an  address  to  the  Premier 
which  should  embody  their  sentiments.  This  difficult  task 
fell  to  the  lot  of  Mr.  J.  J.  Gurney,  and  the  paper  which  he 
prepared  received  a  cordial  assent.  On  the  ensuing  day  they 
met  again  in  Exeter  Hall,  and  proceeded  in  a  body  to 
Downing  Street."  *  , 

The  result  of  tliese  efforts  is  well  known.  The 
passing  of  the  Act  for  the  Abolition  of  Slavery 
before  the  close  of  the  session,  clogged  though  it 
was  with  the  apprenticeship  arrangement,  could 
not  but  be  hailed  with  satisfaction  and  gratitude ; 
and,  whatever  diversity  of  opinion  might  exist  as  to 
compensation,  there  were  few  indeed  who  could  not 
join  in  the  thankful  acknowledgment  of  William 
Wilberforce,  that  he  had  "lived  to  witness  a  day  in 
which  England  was  willing  to  give  twenty  millions 
sterling  for  the  abolition  of  Slavery."     Scarcely  could 

*  Memoirs  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  pp.  313—317. 


i88  EFFORTS    AGAINST    liKIBEUY  1833 

Joseph  John  Curney  liave  ventured  to  look  for  such 
a  (,'onsunnnation  of  his  ^vishes,  ^vhen,  in  the  early 
part  of  the  year  1824,  in  a  letter  to  his  brother-in- 
law,  an  extract  from  which  has  been  already  given, 
after  cheering  him  with  the  prospect  of  ultimate 
success,  he  had  concluded  with  the  inquir}^,  '-  Why 
should  we  expect  to  get  the  extinction  of  the  monster 
into  full  train  in  less  than  ten   i/cars  f ''■' 

To  return  once  more  to  his  own  more  immediate 
course  of  labour.  At  the  late  election  for  the  City 
of  Norwich,  —  the  first  since  the  passing  of  the 
Reform  Act  —  the  Whig  candidates,  one  of  whom. 
^vas  his  near  relative,  were  defeated  chiefly,  as 
was  generally  believed,  through  the  influence  of 
bribery. 

"As  usual,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "I  took  little  or 
no  part  in  the  election  ;  but  when  a  petition  ■was  presented  to 
Parliament  against  the  returned  members  on  the  score  of 
bribery,  I  imagined  it  to  bo  my  place  to  subscribe  to  the 
object;  and  wrote  a  letter  in  tlie  Norwich  newspapers  stating 
tlie  grounds  of  my  so  doing.  Those  grounds  were  in  no 
degree  personal,  but  simply  moral   and  Christian. f     But  the 

*  Sec  supra,  p.  260. 

■f  The  foliowing  is  a  transoriptof  the  letter  in  question  :  — 
To  the  Editor  of  the  Norfolk    Chronicle. 

While  it  is  my  earnest,  wish  to  promote  good  order  and  virtuoiis 
habits  amonj;-  the  workinp;  classes  of  the  comniunity,  and  to  assist  in 
cutting  off  some  of  those  temptations  to  evil  by  which  they  are 
surrounded,  1  have  an  utter  abhorrence  of  party  spirit ;  I  know  it 
is  ever  interforina;  with  the  quietness  and  welfare  of  our  city,  and 
am  fully  sensible  how  desirable  it  is.  as  a  genera!  rale,  to  aA'oid 
every  measure  calculated  to  excite  its  virulence  or  to  prolong  its 
reign.  Under  these  feelings,  it  has  been  to  me  a  subject  of  anxious 
consideration  whether  I  ought,  or  ought  not,  to    subscribe  to  the 


^T.  45.  AT   THE   NORWICH    ELECTION.  489 

"appearance"  of  evil  was  not  avoided.  The  measure  was 
misconstrued  into  an  act  of  political  partizanship ;  and  I 
evidently  lost  ground  by  it  in  my  own  true  calling, — that  of 

expenses  of  the  Petition,  which  is  about  to  be  presented  to  Parlia- 
ment, against  the  election  of  our  present  members.  The  result  has 
been  a  determination  to  support  the  object ;  and  I  hope  thou  wilt 
kindly  allow  me,  through  the  medium  of  thy  journal,  a  public 
opportunity  of  stating  my  reasons. 

I  have  been  long  convinced  that  the  whole  system  of  Norwich 
electioneering  is  fraught  with  moral  mischief;  and  I  have  carefully 
abstained,  for  many  years  past,  from  mixing  myself  up  with  the 
proceedings  of  either  party,  and  especially  from  subscribing  a  single 
shilling  tc  any  of  our  elections,  whether  local  or  general.  I  am 
desirous  of  having  this  system  fairly  brought  before  Parliament,  and, 
after  much  reflection  on  the  subject,  I  think  there  are  good  grounds 
for  hoping  that  it  will  receive  an  effectual  remedy. 

Our  Ward  Elections,  and  other  contests  of  a  merely  local  nature, 
have  long  been  a  scene  of  shameless  bribery,  licentiousness,  and 
corruption.  Thousands  of  pounds  have  been  spent  on  both  sides  in 
the  horrid  work  of  depriving  the  poor  voters  of  their  best  treasures: 
integrity  and  temperance.  The*colours  of  an  idle  ribbon  have  been 
substituted  for  principle ;  and  without  the  smallest  reserve  has  the 
motto  been  adopted,  "  Let  us  do  evil  that  good  may  come." 

In  the  meantime,  the  General  Elections  have  been  subject  to  some 
considerable  degree  of  decency  and  restraint.  Pure  indeed  they 
have  never  been  in  the  view  of  the  Christian  moralist,  nor  by  any 
means  inoffensive  in  the  eye  of  the  law.  For  my  own  part,  I 
consider  the  old  practice  of  treating  the  voters  in  public-houses  as  a 
preparation  for  the  election,  and  that  of  afterwards  remunerating 
them  with  guineas  or  half-guineas,  to  be  in  a  very  high  degree 
objectionable  and  improper.  It  is  very  probable  that  corruption 
may  have  gone  somewhat  farther  on  these  occasions  than  I  am 
aware  of;  but  the  full  introduction  of  Ward  Election  iniquity  into 
the  election  of  members  has  unquestionably  been  reserved  for  our 
last  contest.  Entertainments  were  given  at  the  public-houses  on 
the  day  of  the  election  itself,  and  direct  briber}-  was  practised  to  a 
very  large  extent.  So  many  cases  have,  without  my  seeking  them, 
come  under  my  personal  notice,  that  I  am  sure  of  the  fact :  it  is 
mdeed  notorioas  and  indisputable. 

Now,    although    the   opposite   party   appear    to    have    met   this 


490  EFFORTS  AGAINST  BRIBERY.  1833. 

jlromoting  simple  Christianity  among  all  classes.  A  more 
watcliful  endeavour  to  follow  the  only  true  guide  in  the 
application  of  the  great  principles  of  Christian  truth  to  the 
common  affairs  of  life, — I  mean  the  immediate  teaching  of  the 
Holy  Spirit, — would,  as  I  now  believe,  have  preserved  me  from 
this  course." 

vigorous  warfare  with  a  comparatively  dumb  battery,  I  am  perfectly 
aware  that  the  violent  partizans  on  either  side  are,  in  a  moral  point 
of  view,  equally  blameable.  The  legal  danger  of  bribery  and 
corruption  may  indeed  be  different  in  the  two  cases,  but  the  moral 
guilt  is  precise]}-  the  same,  whether  they  be  practised  in  an  election 
for  a  senator  or  in  one  for  a  sheriff.  But  certainly  it  does  appear  to 
me,  and  I  think  it  must  be  obvious  to  every  one,  that  the  notorious 
corruptions  of  our  late  General  Election  afford  us  an  opportunity  of 
bringing  the  whole  subject  before  Pirlianient  such  as  we  have  never 
had  before.  Had  our  local  follies  and  miseries  stood  alone,  we 
might  in  vain  have  solicited  the  aid  of  the  legislature ;  but  the 
wider  and  more  important  range  which  they  have  now  taken,  at 
once  insures  the  attention  of  a  committee  of  the  House  of 
Commons. 

Whatever  may  be  the  result  of  the  inquiry  as  it  relates  to  the 
present  members,  the  guilt  and  sorrow  of  our  city  will  unquestion- 
ably be  brought  to  light ;  and  it  is  surely  very  reasonable  to  expect, 
as  a  consequence,  such  a  re-arrangement  of  our  municipal  and  elective 
system  as  will  deliver  us  from  all  such  evils  for  the  future. 

For  these  plain  reasons,  and  without  the  smallest  degree  of  ill 
will  to  any  one,  I  am  willing  to  subscribe  to  the  object;  and  I  cer- 
tainly consider  it  worthy  of  general  support.  I  cannot  conclude  with- 
out remarking,  that  among  the  various  animosities  which  arise  from 
the  weakness  and  folly  of  mankind,  there  are  two  which  appear  to 
me  to  be  pre-eminently  absurd  and  vicious. 

The  first  is,  a  cry  for  Reform  going  hand-in-hand  with  a  lust  for 
corruption. 

The  second  is,  a  Conservative  attempt  to  maintain  the  institutions 
of  the  country  by  undermining  that  foundation  of  religion  and 
morals  on  which  alone  they  can  stand  with  safety. 

Apologizing  for  the  length  of  my  letter,  I  remain  thy  sincere 
friend, 

J.    J.    GURNEY. 
Earlham,  1st  mo.,  1st,  1833. 


^T.  45.  IMPORTANT   QUESTION.  491 

Another  subject  of  great  importance  to  himself 
was  at  this  time  occupying  his  mind.  He  thus 
alludes  to  it  in  a  letter 

TO   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  2xid  mo.,  28th,  1833. 

*  *  *  The  question  which  has  pressed  upon  me  day  and 
night  is  this ;  whether  I  have  a  testimony  to  bear,  I  mean  a 
quiet,  patient,  persevering  testimony,  to  the  cause  of  Christianity 
in  the  British  Parliament  ?  If  this  be  indeed  the  Master's 
will,  I  fully  believe  it  would  not  hinder  or  mar  "  the  anointing  " 
in  ministry.  I  may  confess  that  I  have  been  utterly  unable  to 
escape  from  the  consideration  of  the  case.  Of  course  thou 
wilt  understand  that  it  would  be  on  a  system  of  entire  purity, 
and  wholly  independent  of  party. 

The  progress  and  final  result  of  his  deliberations 
■will  be  seen  in  the  following  extracts  from  his 
Journal  and  Autobiography:  — 

1st  mo.,  6th,  1833.  I  cannot  express  the  serious  thought 
into  which  I  have  been  introduced,  in  regard  to  a  certain  pros- 
pect of  a  public  nature.  Deep  has  been  my  conflict,  for  some 
time  past,  in  the  fear  of  the  enemy's  snares.  I  desire  to  be 
preserved  in  patience  and  simple  dependence,  resting  assured 
that  the  Lord  will  not  leave  me  without  a  light  to  follow : 
that  he  v.ill  make  an  opening  in  his  providence  for  what- 
soever is  truly  his  OAvn  will  concern-ing  me ;  or,  on  the  other 
hand,  that  he  will  graciously  condescend  to  close  every  door 
through  which  his  Spirit  forbids  an  entrance.  With  him  1 
leave  it,  and  feel  more  than  usually  able  to  repose  on  his 
bosom. 

"So  strongly  was  my  mind  impressed  with  the  subject," 
he  writes  in  his  Autobiography,  "  that  in  the  prospect  of  an 
opening  that  v,as  Hkely  to  occur,  I  communicated  freely  with 
a  friend  of  mine,  a  gentleman  of  independent  principles,  and 
of  the  highest  character,  who  fully  agreed  to  unite  with  me  as 
a  candidate.     Yet  we  fixed  nothing,  and  in  the  meantime  I 


492  DELIBERATIONS   ON   THE    PROPRIETY  1833. 

went  up  to  London   to  consult  a  few  Friends  on  the  subject 
Solemn  and  interesting  was   the  conference,   and  very  close 
was  our  joint  deliberation  on  the  question  whether  a  minister 
of  the  gospel  could,  consistently  with  our  principles,  occupy  a 
seat  in  the  British  Parliament." 

In    his   Journal,    alluding   to    this    conference,    he 

1st  mo.,  19th.  The  subject  of  the  incompatibility  of  such 
a  prospect  with  the  duties  of  the  ministry  was  closely  searched ; 
and  the  dangers  on  all  hands  felt  and  examined.  Three  of 
the  speakers  were  almost  exclusively  on  the  cautionary  side, 
still  committing  it  to  the  only  safe  test  —  Divine  guidance. 
The  remaining  four  seemed  pretty  fully  prepared  to  close  in 

with  the  prospect.     's  testimony  to  his  earnest  wish  to 

discourage  it,  but  his  entire  inability  so  to  do,  was  especially 
striking.  Another  Friend  reminded  us  of  the  legislative  func- 
tions of  Friends,  ministers  as  well  as  others,  in  Pennsylvania; 
and  spoke  on  the  diversity  of  gifts,  even  in  one  person ,  and 
the  propriety  of  giving  to  each  its  proper  scope.  All  acknow- 
ledged the  preciousness  of  that  liberty  of  the  Spirit  under 
which  Friends  have  been  accustomed  to  act,  in  reference  to  the 
pursuit  of  worldly  duties,  notwithstanding  a  call  to  the 
ministry ;  and  I  had  to  testify,  that  in  my  own  experience, 
this  simple  principle  of  trusting  all  to  "  the  anointing,"  has 
worked  well.  The  result  is,  that  I  am  fairly  left  at  liberty. 
May  I  be  rightly  guided  and  governed  in  this  most  important 
and  critical  question  ! 

Earlham  ;  first  day  night,  \lst  mo.,  21th.'\  To-day  has  been 
one  of  some  real  solemnity ;  Daniel  Wheeler's  ministry  lively 
and  delightful.  In  the  afternoon  meeting  he  took  his  leave  of 
us ;  and  it  was  laid  on  me  to  commend  him  to  our  heavenly 
Father  in  prayer.  He  has  just  been  addressing  our  large 
circle  after  our  Scripture  reading.  Long  shall  we  remember 
his  influence  and  Christian  example  ! 

I  have  had  many  anxious  thoughts  as  to  my  future  lot  and 
oroce^dings,  and  some  conflict  between  opposite  views  of  duty ; 


^T.  45.         OF  ENTERING  PARLIAMENT.  493 

but  I  humbly  believe  that  the  Lord  is  graciously  disposed  to 
deal  gently  with  me ;  to  permit  me  time  to  try  the  fleece  wet 
and  dry ;  to  go  before  me  and  to  be  my  rearward.  To  him  I 
commit  my  cause,  but  surely  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of 
his  regards. 

Fourth  day  morning.  I  feel  some  capacity  to  "Say  with  an 
honest  heart,  "  thy  will  be  done :"  and  to  recur  to  Christ  as 
the  ground  of  repose,  and  as  the  centre  of  action,  is,  amidst 
all,  delightful  to  me.  Life  is  flowing  rapidly  away ;  death, 
judgment,  and  eternity  are  approaching.  The  Lord  grant 
that  I  may  stand  complete  in  all  his  will,  by  an  abiding  faith 
in  his  beloved  Son. 

3rc?  mo.,  ord.  We  are  on  the  wing  this  morning  for  Bays- 
water  ;  trusting  that  a  time  of  quietness  of  mind,  and,  if  it  may 
be,  some  engagements  in  the  Lord's  service  await  me.  In  the 
meantime,  I  leave  public  interests  to  work  in  that  way  which 
a  good  Providence  may  see  fit  to  direct,  being  clear  that  my 
own  course  must,  at  present,  be  one  purely  passive ;  and  humbly 
trusting,  that  my  divine  and  holy  Master  will  not  leave  his 
unworthy  servant  without  help  and  guidance. 

3r£?  mo.,  14:th.  I  deeply  feel  that  no  mortal  power  either 
in  myself  or  others,  could  have  delivered  my  soul  from  these 
•  bonds.  I  went  up  to  Bayswater,  desiring  in  quietness  and 
retirement,  both  outward  and  inward,  to  throw  myself  on  the 
faithful  love  and  guidance  of  my  adorable  Saviour.  Up  to 
the  middle  of  last  sixth  day  night,  I  could  find  no  peace, 
except  in  resignation  to  the  parliamentary  prospect,  should  the 
Lord  clearly  open  the  way  for  it ;  but  in  that  memorable 
midnight  hour  my  mind  became  relieved ;  the  prospect 
gradually  disappeared,  and,  after  the  intense  conflict  which  I 
have  so  long  gone  through  on  the  subject,  I  am  now,  through 
the  infinite  condescension  of  my  Divine  Master,  left  without 
the  shadow  of  a  doubt.  The  whole  of  my  experience  in  refer- 
ence to  this  important  question,  and  especially  the  concluding 
stage  of  it,  has,  as  it  were,  brought  me  into  contact  with  an 
unseen  world.  The  dealings  of  God  with  me,  and  the  direct 
impressions  made  upon  my  mind  by  his  holy  hand,  have  been  as 
palpable  and  indubitable  to  me  as  things  visible  and, material. 


494  DECISION   AGAINST   IT.  1833. 

Upon  learning  his  decision  his  intended  colleague 
thus  wrote  to  him  :  — 

March  13th,  1833. 

My  dear  Friend, 

Many  thanks  for  your  kind  letter.  So 
far  from  being  grieved  or  hurt  at  the  conclusion  to  which  you 
have  come,  I  cannot  but  entirely  approve  of  it,  and  my  wife 
begs  to  add,  from  her,  that  she  congratulates  you  upon  it.  I 
always  thought  the  pros  and  cons,  humanly  speaking,  nicely 
balanced ;  and  as  you  have  taken  counsel  from  One  who  never 
fails  those  who  seek  him,  and  the  balance  is  cast  into  the  nega- 
tive  scales,  I  am  quite  sure  all  is  right.  This  also  is  quite 
clear  to  me ;  you  never  can  repent  the  course  you  have  now 
taken,  inasmuch  as  it  preserves  you  in  your  present  obvious 
course  of  useful  exertion ;  whereas,  had  you  determined  the  other 
way,  and  found  that  your  time  was  comparatively  wasted  in 
unavailing  or  abortive  attempts  to  serve  your  country  and  man- 
kind, you  could  scarcely  have  avoided  feeling  much  regret  and 
doubt  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  course  you  had  taken.  I  can- 
not, however,  avoid  feeling  a  little  secret  regret,  that  the  im- 
pression which  your  appearance,  language,  and  sentiments, 
would,  as  I  believe,  make  upon  a  reformed  House  of  Commons, 
is  not  likely  to  be  realized. 

"My  present  reflections  on  the  whole  matter,"  says  Joseph 
John  Gurney,  a  few  years  later  in  his  Autobiography,  "are, 
first,  that  the  interference  with  the  Norwich  petition  would 
have  been  better  avoided  ;  secondly,  that  the  consideration  of 
the  Parliamentary  question  was  permitted  for  some  good  pur- 
pose ;  and  thirdly,  that  the  conclusion  was  safe  and  sound, 
affording;  abundant  cause  for  thankfulness :  thougrh  I  cannot 
fully  agree  to  the  position,  that  the  entrance  of  a  gospel 
minister  on  such  a  service  would  necessarily  interfere  with  his 
hicrher  calling.  Such  a  position  does  not  seem  to  me  to  consist 
with  that  glorious  liberty  of  the  Lord's  Spirit  for  which  we 
plead.  Rare  and  peculiar,  however,  are  the  cases  which  would 
justify  such  a  course." 


.ET.  45.  RELIGIOrS    LABOURS    IN   LONDON.  495 

TO    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Norwich,  3rd  mo.,  16th,  1S33. 

During  my  quiet  sojourn  at  Bayswater,  the  prospect  "which 
has  been  long  before  my  mind  of  paying  a  religious  visit  to 
Friends  of  London  and  Middlesex  assumed  a  clear  shape,  and 
so  obviously  included  an  early  visit  to  the  families  as  entirely 
to  supersede,  and  in  the  end  to  remove  all  prospect  of  an 
inferior  nature.  The  Lord  graciously  heard  my  fervent 
prayers,  stayed  the  restless  efforts  of  the  tempter,  and  broke 
all  my  bonds  asunder.  My  soul  is  filled  Avith  praise  and  thanks- 
giving for  his  unmerited  goodness  towards  one  of  the  most 
unworthy  of  his  children ;  and  under  such  circumstances,  it  is 
no  less  than  a  delight  to  me  to  go  forth  again  in  the  work  of 
the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  I  am  sure  thou  wilt  rejoice  with 
me,  and  offer  up  the  melody  of  the  heart  on  behalf  of  thy  un- 
worthy friend,'  thus  graciously  and  mercifully  dealt  with. 

After  spending  several  months  in  London  he  writes 
in  his  Journal :  — 

Earlham,  1th  mo.,  18iA.  Four  months  have  passed  since 
my  last  entry  in  this  journal,  in  various  respects  very  differ- 
ently from  my  anticipations. 

In  the  first  place  I  must  remark,  that  even  had  I  not  been 
so  graciously  emancipated  from  the  prospect  of  supposed  public 
duties  of  a  civil  nature,  the  opening  would  have  closed  in  Pro- 
vidence more  painfully  to  me.  It  afterwards  turned  out,  that 
no  opportunity  for  such  supposed  duties  was  to  occur.  Under 
these  circumstances,  I  am  peculiarly  thankful  that  the  negative 
decision  was  arrived  at  so  satisfactorily,  independently  of  events. 

From  3rd  mo.,  19th,  for  three  weeks  and  upAvards  I  was 
closely  engaged  in  visiting  the  families  of  Devonshire  House 
Monthly  Meeting,  and  in  holding  various  public  meetings, 
with  the  young  people,  &c.  I  resided,  during  this  work, 
with  my  beloved  friend  Peter  Bedford ;  in  much  peace,  and 
sweet  harmony  and  unity,  with  him  and  his  nephews.  My 
ministry  was  often  very  close,  yet  I  had  to  acknowledge 
that  the  Lord's  gracious  anointing  was  not  withheld  from  me. 
When  going  from  house  to  house  in  Spitalfields,  I  felt  with 


496  ON  THE  CONTRAST  BETWEEN  1833. 

gratitude,  the  safety  of  my  allotment,  compared  with  what  it 
might  have  been  in  a  far  more  secular,  and  at  the  same  time, 
a  more  arduous  employment.  Peculiar  strength,  was,  I  be- 
lieve, given  to  me  in  unfolding  the  principles  of  Friends  to 
young  people. 

These  engagements  ^Yere  followed,  with  some 
interruptions  from  illness,  by  others  of  a  similar 
character,  among  Friends  in  the  Monthly  Meeting 
of  Gracechurch  Street. 

TO    A   YOUNG    FRIEND. 
(On  the  contrast  between  hcjal  and  gospel  obedience.) 

Upton,  6th  mo.,  8th,  1833. 

My  Dear  Young  Friend, 

*  *  *  *  When  we  call  to  mind 
that  we  are  by  nature  corrupt  and  sinful,  and  have  actually 
sinned,  (alas !  how  much  and  how  often  !)  in  thought,  word, 
and  deed,  our  hearts  ought  to  overflow  with  gratitude  to  Him, 
who  hath  redeemed  us  with  his  precious  blood.  Under  this 
feeling  of  gratitude  to  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  ardent 
love  for  God,  we  shall  be  constrained,  by  the  most  heart- 
cheering  of  motives,  to  take  up  our  daily  cross,  to  walk  in  the 
paths  of  Christian  self-denial  and  to  "  follow  the  Lamb 
whithersoever  he  goeth." 

Our  motive  then  is  love  and  the  effect  is  ohedienee.  Obedi- 
ence to  the  pure  law  of  God ;  as  it  is  written  in  the  page  of 
Scripture,  and  as  it  is  engraved  with  the  finger  of  light  on  the 
tablets  of  the  heart.  This  writing  of  the  law  on  the  heart  is 
the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  Comforter,  whom  Jesus  pro- 
mised to  his  disciples ;  and  who  still  illuminates  their  con- 
sciences, and  guides  them  into  all  truth. 

Now  it  requires  great  care  that  we  distinguish  between  a 
cheerful  obedience  to  this  pure  and  heavenly  guide,  and  that 
self-mortification,  or  "  voluntary  humility"  as  the  apostle  calls 
it,  into  which  the  Spirit  does  not  truly  lead ;  and  by  which, 
nevertheless,  it  is  very  natural  for  the  anxious  and  troubled 
soul  to  seek  to  recommend  itself  to  God.  When  we  have 
long   been  walking   in    darkness,  when    desertion  and  secret 


^T.  45.  LEGAL   AND    GOSPEL    OBEDIENCE.  497 

sorrow  have  been  our  lot,  we  are  prone  to  exchange  the  gospel 
for  the  law  ;  and  to  seek  out  some  peculiarly  trying  service  or 
sacrifice,  by  which  we  may  obtain  the  favoui*  of  the  Lord. 
This  is  precisely  the  principle  on  which  the  Monks  of  La 
Trappe,  and  other  Roman  Catholics,  have  so  long  acted.  Did 
they  know  the  fulness  of  the  love  of  Christ,  were  they  more 
sensible  that  it  is  his  blood  alone  which  can  cleanse  from  all 
sin,  and  his  righteousness  alone  which  can  open  for  us  the 
gates  of  heaven,  they  would  be  delivered  from  these  bonds  ; 
and  would  no  longer  seek  to  obtain  the  favour  of  God  by 
sacrifices  which  the  law  of  God  does  not  require. 

That  law  is  emphatically  called  the  "  LaAV  of  Liberty  ;"  for 
while  it  binds  down  every  unruly  passion,  and  leads  into  true 
"simplicity  and  godly  sincerity  in  all  things,"  it  encourages  a 
noble  freedom  of  action  in  the  service  of  our  Lord,  The 
Spirit  of  Christ  within  us,  is  a  Spirit  of  "  love,  and  power,  and 
of  a  sound  mind." 

Although  these  general  observations  are,  I  believe,  worthy 
of  thy  attention,  I  by  no  means  wish  to  apply  them  hastily  to 
thy  particular  case.  I  would  rather  invite  thee  to  ponder 
them  before  the  Lord,  that  thou  mayst  know  whether  thou 
hast  or  hast  not  any  part  in  them.  AYith  regard  to  plainness 
of  dress,  I  heartily  approve  it ;  and,  as  thou  art  well  aware,  do 
not  fail  to  recommend  it.  I  think  we  cannot  adopt  a  sounder 
view  of  the  subject  than  that  of  Robert  Barclay  ;  who,  after 
the  example  and  on  the  authority  of  Paul  and  Peter,  recom- 
mended a  modest  and  decent  attire,  distinguished  by  true  sim- 
plicity ;  and  worn  for  use  alone,  not  for  ornament.  At  the 
same  time  he  remarks,  that,  while  we  avoid  all  splendour  and 
costliness,  the  materials  of  "vvnich  our  dress  are  composed, 
ought  to  be  regulated  by  our  circumstances  in  life.*  If  I 
mistake  not,  he  mentions  silk  as  proper  for  persons  in  a  certain 
line  of  life ;  and  since  his  day  it  has  become  a  much  cheaper 
and  more  common  article. 

Well,  thou  wilt  perhaps  answer,  all  these  things  are  \e,v\ 

♦See  Barclay's  Apology,  Prop,  xv.,  s.  2,  p.  352 — 53,  1st  English 
edition. 

Vol.  L  — 32 


498  LETTER  TO  HIS  CHILDREN.  1833. 

true  and  good,  but  must  I  not  follow  my  own  impressions  of 
ilaty  ?  Assuredly  thou  must,  my  dear  young  friend  ;  but  the 
Lord  is  no  hard  master.  He  would  have  us  move  on  very 
gently  and  cautiously,  especially  when  the  impression  on  our 
minds  does  not  appear  to  accord  with  a  comprehensive  and 
scriptural  view  of  the  law  of  our  God.  Give  thyself  a  little 
time ;  be  very  patient ;  dwell  near  to  Christ ;  pour  forth  thy 
lieart  in  prayer ;  and  he  will  in  due  season  make  his  way  clear 
before  thee. 

I  well  remember  one  occasion  in  which,  during  several 
months,  I  felt  much  bound  in  spirit  to  a  particular  sacrifice. 
It  was  in  vain  that  some  of  my  most  intimate  and  judicious 
friends  assured  me  that  it  was  unreasonable,  and  would  rather 
mar  than  mend.  I  could  find  no  peace  but  in  giving  way  to 
it,  so  far  as  to  be  entirely  willing  to  leave  myself  respecting  it 
in  the  Lord's  hand.  But  in  due  season,  the  permitted  tempta- 
tion,  for  such  I  believe  it  was,  was  withdrawn;  and  I  was  left 
in  sweet,  peaceful  liberty.  Under  such  trials  we  cannot  de- 
liver ourselves,  or  put  a  force  upon  our  consciences ;  but  we 
can  leax^e  ourselves  to  the  Lord,  and  in  due  season  he  will  not 
fail  to  make  a  way  for  our  help. 

Commending  thee  in  faith  to  the  best  and  kindest  of  Friends 
and  Masters,  I  am, 

Thy  afiectionate  friend  and  well-wisher, 

J.   J.    GlIRNEY. 

The  increasing  illness  of  his  mother-in-law,  Rachel 
Fowler,  called  Joseph  John  Gurne}'  into  the  West 
of  England  in  the  course  of  the  summer.  Whilst 
there,  he  enjoyed  the  satiwaction  of  a  parting  inter- 
view with  William  Wilberforce,  at  Bath,  about  three 
weeks  before  his  decease.  Two  days  after  the  inter- 
view, he  wrote  from  the  house  of  his  mother-in-law, 

TO    HIS    CHILDREN. 

Melksliam,  Tth  mo.,  13th,  1833. 

My  dear  J.  H.  AND  A. 

The  longer  we  live  the  more  we  know,  or  ought 
to  know,  of  the  goodness  of  God ;  and  the  more  the  treasury 


ET.  45.  RACHEL   FOWLER.  499 

of  our  heart  and  understandincr  mav  become  stored  with  the 
good  things  of  the  kingdom  of  our  Redeemer.  It  is  the  pri- 
vilege of  Christians,  (0  that  it  may  always  be  yours !)  to 
serve  a  prince  of  tender  compassion ;  one  who  never  falls  to 
render  his  yoke  easy,  and  even  delightsome  to  his  obedient 
children.  And  what  shall  we  say  of  the  wondrous  alcJiemy 
with  which  Christianity  converts  all  she  touches  into  gold? 
Bright  are  the  beams  with  which  the  religion  of  Jesus  is  some- 
times known  to  gild  the  darkest  gloom  of  the  valley  of  tears. 
Behold,  darkness  becomes  light ;  pain  is  changed  into  pleasure  ; 
sickness  is  the  means  of  health ;  and  life  triumphs  over  death  ! 
I  have  been  led  to  these  reflections,  partly  by  watching  the 
condition  of  your  beloved  grandmother.  You  know  that  she 
is  suffering  from  a  malignant  disease,  which  in  all  human 
probability,  must  soon  terminate  in  death.  There  was  a  time 
when  the  prospect  of  this  particular  visitation  of  the  divine 
hand  was  the  object  of  her  terror,  and  occasioned  her  inex- 
pressible conflict  of  spirit ;  but  now  peace  reigns ;  and  not 
only  is  she  resigned,  without  a  struggle  or  a  murmur,  to  the 
will  of  her  heavenly  Father ;  but  she  seems  to  care  but  little 
by  what  means  it  may  please  him  to  close  her  mortal  career. 
Rather  does  she  rejoice  in  the  hope  graciously  bestowed  upon 
her,  that  she  will  so  soon  wing  her  way  from  all  things 
temporal  into  regions  of  perfect  felicity. 

There  shall  she  bathe  her  weary  soul 

In  seas  of  endless  rest ; 
And  not  a  wave  of  trouble  roll 

Across  her  peaceful  breast. 

In  this  happy  condition  she  has  nothing  to  mar  her  cheer- 
fulness and  comfort,  but  mere  bodily  pain,  which  she  endures 
with  humble  patience ;  and  in  the  quietness  of  her  spirit,  finds 
alleviation  for  body  as  well  as  soul.  Her  Divine  Master, 
whom  it  has  been  her  delight  to  follow,  and  under  whose  gra- 
cious influence  she  has  abounded  in  kindness  to  the  poor  and 
needy,  is  now  accomplishing,  in  her  experience,  his  gracious 
promise,  "  Blessed  is  he  that  considereth  the  poor ;  the  Lord 
will  deliver  him  in  time  of  trouble.     The  Lord  will  preserve 


500  LETTER  TO  HIS  CHILDREN.  1833. 

liim  and  keep  him  alive.  The  Lord  -will  strengthen  him  upon 
the  bed  of  languishing  :  thou  wilt  make  all  his  heel  in  his  sicJc- 
ness.'"  Fully  is  this  beloved  sufferer  aware,  that  to  be  trans- 
lated into  the  more  immediate  presence  of  a  perfectly  holy  God, 
and  to  stand,  unclothed  of  mortality,  before  the  judgment  seat 
of  the  Searcher  of  hearts,  is,  of  all  things,  the  most  solemn  to 
all  men  ;  the  most  terrible  to  the  impenitent  sinner.  But  with 
this  prospect  before  her,  she  is  at  rest;  because  she  entertains 
a  humble  confidence,  that  through  infinite  mercy  she  is  accepted 
in  "the  Beloved." 

A  few  evenings  ago,  when  a  little  company  of  intimate 
friends  was  surrounding  her,  she  addressed  them  nearly  as 
follows:  "Although  I  am  suffering  from  indisposition,  and 
feel  great  weakness  of  mind  as  well  as  body,  I  think  it  right 
to  acknowledge  my  feelings  of  fervent  thankfulness  to  God, 
who  has  graciously  supported  me  under  all  my  sufferings  and 
has  permitted  me  to  feel  his  holy  arm  to  be  underneath.  I 
have  known  desertion,  temptation,  and  trial ;  but  when  the 
enemy  of  souls  has  come  in  like  a  flood,  the  Lord  has  lifted 
up  a  standard  against  him.  In  the  prospect  of  that  awful 
change  which  awaits  me,  I  am  fully  convinced  that  there  is 
nothing  for  me  to  trust  in  but  the  atoning  blood  of  a  merciful 
Saviour.  Having  more  experience  from  length  of  years, 
than  any  one  present,  I  would  exhort  you  all  to  be  steadfast 
in  the  faith,  and  never  to  harbour  a  doubt  in  your  minds 
respecting  these  great  truths.  We  must  know  him  to  be  our 
Mediator,  our  Advocate,  our  Intercessor  with  the  Father  during 
the  present  life ;  thus  it  is  that  our  mortality  will,  in  the  end, 
be  gloriously  exchanged  for  immortality."  On  a  subsequent 
occasion  she  exclaimed,  "  We  can  do  nothing  for  ourselves  to 
merit  salvation :  we  must  look  for  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus.    This,  I  may  say,  I  believe  I  have  unlimitedly  obtained." 

How  can  I  witness  such  a  scene,  without  feeling  an 
earnest  desire  for  you,  my  beloved  children,  that  your 
views  of  Christian  doctrine  may,  like  hers,  be  clear  as  the 
noon  day,  and  stable  as  the  rock.  Decided  and  settled 
Christianity  may  be  said  to  make  room  for  pure  pleasure 
even  of  a  temporal  kind,  while  it  is  the  means  of  qualifying 


^T.  45.  GEORGE   WITHY.  601 

US  for  the  right  performance  of  every  duty.  Who  does  not 
perceive  that  in  its  working  on  the  human  mind,  and 
especially  in  its  abounding  consolations  in  sickness  and  in 
sorrow,  we  have  a  practical  proof  that  Go  1  is  the  author  of 
the  religion  of  Jesus ;  and  that  this  religion,  imbibed  in  the 
heart  by  faith,  is  the  pearl  of  great  price!  Let  us  each  be 
willing  to  "sell  all  that  we  have;"  or,  in  other  words,  to 
surrender  our  whole  hearts  to  the  Lord,  that  we  may  possess 
this  pearl ! 

"  There  lives  in  this  village  another  highly  interesting 
person,  a  gifted  minister  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  who  has 
just  completed  the  age  of  man.  You  have  both  heard  of 
George  Withy,  a  person  remarkable  for  strong  talent  and 
native  humour ;  but  one  who,  during  the  last  fifty  years,  has 
been  grounded  in  the  conviction  that  Christ  is  all  in  all.  He 
was  telling  me  this  morning  that  during  the  whole  of  this 
period,  his  views  of  Christian  truth  have  never  varied.  Like 
the  veteran  oak,  which  spreads  its  firm  roots  in  every  direc- 
tion, and  defies  the  blast,  this  experienced  Christian  is  stead- 
fast and  immovable.  No  infidel  cavils,  no  wind  of  false 
doctrine  can  shake  him  from  the  centre  of  his  strength,  and 
from  the  source  of  all  his  hope  and  comfort.  He  is  a  man  of 
warm  affections,  and  is  fondly  attached  to  his  large  family. 
Most  of  them  were  collected  in  his  peaceful  habitation  to 
celebrate  his  seventieth  anniversary.  It  was  the  Sabbath  day 
— a  day  of  delightful  repose  and  solemnity — during  which  we 
felt  the  great  privilege  of  the  public  worship  of  God.  The 
silence  which  reigned  in  our  little  meeting,  both  morning 
and  evening,  was  remarkable  ;  and  though  broken,  was  not, 
I  trust,  marred  by  the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  All  seemed  to 
be  bound  together  in  love ;  and  all  (I  trust)  were  united  in 
an  ardent  desire  to  be  found  in  Christ ;  ready  for  health,  or 
for  sickness,  for  joy  or  for  sorrow,  for  life  or  for  death. 

Our    dear    friend    George  Withy  had    risen  early    in    the 
morning,  and  had  occupied  a  few  quiet  hours  in  writing  an 
address  to  his  children.    It  was  a  very  touching  one,  earnestly  , 
calling  on  them  to  press  after  the  salvation  of  their  immortal 
souls,  and  recommending  to    them    their  various    social   and 


r;02  LETTER  TO  HIS  CHILDREN.  1833. 

religious*  duties.  One  tiling,  however,  above  all  otherS; 
struck  me  in  this  address.  It  was  the  clear  and  oft-repeated 
declaration  of  this  servant  of  Christ,  that  he  had  no  trust 
"whatsoever  in  his  own  righteousness  ;  but  that  all  his  confi- 
dence was  in  the  Lord ;  all  his  hopes  of  future  happiness  in 
the  availing  mediation  and  perfect  righteousness  of  the 
Redeemer  of  men.  His  address,  like  the  letters  of  Paul,  was 
full  of  "  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified."  All  boasting  was 
excluded.  Deep  humiliation  was  the  distinguishing  mark  of 
each  passing  sentence.  Mercy,  mercy  was  the  theme ;  and 
God  in  Christ  was  exalted  over  all.  Thus,  out  of  the  mouth 
of  two  experienced  witnesses,  has  the  gospel  of  life  and 
salvation  been  confessed  and  confirmed  in  our  hearing. 
And  in  both  cases  has  the  eye  as  well  as  the  ear  perceived  its 
delightful  efiicacy,  its  gladdening,  quickening  influence. 
What  indeed  can  be  more  lovely  than  the  spectacle  of 
advancing  age  softened,  and  ripened,  and  mellowed  into 
sweetness,  under  the  sunshine  of  genuine  Christianity  ! 

Both  my  mother-in-law  and  George  Withy  are  persons 
of  a  marked  natural  character,  and  are  rendered  the  more 
interesting  by  their  peculiar  traits,  I  never  knew  in  any 
woman  more  of  a  quick  feminine  sensibility  than  in  Rachel 
Fowler ;  nor  in  any  man  more  of  the  spirit  of  bold  and 
determined  independence  than  in  George  Withy.  But  the 
former  has  become  fearless  as  a  lion,  and  the  latter  gentle  as 
a  lamb.  The  peculiar  dispositions  of  each  are  sanctified 
without  being  annulled  ;  and  the  besetting  weaknesses  of  the 
two  characters  are  counteracted  by  sovereign  and  all-sufficient 
grace.  Such  is  the  unvarying  effect  of  the  influence  of  God's 
Holy  Spirit  on  the  hearts  and  conduct  of  the  believing  and 
obedient.  "  Every  valley  shall  be  exalted,  and  every  mountain 
and  hill  shall  be  brought  low ;  and  the  crooked  shall  be  made 
straight,  and  the  rough  places  plain  ;  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  shall  be  revealed,  and  all  flesh  shall  see  it  together." 
Both  these  cherished  individuals  are,  as  you  know,  attached 
and  faithful  members  of  our  own  society.  They  care  not, 
indeed,  for  sect  or  party,  but  they  have  long  been  deliberately 
convinced,  that  the  views    and  testimonies  which  distinguish 


X.T.  45.  WILLIAM    WILBERFORCE.  503 

Friends,  arc  built  on  Christ  as  their  foundation,  and  truly 
belong  to  primitive  Christianity.  Nor  are  these  views  shaken 
by  the  nearer  approach  of  death  and  judgment.  They  are 
still  consistent  advocates  of  what  they  conceive  to  be  the  entire 
spirituality  of  the  gospel  dispensation;  still  deeply  solicitous 
that  the  young  amongst  us  may  adhere  to  that  restricted  course 
which  they  have  themselves  found  to  be  a  path  of  remarkable 
peace  and  safety. 

I  have,  however,  another  witness  to  produce,  who,  though 
accustomed  to  a  somewhat  diflFerent  administration,  is  des- 
cending towards  the  grave  in  the  same  essential  and  saving 
faith.  This  witness  is  the  well  known  and  long-beloved 
William  Wilberforce.  Long-beloved  I  may  well  call  him,  as 
regards  myself;  for  I  have  now  enjoyed  a  near  friendship 
with  him  for  nearly  seventeen  years,  and  I  shall  always  con- 
sider my  acquaintance  with  him  as  among  the  happiest 
circumstances  of  my  life.  I  well  remember  his  iSrst  visit  to 
Earlham,  (I  think  about  the  year  1816,)  at  the  time  of  our 
Bible  Society  Meeting,  when  we  were  already  crowded  with 
guests.  Wilberforce  was  the  star  and  life  of  the  party,  and 
we  all  thought  we  had  never  seen  a  person  more  fraught  with 
Christian  love,  or  more  overflowing  with  the  praises  of  his 
Creator.  He  was  then  possessed  of  comparatively  unimpaired 
powers.  His  eloquence  was  easy,  lively,  and  captivating;  and 
his  cornucopia  of  thought  and  information  rich  and  abundant. 
I  never  met  with  so  discursive  a  mind,  or  with  so  interesting  a 
companion.  Many  a  roam  have  we  enjoyed  together  over 
green  fields  and  gardens;  and  very  delightful  has  it  been  to 
me  to  draw  out  of  his  treasury  things  new  and  old. 
You  have  seen  him,  and  cannot  fail  to  recall  his  curved 
and  diminutive  person ;  his  often  illuminated  countenance : 
his  beaming  smile  of  love ;  and  the  perpetual  energy  with 
which  he  flitted  from  one  object  of  attention  to  another,  like 
the  bee  gathering  honey  from  every  flower.  I  well  remember 
that  as  he  walked  about  the  house  he  was  generally 
humming  the  tune  of  a  hymn  or  psalm,  as  if  he  could 
not  contain  his  pleasurable  feelings  of  thankfulness  and 
devotion. 


504  LETTER  TO  HIS  CHILDREX.  1833. 

"Wilberfovce  is  now  an  old  man  —  I  think  in  his  seventy- 
sixth  year  —  and  more  than  usually  frail  and  infirm  for 
his  age.  Since  my  first  acquaintance  'with  him,  many  sor- 
rows and  troubles  have  been  his  portion.  His  tAvo  daughters 
were  his  great  delight: — the  cold  hand  of  death  has  smitten 
them  both  ;  and,  in  consequence  of  the  imprudence  of  a  near 
relation,  he  has  been  deprived,  within  the  last  two  or  three 
years,  of  by  far  the  greater  part  of  his  property.  Frequent 
illness  has  also  visited  him,  and  increasing  years  have  occa- 
sioned some  failure  of  his  memory.  Nevertheless,  his  eye  is 
almost  as  lively  as  ever,  his  intellect  lucid,  and,  above  all,  the 
sunshine  of  true  religion  continues  to  enlighten  and  cheer  him 
on  his  Wciy. 

"What  a  gloomy,  what  a  November  evening  prospect,"  said 
lie  to  me  in  a  letter  describing  the  death  of  his  elder  daughter, 
•'would  now  lie  before  me,  were  it  not  for  the  flood  of  light 
and  of  love  which  flows  from  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the 
Lamb  !"  This  flood  of  light  and  love  has  been  his  chief 
delight  since  his  twenty-second  year,  when  an  apparently  acci- 
dental perusal  of  the  New  Testament,  with  a  fellow  traveller 
through  France,  was  blessed  as  the  means  of  his  conversion ; 
and  now  that  his  infirmities  are  gathered  upon  him,  he  has  the 
same  comfort,  the  same  joy. 

I  called  upon  him  the  day  before  yesterday,  on  my  way 
from  Bristol  to  this  place.  I  was  introduced  to  an  apartment 
up-stairs,  where  I  found  my  beloved  aged  friend  reclining  on 
a  sofa,  with  his  feet  wrapped  in  flannel,  and  his  countenance 
'Despeaking  increased  age,  as  well  as  much  delicacy.  He 
received  me  with  warm  afi'ection,  and  seemed  delighted  by  the 
unexpected  sight  of  an  old  friend.  I  had  scarcely  taken  my 
seat  beside  him  before  I  felt  that  constraining  influence  of 
divine  love,  which  seemed  to  draw  us  in  secret  towards  the 
Lord  under  a  canopy  of  silence  ;  and  I  could  not  do  otherwise 
than  freely  speak  to  him  of  the  good  and  glorious  things 
v.hich,  as  I  believe,  assuredly  await  him  in  the  kingdom  of 
lest  and  peace.  It  seemed  given  me  to  remind  him  of  the 
•leclaration  of  the  Psalmist,  "Although  ye  have  lien  among 
the  pots,  yet  shall  ye  be  as  the  wings  of  a  dove  covered  with 


/ET.  45.  LAST    VISIT    TO    WILBEEFORCE.  505 

silver,  and  her  feathers  witli  yellow  gold."  The  ministry 
flowed  towards  him  in  a  stream  which  I  dared  not  attempt  to 
stay ;  and  his  countenance,  in  the  meantime,  was  expressive  of 
profound  devotion  and  holy  joy.  Soon  afterwards,  he  unfolded 
his  own  experience  to  me  in  an  interesting  manner.  He  told 
rae  that  the  text  on  which  he  was  then  most  prone  to  dwell, 
and  from  which  he  was  permitted  to  derive  peculiar  comfort, 
was  a  passage  in  Paul's  Epistle  to  the  Philippians:  "Be  careful 
for  nothing  ;  hut  in  every  thing  by  prayer  and  supplication, 
with  thanksgiving,  let  your  requests  be  made  known  unto 
God  ;  and  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding, 
shall  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  through  Christ  Jesus."  Now 
that  frail  nature  shakes,  and  the  mortal  tabernacle  seems  ready 
to  be  dissolved,  this  '■'■  peace  of  Crod"  appears  to  be  his  blessed 
and  abundant  portion. 

Wilberforce  is  a  man  of  a  pohshed  and  cultivated  under- 
standing ;  but  he  well  knows  that  this  jewel  of  divine  peace 
transcends  in  value  all  merely  intellectual  riches ;  and  that  the 
human  mind,  in  its  own  strength,  (notwithstanding  its  vast 
resources,)  is  utterly  unable  even  to  comprehend  it.  It  is  the 
gift  of  God  by  his  own  Holy  Spirit,  and  it  stays  the  soul  in 
deep  and  hidden  reliance  on  him  from  whom  it  comes.  The 
mention  of  this  text  immediately  cal™d  forth  one  of  his  bright 
ideas,  and  led  him  to  display,  as  it'  days  of  old,  his  natural 
versatility  of  mind.  "How  admir;  de,"  said  he,  "are  the 
harmony  and  variety  of  St.  Paul'-'j  smaller  epistles !  You 
might  have  given  an  argument  upon  it  in  your  little  work  upon 
Evidence.  The  Epistle  to  the  Galatians  is  a  display  of  doctrine ; 
that  to  the  Colossians  is  a  union  of  doctrine  and  precept, 
showing  their  mutual  connexion  and  dependence  ;  that  to  the 
Ephesians  is  seraphic;  that  to  the  Philippians  is  all  LOVE. 
With  regard  to  myself,"  he  added  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
"  I  have  nothing  whatsoever  to  urge,  but  the  poor  publican's 
plea,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 

I  well  reinember  his  own  definition  of  mercy,  "  kindness 
to  the  criminal  who  deserves  punishment."  Ah,  my  dear 
children,  if  Wilberforce,  who  has  been  labouring  for  these  fifty 
years,  in  the  cause  of  virtue,  religion,  and  humanity,  can  feel 


506  LETTER  TO  HIS  CHILDREN.  1833. 

himself  to  be  a  poor  criminal,  with  no  hope  of  happiness  bul 
through  the  pardoning  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  surely 
■we  oujrht  all  to  be  bowed  down  and  broken  under  similar 
feelings  !  Such  an  example  may  solemnly  remind  us  of  the 
Apostle's  question — "If  the  righteous  scarcely  be  saved,  where 
shall  the  ungodly  and  the  sinner  appear?" 

Before  we' separated,  he  adverted  to  the  loss  of  his  fortune. 
"  I  am  afraid  of  telling  you  what  I  feel  about  it,"  said  he,  "  lest 
it  should  appear  like  affectation  ;  but  rest  assured,  that  the 
event  has  given  me  no  uneasiness — none  whatsoever.  In  fact, 
it  has  only  increased  my  happiness.  I  have,  in  consequence, 
been  spending  the  whole  winter  with  my  son;  the  joyful  witness 
of  his  gospel  labours."  In  short,  the  world  is  under  his  feet, 
grace  triumphs,  and  the  Saviour  whom  he  loves  reigns  over 
all,  for  this  faithful  believing  servant.  The  covenant  of  his 
God  with  him  is  "  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure."  Thus  are  we 
taught  again  and  again,  that  "  this  is  the  victory  which  over- 
cometh  the  world,  even  our  faith."  "Who  is  he  that 
overcometh  the  world,  but  he  that  believeth  that  Jesus  is 
the  Son  of  God  V 

And  now,  my  dear  children,  store  up  these  examples 
in  your  hearts,  and  keep  this  little  memorial  by  you,  for 
your  father's  sake,  to  J-mind  you  in  days  to  come  of  that 
which  he  feels  to  be  pre  Oqus  above  all  things — the  redeeming 
love  of  God  in  Christ  J    us. 

It  would  be  easy  t<?3y\dd  to  these  instances  of  the  happy 
work  of  true  religion.  What  can  account  for  this  uniformity 
of  Christian  experience  ?  Truth,  and  truth  alone.  May  it  be 
yours  to  knoAV  and  to  love  "the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  ;"  and 
may  it  make  us  all  free,  entirely  free  from  the  bondage  of  this 
corrupt  and  evil  world. 

Now,. therefore,  "unto  him  who  is  able  to  keep  you  from 
falling,  and  to  present  you.  faultless  before  the  presence  of  his 
glory  with  exceeding  joy,  to  the  only  w'ise  God  our  Saviour, 
he  glory  and  majesty,  dominion  and  power,  both  now-  and 
ever.     Amen." 


^T.  45.  DR.    CHALMERS.  '  507 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

^T.  45—46.     1833. 

VISIT  OF  DR.  CHALMERS  AT  EARLHAM;  CONVERSATIONS  WITH 
HIM  5  EXTRACTS  FROM  JOURNAL;  FURTHER  LABOURS  IN  THE 
NEIGHBOURHOOD  OF  LONDON;  LETTERS;  SERMON  AT  DEVONSHIRE 
HOUSE. 

Joseph  John  Gurnet's  labours  in  London  and  its 
neighbourhood,  the  commencement  of  which  is 
noticed  in  the  last  chapter,  were  proceeded  in  very 
gradually.  "  I  always  believed,"  he  writes  to  a 
friend,  "  and  said  when  I  asked  for  my  certificate,  that 
[the  service]  would  come  to  me  by  degrees." 

During  a  short  recess  at  home  after  his  return 
from  Melksham,  he  enjoyed  a  visit  from  his  friend, 
Dr.  Chalmers,  who  had  been  spending  a  few  weeks 
in  London.  In  his  letters  to  his  family.  Dr.  Chalmers 
has  thus  recorded  his  impressions  of  Earlham  and 
its  inhabitants: — * 

"  Friday,  19iA.  Awoke  after  a  night  of  delicious  repose, 
and  with  the  full  consciousness  of  being  embosomed  in  an 
abode  of  friendship  and  piety.  Gave  up  the  day  to  sauntering. 
A  spacious  and  commodious  house,  with  ample  store  both  of 
bed  and  public  rooms.     My  excellent  friend,  Mr.  Bridges,  left 

*  See  Life  of  Dr.  Chalmers,  Vol.  iii,  pp.  398—400. 


508  DR.    CHALMERS.  1833. 

US  at  one  o'clock  ;  but  not  -without  leaving  on  my  heart  a 
profound  sense  of  his  Christian  devotedness  and  worth.  After 
he  went  out,  Mrs.  Francis  Cunningham,  the  lady  of  one  of 
our  best  English  clergymen,  came  in,  and  has  been  an  inmate 
during  my  abode  at  Earlham.  She  is  sister  to  Mr.  Gurney, 
and  is  really  a  very  attractive  person,  for  simplicity  and 
Christian  principle,  and  elegant  accomplishment,  and  withal 
high  intelligence  and  cultivation.  But  last  of  all,  another 
lady,  who  dined  and  spent  the  night,  now  aged  and  in  Quaker 
attire,  which  she  had  but  recently  put  on,  and  who,  in  early 
life,  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  of  our  literary  women  ; 
whose  works,  thirty  years  ago,  I  read  with  great  delight ;  no 
less  a  person  than  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Opie,  authoress  of  the 
most  exquisite  feminine  tales,  for  which  I  used  to  place  her 
by  the  side  of  Miss  Edgeworth.  It  was  curious  to  myself 
that,  though  told  by  Mr.  Gurney  in  the  morning  of  her  being 
to  dine,  I  had  forgot  the  circumstance,  and  the  idea  of  the 
accomplished  novelist  and  poet  Avas  never  once  suggested  by 
the  image  of  this  plain-looking  Quakeress,  till  it  rushed  upon 
me  after  dinner  ;  when  it  suddenly  and  inconceivably  aug- 
mented the  interest  I  felt  in  her.  "VVe  had  much  conversation, 
and  drew  greatly  together ;  walking  and  talking  together  with 
each  other  on  the  beautiful  lawn  after  dinner.  She  has  had 
access  into  all  kinds  of  society,  and  her  conversation  is  all  the 
more  rich  and  interesting.  *  *  *  I  felt  my  new  acquaintance 
with  her  to  be  one  of  the  great  acquisitions  of  my  pi-esent 
journey  ;  and  this  union  of  rank,  and  opulence,  and  literature, 
and  polish  of  mind,  with  plainness  of  manners,  forms  one  of 
the  great  charms  of  the  society  in  this  house." 

The  following  are  extracted  from  Joseph  John 
Gurney's  reminiscences  of  this  visit. 

One  morning  we  conversed  on  the  subject  of  the  great 
minds  with  which  he  had  been  brought  into  contact.  I  asked 
him  who  was  the  most  talented  person  with  whom  he  had 
associated,    especially   in   power   of  conversation.       He  said, 


Ml.  45,  •    AT    EARLHAM.  509 

'•  Robert  Hall  Avas  tlie  greatest  proficient  lie  had  known  as  a 
oonverser ;"  and  spoke  in  high  terms  of  his  talents  and  of  his 
preaching.  "But,"  said  he,  "I  think  Foster  is  of  a  higher 
order  of  intellect ;  he  fetches  his  thoughts  from  a  deeper 
spring ;  he  is  no  great  talker,  and  writes  very  slowly,  but  he 
moves  alono;  in  a  region  far  above  the  common  intellectual 
level.  There  are  passages  in  his  Essays  of  amazing  depth  and 
beauty,  especially  in  that  on  'Popular  Ignorance.'  " 

We  called  on  the  venerable  bishop,  now  in  his  ninetieth 
year,  and  very  delightful  was  our  interview.  The  dear  old 
man  was  in  good  heart  and  health,  reading  without  spectacles, 
hearing  without  the  smallest  difficulty,  and  able  to  talk  with 
his  old  vivacity.  He  was  evidently  much  animated  by  seeing 
Dr.  Chalmers. 

Bishop.  "  Dr.  Chalmers,  I  am  very  glad  to  be  introduced 
to  you.  I  have  just  been  reading  your  Bridgewater  Essay, 
with  great  satisfaction ;  and  am  especially  pleased  that  you 
have  insisted  so  much  on  the  views  of  Bishop  Butler,  whom  I 
have  always  reckoned  to  be  one  of  the  best  and  wisest  of 
writers." 

I  remarked  that  it  was  strange  that  a  writer  of  so  liberal 
and  comprehensive  a  cast  should  be  accused  of  popery. 

Bishop.  "  There  is  no  ground  for  it ;  people  will  always 
call  names." 

They  then  conversed  on  Dr.  Adam  Smith's  "  Theory  of 
Moral  Sentiments." 

Bishop.  "  I  am  sorry  to  find  from  your  work,  that  his 
splendid  passage  respecting  the  necessity  of  a  mediator  was 
omitted  in  the  second  edition." 

Chalmers.  "  The  omission  was  probably  owing  to  his 
intimacy  with  Hume." 

I  asked  the  bishop  whether  he  had  not-  himself  been 
acquainted  with  Hume. 

"  0  yes,"  he  replied,  "  I  used  to  meet  him  at  the  old  Lord 
Bathurst's."  He  then  repeated  to  us  part  of  the  passage  from 
Dr.  Adam  Smith,  with  peculiar  accuracy  and  feeling,  telling 
us  that  it  had  been  fixed  in  his  memory  from  his  early  man- 


510  DR.    CHALMERS.  1833. 

hood.  He  afterwards  drew  a  lively  picture  of  the  talented  but 
hot-headed  Atterbury,  Bishop  of  Rochester,  who  was  well 
known  to  his  uncle,  Lord  Bathurst ;  and  of  the  mighty  War- 
burton  with  whom  he  was  familiarly  acquainted.  He  described 
him  as  a  giant  in  conversation,  and  a  fearless  champion 
against  Hume  and  other  infidels. 

I  was  glad  to  hear  Chalmers  and  the  bishop  fully  according 
in  the  praise  of  "Warburton's  "Julian,"  which  surely  contains 
important  and  specific,  though  somewhat  indirect  evidence  of 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.   =i=  *  *  * 

One  morning  the  Doctor  and  I  walked  down  to  a  fir  grove, 
at  the  extremity  of  the  park,  where  a  colony  of  herons  have 
lately  formed  a  settlement.  He  was  as  much  interested  and 
pleased  as  a  schoolboy  v.'ould  have  been,  in  watching  the 
singular  appearance,  gestures,  and  sounds  of  these  birds.  His 
mind  seemed  quite  occupied  by  the  fitness  hetween  the  length  of 
their  necks  and  that  of  their  legs,  and  also  by  the  circum- 
stance, that  as  they  swim  not,  but  only  stand  in  the  waters, 
they  do  not,  like  other  aquatic  birds,  require  webs  to  their 
feet,  and  therefore  have  none  !     It  is  remarkablj'-  the  habit  of 

Dr.   C 's  mind  to  see  and  feel  God  in   everything;  and 

what  can  be  more  desirable  ? 

We  talked  of  a  correspondence  respecting  the  Irish 
Education  Bill,  between  himself  and  E.  G.  Stanley,*  chief 
secretary  for  Ireland,  who  had  written  to  Dr.  Chalmers 
inquiring  his  opinion  of  the  measure. 

Chalmers.  "  I  expressed  my  disapprobation  of  the  system. 
I  think  M-e  ought  to  have  a  '  Bible  Class'  in  every  school 
instituted  by  national  authority ;  and  that  it  should  be  left  to 
the  parents  of  the  children  to  decide  whether  they  should 
attend  that  class,  or  not.  A  Roman  Catholic  child  might 
avail  himself  of  all  the  other  parts  of  instruction  afforded  in 
the  school,  and  might,  nevertheless,  withdraw  from  the  Bible 
Class  at  the  bidding  of  his  parent.  According  to  the  present 
system,  the  Bible,  not  the  Roman  Catholic,  is  treated  as  the 
Dissenter.     It    is  not   that    the    Roman    Catholic    withdraws 

*  Now  the  Earl  of  Derby. 


^T.  45.  AT    EAELIIAM.  5It 

because  he  docs  not  like  the  Bible ;  it  is  that  the  Bible  with- 
Iraws  because  the  Roman  Catholic  does  not  like  it. 

I  observed,  that  the  use  of  extracts  from  Scripture  in 
schools  appeared  to  me  to  be  unobjectionable. 

Chalmers.  "Very  true:  but  in  this  case  there  is  an 
objectionable  principle — it  is  the  omission  of  parts  of  Scripture 
on  the  ground  that  a  certain  class  of  men  object  to  their  being 
read." 

I  must  confess  that  these  remarks  have  considerable  weight; 
and,  considered  in  connexion  "vvith  the  eagerness  displayed  by 
the  Roman  Catholics  in  the  adoption  of  the  plan,  have  a  good 
deal  shaken  my  confidence  in  its  advantages.   *  *  * 

We  "were  talking  of  Fuller,  the  quaint  historian  of  the 
Church  of  England.  I  remarked  that  he  was  fond  of  a  dash 
of  humor.  "Yes,"  said  Chalmers,  "his  book  is  dashed  all 
over  with  it.  Even  so  grave  a  subject  as  the  death  of  a  Bishop 
he  cannot  treat  without  humor." 

One  evening  we  were  speaking  of  a  certain  class  of  persons 
who  united  to  a  great  apparent  gentleness  and  pliability,  a 
peculiarly  eifective  resistance  to  all  reform  in  church  or  state. 

Francis  Cunningham.  "  I  have  heard  Wilberforce  compare 
^nien  of  this  description  to  sacks  of  wool  lying  before  artillery ; 
yielding,  to  all  appearance,  to  the  impulse  of  the  cannon  bails, 
yet  effectually  stopping  their  progress." 

Chalmers.  "  The  great  fear  I  entertain  respecting  the 
operation  of  the  reform  bill  is,  lest  it  should  throw  the 
legislative  power  into  the  hands  of  men  of  business,  already 
full  of  all  kinds  of  occupation, — to  the  exclusion  of  men  who 
have  leisure  for  deep  study  and  reflection,  and  are  therefore 
able  to  cope  with  great  principles,  on  the  various  subjects  of 
legislation.  There  is  a  fine  passage  in  Ecclesiasticus,  on  the 
danger  of  entrusting  with  the  arcana  of  government,  men  whoso 
hearts  and  hands  are  full  of  the  common  business  of  life.  * 
I  wish  we  were  more  alive  to  the  principles  Avhich  are  there 
unfolded.  It  is  an  alarming  fact,  that  in  oi'der  to  effect  a 
paltry  saving  of  two  or  throe  thousand   pounds  per  annum, 

*  See  Ecclesiasticus,  chap,  xxxviii. 


512  DR.    CHALMERS.  1833. 

that  great  work,  the  trigonometrical  survey  of  Great  Britain, 
was  on  the  point  of  being  left  incomplete.  It  was  saved  by  a 
majority  of  only  two  votes,  in  a  Committee  of  the  House  of 
Commons." 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

Fifth  day  morning,  \lth  mo.,  25i/i.]  Dr.  Chalmers  left  us 
yesterday  morning.  We  parted  with  him  the  preceding  night, 
after  a  time  of  Scripture  reading,  silent  waiting,  and  prayer, 
in  which  I  had  fervently  to  commend  him  and  his  family  to 
the  grace  of  God.     His  A'isit  has  been  memorable  indeed. 

FROM    DR.   CHALMERS. 

Edinburgh,  August  29tb,  1833. 

I  arrived  at  home  only  yesterday,  and  this  is  the  reason  why 
you  have  been  so  long  without  hearing  from  me.  I  waited  till 
I  could  apprise  you  of  my  safe  arrival,  and  of  the  delivery  of 
your  kind  letter  and  present  to  my  children.  They  read  it 
with  the  deepest  interest;  and  I  can  assure  you  that  they  have 
all  been  inspired  by  you  with  the  greatest  desire  to  visit  Earl- 
ham.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  enjoyment  I  had  under  your 
roof;  and  if  my  own  happiness  was  the  only  element  included^ 
in  the  deliberation,  I  should  not  be  long  in  re-appearing  in  the 
midst  of  you.  *  *  * 

I  shall  never  forget  your  great  kindness  to  me,  so  much 
beyond  my  deserts,  and  my  powers  of  requital,  in  any  way. 
EarTliam  holds  out  many  temptations,  but  the  most  powerful 
of  them  all  is,  that  the  companionships  there,  are  those  that  I 
most  love ;  all  its  accompaniments,  and  chief  of  all,  its  society, 
are  precious  to  me.  May  heaven's  best  blessings  rest  upon 
you  and  yours  ! 

The  quotation  you  refer  to  is  from  Cicero,  though  at 
present  I  am  unable  to  state  from  what  part  of  his 
WTitings. 

8fA  mo.,  2nd.  My  birthday  ;  forty-five  years  completed  in 
this  mutable  scene.     Alas  !  what  inexpressible  and  multiplied 


^T.  46.  RACHEL    fowler's    DYING    ILLNESS.  513 

cause  have  I  for  huinilitation !   But  when  I  call  to  mind  the  sparing 
mercy  of  my  God,  have  I  not  equal  cause  for  thankfulness  ? 

drd.  This  morning,  in  all  probability,  have  the  remains  of 
my  beloved  friend  William  Wilberforce,  been  followed  to  their 
last  home,  in  Westminster  Abbey,  by  a  large  number  of  peers 
and  commoners ;  a  pomp  which  can  have  been  nothing  to 
him ;  but  we  may  value  a  tribute  paid  to  virtue,  humanity, 
and  religion. 

First  day.  I  woke  very  low  this  morning,  but  am  not 
without  a  hope  that  the  glorious  "Master  of  Assemblies" 
will  condescend  to  bless  this  Sabbath  day  to  many  souls. 
Oh  that  his  church  may  be  preserved  in  life,  in  love,  and  in 
oneness;  and  that  more  of  his  "anointing,"  which  alone  fully 
leads  into  these  things,  may  be  experienced  by  all  who  love 
his  name. 

8i/i  mo.,  20th.  I  returned  home  yesterday  evening,  after  a 
week  of  mournful,  yet  peaceful  interest.  My  dear  wife  and  I 
left  home  on  second  day.  On  reaching  London,  the  next 
afternoon,  we  received  very  alarming  tidings  of  our  dear 
mother,  so  that  we  thoug-ht  it  best  to  travel  through  most  of 
the  night,  and  we  arrived  at  Melksham  to  breakfast  on  fourth 
day  morning.  We  found  her  much  reduced,  but  not  dying. 
Iler  mind  is  bright  and  serene  as  ever,  and  she  can  assure  us. 
with  all  confidence,  that  she  has  not  followed  "  cunningly 
devised  fables,"  in  embracing  for  herself,  and  in  making 
known  to  others,  the  power  and  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesu.^ 
Christ.  I  took  leave  of  her  on  sixth  day  night.  It  was 
difficult  to  tear  myself  from  them,  and  my  journey  to  London 
was  rather  mournful. 

On  arriving  in  London  it  was  a  great  delight  to  meet 
Fowell  and  Hannah ;  the  former  greatly  relieved  by  the  happy 
termination  of  the  Slave  Question  in  Parliament.  They  went 
with  me  to  Stoke  Newington  meeting ;  to  which  I  had  felt  a 
particular  pointing.  It  was  a  large  meeting,  chiefly  of  the 
young,  and  very  solemn.  I  had  to  speak  on  the  Lord's 
method  of  teaching  his  people,  and  boldly  to  uphold  what  I 
believe  to  be  the  genuine  principles  of  Friends. 

Vol.  L  — 33 


514.  DEATH    OF    RACHEL    FOM'LER.      '  1833 

\_Earl7iam.']  Sth  mo.,  25tk.  On  fourth  day  arrived  the 
1>ishop  of  Winchester,  with  his  wife  and  four  children  ;  and 
our  brother  and  sister  Francis  and  Richenda  Cunningham. 
0.  Wodehouse  and  E.  Edwards  were  with  us  at  dinner.  We 
passed  a  very  pleasant  afternoon,  and  I  read  the  "  Sketch  of 
Wilberforce"  to  them  in  the  evening.  The  bishop's  courteous 
and  gentle  manner,  and  evident  sweetness  of  mind,  are  very 
endearing.  On  sixth  day  morning  he  read  to  us,  1  John  v, 
evidently  under  great  and  tender  feeling.  I  took  a  private 
walk  with  him  before  we  parted,  and  enjoyed  the.  sweet  savour 
of  his  Christian  mind,  converse,  and  demeanor. 

9th  mo.,  12th.  The  [past]  fortnight  has  been  a  memorable 
time  to  me.  It  was,  I  believe,  well  that  I  followed  the  secret 
impression  of  duty  in  leaving  home,  although  at  the  time,  it 
.■seemed  rather  contrary  to  evidence.  In  consequence,  I  had 
the  satisfaction  of  attending  my  dear  mother's  dying  bed,  and 
of  being  with  my  beloved  wife  at  a  time  of  such  deep  and 
critical  interest  to  her;  a  debt  which  I  did,  indeed,  owe  to  so 
tender  and  devoted  a  companion.  I  arrived  at  Melksham  on 
third  day  evening,  and  found  my  mother  sinking  into  the 
arms  of  death ;  but  she  knew  me,  and  seemed  pleased  with  my 
coming.  I  do  not  think  our  beloved  sufferer  was  devoid  of 
consciousness ;  but  the  tabernacle  was  in  too  low  and  shattered 
a  state  to  allow  of  her  making  that  consciousness  much  known 
to  those  around  her.  This  state  of  things,  when  almost 
nothing  but  the  suffering,  sinking  body  meets  our  perception, 
is  affecting,  and  in  some  degree  trying  to  the  faith ;  but 
certainly  there  is  no  good  reason  why  it  should,  in  the  smallest 
degree,  affect  our  assurance  of  the  immortality  of  the  soul. 
This  truth  is  no  more  disproved  by  half  death,  than  by  whole 
death :  in  fact,  the  life  of  the  soul,  and  the  dying  and  death 
of  the  body,  are  independent  of  each  other.  On  one  occasion 
she  woke  up  in  rather  an  extraordinary  manner ;  and,  in  the 
recollection  of  a  letter  received  about  a  fortnight  before,  gave 
us  clearly  to  understand  her  wish,  that  money  should  be  sent 
to  the  pious  captain  of  a  certain  steam  packet  for  the 
distribution  of  Bibles  on  the  north  coast  of  France.  These 
were  almost    her   last   intelligible  words.     The  funeral    took 


^T.  46.  JOURNAL.  515 

place  on  the  following  fourth  day  morning;  many  Friends 
attended,  and  it  was  a  peaceful  and  edifying  occasion. 

[Earlham,']  Qth  mo.,  29th.  First  day  night.  At  meeting 
this  afternoon,  (after  an  interesting  visit  to  the  Bethel,  and 
reading  in  three  wards,)  I  was  much  engaged  in  ministry. 
"  Faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for,  the  evidence  of 
things  not  seen."  I  afterwards  rode  round  by  the  corner  of 
Ileigham  Falgate,  where  I  stopped  my  horse,  and  was  soon 
surrounded  by  a  congregation,  to  whom  I  preached  for  about 
a  quarter  of  an  hour. 

Fourth  day  morning,  \lWi  mo.,  30i^.]  Yesterday  morning 
we  received  the  aifecting  tidings  of  the  death  of  our  beloved 
nephew,  S.  Hoare,*  after  about  three  months,  illness ;  a  rapid 
decline.  He  has  long  been  conspicuously  ranged  on  the 
Lord's  side,  and  appears  to  have  been  wonderfully  favoured 
with  his  sustaining  power,  both  in  illness  and  death.  His 
last  words  were,  "  Lord,  I  am  thine." 

In  the  prospect  of  resuming,  for  a  short  time,  his 
religious  labours  in  London,  Joseph  John  Gurney 
writes :  — 

11th  mo.,  20th.  I  look  to  it  with  a  degree  of  awe,  know- 
ing my  unfitness.  For  about  two  weeks  longer,  I  expect  to 
be  employed  at  home,  chiefly  on  the  revisal  of  my  work  on 
our  Distinguishing  Views".  Thus  Friends'  principles  are  a 
good  deal  brought  before  me,  and  have  not  been  weakened  in 
my  mind  by  further  research  and  thought-  I  feel  a  sincere 
and  earnest  desire,  that  the  "wisdom  from  above,  without 
partiality,"  may  be  given  to  me,  that  ail  fear  of  man  may  be 
removed,  and  that  wholesome,  sound  truth,  may  ever  be 
upheld  by  me,  in  its  purity  and  strength. 

V2th  mo.,  27th.  The  annals  of  the  three  weeks,  during 
which  I  have   been   absent    from  home,  I  know  not  how    tc 

*The  eldest  son  of  the  late  Samuel  and  Louisa  HoarC;  of 
Hampstead. 


f.l6  RELIGIOUS   VISITS.  1833 

enter  into.  Lynn  Monthly  Meeting ;  my  dear  sister  Fry 
and  Jonathan  Hutchinson  there.  Journey  to  London. 
Call  on  Charles  Simeon  by  the  way.  The  religious  visits  at 
Stoke  Newington  gently  continued  during  two  weeks.  Some 
of  them  close  and  searching,  and  many  very  comforting ; 
much  of  the  baptism  of  tears.  The  meetings  on  the  three 
first  days  were  of  a  very  serious  complexion.  On  the 
last  of  the  three,  we  were  much  favoured ;  a  blessed  day  we 
had,  through  the  mercy  of  our  God  and  Saviour. 

During  the  preceding  week,  I  held  three  young  people's 
meetings ;  [the  subjects  before  me  being]  the  Evidences  of 
Christianity,  the  Atonement  and  Divinity  of  Christ,  the 
Doctrine  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  Friends'  principles.  These 
meetings  made  their  way  through  unusually  deep  exercise  of 
mind.  The  last  was  remarkably  relieving.  A  display  of  this 
part  of  the  great  system  was,  as  I  have  much  reason  to 
believe,  required  by  the  doubting,  cavilling  state  of  many 
minds.     0  that  all  may  settle  into  truth  and  peace  ! 

The  Quarterly  Meeting  for  London  and  Middlesex  on 
second  and  third  days,  was  a  very  favoured  time.  I  spent 
the  afternoon  and  evening  of  second  day,  with  Ehsha  Bates, 
at  Bromley ;  and  enjoyed  a  tete  a  tete  with  this  extraordinarj- 
man.     May  he  be  graciously,  and  in  all  respects,  preserved ! 

I  felt  constrained  in  the  men's  meeting  on  third  day,  to 
give  notice  for  a  meeting,  the  next  morning,  of  the  Friends  of 
the  Quarterly  Meeting.  Deep  was  the  conflict  which  I  went 
through  previously.  I  felt  the  ground  difficult  to  tread  On, 
and  the  responsibility  great,  but  we  were  favoured  with  a 
noble  meeting  for  which  I  felt  very  thankful.   *  *   * 

"  The  dangers  of  one-sidedness  in  religion,"  he  writes  tc 
Jonathan  Hutchinson,  a  few  days  afterwards,  "  and  the 
essential  importance  of  embracing  and  holding  fast  the  whole 
truth,  were  points  which,  with  some  others,  arose  in  array 
before  me.  When  this  mountain  was  passed  over,  I  found 
the  tie  which  bound  me  to  London,  cut,  as  it  were,  in  a 
moment  —  I  mean  for  the  present  —  and  I  gladly  hastened 
home  by  mail  that  evening. 


«T.  46.  VINDICATION   OF   FRIENDS'    PRINCIPLES.  517 

I  believe  there  is  a  fine  work  of  grace  going  on  amongst 
many  of  our  younger  friends.  Oh  that  they  may  be  kept 
ivatchful,  humble,  impartial,  obedient !  Each  of  these  epithets 
has  a  meaning  of  much  importance. 


TO 


Norwich,  12th  mo.,  28th,  1833. 

My  dear  Friend, 

I  am  best  satisfied  to  express  the  love  and 
interest  I  feel  for  thee  under  thy  present  circumstances; — 
new  and  surprising  to  me,  I  may  truly  call  them.  I  can 
easily  understand  how  persons  who  have  been  educated  in 
our  Society,  but  who  have  never  been  properly  instructed  in 
the  true  nature  and  scriptural  grounds  of  our  religious 
principles,  sometimes  find  a  place  which  they  apprehend  to 
suit  them  better,  in  other  departments  of  the  church ;  but 
that  those  who  have  undergone  the  process  of  convincement 
(which  I  had  before  supposed  to  have  been  thy  case,)  should 
turn  their  backs  upon  us,  is,  in  my  view,  much  more  remark- 
able. 

Thou  knowest,  my  dear  friend,  that  words  have  a  variety 
of  bearings ;  and  that  if  we  use  the  same  phrases  in  different 
meanings,  we  are  not  likely  to  understand  each  other. 

The  doctrine  of  "universal  and  saving  light"  I  apprehend  to 
be  identical  with  that  which  the  Wesleyans  call  the  doctrine 
of  "  universal  grace."  It  is  simply  that  the  moral  law  of  God 
is  written  by  his  Spirit,  (through  the  mediation  of  Jesus 
Christ,)  on  the  hearts  of  all  men  ;  and  that  every  man,  born 
into  the  world,  has  his  day  of  visitation.  This  doctrine  is  held 
not  merely  by  Friends,  but  by  a  large  proportion  of  other 
Christians,  especially  the  Methodists,  of  which  thou  wilt 
find  ample  proof  in  the  first  vol.  of  Dr.  Adam  Clarke's  life. 
The  late  William  Wilberforce  decidedly  embraced  it.  He 
twice  told  me  that  he  fully  believed  "  that  an  effective  offer  of 
salvation  is  made  to  every  man  born  into  the  world."  How 
could  such  an  offer  be  made  but  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  poet 
Cowper  has  an  admirable  passage  on  the  subject,  I  think  in  his 
Truth". 


518  VINDICATION    OF  1833. 

'*  Let  heathen  worthies,  whose  exalted  mind 
Left  sensuality  and  dross  behind, 
Possess  for  lue,  their  undisputed  lot, 
And  take,  unenvied,  the  reward  they  sought. 
But  still,  in  virtue  of  a  Saviour's  plea. 
Not  blind  by  choice,  but  destined  not  to  see, 
Their  fortitude  and  wisdom  were  a  flame 
Celestial,  though  they  knew  not  whence  it  camej 
Derived  from  the  same  source  of  light  and  grace 
That  guides  the  Christian  in  his  swifter  race. 

But  let  not  him  that  shares  a  hrigJiter  dayy 
Traduce  the  splendour  of  a  noontide  ray, 
Prefer  the  twilight  of  a  darker  time. 
And  deem  his  base  stupidity  no  crime." 

These  are  my  sentiments,  and  they  have  always  been  those 
of  our  Society.  Had  we  been  half  an  hour  together,  I  think 
I  could  show  thee  clear  proof  of  them  in  the  Scriptures.  By 
that  test,  like  all  other  doctrines,  they  must  stand  or  fall. 

To  speculate  on  the  eternal  prospects  of  the  heathen,  I  do 
not  apprehend  to  be  our  business.  We  may  rest  assured  that 
God  will  deal  with  all  the  rational  workmanship  of  his  hands, 
after  a  law  of  perfect  equity.  The  only  duty  which  Ave  have 
to  look  to  in  reference  to  them,  is  to  promote,  by  every  means 
in  our -power,  the  diffusion  of  gospel  light  amongst  them. 
There  cannot  be  a  moment's  question  that  it  is  our  plain  duty 
to  communicate  to  them  the  superior  blessings  which  we  enjoy 
ourselves.  No  persons  were  clearer  on  this  point  than  some 
of  the  early  Friends,  especially  George  Fox.  Hast  thou 
really  ever  given  an  attentive  perusal  to  his  deeply  interesting 
journal  ? * 

From  what  I  have  now  said,  thou  canst  not  fail  to  perceive 
in  what  sense.  Friends,  (as  well  as  others,)  deem  the  work  of 
the  Spirit  to  be  "independent  of  the  Holy  Scriptures." 
Thou  wilt  surely  not  venture  to  deny  that  the  Spirit 
gi-aciously   acted    on    the   hearts    of    men,    long    before    the 

*  See  also  Georg-e  Fox's  Epistles,  pp.  205—208,  257,  &c..of  thf 
Second  Edition  of  Samuel  Tuke's  Selection. 


Sn    46-  FBIENDS'    PRINCIPLES.  619 

Scriptures  existed,  and  that,  had  it  not  been  for  the  "  inde- 
pendent "  operation  of  the  Spirit,  the  Scriptures  themselves 
could  never  have  been  a  divinely  authorized  record.  But  my 
dear  friend,  with  us,  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  precious 
gift  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  are  in  close  connexion.  Friends 
have  always  asserted  just  as  strongly  as  other  Christians,  (and 
I  apprehend  more  frequently,)  that  it  is  our  bounden  duty, 
diligently  to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  that  it  is  in .  the 
use  and  not  in  the  disuse  of  them,  that  we  are  to  expect  the 
guidance  and  government  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Canst  thou 
point  out  any  one  doctrine  in  Scripture  more  plainly  or  em- 
phatically stated  than  that  the  Spirit  is  bestowed  on  those  who 
truly  believe  in  Jesus,  as  a  Cleanser,  as  a  Governor,  and  as  a 
Guide  into  all  truth ;  that  they  need  not  that  any  man  teach 
them  ;  but  that  "  the  anointing  "  will  teach  them  all  things, 
and  is  truth  and  no  lie ;  that  the  Spirit  will  take  of  the  things 
of  Christ,  and  show  them  to  our  souls  ? 

Woe  will  be  to  those,  whether  Friends  or  others,  who  let 
down  this  Christian  doctrine  ;  who  refuse  obedience  to  that 
Holy,  inward  Teacher,  who  guides  the  children  of  God,  by 
that  safe  and  narrow  way  which  alone  leads  to  life  everlasting. 
I  own  I  feel  an  extreme  fear  lest  an  unwillingness  to  take  uji 
our  cross  and  follow  Jesus,  should  be  at  the  bottom  of  the 
objections  which  some  make  to  the  testimonies  of  Friends. 
I  do  not  say  it  is  thy  case.  I  hope  not ;  but  thou  canst  not 
too  closely  scrutinize  thy  motives,  or  too  fervently  and 
honestly  ask  counsel  of  God. 

Is  it  possible  that  thou  canst  seriously  imagine  that  Friends, 
in  pleading  for  their  peculiar  testimonies,  make  their  appeals 
to  the  inward  Guide  alone,  exclusively  of  the  Scriptures? 
Such  seems  to  me  to  be  the  import  of  thy  letter.  Such  an 
appeal  would  be  utterly  at  variance  with  their  genuine 
principles.  We  assert  that  our  testimonies  respecting  baptism, 
the  supper,  silent  worship,  women's  ministry,  &c.,  are  not 
founded  on  any  mere  impressions  made  on  our  own  minds,  but 
on  plain  and  simple  Scripture.  Thou  mayest,  perhaps,  dl&'.Y 
from  us  in  opinion,  but  it  is  surely  a  mistake  on  thy  part,  tc 


520  VINDICATION    OF    FRIENDS'    PniXCIPLES.  1833. 

ascribe  an  origin  to  tliose  testimonies,  which  we  ourselves 
entirely  disavow,  and  which  our  forefathers  as  distinctly  dis- 
avowed before  us.  The  early  Friends  were  always  ready  to 
accept  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  the  only  proper  test,  by  which 
all  their  doctrines  and  opinions  were  to  be  tried.  Every 
dogma,  however  specious,  which  goes  heyond  Scripture,  or  takes 
away  from,  or  (above  all)  contradicts  Scripture,  they  always 
professed  their  willingness  to  reject  as  a  mere  delusion  ;  and 
we  make  the  same  profession  now. 

I  have  not  time  to  go  into  the  particulars  alluded  to  by 
thee ;  but  never  did  I  more  clearly  see  that  our  true  views, 
(not  the  exaggerated  ones  falsely  imputed  to  us,)  on  these  sev- 
eral subjects  are  absolutely  and  entirely  scriptural.  As  such, 
and  as  such  only,  I  hold  them  as  a  part  of  that  superstructure 
which  the  Lord  himself  would  have  us  to  build  on  the  glorious, 
broad  foundation  of  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified. 

From  what  I  have  now  stated,  thou  wilt  understand  the 
sense  in  which  alone  we  declare  the  Spirit  to  be  "  superior  to 
the  Scriptures."  Who  will  deny  that  the  fountain  is  superior 
to  the  stream  ?  And  the  omnipotent,  all- wise  producer  to 
that  which  he  is  pleased  to  produce  ?  But  supposing  a  person 
to  say,  "  I  have  such  and  such  impressions  which  I  take  to  be 
from  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,"  and  suppose  that  the  Scriptures 
-hould  contradict  these  impressions,  dost  thou  really  suppose 
that  any  true  and  sound  Quaker  would  take  the  impression 
so  made  on  his  mind  as  a  guide  of  superior  authority  to  the 
Holy  Scriptures  ?  If  such  be  thy  idea  of  our  principles,  I 
must  say  that  it  is  utterly  false  and  unfounded.  Certainly 
we  should  still  hold  the  Holy  Spirit  to  be  superior  to  his  own 
written  word  :  but  we  regard  the  Scriptures  as  an  infallible 
standard,  and  the  contradiction  in  question  would  afford  us 
an  unanswerable  evidence  that  the  impressions  so  made  on 
■he  mind  v»'ere  not  from  the  Spirit,  but  were  a  mere  delusion 
i>f  human  imagination.   *  *  *  * 

Frequent  as  are  the  notices  of  Joseph  John 
Guriiey's  ministerial  labours  contained  in  the 
extracts  from   his  Journal,  they  are   not  of  a  nature 


^T.  46.  SERMON   AT   THE    QUARTERLY   MEETING.  521 

to  enable  the  reader  to  form  a  correct  idea  of  the 
general  tone  and  character  of  his  preaching.  A 
lengthened  extract  from  notes,  soon  afterwards 
published,*  of  a  sermon  which  he  preached  at  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  London  and  Middle- 
sex, in  the  spring  of  this  year,  will  convey  a  more 
distinct  and  lively  impression  of  his  ministry  than  any 
laboured  description.  This  extract  may  properly 
close  the  present  chapter.  It  should  be  borne  in 
mind  by  those  who  are  but  little  acquainted  with  the 
usages  of  Friends,  that  what  is  spoken  on  such 
an  occasion  is  not  the  result  of  previous  preparation. 
The  whole  assembly  sits  down  in  silence.  There 
is  no  preconcerted  appointment  or  arrangement  as 
to  the  services  in  the  ministry.  Indeed  it  is  not 
known  wdiether  any  such  services  may  be  called  for, 
or  offered.  Each  waits  in  silence,  and  they  who 
desire  to  be  true  worshippers,  seek  to  have  their 
hearts  turned  to  the  Lord.  According  to  the  belief 
of  Friends,  Christ  is  the  *'one  Mediator,"  and  none 
other  is  needed  either  to  lead  the  w^orship,  or  to 
present  the  prayers  of  the  people  unto  God.  In  their 
persuasion  the  true  worship  of  him  who  "  searcheth 
the  heart"  is  not  confined  to  that  which  is  seen  or 
heard.  It  may  be  without  words  as  v/ell  as  with  them. 
And  if  words  are  spoken,  it  should  be  under  a  deep 

*  It  should  be  stated  that  these  notes  wei'e  taken  down  and 
published  altogether  without  Joseph  John  Gurney's  knowledge  or 
permission.  The  excellence  of  the  matter  contained  in  them,  has 
prevailed  over  the  hesitation  felt  by  the  Editor  as  to  their  insertion. 
He  would  much  regret  appearing  to  give  a  general  sanction  to  the 
practice  of  taking  down  such  communications.  See  note  by  the  late 
John  Barclay,  in  the  note  at  p.  275  of  his  Memoirs  of  William 
Dewsbury. 


522  SERMOX.  183*3. 

sense    of  individual  duty;  and  of  a  call  and  qualifi- 
cation renewed  for  the  occasion. 

After  referring  to  the  declaration  of  the  Aposth) 
Paul,  "  As  in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ  shall  all 
be  made  alive  ;"*  Joseph  John  Gurney  proceeded :  — 

I  wish  "we  were  all  sensible  how  worthy  we  are  of  death 
I  wish  we  might  remember,  that  even  when  the  mourners  go 
about  the  streets ;  when  we  lose  the  joy  of  our  hearts,  and 
the  delight  of  our  eyes ;  when  our  own  strength  withers, 
and  we  descend  to  the  chambers  of  darkness,  that  these  are 
tokens,  these  are  proofs,  that  we  are  a  fallen  sinful  race. 
But  there  is  a  death  of  a  deeper  kind ;  there  is  a  darkness 
more  impenetrable  than  that  of  the  grave  ;  there  is  a  destruc- 
tion infinitely  more  formidable  than  that  of  the  body ;  there 
is  the  death  of  that  which  in  one  sense  can  never  die ;  the 
separation  of  the  soul  from  the  source  and  spring  of  life. 
And  we  are  dead,  my  brethren,  we  are  "  b}'  nature  the 
children  of  wrath  even  as  others."  We  are  separated  from 
our  God,  not  by  the  sin  of  Adam,  not  by  the  imputation  of 
the  fault  of  another,  but  by  the  awful  consequences  of  the  sin 
of  our  first  parent,  traced,  as  it  is,  in  the  depravity  and  cor- 
ruption of  our  nature,  and  finding  its  way  into  our  own  selves. 
I  wish  we  were  more  alive  to  this  truth ;  for  many  of.  us  con- 
duct ourselves  very  differently  from  condemned  criminals,  de- 
pendent on  the  pure  mercy  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  God.  And 
what  is  mercy,  my  dear  brethren  ?  There  are  those  who  have 
very  meagre  apprehensions  of  the  meaning  of  this  word. 
They  mistake  it  for  kindness  and  love  in  a  general  point  of 
view.  But  mercy  is  the  love  which  acquits  the  criminal; 
mercy  is  the  love  which  obliterates  all  our  transgressions, 
through  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant ;  mercy  is  the 
love  which  delivers  us  from  the  bitter  pains  of  eternal  death, 
and  bestows  upon  us,  in  great  loving-kindness,  the  glorioua 
gift  of  everlasting  life. 

*  1  Cor.  XV.  22. 


^T.  45.  SERMON.  523 

"Where  then  is  our  humiliation  before  the  Lord?  Where  are 
our  mouths  in  the  dust  ?  Where  is  our  contrition  ?  Where  is 
the  breaking  to  pieces  of  the  rock  work  of  our  hearts  ?  I 
believe  that  we  stand  in  peculiar  need  of  coming  under  the  im- 
mediate influence  of  that  Word  from  heaven  which  is  "  quick 
and  powerful,  sharper  than  any  two-edged  sword,  and  piercing 
asunder  ;",  for  there  are  manj  among  us  who  are  taking  up  a 
false  rest;  moving  on  the  surface  of  things ;  well  satisfied  with 
the  system  in  which  they  have  been  educated ;  and  all  the 
while,  while  they  are  making  a  pretty  good  profession,  they 
are  slumbering  the  slumbers  of  death,  they  are  sleeping  the 
sleep  of  the  grave.  Alas  for  such  a  condition  !  "  I  know  thy 
works,  that  thou  hast  a  name  that  thou  livest,  and  art,  dead. 
Be  watchful,  and  strengthen  the  things  which  remain  that 
are  ready  to  die;  for  I  have  not  found  thy  works  perfect  before 
God."  * 

Beloved  young  friends,  ye  who  have  been  favoured  with  a 
guarded  and  religious  education ;  ye  who  have  some  fleeting 
desires  in  your  minds  after  holiness  and  heaven,  do  not 
deceive  yourselves,  I  beseech  you.  Whilst  you  continue  in 
yom*  uni-egenerate  nature  you  are  "  dead  in  trespasses  and 
sins;"  you  are,  with  all  your  amiability,  and  all  your 
steadiness,  "the  children  of  wrath  even  as  others."  I  dare 
not  flatter  you.  I  love  you  too  dearly.  I  long,  I  pray  for 
your  salvation.  I  want  you  to  be  humbled,  broken  to  pieces, 
brought  into  the  valley  of  tears,  made  sensible  of  your  loss ; 
of  your  liability  to  ruin  by  nature ;  of  your  sinfulness ;  of 
your  death.  Let  no  one  suppose  that  we  would  depreciate  a 
guarded  education,  a  moral  or  steady  life.  Oh !  no,  we  can 
rejoice  in  your  moral,  and  amiable,  and  steady  conversation. 
We  believe  that  you  have  often  been  visited  by  "  the  day- 
spring  from  on  high;"  we  believe  that  the  Lord  is  at  work  in 
your  hearts  ;  but  you  are  not  regenerate  ;  you  cannot  be  born 
again  until  you  make  the  unconditional  surrender.  It  is  no 
time  for  any  of  you  to  delay  and  trifle  with  eternal  things ; 
much  less  to  play  with  edged  tools  ;  or  to  throw  yourselves  in 

*  Rev.  iii.  1,  2. 


524  SERMON.  1833 

the  way  of  temptation.  Now  is  ycur  time  to  become 
decided  in  your  religious  course ;  now  is  your  time  to  give  up 
all  for  Christ ;  now  Is  your  time  to  surrender  without 
conditions,  that  the  Lord  may  make  of  you  what  he 
pleases,  that  you  may  be  born  again  of  the  Spirit,  and  live 
everlastingly. 

There  are  more  than  a  few,  I  greatly  fear,  eyen  in  this 
assembly,  who  have  followed  the  devices  and  desires  of  their 
own  hearts,  until  they  have  become  the  very  slaves  of  Satan  ; 
and  how  have  they  fallen  ?  0  the  deep  instructlveness  of 
their  history.  First  they  have  given  way  in  some  very  little 
things ;  they  have  grieved  the  unflattering  witness  for  the  truth 
in  their  own  bosoms,  respecting  some  of  those  things  which  the 
world  calls  matters  of  Indiflerence ;  and  thus  a  small  aperture 
has  been  made  in  the  wall  round  about  them,  and  the  enemy 
has  made  It  by  degrees  larger  and  larger.  First  there  was 
room  for  "  the  little  foxes"  just  to  pass  through  the  aperture 
and  "spoil  the  tender  grapes,"*  and  now  there  is  room  for  the 
ravenous,  and  deadly,  and  noisome  beasts  of  the  forest  to  pass 
and  repass  just  as  they  please. 

And  there  are  sins  of  the  intellect  which  have  done  desperate 
mischief  within  our  borders.  We  do  not  distinguish  things 
aright,  we  misapply  our  powers,  we  are  ever  prone,  under 
the  influence  of  the  corruption  of  our  hearts,  to  call  good 
evil ;  and  evil  good ;  to  put  sweet  for  bitter,  and  bitter  for 
sweet.  Let  not  my  beloved  young  friends  suppose  for  a 
moment  that  some  of  us  who  are  anxious  for  their  welfare 
would  discourage  them  In  their  intellectual  pursuits.  Oh !  no. 
We  delight  In  their  forming  a  refined  and  virtuous  taste ;  we 
rejoice  in  their  zeal  for  the  acquirement  of  useful  knowledge ; 
we  know  the  plain  principle  of  our  holy  religion,  that  It  Is  our 
hounden  duty  to  make  the  very  best  of  all  our  powers  for  the 
glory  of  God,  and  for  the  welfare  of  man;  and  woe  unto 
those  who,  under  the  false  pretence  of  their  inability,  are 
wrapping  their  talent  In  a  napkin,  and  bui-ylng  it  in  the  earth. 
But  are   there    not    those  who    think    that    they  can    obtain 

*  Solomoa's  Song,  ii,  15. 


JET.  45.  .SERMON.  525 

divine  knowledge  by  the  mere  application  of  their  natural 
powers?  are  there  not  those  who  are  prone  to  make  them- 
selves wise  above  that  which  is  written,  and  to  build  systems 
of  their  own  contrivance,  like  those  builders  in  days  of  old, 
hoping  to  scale  the  heavens  by  the  strength  of  their  own  wis- 
dom?— and  it  will  end  in  their  eternal  confusion.  Yes,  my 
.dear  friends,  the  intellect  and  reason  of  man  have  their  pro- 
per province,  even  in  religion;  let  us  never  depreciate  their 
value.  It  is  our  duty  to  bring  them  to  bear,  and  for  the 
highest  of  purposes.  Would  to  God  that  the  patient, 
deliberate,  pious,  and  careful  examination  of  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures moro,  abounded  among  us  ;  that  we  might  be  more  like 
those  noble  Bereans,  who  searched  the  Scriptures,  that  they 
might  know  Avhether  these  things  are  so,  yea  or  nay.  And 
let  me  tell  my  dear  young  friends,  that,  whether  we  plead  for 
the  great  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  or  for  those 
Christian  testimonies  which  we  believe  to  rest  upon  them,  we 
are  bold,  as  our  forefathers  were  before  us,  to  make  our 
honest  appeal  to  the  inspired  records,  and  we  are  willing  that 
our  sentiments  and  our  practice  should  stand  or  fall  by  this 
test.  But,  beloved  friends,  when  we  bring  our  natural 
powers  into  their  right  office,  in  daily  reading  and  meditating 
on  Holy  Writ,  are  we  to  forget,  shall  we  for  a  moment  forget, 
that  the  very  ground,  and  spring,  and  root  of  the  authority  of 
Scripture  is  immediately  from  revelation  ?  Shall  we  for  a 
moment  forget,  that  it  is  "  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah," 
who  alone  holds  "the  key  of  David,"  and  "  openeth  and  no 
man  shutteth,  and  shutteth  and  no  man  openeth?"  Ah  !  my 
friends,  let  us  endeavour  to  gather  our  minds  into  deep 
dependence  on  the  power  of  a  risen  Saviour,  and  on  the 
guidance  of  his  Holy  Spirit ;  that  the  Spirit  of  truth  himself 
may  take  of  the  things  of  Christ,  and  open  them  to  our  un- 
derstandings, and  apply  them  to  our  hearts.  There  is  the 
animal  faculty  and  there  is  the  rational  faculty  in  man,  and 
woe  unto  those  in  whom  the  animal  faculty  rebels  even 
against  the  plainest  dictates  of  common  reason ;  and,  above 
the  rational  faculty,  there  is  the  light  of  heaven,  and  woe  unto 
those  in  whom  the  rational  faculty  is  not  subject  to  the  light 


526  SERMON.  1833. 

of  he-aven  ;  light,  and  life,  ray  dear  brethren,  going  hand  in 
hand,  and  being  inseparable  companions. 

"In  Ilim," — in  Jesus,  in  our  Saviour, — "was  light,  and  the 
light  was  the  life  of  men."  I  have  feared  that  there  are  some 
among  us,  who  would  not  only  discard  what  may  be  called  the 
outside  of  our  system,  but  that  which  belongs  to  the  very  root 
and  ground  of  our  religious  profession — immediate  revelation. 
And  I  am  bold  to  assert  that  mankind  would  for  ever  have 
groped  in  the  darkness  of  the  chambers  of  death,  had  it  not 
been  for  immediate  revelation.  What !  friends,  shall  we,  a 
poor,  corrupt,  sinful  people ;  shall  we  think  lightly  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ  ?  shall  we  clip  it ;  shall  we  narrow  it  by  any 
system  of  our  own;  shall  we  circumscribe  God's  glorious 
plan  of  redemption  ?  Oh  !  no,  friends,  let  us  have  the  gospel 
in  its  length,  and  breadth,  and  height,  and  depth,  in  all  its 
fulness,  as  that  light  from  heaven  which  will  manifest  to  us 
our  own  darkness,  and  our  own  sinfulness.  Then  we  shall 
see  the  perfect  fitness  of  the  Saviour  to  the  sinner ;  and  "  as 
in  Adam  all  died,  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be  made  alive." 

There  is  but  one  way  for  any  of  us  to  experience  "  the 
redemption  [even]  the  forgiveness  of  sins,"  and  that  is 
through  the  atoning  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  is 
"  the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only  but  also 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world."  Now  the  word  "  propitiation" 
is  synonymous,  in  the  common  acceptation  of  it,  with  the 
word  "atonement;"  and  those  who  are  accustomed  to  the 
reading  of  the  original  text,  are  well  aware  that  what  is 
called  the  doctrine  of  the  atonement  is  plainly  stated  in 
Scripture,  in  terms  that  cannot  be  mistaken,  under  the  word 
"propitiation."  Yes,  friends,  he  came  from  heaven  in  his 
infinite  mercy  and  humbled  himself,  and  became  obedient 
unto  death,  and  bore  the  burden  of  all  our  sins  ;  and,  by  this 
most  important  of  all  facts,  God  has  displayed  for  our  in- 
struction his  own  immutable  holiness,  and  his  boundless 
mercy,  to  a  lost  and  sinful  world.  And  I  beseech  you,  for 
ever  to  discard  all  dependence  on  your  own  works  as  the 
ground  of  the  favour  of  God  ;  even  your  best  works,  even 
those  which  you  may  humbly  hope    you    perform  under  the 


S.T.  45.  SERMON.  527 

influence  of  his  good  Spirit.  Do  not  mistake  tlie  superstruc- 
ture for  the  foundation — "  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay 
tlian  that  is  kiid,  -which  is  Christ  Jesus."  The  veil  is  rent  for 
you ;  God  hath  consecrated  for  you  a  new  and  living  way 
through  the  veil ;  that  is  to  say  through  the  flesh  of  Jesus 
Christ,  w  hich  was  broken  for  3'ou  on  the  cross ;  and  I  beseech 
you  not  to  attempt  to  enter  into  the  pastures  of  life  by  any 
other  way.  Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus ;  humble  your- 
selves at  his  feet ;  wash  your  garments  by  faith  in  his  blood  ; 
it  is  the  ground  of  your  acceptance,  the  foundation  of  your 
hope,  the  rock  on  which  your  peace  is  built  for  ever. 

Remember  how  it  was  with  our  honorable  elder,  George 
Fox,  when  he  was  brought  under  sore  conflicts ;  when  he  was 
laid  low  as  a  young  man  before  the  Lord;  Would  to  God 
that  many  of  our  young  men  could  be  brought  into  this  con- 
dition !  They  could  be  if  they  would.  Would  that  we  might 
see  that  day !  Would  that  we  might  be  delivered  from  our 
superficial  walk.  Would  that  we  might  be  baptized  ;  that 
tl^e  Lord's  hand  might  be  laid  with  power  on  our  vanity,  our 
folly,  and  our  pride  !  I  believe  that  if  we  were  better  ac- 
quainted with  the  experience  of  our  forefathers  in  the  truth, 
we  should  have  a  greater  value  for  those  testimonies  which 
they  were  led  to  bear,  in  the  sight  of  the  world,  to  the  perfect 
spirituality  of  the*  gospel.  And  how  was  it  with  this  young 
man,  after  he  had  been  baptized  with  the  baptism  of  suflering 
in  so  remarkable  a  manner  ?  He  became  instructed  in  the 
lessons  of  heavenly  wisdom ;  and  there  was  no  lesson  so  near 
his  heart  at  that  time,  as  the  lesson  of  the  exceeding  precious- 
ness  of  the  atoning  blood  of  Jesus ;  so  that  when  the  priest 
of  the  parish  inquired  of  him  what  was  the  meaning  of 
our  Lord's  suifering  and  agony  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane, 
and  of  his  words  on  the  cross — "  My  God,  my  God,  why 
hast  thou  forsaken  me,"  he  plainly  answered  "that  the 
Saviour  of  men  was  then  bearinn;  on  himself  the  weight  of 
the  sins  of  all  mankind."  *  Let  none  then  pretend  to  say 
that  this  honored  elder  was  not  deeply  sensible  of  the  practical 

*  See  George  Fox's  Journal,  under  the  year  1645. 


528  SERMON.  1833. 

bearing  of  the  Christian  doctrine  of  the  atonement.  Now  it 
is  on  the  heart  that  these  things  are  intended  to  bear :  it  is 
on  the  heart  that  the  blood  of  Christ  must  be  sprinkled ;  we 
must  be  filled  with  the  Saviour's  love.  I  call  upon  you,  my 
beloved  brethren  and  sisters,  for  the  surrender  of  your  hearts, 
to  that  Lord,  who,  in  his  infinite  compassion  has  bought  you 
with  his  blood ;  and  you  will  soon  understand  that  the  sacri- 
fice of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  without  the  gates  of  Jerusalem, 
is  no  matter  of  cold  speculation,  no  matter  of  religious  theory 
alone,  but  that  it  is,  of  all  things,  the  most  practical  and  the 
most  influential  on  the  heart  of  fallen,  wandering,  and 
benighted  man.  And  how  are  you  to  prove  your  love  ?  How 
are  you  to  develope  your  gratitude  ?  What  is  to  be  the  fruit  ? 
0  friends,  here  comes  the  part  from  which  human  nature 
shrinks.  We  know  who  could  say  in  the  days  of  ohl,  "  I  am 
crucified  with  Christ."  Are  you  crucified  with  Christ  ?  There 
is  the  vital  question.  Are  you  made  comformable  to  his 
death?  Do  you  follow  him  to  Calvary's  mount?  Are  you 
willing  that  your  pride  and  your  vanity,  and  your  systems, 
should  be  slain  on  his  cross  ?  Will  you  be  buried  with  him 
in  baptism  ?  Will  you  go  down  with  him  into  the  depths  of 
the  grave.  0  the  depth,  my  friends,  of  true  Christian  ex- 
perience ! 

And  some  of  you  who  have  thrown  ofi"  the  restraints  of 
your  youth,  let  a  plain  man  ask  you  a  plain  question  :  Was  it 
the  love  of  a  Saviour  that  constrained  you  to  choose  that 
course  ?  Or  was  it  the  delusion  of  the  world  ?  Was  it  the 
unmortified  'pride  of  your  own  hearts  ?  Was  it  your  con- 
formity to  the  god  of  this  world,  who  would  lead  you  first 
one  little  step  in  the  downward  path,  and  then  another — and 
then  another — and  then  another — and  then  another,  and  you 
go  down — and  down — and  down,  till  nothing  can  arrest  your 
progress.  I  trust  there  are  many  of  you  who  will  be  arrested 
in  your  progress  towards  the  world.  I  do  not  desire  to  speak 
hardly  of  any  one.  There  are  varieties  in  our  circumstances 
and  in  our  conditions,  great  varieties  ;  and  God  looketh  not 
at  the  outward  appearance,  he  searcheth  the  heart.  But  I 
am  bold  to  express  my  conviction  that  as  a  religious  Society 


$;t.  45.  SERMON.  529 

we  shall  never  gain  strength  by  turning  our  back  on  our 
Christian  testimonies.  I  long  that  all  these  may  be  borne  in 
the  light  of  truth;  not  in  dry  morality,  not  in  hypocritical 
profession,  but  under  the  influence  of  the  love  of  Christ,  I 
believe  pure  truth  is  diffusing  itself  in  the  world,  and  oh  that 
we  may  not  be  left  in  the  rear.  I  wish  I  could  convey  to  my 
younger  brethren  and  sisters  the  deep  settled  conviction  of  my 
spirit,  that  though  we  be-  a  poor,  scattered  people  in  the  esti- 
mation of  some,  they  never  will  gain  anything  by  seeking  out 
another  way  for  themselves.  No,  friends,  let  us  have  the 
glorious  gospel  in  our  borders ;  let  us  cherish  it ;  let  us  give  it 
room  to  circulate ;  let  it  have  its  free  course ;  let  the  truth,  the 
very  truth,  the  whole  truth  "as  it  is  in  Jesus,"  circulate  among 
us  and  reign  over  all. 

And,  my  beloved  friends,  one  thing  more  before  I  venture 
to  take  my  seat.  We  know  that  immediate  revelation  is  the 
very  root  and  ground  of  the  Scriptures  themselves.  It  is  the 
preparatory  work  also  of  the  Holy  Spirit  which  can  alone 
bring  us  to  Christ.  All  other  ways,  however  they  may  appear 
in  the  sight  of  human  wisdom,  must  end  in  confusion.  But, 
friends,  when  we  are  thus  brought  to  Christ,  does  the  Spirit 
cease  from  his  oflSce  ?  Does  he  suspend  his  holy  teaching  ? 
Does  he  then  fail  to  guide  the  Lord's  children  ?  Is  there  an 
end  of  his  work  ?  Is  this  Christianity  ?  Is  it  not  the  very 
compact  of  the  new  covenant,  and  the  peculiar  privilege  of 
all  true  believers  that  the  law  of  their  God  is  "  written  on 
their  hearts,"  and  "put  into  their  inward  parts,"  and  that 
they  need  not  say  every  man  to  his  neighbour.  Know  the  Lord  ? 
0,  my  dear  friends,  my  soul  is  exercised  on  your  account.  "  I 
am  tired,"  says  one  of  my  younger  brethren,  "  I  am  wearied 
of  these  prolonged  silences.  I  go  from  meeting  to  meeting ; 
I  repeat  my  attendance  three  times  a  week ;  I  scarcely  hear  a 
word,  I  want  to  have  a  little  more  teaching,  I  long  for  a  little 
more  ministry."  And  I  hope  the  day  is  coming,  friends,  if 
you  will  have  patience,  when  there  will  be  more  of  a  truly 
anointed  ministry  amongst  us,  and  I  shall  hail  that  day.  It 
was  so  in  the  early  days  of  our  Society,  and  I  believe  it  will 
Vol.  L  — 34 


r>30  SERMON.  1833. 

ho  so  again.     But,  my  dear  yomig   friends,  forget  .not    the 
peculiar  privilege  of  true   Christians,  "All  thy  children  shall 
be  taught  of  the  Lord,  and  great  shall  be  the  peace  of  thy 
children."     There  was  the  promise  of  the  old  covenant,  and 
there  is  the  promise  of  the  new  covenant ;  the  promise  of  the 
old  covenant  was  Christ,  and  the  promise  of  the  new  covenant 
is  the   Spirit.     It  is  specifically  declared  to  be  the  Father's 
promise  in  the  new  covenant ;  and. Christ  hath  promised  that 
he  will  send  the  Comforter  to  us,  even  the  Spirit  of  truth,  who 
shallbring  to  our  remembrance  whatsoever  he  hath  said  unto 
us,  and  guide  us  into  all  truth.     Do  you  believe  it,  friends? 
yea  or  nay.     It  was  the  profession  of  our  ancestors,  and  God 
forbid  that  it   should  ever  cease  from  being  our  profession. 
We  shall  never  prosper  if  we  go  seeking  after  words.     We 
shall  never  prosper  if  we  place  our   dependence  on  anything 
less  perfect  than  the  Lord's  own  anointing.     I  deeply  feel  the 
importance  of  the  subject.     I  am  not  one  of  those,  you  will 
believe  me,  my  dear  friends,  who  think  lightly  of  the  gospel 
labours  of  such  as  are  not  of  our  religious  denomination.     I 
Ijelieve  that  they  have  often  flowed  from  a  right  zeal,  and  are 
often  blessed  with  fruit  by  the  giver  of  all  grace ;  but  of  one 
thing  I  am  well  persuaded,  that  our  security  and  prosperity 
as  a  religious  body,  is  intimately  and  inseparably  connected 
with  our  maintaining  our  own  place  in  the  universal  church 
of  Christ ;    not    in   the   form,  not  in  the  system,  not  in  the 
prejudices   of  man,  not  in  the  bitterness  and  narrowness  of 
mere  sectarian  views ;  but  in  the  light  of  immortal  truth,  in 
the  beauty  and  strength  of  primitive  Christianity,  in  the  spirit- 
uality of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  the  old,  the  unchanging  path. 

0  my  beloved  friends,  I  hope  you  will  bear  with  a  poor  un- 
worthy brother,  as  I  feel  constrained  to  say,  in  the  first  place, 
that  I  never  felt  my  spirit  more  entirely  bound  to  the  whole 
of  the  glorious  gospel  of  our  Saviour,  and  the  doctrine  of  a 
crucified  Immanuel,  than  I  do  at  this  moment ;  and  on  the 
other  hand,  I  never  have  been  more  constrained  in  my  spirit 
to  confess  that  I  am  a  Quaker.  I  would  not  lightly  use  the 
words,  but  I  do  believe  it  is  my  bounden  duty  to  maintain 
our  profession  inviolate.     I  wish  I  could  do  it  better ;  I  know 


^T.  45.  SERMON.  531 

mv  own  weakness ;  but  I  beseech  you,  as  you  value  your  im- 
mortal souls,  and  your  standing^  as  a  religious  body,  make  free 
room  for  the  gospel  to  circulate — let  us  have  it  without  clipping, 
without  constraint,  without  restriction  ;  in  its  fulness,  in  it? 
unsearchable  riches.  Let  us  have  the  glorious  ocean  of  light 
and  love,  overflowing  the  ocean  of  death  and  darkness :  but 
let  us  not  be  beguiled  by  any  of  the  temptations  of  the  enemy, 
into  a  forsaking  of  our  own  standing,  of  our  own  duty,  of  our 
own  belief.  Let  us  "  be  steadfast,  immoveable,  always  abound- 
ing in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your 
labour  shall  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.* 

*  See  a  little  volume  entitled  Sennons,  by  Messrs.  Allen,  Bates, 
Gurney,  Tuke,  and  other  ministers  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
London  :  Hamilton,  Adams  and  Co.,  1834. 


532  FURTHER  LABOURS  IN  LONDON.         1834. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

1834—1835.     ^T.  46—47. 

rCRTHEU  LABOURS  IN  LONDON;  INTERVIKW  WITH  EARL  GREY  AND 
EDWARD  G.  STANLEY;  EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS  AND  JOURNAL; 
VISIT  TO  ACKWORTH;  .ESSAY  ON  LOVE  TO  GOD;  CONCLUSION  OF 
LABOURS  IN  LONDON  ;  DEATH  OF  JONATHAN  HUTCHINSON. 

After  a  fliort  interval  at  home,  at  the  beginning 
of  the  year  1834,  Joseph  John  Gurnej  again  re- 
turned to  his  labours  amongst  Friends  in  London ; 
which  were  continued,  with  some  intermission,  until 
the  sixth  month.  "Two  things  have  I  desired,"  he 
writes,  in  closing  his  Journal  for  the  year  1833,  "the 
first  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  abstain  from  my  own 
works  in  religion ;  the  second,  that  I  m.iy  be  clear  of 
the  blood  of  all  men.  God  alone  can  do  the  work 
lor  me." 

His  Journal  describes,  in  some  detail,  his  en- 
giigeitients  at  Tottenham,  Ratcliff,  and  Plaistow, 
in  the  course  of  the  second,  and  third  months. 
He  afterwards  writes  :  — 

Ath  mo.,  oth.  I  forgot  to  mention,  in  my  account  of  my  late 
engagements  in  London,  an  interesting  interview  with  Lords 
Grey  and  Caltliorpe,  and  Edward  G.  Stanley,  on  the  subject 
of  the  Norwich  and  Norfolk  labouring  poor.     They  gave  me 


^T.  46.        INTERVIEAV  WITH  LORD  GREY  AND  OTHERS.  533 

a  full  opportunity  of  stating  the  case,  as  it  relates  to  the  evil 
of  the  popular  election  of  our  municipal  officers  in  Norwich  ; 
and  aa  it  regards  the  degraded  and  demoralized  state  of  the 
agricultural  labourers.  The  causes  stated: — beer  houses,  as 
an  accelerating  cause ;  the  poor-law  system,  as  a  primary 
one;  the  want  of  Christian  education.  The  remedy,  in  the 
opposites  : — abolition  of  beer  houses  ;  permissive  abolition  of 
poor  law,  on  Dr.  Chalmers'  plan ;  pervasive  system  of 
Christian  education;  commodious  cottages  for  the  poor,  u 
preventive  of  immorality  as  well  as  distress ;  small  allotments 
of  land,  a  good  antidote  against  pauperism.  I  spoke  very 
plainly  on  the  utter  uselessness  of  teaching  the  poor  to  read 
and  write,  unless  they  be  imbued  with  the  principles  of 
Christianity.  The  Scriptures  must  be  the  groundwork;  ami 
in  this,  one  would  hope,  most  denominations  in  this  country 
might  unite.  On  parting  with  them,  I  expressed  my  belief, 
that  nothing  but  the  goodness  of  divine  Providence  can  save 
the  country,  especially  as  regards  its  labouring  population  ; 
and  my  desire  that  he  might  guide  their  counsels.  I  have 
since  received  a  kind  letter  from  Lord  Grey. 

Whilst  in  London  he  received  the  following 

FROM   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  3rd  mo.,  1st,  1834. 

Thou  hast  expressed  a  desire  for  my  sympathetic  remem- 
brances in  the  prosecution  of  thy  arduous  engagements  in 
London  and  its  vicinity.  These  thou  hast,  I  believe,  daily. 
If  ever  my  heart  be  enabled  to  ascend  by  living  aspirations  to 
the  throne  of  grace,  I  desire  to  bear  thee  upon  it ;  and  that 
thy  true  interests  of  every  kind  may  be  inseparably  connected 
with  every  breathing  and  every  cry  for  mj^self  and  others.  *  *■ 

As  I  often  find  it  easier  to  copy  than  to  compose,  I  purpose 
occupying  a  part  of  the  present  sheet  by  the  following  extract 
from  Henry  Martyn : — "It  has  been  well  observed  by  one,"'' 

•    *  Pascal. 


534  FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.  1834, 

who  took  a  profound  view  of  human  nature,  that  there  arc 
three  very  different  orbits  in  which  great  men  move  and 
shine,  and  that  each  sphere  of" greatness  has  its  respective 
admirers.  There  are  those  who,  as  heroes,  fill  the  world  with 
their  exploits ;  they  are  greeted  with  the  acclamations  of  the 
multitude :  they  are  ennobled  whilst  living,  and  their  names 
descend  with  lustre  to  posterity.  Others  there  are  who,  by 
the  brilliance  of  their  imagination,  or  the  vigour  of  their 
intellect,  attain  to  honour  of  a  purer  and  a  higher  kind.  The 
fame  of  these  is  confined  to  a  more  select  number ;  all  have 
not  a  discriminating  sense  of  their  merit.  A  third  description 
there  is,  distinct  from  both  the  others,  and  fiir  more  exalted 
than  either,  whose  excellence  consists  in  a  renunciation  of 
themselves,  and  a  compassionate  love  for  mankind.  In  this 
order  the  Saviour  of  the  world  was  pleased  to  appear,  and 
those  obtain  the  highest  rank  in  it  who,  by  his  grace,  are 
enabled  most  closely  to  follow  his  example." 

I  very  much  admire  the  correctness  of  these  views,  par- 
ticularly as  regards  the  last,  which  I  think  the  climax  of 
Imman  excellence.  In  the  class  thus  defined,  I  desire  not 
only  that  thou,  my  dear  friend,  mayest  ever  be  found,  but 
that  all  thy  labours,  by  word  or  writing,  may  have  an  uniform 
tendency  to  produce  and  to  cherish  such  true  disciple^  of 
Christ,  of  which  the  world  has  much  need.  And  whilst  it  is 
admitted  that  such  chai'acters  must  not  seek  great  things  for 
themselves,  and  that  they  need  not  expect  the  distinctions  of 
earthly  grandeur  or  fame,  either  on  a  throne,  in  the  academy, 
or  in  the  senate ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  in  following  their 
despised  and  dishonoured  Master,  may  occasionally  have  to 
appear  as  -"  spectacles  to  the  world,  and  to  angels,  and  to 
men ;"  still  I  must  maintain  the  sublime  and  superior 
nature,  both  of  their  present  reward  and  of  their  future 
prospects,  which  are  no  less  than  a  foretaste  of  heavenly 
])eace,  even  in  this  world,  and  in  that  which  is  to  come, 
life  everlasting.  In  endeavouring  to  secure  these,  is  it  not 
worth  while  to  make  some  sacrifices,  and  even,  if  it  must  be 
so,  to  suffer  persecution,  by  being  accounted  as  "  the  filth  of 
the  earth,  and  the  offscouring  of  all  things?" 


^r.  46.  TO  LORD  SDFFIELD.  535 

TO  LORD  SUFFIELD.* 

Norwich,  4th  mo.,  10th,  183-L 

My  dear  Friend, 

*  ''^  *  I  cannot  express  what  I  think  of  the 
value  of  those  religious  convictions  ^^■hich  are  hinted  at  in  thy 
letter.  I  consider  them  to  be  beyond  all  price,  because  they 
are  the  work,  not  of  man,  but  of  God.  I  should  conceive 
that  it  must  have  been  through  much  mental  conflict  that 
thou  hast  come  at  them,  for  I  have  long  found  occasion  to 
believe  that  we  must  be  made  in  somcr  measure  partakers  of 
the  sufferings  of  Christ,  before  we  can  enjoy  the  privileges  of 
true  religion :  "  Are  ye  willing  to  drink  of  the  cup  that  I 
drink  of?"  &c.  The  whole  of  Christianity  seems  to  me  to  be 
comprehended  ia  two  things :  first,  the  forgiveness  of  sin, 
through  faith  in  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ ;  and  secondly, 
deliverance  from  sin,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spii'it. 

That  thou  and  I,  and  all  that  are  near  and  dear  to  us,  may 
fully  experience  these  two  things,  and  that  we  may  meet  in 
heaven  at  last,  is  the  fervent  prayer  of  thy  affectionate 
friend, 

J.   J.    GURNEY. 

TO   ANNA   GURNEY    AND   SARAH   M.    BUXTON. 

Earlham,  Ith  mo.,  19th,  1834. 

*  *  *  I  have  been  much  longing  to  see  you ;  but  after  a 
break  of  nearly  four  weeks,  which  have  been,  I  hope,  well 
spent  at  home,  I  am  now  about  to  return  to  the  field  of 
labour  at  Southwark,  There  is  some  cross  to  myself  in 
exchanging  the  moral  and  natural  sweets  of  Earlham  for 
scenes  so  different ;  but  I  ought  to  consider  it  a  high 
privilege  to  be  in  any  measure  useful  in  helping  any  poor 
soul  on  the  journey  towards  heaven.    * 

*  See  the  Memoirs  of  Lord  Suflaeld,  bj  Biehard  Mackenzie 
Bacon,  pp.  401 — 462. 


500  FURTHER  LABOURS  IN  LONDON.  1834. 

*}tli  mo.,  22nd.  I  have  hut  a  hroken  account  to  give  of  the 
hist  two  months.  Nearly  the  'whole  of  this  period  has  been 
occupied  by  Southwark  Monthly  Meeting  and  the  Yearly 
Meeting.  Soon  after  entering  on  the  work  I  Avas  thrown  out 
of  a  gig  in  Southwark  ;  and  although  I  received  no  Llow  except 
in  the  hand  and  wrist^  the  nerves  of  the  head  were  shaken,  so 
that  I  have  since  been  a  good  deal  troubled  "with  uncomfortable 
sensations  of  pressure  and  confusion  ;  and  have  been  compelled 
to  go  on  with  my  work  gently,  not  to  say  rather  languidly. 
During  the  six  weeks  so  employed,  I  do  not  think  I  had 
more  than  220  private  sittings ;  four  young  people's  meetings, 
all  largely  attended,  hnd  very  favoured  times  especially  the 
last,  held  last  week,  on  the  Doctrine  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  and 
four  public  meetings  at  Southwark,  Deptford,  Wandsworth,  and 
Peckham  ;  the  last,  in  Dr.  Collyer's  chapel,  a  time  of  eminent 
feeling  and  outpoui'ing  ;  of  which  many  testimonies  have  since 
reached  me. 

I  had  gone  some  way  towards  appointing  a  public  meeting 
for  the  handicraft  workmen  in  Southwark,  in  the  open  air, 
but  was  prevented  from  confirming  the  appointment  by  the 
state  of  my  head ;  an  effort  made  in  Exeter  Hall,  at  the 
Bible  meeting,  having  convinced  me  of  my  inability  for  a 
creat  exertion  of  voice.     I  afterwards  looked  to  the  Methodist 

to 

chapel,  but  was  again  prevented,  and  am  at  length  returned 
home  without  holding  it.  Perhaps  the  way  may  yet  open  in 
due  season. 

Twice  I  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting  of ,  and  had 

to  speak  very  plainly  on  the  true  intent  of  our  discipline-. 
I  have  been  sometimes  tried  with  indications  of  the  hand 
which  cuts  off,  or  repels,  and  by  the  want  of  a  more  seeking, 
loving,  gathering  spirit ;  yet  Friends  in  London  are  placed, 
in  these  respects,  under  peculiar  difficulties.  One  sixth  day 
morning  was  delightfully  spent  at  the  Croydon  school,  in  a 
three  hours'  examination  of  the  children;  many  Friends 
present.  It  was  greatly  to  our  satisfaction,  and  very  precious 
was  the  infiucnce  over  us,  especially  in  prayer,  at  the  close  ; 
no  unsuitable  conclusion  to  our  labours  in  those  parts.  Th« 
Yearly  Meeting  was  to  some  Friends  a  tim.e  of  mental  distress, 


fo 


iET.  46.  -  JOURNAL.  537 

but  all  seemed  to  allow  that  the  power  and  love  of  Christ  were 
over  all,  still  holding  us  together  in  bonds  not  soon  broken. 
There  certainly  exist  extremes  of  rather  a  painful  nature, 
and  each  is  haunted  by  an  unduly  coloured  picture  of  its 
opposite.  May  nothing  occur  to  occasion  the  stumbling  of  the 
young,  who  are,  many  of  them,  earnestly  inquiring  after  the 
truth. 

Writing  to  Jonathan  Hutchinson,  in  allusion  to  a 
Friend  lately  deceased,  he  says,  under  date  7th  mo., 
5th:  — 

She  dearly  loved  the  truth,  and  was  loved  by  her  friends, 
though  one  of  the  simple,  little  ones.  How  satisfactory  in  the 
view  of  death  is  this  description  of  the  Christian  character. 
May  I  live,  saith  my  soul,  to  be  a  little  child. 

1th  mo.,  20th.  Last  second  day  I  joined  a  large  party  of 
the  friends  of  the  London  Missionary  Society,  [at  Norwich,] 
after  their  breakfast  at  the  Swan  Inn, — probably  two  or  three 
hundred  present, — and  spoke  to  them  on  several  points  which 
were  interesting  to  my  own  mind,  particularly  the  reign  of 
Christ,  and  the  desirableness  of  avoiding  party  politics. 

21th,  First  day.  We  have  passed  a  comfortable  solemn  day, 
a  description  particularly  applicable  to  both  our  meetings,  and 
to  the  reading  this  evening;  Much  remembrance  of  the  dead, 
and  much  sweet  feeling  of  their  "living  to  God."  My  wife  and 
I  are  intending  to  set  off  on  our  journey  to  Ackworth,  early 
to-morro"vy  morning.  0  gracious  Lord,  be  pleased  to  be  with 
those  who  go,  and  those  who  stay,  preserving  us  from  danger 
and  temptation,  keeping  us  always  as  in  the  hollow  of  thy  hand ! 
May  we  part,  may  we  meet  again  in  Thee ! 

Having  returned  from  Ackworth,  he  writes  :  — 

'^th  m.o.,  8th.  The  prayer  with  which  the  last  entry  con- 
cluded has  been  mercifully  answered ;  as  I  may  acknowledge 
with  humble  gratitude.     The  dear  party  whom  we  left  behind 


538  EMANCIPATION  CELEBRATED  AT  ACKWORTH  1834. 

appear  to  have  been,  in  every  sense  ■  of  the  word,  preserved 
unhurt,  and  we  have  been  truly  favoured  and  blessed  in  our 
journey.  It  has  indeed  brought  its  close  mental  exercises 
with  it,  but  every  item  in  it  has  been  marked  with  the  loving- 
kindness  of  our  Lord. 

The  first  of  the  eighth  month  in  this  year,  the  day 
on  which,  by  the  Emancipation  Act,  Shivery  was  to 
cease  throughout  the  British  doniinions,  was  made 
a  day  of  innocent  enjoyment  at  Ackworth  SchooL 
Medals,  commemorating  the  event  were  presented  to 
all  the  children,  and  they,  on  their  part,  joined  in  a 
subscription  for  the  Negro  School^.  In  the  evening 
coffee  was  provided  for  them  in  the  open  air,  and  the 
day  closed  with  the  reading  of  the  58th  chapter  of 
Isaiah,  followed  by  an  address  from  Joseph  John 
Gurney,  and  a  prayer  of  much  feeling  and  solemnity 
from  Mary  Gurney. 

The  day  was  also  distinguished  in  their  family 
circle  by  the  marriage  of  his  long  loved  niece, 
Priscilla  Buxton,  with  Andrew  Johnston,  of  Renny 
Hill,  then  M.P.  for  St.  Andrews. 

TO    HIS    SISTER    HANNAH    BUXTON. 

Ackworth,  7th  mo.,  31st,  1S34. 

My  beloved  Sister, 

Perhaps  a  few  lines  from  me  of  tender 
love  and  sympathy,  may  be  as  acceptable  on  the  day  after 
vour  great  event  as  on  the  day  itself;  when  a  crowd  of  objects 
partly  bright  and  partly  solemn  will  be  before  thee,  and  sorrow 
and  joy  a  little  confused  together.  I  hope  that  on  the  com- 
parativ'ely  quiet  day  when  this  letter  will  reach  thee,  thou 
wilt  be  enjoying  what  I  have  heard  called  "peaceful  poverty." 
If  poverty  of  spirit,  and  a  low  estate  of  mind  be  thy  experi- 
ence, and  if  outwardly  thou  art  deprived  for  a  season  of  one 


^T.  46-47.  LETTERS.  539 

of  thy  constant  objects  of  pleasure  and  care,  there  will  be, 
I  trust,  that  feehng  of  peace  at  the  bottom,  on  which  thy  soul 
may  repose  and  be  at  rest  in  the  Lord.  "  In  quietness  and  in 
confidence  shall  be  your  strength." 

IQtJi  mo.,  22nd.  On  fifth  day,  we,  with  dear  Anna,  went  to 
Northrepps,  where  we  passed  some  happy,  highly  favoured 
days.  We  have  never  been  more  united  with  the  families  of 
Buxton  and  Hoare,  and  the  dear  inmates  of  the  cottage.  The 
maintenance  of  an  intimacy  with  Fowell  has  been  especially 
delightful.  He  and  I  dined  at  Gunton,  (Lord  Sufii eld's,) 
there  I  slept  and  ministered  to  the  large  household  yesterday 
morning,  from  1  Peter  ii.  Much  pleasant  and  interesting 
conversation  with  Lord  Suffield. 

FROM  THE  LATE  LORD  SUFFIELD. 

Gunton  Park,  Wednesday  Night. 

My  DEAR  Friend, 

I  cannot  deny  myself  the  pleasure  of 
acquainting  you  with  the  excellent  reception  of  your  address 
yesterday  morning,  by  my  household.  I  need  not  say  that  I 
felt  gratitude  for  one  so  applicable  to  each  and  all  of  us,  that 
it  would  be  our  own  faults  if  we  were  not  the  better  for  it ;  yet 
I  confess  I  doubted  how  far  prejudices  in  my  family,  (among 
those  at  least,  in  a  subordinate  capacity,)  might  operate  to 
darken  their  perceptions.  To  my  great  satisfaction,  (and  I 
have  taken  pains  to  ascertain  the  fact,)  the  efiect  produced 
both  upon  the  minds  and  hearts  of  all  your  hearers  was 
exactly  that  which  you  would  most  desire.  I  am  assured  that 
a  deep  and  I  would  hope  a  lasting  impression  was  made  upon 
the  whole  establishment.  How  thankful  should  you  be,  my 
dear  friend,  to  Him  who  has  given  you  such  powers,  with  the 
disposition  to  use  them  in  his  service !  I  could  not  withhold 
this. 

In  haste,  sincerely  yours," 

Suffield. 


540  ESSAY   ON   THE   HABITUAL   EXERCISE  1834. 

The  work  to  which  Joseph  John  Gurney  had  been 
lately  devoting  much  of  his  leisure,  was  published 
early  in  the  autumn  of  this  year,  under  the  title  of 
an  Essay  on  the  Habitual  Exercise  of  Love  to  God, 
considered  as  a  preparation  for  Heaven.  "  I  hope," 
he  writes  in  his  Journal  in  allusion  to  it,  under  date 
8th  mo.,  8th,  "I  feel  a  little  warranted  in  the 
undertaking.  May  the  'anointing  be  with  me,  for 
without  it,  all  my  thoughts  and  words  on  religion 
must,  of  necessity,  be  dry  and  unprofitable." 

It  was  warmly  received  and  met  with  a  rapid 
sale.  The  first  edition  of  500  copies,  printed  "as 
an  experiment,"  was  taken  up  in  about  eleven  days ; 
a  second  and  larger  edition  was,  in  like  manner, 
soon  exhausted,  which  was  quickly  followed  by  a 
third.  The  work  has  been  since  many  times  re- 
printed, both  in  England  and  in  America;  and  ha« 
been  translated  into  French,  Spanish,  and  German. 
It  may  be,  perhaps,  not  improperly  regarded  as  the 
first,  and  not  the  least  important  portion  of  the 
work,  the  remaining  part  of  which  appeared 
several  years  later  under  the  title  of  Thoughts  on 
Habit  and  Discipline. 

"At  the  earnest  request,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "of 
my  friend  Richard  Phillips,  of  Wandsworth,*  I  had  for  some 
time  been  devoting  my  leisure  hours  to  the  composition  of  a 
Avork  on  Habit  and  Moral  Disciphne  :  first  the  philosophy  of 
the  subject,  next  its  practical  application  to  the  purposes  of 
this  life ;  but  above  all  the  great  work  of  preparing  for  eternity. 
I  had  made  considerable  progress  in  this  undertaking,  when 

*  Richard  ?billips  was  an  acknowledged  minister  amongst 
Friends,  and  an  early  and  efficient  labourer  in  the  cause  of  .the 
Bible  Society. 


^T.  47-  OP   LOVE    TO    GOD,  541 

my  mind  was  more  peculiarly  directed,  partly  by  my  own 
feelings,  and  partly  under  the  same  pressing  influence  from 
without,  to  the  crowning  point  of  the  whole  matter,  "  Love  to 
God,  considered  as  a  preparation  for  heaven."  Seeing  no 
prospect  of  completing  the  whole  design,  I  gave  up  my  literary 
leisure  to  this  specific  object ;  and  with  the  help  of  Richard 
Phillips,  who  was  frequently  writing  to  me  letters  full  of 
quotations  and  suggestions,  I  produced  the  little  volume  undei 
the  above  title  which  has  since  been  widely  circulated.  "We 
love  him  because  he  first  loved  us."  The  composition  of  this 
work  was  a  source  of  great  interest  and  pleasure  to  myself, 
not  the  less  so  for  its  having  cost  me  a  great  deal  of  thinking, 
I  am  inclined  to  consider  it  the  best  written  of  my  works ; 
though  there  were  a  few  passages  in  the  first  edition  which  I 
afterwards  thought  it  right  to  modify,  and  the  third  edition 
was  considerably  enlarged.  The  subject  is  infinitely  important. 
Never  have  I  written  anything  which  has  occasioned  me  so 
much  of  the  feeling  of  the  difierence  between  what  one  says, 
and  what  one  is," 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  Joseph  John  Gurney 
was  again  engaged  in  religious  labours  amongst  Friends, 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  London, 

TO   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON, 

Earlham,  1st  mo.,  3rd,  1835. 

My  Beloved   Friend, 

I  am  very  desirous  of  again  hearing  from'or  of 
thee,  for  it  seems  long  since  we  have  received  any  tidings  of 
thy  health  or  spirits.  May  the  year  1835  be  replete  with 
rich  blessings  to  thee,  both  in  body  and  soul !  "  The  God 
of  hope  fill  thee  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing,  that 
thou  raayest  abound  in  hope  through  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost !"  Many,  various  and  deep,  as  have  been  thy  conflicts 
of  mind,  and  painful  as  are  the  proofs  yet  permitted  thee, 
that  the  enemy  has  not  forgotten  the  art  of  tormenting  the 
Lord's  children,  mv  belief  is,  that,  through  all,  thou    canst 


542  TO   JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON.  1835. 

acknowledge  the  immutable  firmness  of  the  rock  underneath. 
That  foundation  will  never  fail  thee ;  and  all  the  winds  shall 
blow,  all  the  waves  beat  in  vain. 

The  little  book,  which  I  sent  thee  some  time  since,  has  been 
well  received  both  by  Friends  and  others,  and  as  it  relates  to 
divine  love,  a  theme  so  sweet  and  dear  to  thee,  I  trust  it  may 
have  afforded  thee  some  comfort  in  thy  quiet,  secluded  hours. 
I  feel  assured  that  thy  love  to  him  who  "  first  loved  us,"  burns 
in  a  flame,  which,  although  it  may  not  always  appear  bright  to 
thyself,  will  never,  never,  be  extinguished,  Blessed  be  the 
name  of  that  adorable  Redeemer,  whose  blood  alone  cleanseth 
from  all  sin. 

My  dearest  Mary  and  I  have  passed  a  very  interesting, 
and,  on  the  whole,  encouraging  time,  since  I  last  wrote. 
About  five  weeks  were  taken  up  by  the  various  meetings  and 
families  of  Kingston  and  Longford  Monthly  Meetings;  and 
it  was  a  great  comfort  to  us  to  be  permitted  to  labour 
together.  I  ventured  to  convene  many  public  meetings, 
which  cost  me,  as  thou  mayest  believe,  much  feeling  and 
sometimes  conflict.  One  of  them,  at  Uxbridge,  was  attended 
by  Joseph  Bonaparte,  the  ex-king  of  Spain,  and  brother  to 
Napoleon ;  and  another  at  Jordans,  by  William  Penn,  an 
amiable  young  man,  the  great  grandson  of  our  venerable 
Penn,  who  once  attended  that  meeting,  and  now  lies  buried 
in  the  adjoining  ground.  It  is  a  romantic  and  beautiful  spot. 
We  afterwards  called  on  William's  father,  Granville  Penn,  of 
Stoke  Park,  a  literary,  invalided,  old  gentleman ;  and  were 
much  pleased  with  him,  his  house,  and  his  family.  I  have 
since  supplied  his  young  people  with  a  few  religious  books, 
and  William  promised  me  that  he  would  read  the  No  Cross,  no 
Crown. 

FROM   ROBERT   WALPOLE. 

London,  January  12th,  1835. 

My  Dear  Gurnet. 

I  could  not  return  you  thanks  before  for  your 
letter  and  for  your  kind  present  of  your  works,  because  I 
wished  to  read  some  of  them  attentively.     I  have  now  looked 


iET.  47.  FROM  ROBERT  WALPOLE.  543 

sufficiently  at  them  to  see  how  much  there  is  in  them,  for 
■which  I  ought  to  thank  you ;  and  mean  to  go  through  the 
■whole  ■vN'ith  great  care.  The  alterations  in  the  ne"w  edition  of 
that  very  sound  work  in  defence  of  the  Deity  of  Christ,  (the 
Biblical  Notes,)  are  considerable,  and  they  are  improve- 
ments. The  subject  I  am  well  acquainted  with,  having 
formerly  collected  large  materials  for  a  history  of  Unita- 
rianism,  both  ancient  and  modern.  There  are  some  curious 
passages  in  Euseblus,  particularly  in  the  account  of  Paul  of 
Samosata.  In  a  mture  letter  I  shall  have  something  to  say 
on  part  of  your  work.  It  is  a  most  valuable  arrangement  of 
the  critical  evidence  on  the  subject ;  nothing  can  be  more  un- 
exceptionable than  the  controversial  part  of  it ;  the  whole  is 
marked  with  a.  most  candid  and  Christian  spirit. 

The  Portable  Evidence  of  Christianity,  is  an  admirable 
summary  of  that  particular  evidence  which  is  the  subject  of 
the  work.  The  fourth  and  fifth  sections  are  the  parts  with 
which  I  was  particularly  pleased.  The  elaborate  volume  on 
the  religious  principles  of  the  Friends  requires  to  be  very 
attentively  perused ;  and  I  mean  at  the  same  time  to  go 
through  Barclay's  Apology.  The  introductory  part,  to  which 
you  dre"vv  my  attention,  is  a  most  able  statement  of  the  pro- 
minent principle  in  the  creed  of  your  society.  I  have  no 
doubt  that  Milton  at  one  period  of  his  life  approximated  to  it. 

I  do  not  say  anything  about  politics,  as  I  mix  myself  in  no 
degree  with  them.  We  are  living  in  a  most  critical  period  ; 
the  popular  feeling,  from  obvious  causes,  (such  as  the  altera- 
tion of  the  constituency,  the  spirit  of  inquiry,  more  extended 
reading,  &c.,)  is  getting  great  weight.  What  the  result  will 
be  none  of  us  can  tell ;  it  will  be  seen  in  a  geiieration  or  two. 

I  turned  with  the  greatest  pleasure  the  other  day  to  a 
reperusal  of  one  of  Robert  Hall's  finest  efibrts,  "  on  the  death 
of  the  Princess  Charlotte."  It  is  delightful  to  refresh  oneself 
with  such  reading,  such  pure  English,  the  channel  of  such 
sentiments  and  Christian  feeling.  He  was  in  his  line  one  of 
the  most  gifted  men  of  modern  times. 

Joseph   John   Gurney's   labours    amongst    Friends 


544        CONCLUSION  OF  LABOURS  IN  LONDON.       I80O. 

in  London  were  now  brought  to  a  conclusion  by  a 
vasit  to  the  Friends  of  Westminster,  in  wliich  he  was 
accompanied  bj  his  wife  who  had  been  lately 
*•'  acknowledsied"  as  a  minister.     On  his  return  from 

o 

this  engagement  he  writes:  — 

Srd  mo.,  Srd.  No  -words  can  express  the  relief,  (not  -with- 
out a  most  undeserved  portion  of  real  internal  quiet  and 
peace,)  of  having  quite  finished  London  and  Middlesex.  Of 
my  beloved  v>-\fe  I  may  say,  she  has  been  a  helper  indeed. 
We  have  laboured  in  close  and  uninterrupted  unity  and 
harmony  from  house  to  house. 

Srd  mo.,  25th.  My  quiet  retirement  at  home  to-day  is 
rendered  the  more  agreeable  by  an  improved  state  of  health, 
and  by  the  absence  of  any  particular  pressure  of  care. 
Earnest  are  my  desires  that  grace  may  always  be  near  to  keep 
do-svn  "the  enemies  of  my  OMn  household."  I  endeavour 
from  day  to  day  to  cast  myself  in  faith  on  the  infinite  com- 
passions of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  Here  alone  is  my  hope. 
The  trials,  sorrows,  and  iniquities  which  abound  on  every  side, 
are  often  the  means  of  bringing  me  low,  and  of  manthng  me 
as  in  a  dark  shroud ;  but  when  I  reflect  on  the  display  of  the 
love  and  holiness  of  God,  in  the  incarnation  and  death  of  his 
Son,  I  am  cheered  and  comforted.  That  glorious  dispensation 
contains  in  itself  a  sufiicient  and  satisfying  proof  of  his 
infinite  goodness ;  and,  when  to  this  proof  is  added  the 
precious  evidence  of  that  divine  influence,  which  calms, 
gladdens,  cleanses,  anoints,  and  still  directs  the  Lord's 
children  as  to  a  hair's  breadth,  we  have,  indeed,  abundant 
reason  to  bow'  before  the  Lord,  in  cheerful,  believing  acqui- 
escence, under  all  his  dispensations,  and  cordially  to  bless  his 
holy  name. 

FROM    JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON. 

Gedney,  1st  mo.,  29th,  1835. 

*  *  I  am  at  present  favoured  with  a  considerable  degree 
of  relief  from  mental  suSering ;    yet  former  experience  con- 


^T.  47.  FROM   JONATHAN    HUTCHINSON.    •  545 

vinces  me  that  I  ought  to  "rejoice  with  trembling;"  and,  if 
I  express  my  feelings  at  all,  that  it  should  be  in  the  subdued 
and  chastened  voice  of  deep  humiliation ;  seeing  that  I  am 
still  in  the  body,  attended  by  -wants  and  infirmities,  and  sur- 
rounded by  the  combined  operation  of  causes,  both  physical 
and  mental,  -which,  but  for  the  exercise  of  unmerited  mercy 
and  almighty  power,  must  long  since  have  sunk  me  to  rise  no 
more,  and  -which,  but  for  a  continuance  of  the  same  po-wer  and 
mercy,  may  yet  conduct  my  "  grey  head,  by  the  path  of  sorrow, 
to  the  grave." 

On  a  comparison  of  intellectual,  or  even  religious  characters, 
we  perceive  a  surprising  variety  ;  and  if  thou  wert  to  place 
thy  two  aged  fiiends,  the  late  "William  Wilberforce,  and  the 
one  who  is  now  addressing  thee,  side  by  side,  I  suppose  the 
contrast  would  appear  striking ;  but  need  this  offend  or  alarm 
us  ?  Is  not  harmony  itself  composed  of  different  parts  ap- 
propriately sustained  ?  So  that  if  every  bird  is  but  true  and 
faithful  to  its  own  note,  perhaps  it  shall  not  matter  much, 
whether  it  be  that  of  the  plaintive  dove,  or  the  more  melodious 
nightingale. 

I  have  been  comforted,  and  almost  delighted,  by  the  second 
section  of  thy  little  volume  on  love  to  God.  Of  the 
first  few  pages  I  have  been  a  little  doubtful,  as  to  how  far  a 
meetness  or  preparation  for  the  enjoyment  of  heaven,  may 
not  be  insisted  on,  in  a  way  and  to  an  extent,  rather  dis- 
couraging to  the  eleventh-hour  sinner,  or  the  death-bed 
penitent — two  descriptions  of  persons,  who,  I  am  persuaded, 
are  so  interesting  to  each  of  us,  that  we  should  be  sorry  to 
put  them  in  too  much  fear  of  losing  the  blessed  and  high 
privilege  promised  even  to  a  late  repentance,  by  the  "  forgive- 
ness of  sins."  The  poor  prodigal,  Mary  Magdalene,  the 
thief  on  the  cross,  Rochester,  Buckingham,  and  similar  in- 
stances suit  my  own  case  so  well,  and  have  been  so  much  and 
so  loner  the  subjects  of  my  meditation,  that  I  may  possibly 
have  acquired  too  strong  a  bias  in  favour  of  gratuitous  mercy, 
as  containing  in  itself  a  grand  preparative,  by  inspiring, 
sometimes  very  late  and  very  suddenly,  the  important  senti- 
YoL.  I.  — 35 


546  JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON'S  1835. 

ments  and  feelings  of  deep  self-abasement,  on  the  one  hand., 
and,  on  the  other,  the  most  exalted  love  and  gratitude  to  God; 
dispositions  in  which,  whatever  else  may  be  granted,  I  desire, 
more  than  I  can  express,  that  we,  my  beloved  fi'iend,  may, 
with  the  innumerable  company  of  redeemed  souls,  who  reach 
that  haven  of  rest  and  peace,  spend  a  joyful  eternity  in  thanks- 
giving and  praise." 

A  few  weeks  later,  after  alluding  to  a  severe  attack 
of  illness,  Jonathan  Hutchinson  writes,  under  date 
2nd  mo.,  26th:  — 

Though  I  believe  myself  convalescent,  it  would  be 
presumptuous  to  be  sanguine.  I  shall  at  present  only 
add  that  goodness  and  mercy  attend  me.  Praised  be  the 
Lord! 

These  were  the  last  lines  received  by  Joseph  John 
Gurney  from  his  long  loved  and  honoured  friend.  He 
peacefully  expired,  after  a  very  short  illness,  on  the 
1st  of  the  4th  rao.,  1835. 

"It  was  on  a  beautiful  bright  day  of  sunshine,  when  his 
favourite  'green  Gedney'  looked  greener  than  usual,"  says 
Joseph  John  Gui*ney  in  a  tribute  to  his  memory  written  two 
years  later,  "  that  my  dear  wife  and  myself  attended  the 
funeral  of  my  beloved  friend  and  father  in  the  truth,  Jonathan 
Hutchinson.  Many  Friends  were  convened  from  different 
parts,  and  the  villagers  of  the  place  and  neighbourhood 
flocked  in  large  numbers,  and  in  their  most  decent  dresses, 
to  pay  their  last  token  of  respect  to  the  best  man  of  Gedney. 
'  So  the  best  man  in  Gedney  is  gone,'  said  one  poor  labourer 
to  another.  'What!'  said  the  other,  'is  Mr.  Hutchinson 
dead  ?'  His  remains  were  deposited  in  a  little  family  bury- 
ing ground,  not  far  from  his  house,  where  his  respectable, 
though  not  wealthy  predecessors,  had  been  laid  in  their  turns 


ffiT.  47.  DEATH   AND    FUNERAL.  547 

during  several  generations,  and  which  he  had  taken  the  pains 
to  plant  with  considerable  taste.  Indeed  it  was  truly  remark- 
able, with  what  skill  this  ardent,  and  almost  poetic  lover  of 
nature,  had  contrived  to  adorn,  bj  judicious  planting,  the  small 
estate  of  rich  pasture  land,  which  he  inherited  from  his  ances- 
tors ;  who  had  possessed  and  occupied  the  same  little  farm  as 
he  did  for  the  period,  as  I  understand,  of  about  200  years, 
never  rising  above  or  falling  below  the  rank  of  respectable  yeo- 
men ;  and  since  the  rise  of  Friends,  members  of  that  relio-ious 
Society.  Nothing  can  be  said  of  the  picturesque  appearance 
of  low  Lincolnshire :  but  to  this  general  remark,  his  little 
domain,  cultivated  and  adorned  as  it  was,  by  its  late  beloved 
owner,  forms  a  striking  exception. 

"  To  revert  to  the  funeral ;  it  was  an  occasion  of  precious, 
comforting  solemnity.  The  meeting-house  is  at  the  distance 
of  a  mile  from  the  place  of  interment ;  but  the  assembled 
company  followed  the  train  of  Friends  and  relations,  first  to 
the  meeting,  and  afterwards  to  the  grave,  in  the  most  orderly 
manner.  The  meeting  aiforded  a  full  opportunity  for  reverent 
waiting  upon  the  Lord,  and  for  the  preaching  of  the  glorious 
gospel  of  our  holy  Redeemer  ;  and  at'  the  grave,  the  thickening 
circle  of  Friends  and  neighbours  were  again  addressed ;  all 
seemed  united,  not  only  in  a  sense  of  their  own  great  loss,  but 
in  some  view  and  apprehension  of  his  blessedness, — the  blessed- 
ness of  one  who  had  lived  and  died  in  the  Lord.  The  strikinjr 
mark  of  affection  and  respect,  which  was  shown  on  that  day, 
by  the  inhabitants  of  rather  an  extensive  district,  was  obvi- 
ously the  result  of  the  influence  which  is  gradually  obtained 
over  a  surrounding  population  by  the  weight  of  sound,  practi- 
cal, but  unostentatious  Christianity.  The  good  man  was  gone  ; 
the  meek,  kind,  humble,  generous  neighbour  was  no  more ; 
and  many  were  they,  of  every  description,  who  seemed  ready 
to  rally  round  his  grave  in  the  remembrance  of  his  virtues. 

"  A  painful  disease,  I  believe  in  the  heart,  carried  him  oft' 
very  suddenly.  The  unexpected  attack  came  on  in  the  course 
of  the  night,  after  he  had  retired  to  rest  considerably  better 


548  JONATHAN   HUTCHINSON.  1835 

than  usual.  The  pain  was  violent,  though  short ;  and  death 
ensued  without  the  opportunity  of  any  expression  except  a 
very  short  prayer,  and,  I  may  add,  without  a  struggle.  Surely 
this  beloved  friend,  this  humble  devoted  Christian,  rests  in 
Jesus :  surely  '  when  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  appear,' 
he  also  shall  '  appear  with  him  in  glory.'  "  * 

*  Colossiaus  iii.  4. 


APPENDIX. 


TO   J.    J.    GURNEY. 

Tottenham,  10th  mo.,  14th,  1815. 

My  very  dear  Friend, 

I  fear  thou  wilt  hardly  give  nie  credit  for  much  sincerity,  if,  after 
so  many  weeks'  delay,  I  now  tell  thee,  that  ou  the  receipt  of  thy  last 
affectionate  and  acceptable  communication,  such  were  the  feelings  of 
sympathy  and  gratitude,  and,  (if  I  may  venture  to  use  the  term,)  of 
Christian  fellowship,  that  it  excited  in  my  heart,  that  I  determined  on 
attempting  something  in  the  shape  of  a  reply,  as  soon  as  I  was  able ; 
but  just  at  that  time,  I  was  so  fully  occupied,  that  I  had  scarcely  more 
leisure  than  was  necessary  for  retirement  and  rest;  and  after  my  re- 
turn home,  though  the  same  feeling  of  brotherly  love  and  friendly 
interest  followed  me  from  day  to  da}',  yet  I  was  easily  consent  with 
making  thee  my  mental  companion,  without  discharging  a  debt,  which 
I  think  I  am  sure  would  not  have  had  the  effect  of  discharging  thee 
from  my  best  remembrance — no:  I  think  it  could  not  have  been  so; 
for  I  feel,  that  something  has  been  at  work,  so  to  rivet  thee  on  my 
heart,  that  almost  every  day  I  think  of  thee,  I  wish  to  hear  about  thee 
— to  know  how  it  fares  with  thee,  and  I  will  not  say,  that  if  I  really 
know  what  it  is  to  pray,  that  I  do  not  remember  thee  in  my  feeble  at- 
tempts to  look  towards  the  throne  of  grace ;  but  j'et  I  wish  I  had 
written  before,  for  in  the  first  place,  I  might  have  written  to  better 
purpose,  and  in  the  next,  I  might  by  this  time  have  hoped  to  hear 
from  thee  again. 

I  wish  I  knew  how  to  tell  thee  all  I  have  thought,  and  felt,  in  re- 
ference to  thy  biblical  researches,  and  how  much  I  am  interested  in 
the  result.  I  was  really  glad,  that  thou  hadst  given  up  thy  time  and 
attention  to  the  subject,  particularly  so,  because  I  was  aware,  that 
thou  wast  impressed  with  its  importance,  and  I  did  not  doubt  but  thou 

(549) 


550  APPENDIX. 

might  be  able  to  throw  some  light  upon  passages  of  Scripture  wnich 
may  have  been  too  much  overlooked,  especially  those  in  the  Old  Tes- 
tament. I  think  thou  wilt  not  be  offended  with  me,  nor  attribute  it 
altogether  to  the  workings  of  a  weak  mind,  if  I  say  that  I  felt  so  much 
the  awfulness  of  the  engagement,  that  I  could  not  but  desire,  in  secret 
aspiration  to  the  Source  of  help,  that  grace  might  be  granted,  adequate 
to  the  exigencies  of  the  occasion.  Nor  could  I  doubt,  but  He,  who 
knew  thy  desire  to  promote  his  glory,  would  vouchsafe  the  aid  of  his 
Spirit,  so  that  at  least  thy  own  faith  might  be  strengthened,  whilst 
thou  wast  endeavouring  to  do  what  thou  could  for  the  confirmation  of 
thy  fellow- believers.  I  am  the  better  pleased  with  the  thought  of  thy 
observations  being  made  public,  under  the  consideration  that  they  will 
wear  an  appearance,  doctrinal  or  critical,  rather  than  controversial : 
the  latter  has  been  so  much  the  case  with  most  of  the  Anti-Socinian 
tracts  that  I  have  met  with ;  and  it  is  so  diflScult  to  manage  that  kind 
of  writing,  in  a  truly  Christian  temper,  that  I  fear  our  adversaries 
have  had  a  little  cause  for  triumph  on  that  head.  I  am  clearly  of  the 
mind,  that  thou  need  not  trouble  thyself  about  the  morning  meeting 
in  the  business,  as  its  principal  concern  is  to  inspect  manuscripts,  re- 
lating to  our  own  peculiar  doctrines  and  principles.  The  doctrine  of 
the  eternal  divinity  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  has  obtained  much  of  my  most 
serious  thoughtfulnesa,  since  1  last  saw  thee.  I  feel  it,  awful  as  it 
may  be,  for  any  of  his  disciples,  however  experienced,  to  speak,  write, 
or  think  upon  the  subject,  to  be  one  of  infinite  importance ;  I  am 
more  and  more  convinced  of  its  truth,  and  regard  it  more  than  ever 
as  the  key-stone  of  our  holy  religion  ;  take  that  away,  and  the  grand 
combination  of  truth  in  the  mystery  of  redemption,  will  soon  fall  into 
confusion ;  therefore,  I  should  value  it  as  a  privilege  to  be  allowed  to 
look  over  thy  manuscript ;  but  as  my  learning  extends  but  little  be- 
yond my  mother  tongue,  thou  must  be  aware,  that  there  is  much  to 
which  I  should  feel  myself  incompetent.  I  think  I  could  highly  en- 
joy a  few  evenings'  conversation  with  thee  upon  some  of  these  topics, 
and  others  of  the  leading  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  Oh  I  how  I  love  to 
dwell  upon  the  mercies'of  God  in  Christ  Jesus;  how  it  humbles  the 
pride  of  man  into  the  very  dust  of  his  unworthiness ;  and,  when  ap- 
plied under  the  animating  influence  of  the  Spirit,  how  it  raises  the 
soul  in  hope  of  an  inheritance  incorruptible  in  the  heavens  !  no  room 
for  the  creature,  its  own  works,  its  own  merits,  or  its  own  excellencies; 
there  every  crown  is  cast  down  at  the  footstool  of  the  Redeemer,  and 
Christ  within,  and  Christ  without,  becomes  our  hope  of  glory;  not 


APPENDIX.  551 

one  without  the  other,  but  both  in  blessed  union  exalting  his  own 
praise. 

Let  me  beg  to  hear  from  thee  before  I  leave  home.  I  generally 
sink  very  low,  and  I  think  a  letter  from  thee  would  help  to  cheer  me. 
Try  to  think  of  me  in  thy  retirements,  and  if  thou  canst  do  no  more, 
to  wish  me  increase  of  faith,  but  above  all,  an  increase  in  humility. 

I  am  thy  very  affectionate  friend, 

W.    FORSTER,   JUN, 


FROM   WILLIAM   FORSTER, 
[Then  on  a  religious  visit  to  the  United  States  of  America.] 

New  Hampshire,  10th  mo.,  Ist,  1822. 

My  DEAREST  Joseph — 

Scarcely  a  day  has  passed  for  many  weeks,  but  I  have  wished  it 
were  in  my  power  to  tell  thee  of  the  very  near  and  intimate  fellowship, 
the  brotherly  love  and  affectionate  sympathy  with  which  I  have  che- 
rished the  remembrance  of  thee ;  and  how  much  I  have  desired  to  be 
given  up  to  feel  with  thee  in  thy  depths  of  sorrow.  *  *  *  The  many 
trials,  and  sore  privations  thou  hast  been  permitted  to  endure,  must  have 
brought  thee  sensibly  to  feel,  to  what  degree  we  are  pilgrims  on  earth  ; 
and  prayer,  which  has  been  so  much  thy  resting-place,  in  happier  and 
more  prosperous  days,  I  cannot  doubt  has  often  proved  thy  refuge  and 
thy  hiding-place — so  that  when  the  blast  of  the  terrible  one  has  been 
as  a  storm  against  the  wall,  thou  hast  found  the  Lord  thy  Redeemer 
to  be  present  with  thee,  and  by  the  clear  shining  of  the  light  of  his 
heavenly  countenance,  quickening  and  strengthening  thy  soul  to  a 
steadfast  hope  in  the  continuance  of  his  protection.  Surely  He,  whom 
thou  hast  acknowledged  as  thy  Lord  and  Saviour — He  who  has  been 
made  "  precious"  to  thee,  as  our  High  Priest — touched  with  the  feel- 
ing of  our  infirmities  —  He  who  having  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried 
our  sorrows,  is  continually  thy  Mediator  at  the  throne  of  grace — will 
never  suffer  thee  to  be  moved  from  that  patient,  filial  confidence,  to 
which  He  himself  has  brought  thee,  even  though  thou  shouldst  be 
allowed  to  sink  into  very  humbling  feelings  of  the  unworthiness  and 
insufficiency  of  the  creature ;  I  make  myself  sure,  that  when  reduced 
to  the  last  extremity,  when  the  floods  may  seem  ready  to  overwhelm, 
and  thou  mayest  be  scarcely  able  so  much  as  to  say,  "  Lord,  save  me,'' 
that  in  the  constancy  of  that  love,  with  which  He  is  ever  watching 


552  APPENDIX. 

over  his  dependent  and  believing  disciples,  his  hand  will  be  stretched 
forth  for  thy  help,  and  as  in  days  that  are  past,  thy  faith  A'ill  be  re- 
newed and  confirmed  in  his  divine  omnipotence;  and  thus  it  is  firmly 
my  trust,  that  through  the  power  of  his  grace,  it  will  be  given  thee 
again,  upon  the  banks  of  deliverance,  to  praise  his  holy  name.     I  take 
great  comfort  in  the  persuasion,  that  under  thy  afflictions  (sanctified 
as  I  humbly  trust  they  are,  by  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  richly  resting 
upon  thee)  that  he  is  enlarging  thy  experience,  and   preparing   thee 
more  fully  for  his  service  upon  earth,  and  for  an  inheritance  incorrupt- 
ible in  the  heavens.     My  dearest  brother,  if  the  present  should  be  a 
day  of  gloominess  and  clouds,  if  those  aboundings  in  joy  and  spiritual 
consolation,  with  which  thou  hast  been  so  eminently  sustained,  should 
bubside  for  a  small  moment,  if  thy  heart  and  thy  flesh  should  fail  thee, 
if  thy  lips  should  be  closed,  and  all  capacity  withdrawn,  for  uttering  a 
word  to  the  praise  of  him  who  is  thy  strength  and  thy  Redeemer; 
may  it  be  given  thee  to  possess  thy  soul  in  patience  and  in  quietness; 
to  wait  the  breaking  forth  of  that  light,  which  has  often  been  to  thee 
"a  morning  without  clouds;"  and  if  in  this  light,  thy  path  be  opened 
to  a  more  extended  sphere  of  religious,  usefulness,  I  cannot  say  to  what 
degree  my  heart  is  engaged  in  desire  for  thy  faithfulness,  thy  entire 
devotedness  to  God;  if  he  hath  separated  thee  to  himself,  for  his  own 
service,  (and  surely  we  must  not,  cannot  doubt  it,)  we  may  reverently 
trust,  that  in  the  riches  of  his  love,  he  will  fulfil  the  many  gracious 
promises  in  thy  experience ;   in  blessing  thee,  make  thee  u  blessing, 
and  in  his  own  love  and  power,  render  thee  instrumental  to  the  con- 
firmation and  comfort  of  his  heritage.     This  has  been  much  the  im- 
pression of  my  mind  respecting  thee,  my  dear  friend,  for  some  time 
past;  it  may  seem  almost  out  of  season  to  allude  to  it  now,  but  some 
months  since  (and  I  ought  to  have  told  thee  of  it  sooner)  thou  wast 
brouo'ht  before  me  with  a  peculiarly  sweet  and  solemn  feeling  of  what 
I  take  to  be  the  heavenly  unction,  in  association  with  Jer.  xxvi.  2, 
"  Stand  in  the  court  of  the  Lord's  house,  and  speak  unto  all  the  cities 
of  Judah  which  come  to  worship  in  the  Lord's  house,  all  the  words 
which  I  command  thee  to  speak  unto  them;  diminish  not  a  ivord." 
***** 
I  trust  thou  wilt  feel  for  me,  when  I  say,  that  I  have  not  been  able 
to  discover  a  door  open  for  my  release  as  soon  as  my  beloved  wife, 
and  my  many  dear  friends,  may  probably  expect  my  return.     I  wish 
to  stand  constantly  on  the  watch,  ready  to  accept  the  very  first  intima- 
tion that  may  be  granted   me ;   and  very  earnestly  do  I  crave  an  inte- 


APPENDIX.  553 

rest  in  the  prayers  of  all  who  can  feel  with  me,  that  T  may  be  endued 
with  patient  resignation  to  the  Divine  will,  and  entire  devotedness  tc 
the  service  of  the  Lord,  until  in  the  same  love  and  power  in  which  he 
made  me  willing  to  forsake  all  for  his  name's  sake.  He  may  be  pleased 
to  lead  me  back  again  to  the  enjoyment  of  my  many  social  and  domes- 
tic comforts. 

Farewell,  my  beloved  friend,  in  the  love  and  fellowship  of  the  Gospel 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  believe  me  as  ever,  most  truly 
thine,  William  Forster. 


FROM   WILLIAM   FORSTER, 

Earlham,  2d  mo.,  12th,  18.36. 

My  dearest  Joseph, 

******  ]3y  a  lgj^{.pj.  from  K.  F.  we  learn  that  thou 
hast  concluded  to  stay  over  First  day  in  their  neighbourhood.  I  am 
sure  we  ought  not  to  regret  thy  tarriance  at  Upton,  as  I  dare  say  thy 
presence  is  most  valuable  and  important  to  them ;  but  I  know  thou 
wilt  allow  us  to  say  that  we  really  long  to  see  thee  back  again.  Thou 
canst  hardly  think  what  Earlham  is  without  thee !  Our  little  party 
is  going  on  most  smoothly;  our  boys  are  gone  to  Norwich  as  usual — 
they  are  regular  and  industrious  with  Kidd,  and  in  every  respect 
much  as  thou  wouldst  wish  them  to  be.  ******  I  hope 
thou  art  not  going  to.  pass  by  "  Truth  Vindicated,'^  without  some 
refutation  of  the  sceptical  notions  which  it  is  so  much  calculated  to 
insinuate.  *  *  *  The  quietness  and  retiredncss  of  Earlham  is 
not  at  all  uncongenial  to  my  taste  at  the  present  moment.  I  spend 
much  of  my  time  in  the  studj/,  reading,  &c.,  and  have  been  a  good 

deal  cast  down,  perhaps  unduly  so,  by  poor  dear 'a  sepession. 

I  really  feel  for  him,  both  in  sympathy  and  pity,  though  I  dare  say 
he  does  not  think  his  case  calls  for  it.  It  does  go  hard  with  me  to 
give  him  up;  and  I  am  earnest  and  rather  anxious  in  desire  that 
Friends  and  the  Church  at  large  may  be  made  fully  aware  that  he  was 
under  no  necessity  to  withdraw  from  us,  because  there  is  not  amongst 
us  an  ear  to  hear  and  a  heart  to  receive  pure  gospel  truth — for,  so  far 
as  my  experience  and  information  go,  there  is  no  department  of  the 
great  Christian  community  in  which  the  gospel  of  Christ,  in  all  its 
parts  and  in  all  its  fulness,  (when  it  comes  in  the  freshness  and  free- 
dom of  the  divine  anointing,)  is  either  more  precious  or  more  effectual 


554  APPENDIX. 

than  it  is  among  Friends  at  the  present  day.  I  shall  greatly  value 
some  free  and  intimate  communication  with  thee  on  thy  return.  I 
need  not  tell  thee  what  thorough,  deep-rooted  unity  I  have  with  thee 
in  thy  exercises,  and  how  much  I  can  and  do  rejoice  when  thoii  art 
honoured  in  the  work  and  service  of  the  Lord,  though  at  the  same 
time  /may  be  abased,  and  laid  very  low.  And  when  I  can  believe, 
•IS  I  often  do,  that  thou  art  lifted  up  from  thy  depths  of  sorrow  and 
spiritual  conflict,  and  enlarged  and  strengthened  by  our  Saviour  to 
declare  that  blessed  message  of  redemption  and  pardon  through  the 
blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant  with  which  I  do  believe  that  God 
himself  has  commissioned  thee,  I  cannot  say  how  much  it  is  my  con- 
cern that  thou  mayest  never  be  straitened  in  thyself,  and  that  neither 
we  nor  the  .church  may  ever  straiten  thee,  but  that  thou  mayst  be 
kept  unfettered  and  at  liberty  to  go,  at  the  bidding  of  thy  Lord,  whi- 
thersoever he  may  be  pleased  to  send  thee ;  and  that  working  while 
it  is  day,  thou  mayst  finish  thy  course  with  joy,  (hut  not  just  yet,)  and 
the  ministry  thou  hast  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus  to  testify  the  gospel 
of  the  grace  of  God.     *     *     *     * 

I  have  a  pleasant  and  refreshing  remembrance  of  the  true,  unre- 
stricted fellowship  in  Christ,  which  was   so  great  a  comfort  to  me 
whilst  we  were  together  in  Lancashire,  and  which  has  been  so  often 
renewed  and  strengthened  during  our  long  visit  at  Earlham  Hall.  *  * 
Thine  most  affectionately, 

William  Forster. 


END    OF   THE   FIRST   VOLUMK- 


MEMOIRS 


OF 


JOSEPH   JOHN   GURNEr: 


Irltttinns  frnm  ijis  Snurnnl  ml  €mt^nhu:u 


EDITED   BY 


JOSEPH  BEYAN  BRAITHWAITE. 


*  Herein  do  I  exercise  myself,  to  have  always  a  conscience  void  of  offence  toward  God  and 
toward  men."  Acts  xxir.  16.  —  Motto  selected  by  J.  J.  Gurney  for  some  of  the  earlier 
volumes  of  his  Journal. 


TWO  VOLUMES  COMPLETE  IN  OIjIE. 
A^OL.  II. 

FOURTH   EDITION. 

PHILADELPHIA : 

J.    B.    LIPPINCOTT    &    CO 

1857. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1854,  by 

ELIZA.  P.    GUllNBY^ 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of  New  Jersey. 


(ii) 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

State  of  Feeling  in  the  Society  of  Friends ;  Publication  of  the 
Beacon  ;  Letter  to  Isaac  Crewdson 11 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

The  Yearly  Meeting;  Appointment  of  a  Committee  to  Visit  Lan- 
cashire ;  Letter  to  the  Author  of  the  Defence  in  Reply  to  the 
Beacon;  First  and  Second  Visits  to  Manchester;  Journey  in 
Derbyshire  and  North  Wales  ;  Illness  and  Death  of  his  "Wife  ....     33 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Third  and  fourth  Visits  to  Manchester ;  Extracts  from  Journal ; 
Yearly  Meeting ;  Conclusion  of  the  Labours  of  the  Committee ; 
Journey  in  Scotland  and  the  North  of  England ;  Prospect  of 
Visit  to  North  America ;  Letters ;  Granting  of  Certificates 61 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Voyage  to  America ;  Writes  his  Autobiography ;  Arrival  at  Phila- 
delphia ;  Journey  to  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  North  Carolina ;  Attend- 
ance of  Yearly  Meetings;  Extracts  from  Letters  and  Journal...     92 


?1  '  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Pagt 
Journey   from    Ilichraond    to   "Washington ;    Interviews    with    the 

President,  Henry  Clay.  John  Quincy  Adams,  &c.  ;    Meeting  at 

Washington;  Baltimore;  Arrival  at  Philadelphia;  Extracts  from 

Journal  and  Letters  ;  New  York  ;  Rhode  Island  ;  Massachusetts  ; 

Justice  Story ;    Dr.  Channing ;    Reflections   on   completing   his 

fiftieth  Year 110 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

sit  to  the  Seminary  at  Andover;  Conversation  with  Moses  Stuart; 
Anti-Slavery ;  Yale  College ;  Professor  Silliman ;  Journey  to 
Canada;  Correspondence  with  the  Earl  of  Durham;  Engage- 
ments in  Lower  Canada  ;  Return  to  Baltimore  Yearly  Meeting  ; 
Visit  to  Friends  at  New  York ;  Extracts  from  Letters  and 
Journal 141 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Con^jlusion  of  Labours  at  New  Y'ork  ;  Illness  at  Flushing  ;  Pamphlet 
on  Slavery ;  Second  attendance  of  Yearly  Meetings  at  Phila- 
delphia and  New  York ;  Labours  in  the  State  of  New  York  and 
in  Upper  Canada ;  Sing  Sing  Prison  ;  Fenimore  Cooper ;  Tone- 
wanta  Indians;  Baltimore  Yearly  Meeting;  Prospect  of  Visit  to 
the  West  Indies  .,..'. 104 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Departure  from  New  York ;  Voyage ;  Arrival  at  Santa  Cruz  ;  St. 
Thomas';  Tortola;  St.  Christophers  ;  Antigua;  Dominica;  Letter 
from  Thomas  Fowell  Buxton ;  Jamaica ;  Result  of  Investiga- 
tions; Address  to  the  Planters;  Havana;  Return  to  America...  195 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Savannah  ;  Charleston  ;  Second  Visit  to  Washington  ;  Interviews 
with  the  President,  J.  C.  Calhoun,  Henry  Clay,  &c.  ;  New  York 
and  New  England  Yearly  Meetings;  Letter  to  liis  Children; 
Voyage  Home  ;  Extracts  from  Journal    219 


CONTENTS.  VU 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Page 
Publication  of  the  Winter  in  the  West  Indies  ;  African  Civilization 
Society;   Letters;   Extracts  from  Journal;   Address  on  Peace; 
Yearly  Meeting;  Engagement  in  Marriage  ;  Visit  to  Paris 241 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

Departure  for  the  Continent ;  Rotterdam  ;  Gouda ;  the  Hague  ;  Visit 
to  the  King  and  Queen  of  Holland;  Amsterdam;  Bremen; 
Hamburgh •  ~^^ 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Progress  to  Copenhagen  ;  Engagements  there  ;  Visit  to  the  King 
and  Queen  of  Denmark ;  Visit  to  Friends  at  Pyrmont  and 
Minden  ;  Hanover;  Berlin;  Journey  into  Silesia;  Visit  to  the 
King  of  Prussia ;  'Return  Home 286 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Marriage  ;  Re-settlement  at  Home ;  Extracts  from  Journal ;  Visit 
to  Friends  at  Bristol,  &c.  ;  Narrow  Escapes  from  a  Mad  Dog 
and  Poison ;  Religious  Engagements  in  Norfolk  and  Suffolk : 
Total  Abstinence ;  Publication  of  his  Work  on  the  Papal  and 
Hierarchical  Systems  ;  commencement  of  long  .Journey  in  France 
and  Svritzerland  ;  Boulogne;  Amiens;  Clermont:  Paris 31c 


CHAPTER  XL. 

Engagements  at  Paris  continued  ;  Due  de  Broglie  ;  Guizot ;  De  To- 
qncville ;  Protestant  Meeting ;  French  Bible  Society ;  Visit  to 
the  King  and  Queen  at  Neuiily;  Journey  to  the  South  of  France; 
Macon  ;  Lyons  ;  Avignon  ;  Nismes ;  Congenies ;  Visit  to  the 
Friends  ;  Illness  at  Cono-euies 337 


VIU  •  COXTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 


Pag» 


Journey  through  Savoy  into  Switzerland ;  Chamberry ;  Anneci ; 
Geneva ;  Countess  de  Sellon  ;  Lausanne  ;  Neufchatel ;  Zurich  ; 
Basle ;  Strasburg ;  Stutgard ;  Visit  to  the  King  and  Queen  of 
AVurtemberg  ;  Brussels ;  Calais ,  364 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

Total  Abstinence  Meeting  at  Xorwich ;  Marriage  of  his  Daughter ; 
Publication  of  his  last  "Work,  Thoughts  on  Habit  and  Discipline  ; 
Journey  in  France  ;  Boulogne  ;  Rouen  j  Paris  ;  Orleans  ;  Tours  ; 
Mettray ;  Saumur ;  Nantes ;  La  Rochelle  ;  Bordeaux :  St.  Foy ; 
Nerac ;  Pau 393 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

Journey  in  France  continued  ;  Pau  ;  Toulouse  :  Saverdun  ;  Mon- 
tauban  ;  Orleans ;  Paris  ;  Attendance  of  Yearly  Meeting ;  A^oyage 
to  Guernsey ;  Jersey ;  Labours  there ;  Lecture  on  Total  Absti- 
nence ;  Water  is  Best ;  Return  Home 420 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

Extracts  from  Journal;  Illness  of  his  Sister  Elizabeth  Fry;  Letters 
to  her ;  Letter  to  a  Friend ;  Illness  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  and 
Letter  to  him 440 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

Extracts  from  Journal ;  Death  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton  ;  Public  Meeting 
on  the  Endowment  of  Maynooth  ;  Letter  to  Dr.  Chalmers  on  the 
Duty  of  Christian  Churches  in  Relation  to  Slavery  ;  Journey  in* 
Scotland  and  the  Xorth  of  England ;  Death  of  Elizabeth  Fry  ...  459 


CONTEN  rS.  IX 

CHAPTER  XLVI. 

Page 
Brief  Memoirs  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton  and  Elizabeth  Fry;  Letter  to         ' 

Sir  Robert  Peel  on  the  Distress  among  the  Norwich  Poor ;  Cor- 
respondence on  the  Oregon  Question  ;  Personal  Trials  ;  Attends 
the  Yearly  Meeting  for  the  last  time  ;  Letter  to  Sir  Robert  Peel 
on  the  Introduction  of  Slave  Grown  Produce ;  Declaration  of 
Faith 484 

CHAPTER  XLVIL 

His  last  Engagements  in  the  work  of  the  Ministry ;   Journey  to 
Darlington  ;  Last  Illness,  Death,  and  Funeral 508 


Recollections  of  Joseph  John  Gurney,  by  his  Daughter 531 

Appen'dix — Declaration  of  Faith 545 


LIFP 

OP 

JOSEPH   JOHN   GURNEY. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

1835.— ^T.  47. 


6TATE  OF  FEELING   IN   THE   SOCIETY   OF   FRIENDS  ',    PUBLICATION   OF 
THE   beacon;    LETTER   TO   ISAAC   CREWDSON. 

The  interest  felt  by  Joseph  John  Gurney  in  the 
controversy  that  was  at  this  time  agitating  the 
Society  of  Friends,  and  the  prominent  part  which 
he  was  led  to  take  in  some  of  the  proceedings  to 
which  it  gave  rise,  render  some  notice  of  it  here 
unavoidable.  It  is  far  from  the  object  of  these 
pages  to  stir  up  painful  recollections.  No  one 
deplored  more  than  he  did  the  severance  of  ties 
which  had  long  united  him  to  many  whom  he 
loved  and  valued.  Deeply  as  he  was  attached  to 
the  religious  community  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber, from  a  settled  conviction  of  the  Christian 
soundness  of  its  principles,  no  one  more  regretted 
the  loss  to  that  body  of  many  whom  he  had  hoped 
to  have  seen  numbered  amongst  its  brightest  orna- 
ments.    Nothing   but   a   sense   of    duty  could    have 

(11) 


12  THE  EARLY  FRIENDS  1835. 

sustained  him  in  the  course  which  he  felt  it  right 
to  take.  It  was  *a  course  attended  with  much 
suffering  and  humiliation ;  and  he  has  often  spoken 
of  this  period  as  one  of  the  most  sorrowful  of  his 
life.  It  may  be  desirable  here  to  premise  a  few  obser- 
vations for  the  information  of  the  general  reader. 

The  Society  of  Friends,  as  is  well  known,  took 
its  rise  about  the  middle  of  the  17th  century. 
Raised  up  at  a  period  of  religious  excitement, 
unparalleled  in  English  history,  the  early  Friends 
were  instrumental,  under  the  divine  blessing,  in 
bringing  about  a  revival  of  primitive  Christianity 
and  vital  godliness,  to  which  the  general  historian  of 
the  Christian  Church  has  not  yet  done  justice.  The 
successors  of  these  devoted  men  inherited  the  results 
of  their  faithfulness  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  large 
measure  of  civil  and  religious  liberty;  but,  in  the 
midst  of  ease  and  abundance,  worldliness  in  too  many 
instances  gradually  took  possession  of  the  heart;  cool- 
ness succeeded  to  zeal ;  and  a  traditional  attachment 
to  the  opinions  derived  from  early  education,  took 
the  place  of  that  vital  change  and  depth  of  conviction 
which  had  wrought  so  marvellously  in  their  fore- 
fathers. True  indeed  it  is,  that,  through  the  divine 
mercy,  there  were  preserved  among  them  a  consider- 
able number  of  honest  and  true-hearted  disciples  of 
Christ,  who  were  enabled  to  hold  fast  the  truth  in  the 
love  of  it ;  but  no  one  who  duly  reflects  upon  the  in- 
ternal state  of  this  religious  body  about  the  middle  of 
the  last  century,  as  it  is  unfolded  in  the  mournful  but 
instructive  pages  of  the  Journals  of  some  of  its  most 
valued  members  at  that  period,*  can  fail  to  deplore 

*  See  particularly  the  Journal  of  John  GriflSth, 


^T.  47.  AND   THEIR   SUCCESSORS,  13: 

the  degeneracy  that  was  then  laying  it  waste. 
Brighter  days  followed;  increased  attention  to  the 
discipline  purged  the  Society  of  many  unworthy 
members ;  and,  without  the  ordinary  human  pro- 
visions, or  the  stimulus  of  worldly  emoluments,  a 
body  of  faithful  ministers  was  still  raised  up  to 
preach,  with  increasing  clearness  and  authority,  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  Yet  in  this  revival 
there  appeared  lacking  that  thorough  Christian 
devotedness  which  was  so  remarkably  manifested  at 
the  rise  of  the  Society,  Whilst  the  preaching  of 
the  gospel  amongst  Friends,  at  this  period,  was 
often  marked  by  great  earnestness  in  setting  forth 
the  spirituality  of  religion,  and  the  necessity  of  its 
inward  operations,  —  it  was  not  always  connected 
with  an  equally  clear  and  practical  enforcement  of 
other  great  and  not  less  essential  portions  of 
revealed  truth,  which,  in  the  minds  of  the  earlier 
Friends,  were  inseparably  connected  with  their 
deep  and  comprehensive  views  of  the  soul-searching 
and  spiritual  character  of  true  Christianity.*     And 

*"Clmst,"  says  George  Fox,  ''gave  himself,  his  hodi/,  for  the 
life  of  the  whole  world  j  he  was  the  offering  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world;  and  paid  the  debt  and  made  satisfaction.^'  And  surely 
no  one,  who  did  not,  in  his  heart,  feel  the  deep  practical  value  of 
this  precious  truth,  could  have  addressed  his  suffering  friends  in  the 
following  touching  strain  : — "  The  heavenly  joy  fill  your  hearts  and 
comfort  you  in  the  inward  man  in  all  tribulations  I  The  glorious 
light  is  shining,  the  immortal  is  bringing  forth  out  of  death :  the 
prisoners  have  hope  of  their  pardon,  the  debt  being  paid,  and  they 
freeJf/  purcluxted  hy  Christ's  blood."  And  again,  ''  The  voice  of  the 
Bridegroom  is  heard  in  our  land,  and  Christ  is  come  amongst  the 
prisoners,  to  visit  them  in  their  prison  houses ;  they  have  all  hopes 
of  releasement  and  free  pardon,  and  to  come  out  freely,  yv;r  the  debt 
is  paid.  Wait  for  the  manifestation  of  it,  and  he  that  comes  out 
of  prison  shall  reign."     Selections  from  George  Fox's  Epistles  by 


14  FRIENDS   IN   ENGLAND.  1835. 

it  ma}',  perhaps,  be  added,  that  the  increased 
attention  to  the  discij^line,  valuable  and  important 
us  it  was,  was  too  often  associated  with  a  rigid 
adherence  to  forms,  and  a  tendency  to  multiply 
rules,  and  to  make  the  exact  carrying  of  them  out, 
in  degree  at  least,  a  substitute  for  that  patient  and 
discriminating  wisdom,  tempered  with  love,  %vhich 
should  ever  characterize  Christian  discipline.  In 
this  country  the  revival  was  happily  connected  with 
an  increased  attention  to  the  education  of  the  youth 
(among  the  results  of  which  may  be  noticed  the 
establishment  of  the  school  at  Ackworth,)  and  to 
the  reading  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  in  families, 
which,  though  always  recommended  and  carefully 
practised  by  the  more  faithful  members,  had  too 
much  fallen  into  disuse.  And  it  cannot  but  be 
considered  as  a  striking  evidence  of  the  general 
prevalence  of  sound  Christianity  among  the  mem- 
bers, that  when,  towards  the  close  of  the  last 
century,  a  minister  from  America  attempted 
publicly    to   throw   discredit   upon    the    writings    of 

»Sarauel  Tuke,  pp.  12  and  IT,  second  edition.  "Without  needlessly 
multiplying  quotations,  this  note  may  be  closed  by  the  following  tes- 
timony recorded  among  the  dying  sayings  of  a  Friend  in  the  year 
1698.  The  passage,  is,  it  may  be  observed,  on  account  of  its  excel- 
lence, printed  in  large  black  letter,  in  the  original  editions  of  Piety 
Promoted.  "  Now  is  my  soul  redeemed  to  God,  and  he  that  hath 
redeemed  me  is  near  me.    The  sufperings  and  death  of  Christ, 

AND  HIS  AGONIES,  THE  SHEDDING  OF  HIS  BLOOD,  AND  WHAT  HE 
HATH  DONE  FOR  ME,  I  FEEL  NOW  THAT  I  HAVE  THE  BENEFIT  OP 
ALL.        BLESSED   BE    jMY   KeDEEMER   AVHO    IS    NEAR    ME."        Piety 

Promoted,  part  2nd,  p.  19,  second  edition.  Truly  could  they,  who 
had  been  brought  to  such  an  experience,  feelingly  adopt  the  language 
of  the  Apostle,  "We  joy  in  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by 
■whom  we  have  now  received  the  atonenieiiL"     Kom.  v.  11. 


^T.  47.  AND   IN  AMERICA.  15* 

the  Old  Testament,  and  when,  in  1814,  as  has  been 
already  stated,  an  individual  who  had  been  dis- 
owned for  promulgating  Unitarian  doctrines, 
appealed  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  a  reversal 
of  his  disownment;  in  each  of  these  cases  the 
Yearly  Meeting  openly  disavowed  the  opinions 
attempted  to  be  pressed  upon  it,  and  plainly 
declared  itself  on  the  side  of  the  pure  and  simple 
truths  of  Holy  Scripture. 

Meanwhile,  in  the  United  States  of  North 
America,  to  parts  of  which  many  members  of  the 
Society  had  emigrated  in  the  days  of  Robert 
Barclay  and  William  Penn,  and  where  the  bod}' 
had  become  very  numerous,  causes  had  been  more 
recently  at  work,  which  at  length,  between  the  years 
1826  and  1828,  produced  a  separation  from  the 
main  body  in  five  out  of  the  eight  American 
Yearly  Meetings,  of  a  considerable  number,  (esti- 
mated at  about  one  third  of  the  whole,)  amongst 
whom,  Elias  Hicks,  an  aged  and  influential  minister, 
held  the  most  prominent  position.*  ^'  Captivated  by 
specious  pretences  to  a  refined  spirituality,"  they 
had  been  led  on,  step  by  step,  into  an  open  denial 
of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Christian 
religion,  to  the  undervaluing  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
and  to  the  denial  of  the  divinity  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  of  his  ofiices  as  the  Redeemer  and 
Saviour  of  men,  and  the  one  Propitiation  and 
Mediator   with   the   Father.     And   not   a   few,  who 

*The  largest  secessioa  was  in  tlie  Yearly  Meetings  of  New  York, 
Philadelpliia,  and  Baltimore ;  but  the  separation  extended  also  to  the 
Yearly  Meetings  of  Ohio  and  Indiana,  No  secession  took  place  iii 
New  England,  North  Carolina,  or  Virginia. 


16  HICKSITE   SEPARATION.  1835. 

shrank  from  an  avowal  of  these  sentiments,  were 
induced  to  join  the  ranks  of  the  secession  by  the 
influence  of  personal  feeling  or  family  connexions; 
which,  in  minds  inadequately  instructed,  and  in 
many  cases  almost  indifferent  as  regards  evangelical 
truth,  easily  outweighed  more  important  consider- 
ations. 

Deeply  afflicting  as  such  an  event  must  ever  be 
to  the  mind  that  duly  considers  it,  it  affords  a 
striking  lesson,  one  it  is  hoped  never  to  be  forgotten, 
of  the  unspeakable  necessity  of  humbly  and 
reverently  maintaining  the  truth  of  the  Gospel  in 
its  integrity,  and  of  holding  fast  that  "form  of 
sound  words"  which  it  has  pleased  Infinite  Wisdom 
to  make  use  of  as  a  most  important  means  of 
conveying  it  to  our  understandings,  and  of  pre- 
serving it  from  corruption.  Among  those  who 
thus  separated  were  many,  who,  from  a  one-sided 
zeal,  "  not  according  to  knowledge,"  for  the  doctrine 
of  inward  and  immediate  revelation,  were  gradually 
drawn  away  from  the  one  incarnate  Eedeemer,  the 
Fountain  of  all  true  spiritual  life;  substituting, 
under  the  notion  of  high  spirituality,  an  exclusively 
inward  Christ,  of  their  own  imagining,  for  Jesus  of 
Nazareth,  the  one  Messiah,  the  anointed  of  God. 

"  They  are  a  determined  body  of  people,"  says  Joseph  John 
Gurney  in  allusion  to  these  separatists,  in  one  of  his  letters 
a  few  years  later,  "entirely  possessed  by  their  one  idea  in 
relicion,  and  little  disposed  to  admit  anything  more.  It  is  a 
desperate  vreb,  from  which  escape  seems  almost  morally  im- 
possible. Quakerism  truly  asserts  that  Christ  is  '  the  light ;' 
because  Christ,  by  his  Spirit,  enlightens  the  minds  of  men, 
and  is  truly  indivisible  from  that  divine  influence  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  by  and   in  which   he    visits    all   men,    and   dwells   m 


^T.  47.  IN   AMERICA.  17 

believers.  Hicksism  asserts  most  falsely  and  dangerously 
that  this  light,  life,  or  influence,  is  itself  the  Christ,  the  Son 
of  God;  the  Redeemer,  &c.  They  own  no  other  Saviour; 
and  this  particular  view,  respecting  the  light  within,  is  the 
true  and  obvious  root  of  all  their  defect  of  faith ;  of  their 
final  and  utter  rejection  of  scriptural  Christianity.  *  *  *  The 
mystified  interpretation  of  the  Gospel,  of  the  blood  of  Christ, 
and  of  Christ  himself,  is  the  unquestionable  parent  of 
infidelity,  as  the  whole  history  of  Hicksism  most  abundantly 
proves." 

Amongst  the  causes  that  led  to  this  melancholy 
separation,  it  may  not  be  u nin struct! ve  to  remark, 
that  one  of  the  most  powerful  appears  to  have  been 
(to  use  the  words  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Phila- 
delphia) "  the  neglect  of  many  members  in  not 
bestowing  upon  their  offspring  a  guarded  religious 
education,  labouring  to  imbue  their  minds  with  the 
saving  truths  of  the  Gospel,  and  habituating  them 
to  the  frequent  reading  of  the'  Holy  Scriptures." 
For  want  of  this  care  on  the  part  of  parents  and 
teachers,  many  of  the  youth  had  grown  up  in  great 
ignorance  of  these  all-important  subjects,  as  well  as 
of  the  history  and  principles  of  the  early  Friends, 
and  thus  fell  an  easy  prey  to  the  cavils  and  sophistry 
of  designing  men  who  were  seeking  to  lead  them 
astray.* 

The  existence  or  spread  of  unsound  and  danger- 
ous doctrines  is  no  new  thing  in  the  Christian 
church.  From  the  earliest  ages  of  Christianity 
there  have  been  those  whose  unsubjected  spirits 
have  refused  to  yield  a  full  and  submissive  obedience 

*  Declaration  issued  by  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting,  in  1828.  p.  5. 
Vol.  IL  — 2 


18  DECLARATION    ISSUED    BY   THE  1835. 

to  the  authority  of  divine  revelation.  The  cause 
lies  not  in  the  truth,  but  in  the  natural  opposition 
of  that  carnal  mind  which  ever  has  been  and  ever 
will  be  enmity  against  God.  And  painful  as  the 
recollection  of  such  events  must  ever  be  to  the  feel- 
ing mind,  it  ill  becomes  us,  through  either  a  mis- 
placed charity,  or  a  heedless  forgetfulness,  to  blind 
ourselves  to  the  lessons  of  deep  and  lasting  instruction 
which  they  are  designed  to  afford. 

After  the  separation,  the  several  Yearly  Meetings 
of  Friends  in  America  issued  declarations  disowning 
the  doctrines  promulgated  by  Elias  Hicks  and 
his  followers,  and  showing  their  inconsistency  with 
the  doctrines  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  which  had 
ever  been  maintained  by  the  Society  of  Friends; 
and  in  1829  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  London  issued 
a  brief  but  explicit  declaration  to  the  same 
effect. 

"We  have  heard,"  says  the  Yearly  Meeting,  "with  deep 
concern  and  sorrow,  of  the  close  trials  to  which  our  brethren 
on  the  American  continent  have  been  subjected  by  the  diffu- 
sion of  anti-Christian  doctrines  among  them ;  and  we  con- 
sider, it  to  be  a  duty  to  disclaim,  and  we  hereby  do  disclaim, 
all  connexion,  as  a  religious  society,  with  any  meetings  for 
the  purpose  of  worship  or  discipline,  which  have  been  estab- 
lished, or  which  are  upheld,  by  those  who  have  embraced  such 
anti-Christian  doctrines. 

And,  in  order  to  prevent  any  misapprehension  as  to  our 
views,  we  feel  ourselves  called  upon,  at  this  time,  to  avow  our 
belief  in  the  inspiration  and  divine  authority  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testament. 

We  further  believe,  that  the  promise  made,  after  the  trans- 
gi-ession  of  our  first  parents,  in  the  consequences  of,  whose 
fall  all  the  posterity  of  Adam  are  involved,  "  that  the  seed  ot 


S;T.  47.  YEARLY   MEETING   OF   LONDON.  19 

the  woman  shall  bruise  the  head  of  the  serpent  ;'-'^  and  the 
declaration  unto  Abraham,  "  In  thy  seed  shall  all  the  families 
of  the  earth  be  blessed,"^  had  a  direct  reference  to  the  coming 
in  the  flesh  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  To  him  also  did  the 
prophet  Isaiah  bear  testimony,  when  he  declared,  "  Unto  us  a 
child  is  born,  unto  us  a  son  is  given  ;  and  the  government 
shall  be  upon  his  shoulder ;  and  his  name  shall  be  called 
"Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the  INIighty  God,  the  Everlasting 
Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace :  of  the  increase  of  his  govern- 
ment and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end."^  And  again  the  same 
prophet  spoke  of  him  when  he  said,  "  surely  he  hath  borne 
our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sorrows ;  yet  we  did  esteem  him 
stricken,  smitten  of  God,  and  afflicted  ;  but  he  was  wounded 
for  our  transgressions,  he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities ;  the 
chastisement  of  our  'peace  was  upon  him ;  and  with  his  stripes 
are  we  healed."*  The  same  blessed  Redeemer  is  emphatically 
denominated    by   the   prophet   Jeremiah,    "  the    lord  .  ouk. 

RIGHTEOUSNESS." 

At  that  period,  and  in  thJit  miraculous  manner,  which  God 
in  his  perfect  wisdom  saw  fit,  the  promised  Messiah  appeared 
personally  upon  the  earth,  when  "  he  took  not  on  him  the  nature 
of  angels ;  but  he  took  on  him  the  seed  of  Abraham."^  "  He 
was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin."' 
"Having  finished  the  work  which  was  given  him  to  do,"^  "he 
gave  himself  for  us,  ah  offering  and  a  sacrifice  to  God."^  "  He 
tasted  death  for  every  man."^"  "  He  is  the  propitiation  for 
our  sins :  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for  the  sins  of 
the  whole  world."''  "  We  have  redemption  through  hm 
blood,  even  the  forgiveness  of  sins."^^  "  He  passed  into  the 
heavens ;"^^  and,  "being  the  brightness  of  the  glory  of  God, 
and  the  express  image  of  his  person,  and  upholding  all  things 

'  Gen.  iii,  15.  ^  Gen.  xxviii,  14. 

'  Isaiah  ix,  6 — 7.  *  Isaiah  liii,  4 — 5. 

^  Jerem.  xxiii,  6.  ^  Heb.  ii,  16. 

'  Heb.  iv,  15.  ®  .John,  xvii,  4. 

»  Eph.  V,  2.  '^  Heb.  ii,  9. 

'•  1  John  ii,  2.  '2  Col.  i,  14. 
'^  Heb.  iv,  14. 


20  DECLARATION    ISSUED    BY    THE  1835. 

l)j  tlie  -word  of  his  power,  when  he  had  by  himself  purged 
our  sins,  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on 
high;""  and  "ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  us."^^ 

"  It  is  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  that  the  world  will  be 
iudjied  in  righteousness."'^  He  is  "the  Mediator  of  the  New 
Covenant ;""  "  the  image  of  the  invisible  God,  the  first-born  of 
every  creature ;  for  by  him  were  all  things  created,  that  are 
in  heaven,  and  that  are  in  earth,  visible  and  invisible,  whether 
they  be  thrones,  or  dominions,  or  principalities,  or  powers : 
all  things  were  created  by  him,  and  for  him ;  and  he  is  before 
all  things,  and  by  him  all  things  consist."'^  "  In  him  dwelleth 
all  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily  :"'^  and  to  him  did  the 
Evangelist  bear  testimony  when  he  said,  "In  the  beginning 
was  the  "Word,  and  the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word 
was  God.  The  same  was  in  the  beginning  with  God.  All 
things  were  made  by  him  ;  and  without  him  was  not  anything 
made  that  was  made.  In  him  was  life ;  and  the  life  was  the 
light  of  men.  He  was  the  true  Light,  which  lighteth  every 
man  that  cometh  into  the  world. "^° 

Our  blessed  Lord  himself  spoke  of  his  perpetual  dominion 
and  power  in  his  church,  when  he  said,  "  My  sheep  hear  my 
voice,  and  I  know  them,  and  they  follow  me ;  and  I  give  unto 
them  eternal  life  :"^'  and,  when  describing  the  spiritual  food 
which  he  bestoweth  on  the  true  believers,  he  declared,  "  I  am 
the  bread  of  life  :  he  that  cometh  to  me  shall  never  hunger, 
and  he  that  belie veth  on  me  shall  never  thirst.  "^^  He  spoke 
also  of  his  saving  grace,  bestowed  on  those  who  come  in  faith 
unto  him  when  he  said,  "  Whosoever  drinketh  of  the  water 
that  I  shall  give  him  shall  never  thirst ;  but  the  water  that  I 
shall  give  him  shall  be  in  him  a  well  of  water  springing  up 
into  everlasting  life.'"^ 

Our  religious  society,  from  its  earliest  establishment  to  the 

"  Heb.  i,  3.  '*  Heb.  vii,  25. 

"  Acts  xvii,  31.  "  Heb.  xii,  24. 

•«  Col.  i,  15—17.  "  Col.  ii,  9. 

"  John  i,  1—4,  9.  "'  John  X,  27,  28. 

»  John  vi,  35.  *»  John  iv,  14. 


^T.  47.  YEARLY   MEETING    OF   LOXDOX.  21 

yiresent  day,  has  received  these  most  important  doctrines  of 
IIolj  Scripture  in  their  plain  and  obvious  acceptation ;  and  we 
do  not  acknowledge  as  in  fellowship  with  us,  as  a  Chi'istian 
community,  any  body  of  religious  professors  which  does  not 
thus  accept  them,  or  which  openly  receives  and  accredits  as 
ministers,  those  who  attempt  to  invalidate  any  of  these  doc- 
trines which  we  esteem  as  essential  parts  of  the  Christiail 
religion. 

It  is  the  earnest  desire  of  this  meeting  that  all  who  profess 
our  name,  may  so  live,  and  so  walk  before  God,  as  that  they 
may  know  these  sacred  truths  to  be  blessed  to  them  in- 
dividually. We  desire  that,  as  the  mere  profession  of  sound 
Christian  doctrine  will  not  avail  to  the  salvation  of  the  soul, 
all  may  attain  to  a  living  efficacious  faith,  which,  through  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  bringeth  forth  fruit  unto  holiness  ;^* 
the  end  whereof  is  everlasting  life,  through  Jesus  Chi'ist  our 
Lord. 

Such  a  declaration  carefully  prepared,  deliberated 
upon,  and  sanctioned  by  the  body  of  Friends  in 
this  country,  in  their  representative  assembly, — an 
assembly  to  which  each  member  has  access,  and 
in  which  he  has  a  right  to  take  a  part,  and  which 
usually  consists  of  at  least  one  thousand  persons, 
and  of  a  yet  larger  number  on  important  occasions, — 
ought  surely  to  be  accepted  as  satisfactory  evidence 
of  the  soundness  of  the  faith  of  the  Society  in  all 
the  fiiudamental  articles  of  the  Christian  religion. 
But  whilst  the  views  of  the  body  were  thus  clearly 
and  fully  set  forth,  and  whilst  it  uuiy,  with  thank- 
fulness, be  acknowledged  that  the  Society  of 
Friends  in  England  have  been  spared  the  pain  of 
differences  so  great  and  wide  spread  as  those  which 
have   afflicted    their   brethren   in   America,  it   could 

^  Rom.  vi,  22. 


'22  CO^TLICTING    TEXDENCIES  1835. 

not    be    concealed    that   there   was   existing   among 
certain    individuals,    even    in    this    country,    a   want 
of    complete    hiirnionj    of    mind    and    feeling.     The 
comprehension  of  the  entire  truth,  and  the  holding 
of  each  part  in  its  due  place  and  proportion  are  only 
to  be  found  in  connexion  with  a  full  submission  of 
the  heart  and  understanding  to  the  enlightening  and 
sanctifying   operations   of   the    Spirit   of   God;    and, 
if  attained    to    at  all,  the  process  is  usually  a  very 
gradual  one ;  the  result  of  much  time  and  experience. 
Instead,    therefore,    of    being    too    much    dismayed 
at  differences  of  opinion,  it  should  be  rather  matter 
of   thankfulness,  when    many   distinct   and   indepen- 
dent minds  are  brought,  through  divine  mercy,  to  see 
and    to    act    together.      There    were    some    members 
of    the    body   who,    whilst    distinguished    for    their 
warm  attachment  to  those  views  of  the  spirituality 
of  the  Gospel,  which  had   led  the  early  Friends  to 
the    disuse   of   all  outward   rites   and  ceremonies  in 
the  worship  of  God,  and  to  press  home  to  the  con- 
sciences   of    men    the    practical    operations   of    the 
Holy    Spirit    upon    the    heart;    were    yet,   perhaps, 
hardly  enough   alive  to   the  importance  of  keeping 
steadily  in  view  the  great  and  glorious  truths  of  the 
incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  of  the  necessity 
and  efficacy  of  his  atoning  saci'ilice  upon  the  cross. 
These   were    not   indeed    disbelieved,    but   they   had 
evidently   not    occupied   so   large    a   share    in    their 
meditations,    as     some     other     portions     of    divine 
truth.     Othei^   there  were  who,  though   brought   up 
with    great    strictness   in    the    habits   and   usages  of 
the  Society,  had  not  imbibed   in    their  earlier  years 
an    extended    knowledge    of    scriptural    truth,    and 


Ml.  4T.  AMONGST   FRIENDS   IN   ENGLAND.  23 

who,  after  leading  a  regular  and  blamol;.'ss  life 
among  their  fellow-men,  had,  in  their  middle  or 
declining  age,  been,  for  the  first  time,  awakened  to 
the  full  conviction  that  their  salvation  wholly 
depended  on  the  free  and  unmerited  mercy  of  God 
in  Christ  Jesus.  This  was  indeed  a  new  light  to 
their  souls,  and,  under  the  painful  consciousness  that 
they  were  dark  before,  they  were  too  ready,  perhaps, 
to  reject  all  their  former  experiences ;  too  ready  to 
think  that  all  .their  brethren  were  in  precis'aly  the 
same  condition  as  they  had  been  in;  too  ready  to 
make  this  one  precious  doctrine  the  entire  sum  of 
their  Christianity. 

The  working  of  these  two  classes  of  mind 
obviously  tended  in  opposite  directions.  If,  on  the 
one  hand,  the  spirituality  of  the  Gospel  was  dwelt 
upon  by  some  in  a  way  that  appeared,  at  times,  to 
throw  into  the  shade  truths  of  equal  importance 
and  necessity,  which  can  never  be  profitably 
separated  from  it ;  there  was,  on  the  other  hand, 
no  less  danger  of  these  liitter  truths  being  treated 
in  too  distinct  and  exclusive  a  manner,  and  of  too 
little  place  being  given  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  in  all  its  fulness  and  practical  application. 

Amidst  these  conflicting  tendencies  it  was  Joseph 
John  Gurney's  earnest  endeavour  steadily  to  main- 
tain a  course  removed  from  extremes  in  either 
direction.  His  own  belief  in  the  Christian  sound- 
ness of  the  doctrines  and  practices  of  Friends  had 
remarkably  kept  pace  with  his  general  religious 
convictions;  and  as,  on  the  one  hand,  he  found  his 
mind  incapable  either  of  putting  aside,  or  keeping 
out   of  view,   any   one   of  those   glorious   truths    of 


24  TESTIMONY    TO    THE    WHOLE  TRUTH.  1835. 

Christian  redemption  upon  which,  as  he  often 
expressed  himself,  icere  founded  all  Ids  hopes;  so, 
on  the  other  hand,  he  was  not  less  indisposed  to  let 
go  any  of  those  practices  and  testimonies  which  he 
believed  to  be,  if  not  equally  essential,  yet  equally 
part  of  pure  and  complete  Christianity. 

'•Not  to  rest  our  hope  of  salvation,"  he  ■wrote  to  Jonathan 
Hutchinson,  in  the  sixth  month,  1833,  "  alone  on  the  merits 
and  mercies  of  our  gracious  Redeemer  is  fearful  unbelief;  and 
not  much  less  so  to  surrender  our  faith  in  his  being  always 
with  his  people  by  his  Spirit  to  guide  them  into  all  truth. 
I  feel  quite  sure  we  shall  never  mend  matters  by  clipping  any 
one  part  of  Divine  truth.  The  remedy  appears  rather  to  lie 
in  a  comprehensive  view  and  full  statement  of  the  whole." 

A  few  months  later  he  writes  in  his  Journal :  — 

"  Conversed  with in  private,  first  on  the  danger  of 

conversation  on  the  supposed  unsoundness  of  others ;  on 
varying  opinions ;  on  American  and  supposed  Enghsh 
Hicksism.  Secondly  on  the  yast  importance  in  our  procla- 
mation of  orthodox  doctrine,  not  to  trench  on  the  '  anointing,' 
or  on  those  things  which  we  have  found  experimentally  to  be 
truly  precious.  Earnestly  do  I  desire  that  the  evil  so  much 
dreaded,  and  which  I  consider  non-existent,  may  not  be 
fretted  into  being.  May  the  great  Master  keep  us  in  the 
plenitude  of  his  mercy  and  love.  I  feel  thankful  in  the 
belief  that  he  has  done  this,  and  will  yet  do  it." 

Still  later,  he  continues  :  — 

1th  mo.,  QtJi,  1834.  Many  thoughts  pass  and  repass,  in 
spite  of  one's  self,  respecting  the  state  of  things  amongst  us, 
as  a  religious  society.  I  have  been  considering,  this  morning, 
the  importance  of  steadily  maintaining  the  juste  tnilieu.     1 


S.T.   47.        PUBLICATION  OF  THE  BEACON.  25 

believe  the  only  way  is  to  forget  one's  self,  and  to  forget  men, 
and  every  arm  of  flesh,  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left;  and 
to  look  simply  and  singly  to  Jesus,  in  the  reverent  desire  to 
be  preserved  -without  error  in  his  blessed  truth,  and  ^Yithout 
interruption,  to  do  the  Father's  will.  "  I  will  behave  myself 
wisely  in  a  perfect  way.  Q  Avhen  Avilt  thou  come  unto  me  !  I 
will  walk  within  my  house,  with  a  perfect  heart." 

Such  was  the  state  of  Joseph  John  Gurney's 
feehngs  when,  towards  the  conclusion  of  his  minis- 
terial labours  in  London,  the  conflict  of  opinion 
amongst  Friends  in  this  country  was  brought  to  a 
crisis  by  the  publication  of  the  Beacon,  in  the 
beginning  of  the  year  1835.  The  late  Isaac 
Crewdson,  of  Manchester,  the  author  of  this  work, 
was  a  man  greatly  esteemed  and  beloved  by  a  large 
circle,  and  was  then  in  the  station  of  an  acknow- 
ledged minister.  He  had  been  brought  up  in  all 
tlie  strictness  of  an  external  Quakerism,  and  had 
early  imbibed  a  strong  attachment  to  its  usages ; 
but  it  was  not  until  towards  middle  life  that 
evangelical  truth  dawned  upon  his  mind.  "  I 
remember,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney  in  his  Auto- 
biography, "telling  my  friend  Isaac  Crewdson, 
nearly  three  years  before  the  publication  of  the 
Beacon,  that  he  and  I  had  started  in  our  race  from 
opposite  points,  had  met,  and  crossed  on  the  road." 

"  This  publication  consisted,"  to  adopt  Joseph  John  Gui-ney's 
description,  "  of  a  running  commentary  on  various  passages  in 
the  sermons  of  the  late  Elias  Hicks  of  North  America,  who 
had  been  disowned  by  Friends  in  that  country ;  and,  with 
proofs,  drawn  from  Scripture,  of  this  preacher's  perversions  and 
delusions,  are  mixed  up  many  painful  innuendos,  trenching. 


26  PUBLICATION  OF  THE  BEACON.  1835. 

in  various  degrees,  on  our  well  known  views  of  the  spirituality 
of  tlie  Gospel  of  Christ.  Indeed,  it  is  my  deliberate  judg- 
ment, that  the  work,  professing  as  it  does  to  defend  sound 
Christianity,  has  an  undeniable  tendency  to  undermine  the 
precious  doctrine  of  the  immediate  teaching,  guidance,  and 
government  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Calculated  as  it  was  to  dis- 
parage the  character  of  the  Society,  it  was  forced  upon  the 
attention  of  the  public  by  placards  and  advertisements  of 
various  kinds,  and  was  the  means  of  bringing  down  upon  us 
a  shower  of  offensive  weapons,  in  reviews  and  other  publica- 
tions, from  our  evangelical  fellow  Christians.  The  Society 
was,  in  no  common  degree,  held  up  to  scorn  and  reproof;  the 
common  butt  of  many,  who  were  destitute  of  any  correct 
knowledge  of  our  principles.  The  consequence  was  just  what 
might  have  been  expected ;  the  alarm  occasioned  by  the  Beacon 
operated  in  a  direction  which  was  not  intended  by  its  author, 
and  was  well  nigh  being  the  means  of  driving  some  easily 
alarmed  ones  on  to  the  very  rocks,  against  which  he  was  wishing 
to  warn\is.  A  reply,  published  without  any  sanction  from  the 
Morning  Meeting,  soon  made  its  appearance ;  and,  naturally 
enough,  was  eagerly  laid  hold  of  by  Friends  in  diiferent  parts 
of  the  country,  and  especially  Lancashire ;  but,  with  much 
that  was  valuable,  it  was  found  to  contain  many  errors,  and 
helped  to  confirm  the  prevailing  notion,  that  we  really  needed 
such  a  work  as  the  Beacon. 

The  annoyance  of  this  internal  warfare  distui'bed  me  a  good 
deal,  even  in  its  early  stages ;  it  seemed  to  have  a  tendency  to 
divide  best  friends,  and  many  were  the  jealousies  which  it  was 
the  means  of  propagating." 

TO    PETER    BEDFORD. 

Earlham,  3rd  mo.,  7th,  1S35. 

*  *  *  I  do  from  my  very  soul  love  the  genuine  and 
unadulterated  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  In  it  are 
developed  all  my  hopes,  and  on  its  merciful  provisions  depends' 
all  my  happiness.     My  attachment  to  Quakerism  arises  from 


^T.  47.  LETTER   TO    ITS   AUTHOR.  27 

a  firm  conviction  that,  rightly  understood,  it  is  simple 
Christianitj  —  Christianity  without  diminution,  and  without 
addition. 

I  fully  believe  that  He  who  raised  us  up  as  a  people  to  bear 
testimony  to  his  name,  will  surmount  and  regulate  the  present 
storm,  and  overrule  it  to  the  extension  of  pure  truth  and  to 
his  own  glory.  In  the  mean  time  it  is  impossible  not  to  be 
anxious  on  two  points.  The  first  is,  lest  the  faith  of  any  of 
our  members  in  the  grand  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  ^New 
Testament,  should  be  in  any  degree  shaken,  or  I  might  rather 
say  their  relish  for  them  impaired,  by  the  imprudence  of 
some  who  press  these  points  almost  to  the  exclusion  of  their 
practical  consequences.  The  second  is,  lest  that  most 
precious  doctrine  of  the  inward  and  perceptible  gilidance  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  which  lies  at  the  very  foundation  of  all  our 
peculiar  testimonies,  should  be  let  down  in  the  minds  of  our 
beloved  inquiring  young  people. 

With  an  earnest  desire  to  promote  a  spirit  of 
reconciliation  and  harmony,  Joseph  John  Gurnej 
addressed  a  long  and  affectionate  letter  to  the 
author  of  the  Beacon,*  in  which,  after  briefly  but 
distinctly  adverting  to  several  important  points  in 
regard  to  which  he  considered  the  remarks  of  the 
author  "  useful  and  striking,  and  quite  in  accord- 
ance with  the  sentiments  of  every  sound  and 
enlightened  Christian,"  he  proceeds  to  a  lengthened 
explanation  of  his  grounds  of  objection  to  the  work. 
It  was  a  letter  not  of  attack,  but  of  cahn  Christian 
suggestion  and  expostulation,  written  in  the  hope 
of  eliciting  such  an  explanation  from  the  Friend  to 
whom  it  was  addressed  as  v/o:ild  have  been 
generally  satisfactory.  True  to  that  charity  which 
"  belie veth    all   things,"    and   conscious   {^f   hi*    v")wn 

*  This  letter  is  dated  Earlham,  4th  mo.,  27 ih,  :S35. 


28  LETTER  TO  1835. 

deep-rooted  attacliment  to  the  principles  of  Christi- 
anity maintained  by  Friends,  it  was  -with  difficulty 
that  he  was  persuaded  that  others  whom  he  nad 
long  looked  upon  as  holding  the  same  profession, 
were  not  equally  animated  by  a  love  for  the  same 
religious  principles.  Without  unduly  burthening 
the  attention  of  the  reader,  the  following  extracts 
may  serve  to  illustrate  the  general  tone  and 
character  of  the  letter. 

After  adverting  to  the  tendency  of  the  Beacon  to 
disparage  the  doctrine  of  "  an  inward  and  universal 
light,"  Ije  continues  :  —  ^ 

The  doctrine  that  a  measure  of  the  influence  of  the  Spirit — 
although  in  numberless  instances,  small  and  faint — is  actually 
communicated  to  the  whole  human  species,  appears  to  me  to 
be  the  only  safe  and  sufficient  basis  of,  a  closely  analogous 
truth ;  namely,  that  all  men  are  placed,  through  the  redemp- 
tion which  is  in  Christ,  in  a  real  capacity  of  salvation.  I 
conceive  that  this  capacity  is  broadly  declared  by  the  apostle 
Paul,  when  he  says,  "  Therefore,  as  by  one  man's  offence 
(judgment  is  come)  upon  ALL  men  to  condemnation ;  even  so 
by  the  righteousness  of  one  (mercy  is  come)  upon  all  men 
unto  justification  of  life."  Now,  that  this  view  of  the  subject 
is  most  salutary  to  the  human  mind,  and  that  the  steady 
maintenance  of  it,  in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  is 
of  immense  use  and  importance,  there  are,  as  I  believe, 
thousands  who  can  testify.  I  am  info.rmed  by  the  Wesleyan 
Methodists,  that  this  is  one  great  secret  of  their  extensive 
success ;  and  it  may  surely  be  ascribed  in  part  to  the  same 
cause,  that  such  wonderful  effects  were  produced  by  the 
preaching  of  the  early  Friends. 

To  be  able  to  assure  those  whom  we  are  addressing,  that  if 
they  will  come,  they  may  come  and  "  take  of  the  waters  of  life 
freely ;"  to  declare  to  them  that  they  are  already  placed, 
through    the    infinite  compassion  of  God,  in  a  salvable  con- 


^T.  47.         '  ISAAC    CREWDSON.  29 

clition ;  to  direct  them  all  to  that  divine  influence  by  which 
the  Father  draws  them,  and  which,  as  thev  give  way  to  it, 
will  never  fail  to  answer  to  the  gospel,  and  dispose  them  to 
receive  it  —  must  surely  be  numbered  among  the  plainest 
duties,  as  well  as  the  happiest  privileges,  of  the  Christian 
minister.  "I  turned  the  people,"  cried  George  Fox,  "  to  the 
divine  light  which  Christ  the  heavenly  and  spiritual  man 
enlighteneth  them  withal ;  that  with  that  light  they  might 
see  their  sins,  and  that  they  were  in  death  and  darkness,  and 
Avithout  God  in  the  world ;  and  might  also  see  Christ  from 
whom  it  coraeth,  their  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  who  shed  his 
blood  and  died  for  them ;  who  is  the  way  to  God,  the  truth, 
and  the  life."  * 

Again,  I  deem  it  to  be  of  peculiar  importance,  that  our 
children  should  be  frequently  reminded  of  that  unflattering 
Avitness  for  God,  in  the  conscience,  which  testifies  against 
their  sins ;  of  that  still  small  voice  of  Israel's  Shepherd  in  the 
soul',  which  would  lead  them  into  every  virtue.  The  more  this 
"  inward  light"  is  attended  to,  the  clearer  will  be  their  view 
of  their  own  corruption ;  the  more  they  will  be  brought  into 
humility  and  contrition ;  the  better  they  will  be  prepared  for 
a  full  apprehension  of  Scriptural  truth ;  the  more  earnestly 
will  they  "flee  for  refuge"  to  the  "hope  set  before  us"  in  the 
gospel. 

Before  I  quit  this  subject,  I  wish  to  say  a  few  words  on  the 
Word  of  God.  I  am  quite  aware  that  both  "kCyos  and  pr^ixu 
very  frequently  mean  the  declaration  of  the  divine  will,  or  of 
divine  truth ;  and  therefore  the  Scriptures,  in  this  sense, 
unquestionably  contain  the  word  of  God ;  and  they  may 
themselves  be  justly  described  as  the  declaratory  or  written 
word.  But  I  cannot  think  that  there  is  any  authority  in 
Scripture  itself  for  our  applying  this  title  to  the  volume  of 
sacred  writ,  in  the  naked  and  exclusive  manner  which  is  so 
customary  among  many  Christians.  It  appears  to  me,  that 
the  scruple  of  Friends  on  the  subject  is  not  without  a  good 
and  sufficient  foundation ;  and  that  they  do  well  to  restrict  the 

*  Journal;  p.  156. 


30  LETTER    TO  "  1835. 

application  of  that  title,  as  one  of  pre-eminence,  to  him  of 
whom  the  Scriptures  testify  —  to  him  who  is  essentially,  eter- 
nally, and,  in  the  highest  sense,  the  "Word  of  Jehovah. 

In  reply  to  an  observation  in  the  Be.icon,  in 
which  it  appeared  to  be  asserted,  that  the  source  of 
instruction  to  the  apostles  was  "  immediate,"  bat  that 
to  us  it  is  "mediate,"  except  only  that  the  Spirit  deals 
immediately  with  the  affections  to  dispose  the  heart 
to  receive  their  doctrine,  Joseph  John  Gurney 
remarks :  — 

ISTow  here,  my  dear  friend,  if  I  understand  thee  aright,  I  am 
directly  at  issue  with  thee ;  because  I  consider  that  we  have 
plain  scriptural  authority  for  asserting,  that  the  promise  of  the 
Spirit,  in  all  its  richness  and  variety,  is  the  inheritance,  in  this 
world,  of  the  Holy  Catholic  Church  in  all  ages.  This  point 
appears  to  me  to  be  proveable,  first  from  John  xiv,  16,  "  And 
I  will  pray  the  Father,  and  he  shall  give  you  another  Com- 
forter, that  he  may  abide  with  you  FOR  ever;"  with  which 
compare  Matthew,  xxviii,  20,  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even 
unto  the  end  of  the  world:"  secondly,  from  the  words  of  Peter, 
in  Acts  ii,  39,  "  The  promise  is  unto  you,  and  to  your  chil- 
dren, and  to  all  that  are  afar  off,  even  as  many  as  the  Lord 
our  God  shall  call;"  and  thirdly,  from  the  promise  of  God  to  the 
Messiah,  in  Isaiah  lix,  21,  "'As  for  me,  this  is  my  covenant  with 
them,  saith  the  Lord,  [compare  Jer.  xxxi,  31-34,]  my  Spirit 
that  is  wpon  thee,  and  my  words  which  I  have  put  in  thy 
fnouth,  shall  not  depart  out  of  thy  mouth,  nor  out  of  the  mouth 
of  thy  seed,  nor  out  of  the  mouth  of  thy  seed's  seed,  saith  the 
Lord,  from  henceforth  and  for  ever." 

Here  I  must  particularly  desire  not  to  be  misunderstood. 
When  I  speak  of  the  universal  application  of  the  promise  of 
the   Spirit  to   the  church  of  Christ    in  all  ages,  I   have  no 
intention  to  promulgate  the  notion,  that  the  Spirit  is  bestowed  . 
on  the  church  in  an  equal  measure  at  all  times,  and  under  all 


^T.  47.  ISAAC    CREWDSON.  31 

circumstances ;  much  less  that  every  individual  in  the  church 
hcis  the  same  calHng.  On  the  contrary,  I  believe  that  there 
have  been  many  especial  effusions  of  the  Spii'it  at  particular 
periods  of  the  church ;  and  it  is  too  obvious  to  require  remark, 
that  one  Christian  is  called  into  one  service,  and  one  into 
another. 

The  effusion  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  -which  commenced  on  that 
great  day  of  Pentecost,  and  -which  distinguished  the  first  age 
of  the  church,  -was  in  a  large  and  unparalleled  measure  indeed, 
a  measure  exactly  adapted  to  the  work  -which  -was  then  to  be 
done  for  the  Lord,  and  more  especially  to  the  peculiar  and 
extraordinary  call  of  the  apostles  of  Jesus  Christ.     That  call 
was  to  promulgate  among  all  nations,  for  the  first  time,  the 
truth  of  God  in  its  evangelical  fuhiess ;  not  merely  to  confirm 
the  dictates  of  -what  is  usually  called  natural  religion,  but  to 
declare  the  glorious  fact,  that  the  eternal  Word  of  the  Father 
— one  -with  him  in  the  divine  nature — had  become  incarnate, 
had  died  on  the  cross  as  a  propitiatory  sacrifice  for  the  sins 
of  all  men,  and  had  now  afforded  an  unanswerable  evidence 
of    his    divinity    and    mission    by    his    resurrection    from  the 
dead.     As    the    ambassadors  of    Christ,  and   in    the    demon- 
stration of   the  Spirit  and  power,  they  called  upon  all  men 
to  repent  of  their  sins  and  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  that 
they  migh*  be  justified  by  his  blood,   purified  by  his  Spirit, 
and    thus    translated  from    the    power  of  darkness    into    the 
kingdom    of   the'  dear    Son    of   God.     Now  that  vastly  pre- 
eminent measure  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  by  which  the  apostles 
and    their   brethren  were    enabled    to    disseminate  these  new 
truths    in    the  world,  and   thus    to    establish    the    church  of 
Christ  among  men,  qualified  some  of  them  also  for  another 
specific    service — namely,  that  of  writing    the   books  of  the' 
New    Testament;    which,    in    connexion    with    the    Hebrew 
Scriptures,  were  destined  to  form  the  only  written  standard  of 
doctrine  and  practice  in  all  succeeding  ages.     There  can  be  no 
question  that,  in  the  execution  of  these  offices,  the  promise  of 
Christ,  that    the    Spirit    "  should    bring    all    things    to    their 
remembrance  whatsoever  he  had  said  to  them,"  was  accom- 
plished, in  their  experience,  in  that  Hteral  and  primary  sense, 


32  LETTER    TO  1835. 

in  •w'liicli  It  applied  exclusively  to  their  own  case  ;  and  tlie 
absolute  divine  authority  both  of  the  preaching  and  the 
writings  of  the  apostles,  was  demonstrated  by  the  miracles 
which  they  were  enabled  to  work. 

In  the  gospel  which  the  apostles  preached,  and  which  is 
recorded  for  the  most  important  of  practical  purposes  in  the 
New  Testament,  no  change  could  afterwards  take  place. 
Nothing  might  be  added  to  it,  nothing  might  be  taken  away 
from  it;  he  that  attempted  to  preach  any  other  gospel  was 
accursed.  Nothing  could  be  more  distinct  than  the  testimonies 
of  our  early  Friends  to  this  grand  point.  They  utterly  dis- 
claimed the  pretension  which  was  sometimes  falsely  ascribed 
to  them,  of  having  received  the  revelation  of  any  new  truths ; 
but,  under  afresh  and  poiverful  out])ouring  of  the  Spirit,  they 
made  abundant  use  of  apostolic  materials — even  the  doctrines 
of  the  New  Testament — and  proclaimed  the  old,  the  unchang- 
ing gospel  in  its  genuine  spirituality. 

In  what  respect,  then,  are  we  now  permitted  to  realise  the 
promise  of  the  Holy  Ghost  as  an  unfailing  and  ever-present 
Guide  and  Teacher  in  the  church  ?  One,  who  though  he  may 
often  make  use  of  human  instruments,  still  operates  directly 
and  immediately,  not  merely  on  the  affections,  but  on  the 
understandings  of  his  people  ? 
I  would  venture  to  reply :  — 

First,  in  unfolding  to  the  mind,  with  divine  clearness  and 
power,  yet  often  very  gradually,  all  those  blessed  truths  which 
are  recorded  by  the  pen  of  inspiration  in  the  Holy  Scriptures. 
Secondly,  in  perpetually  directing  the  children  of  God  to 
the  practice  of  holiness,  teaching  them  how  to  apply  to  their 
daily  duties,  to  the  exigencies  and  requirements  of  each 
passing  moment,  the  general  principles  of  the  divine  law ; 
principles  which  are  primarily  written  on  the  heart,  and  are 
confirmed  and  beautifully  unfolded  in  the  sacred  volume. 
Here  I  would  remark,  in  passing,  that  obedience,  in  practice, 
to  that  swift  witness  for  God  in  our  bosoms,  who  testi- 
fies ao-ainst  all  that  is  wicked,  and  leads  into  all  that  is 
virtuous  and  comely  in  our  daily  walk,  has  a  vast  efficacy  in 
preparing    the    mind  for  a  right  understanding  of   Christian 


2ET.  47.  ISAAC    CREWDSON.  33 

truth.  I  ^vish  also  to  observe,  that  these  precious  immediate 
influences  of  the  Spirit  are  to  be  enjoyed,  not  in  the  disuse  and 
neglect  of  Scripture,  or  of  any  other  appointed  means  of  re- 
ligious instruction  and  edification,  but  in  connexion  with  the 
diligent  use  of  them  to  the  best  of  our  ability. 

But,  thirdly,  this  immediate  anointing  will  lead  the  living 
members  of  the  body  of  Christ  into  those  specific  services  in 
his  cause,  which  belong  to  their  individual  paths  of  duty ; — as 
the  Spirit  divideth  to  every  man  severally,  even  as  he  wills. 
And  the  same  influence  which  leads  into  these  duties,  will 
ever  be  present  with  the  believer,  to  qualify  him  for  their 
performance.  While  the  general  tenor  of  these  services  may 
be  collected  both  from  the  precepts  and  examples  afibrded  us 
in  Scripture,  and  while  the  spirit  of  them  must  ever  be  checked 
and  tested  by  the  known  principles  of  Christianity,  we  can 
derive  no  information  from  the  sacred  volume  respecting  their 
peculiar  direction  in  our  own  case.  Here  we  have  no  resource 
but  immediate  revelation.  Our  Lord  and  Master,  who  speaks 
to  our  souls  by  his  Spirit,  can  alone  determine  for  us  what  our 
service  shall  be ;  and  when,  where,  and  how  it  shall  be  per- 
formed. Blessed  be  his  holy  name ;  he  still  enables  his  faithful, 
humble,  and  watchful  followers — even  those  who  are  willin"-  to 
tvait  for  his  teaching  in  deep  humiliation  of  mind  —  to  dis- 
tinguish the  Shepherd's  voice  from  the  "voice  of  the  stranger." 

The  full  application  of  this  blessed  principle  to  the  ministry 
of  the  gospel,  not  only  as  it  regards  the  original  call,  but  as  it 
repects  the  continued  exercise  of  the  gift  on  every  successive 
occasion,  must,  I  think,  still  be  regarded  as  a  marked  and  dis- 
tinguishing peculiarity  in  the  views  of  our  religious  Society,  a 
peculiarity  based,  like  our  other  testimonies,  (as  I  believe,)  on 
Jesus  Christ,  and  inseparably  connected  with  the  spirituality 
of  his  gospel. 

Feeling  as  I  do  the  great  practical  importance  of  this  our 
Christian  testimony,  and  the  necessity  of  our  maintaining  it 
inviolate,  both  for  our  own  benefit,  and  for  the  welfare  of  the 
church  at  large,  I  cannot  wonder  at  the  disquietude  which  has 
been  excited  by  the  omission  of  any  reference  to  it  in  the  Beacon. 
Vol.  II.  — 3 


34  LETTER    TO  1835. 

Thou  hast  adduced  abundant  evidence  from  Scripture,  that 
the  gospel  is  not,  as  E.  Hicks  pretends,  "  God  in  man,"  but 
the  annunciation  of  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  through  an 
incarnate  and  crucified  Redeemer.  And  I  am  perfectly  aware 
that  when  Paul  says,  "I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ,  for  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation ;"  he  is  not 
defining  the  word  "gospel,"  or  identifying  it  with  the  Spirit, 
but  is  only  describing  its  efficacy,  when  preached  under  divine 
authority,  for  the  conversion  and  salvation  of  sinners.  But  in 
returning  an  affirmative  answer  to  the  question.  Can  man  preach 
the  gospel  ?  it  would  certainly  have  been  very  satisfactory  hadst 
thou  clearly  stated  that,  according  to  our  views,  man  cannot 
rightly  preach  it,  except  under  the  direct  and  renewed  influ- 
ences of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

The  omission  of  such  a  statement  may  probably  have  been 
accidental ;  yet  it  seems  to  correspond  with  thy  remarks  on 
silent  worship.     (^Beacon,  p.  96.) 

I  fully  admit  that  the  New  Testament  contains  no  specific 
direction  respecting  mode  of  worship ;  and  when  we  consider 
the  infirmities  of  man,  and  the  various  mental  conditions  of 
sincere  and  pious  Christians,  we  may  be  thankful  that  it  is  so. 
But  the  New  Testament  contains  unchanging  principles, 
which  it  is  the  duty  of  all  men  to  follow  up,  according  to  the 
light  given  to  them.  For  us,  then,  who  dare  not  preach  or 
pray,  in  our  meetings,  except  under  the  immediate  influence 
(as  we  believe)  of  divine  anointing,  silence  and  stillness  are 
surely  essential  to  true  worship.  They  are  not  merely  con- 
venient and  advantageous  accessories  to  this  our  public  komage 
to  our  Lord ;  they  are,  practically  speaking,  indispensable  to 
its  right  performance.  While  Martha  was  busied  about  "much 
serving,"  Mary  sat  still  at  the  feet  of  her  Lord ;  which,  in  his 
view,  was  the  one  thing  needful.  This  beautiful  anecdote  may 
suffice  to  show  that  there  is  a  "passivity"  which  is  worthy  of 
the  gospel,  and  consistent  with  its  principles.  "  There  is  a 
stillness,"  said  our  late  dear  friend,  Jonathan  Hutchinson, 
"  which  is  not  the  stillness  of  death  ;  there  is  a  silence  which 
is  not  the  silence  of  the  grave  !" 

Unreasonable  as  the  length  of  tliis  letter  may  appear,  there 


^T.  47.  ISAAC   CREWDSON.  85 

are  two  other  passages  in  The  Beacon  to  ■which,  before  I  con- 
clude, I  shall  be  best  satisfied  to  allude,  "  Creaturely  exertions," 
"  creaturely  activity,"  thou  sayest,  "  are  not  Scripture  phrases, 
and  the  mischief  is  very  great  of  using  unscriptural  terms  on 
religious  subjects,  when  the  meaning  of  those  terms  is  not  clear 
and  definite.  Such  phrases  also,  as  'sinking  down,'  'centering 
down,'  '  digging  deep,'  '  dwelling  deep,'  '  turning  inward,' 
&c.,  the  reader  may  have  observed,  but  we  hardly  need  say 
they  are  not  the  language  of  Christ  and  his  apostles."  [p.  112.) 
The  general  principle,  as  regards  terms,  here  alluded  to,  is 
unquestionable.  But  allow  me  t(3  express  my  conviction  that, 
although  these  phrases  are  somewhat  awkward,  they  are 
capable  of  a  meaning  which  is  deeply  scriptural,  and  of  the 
greatest  possible  importance  to  our  religious  welfare,  both  as 
individuals  and  as  a  society.  The  want  of  more  depth,  of 
more  humiliation,  of  a  more  frequent  descent  to  the  well- 
spring  of  life,  of  a  more  diligent  application  to  the  all-wise 
Counsellor  who  condescends  to  dwell  within  us  by  his  Spirit, 
appears  to  me  to  be  one  of  the  greatest  and  most  character- 
istic dangers  of  the  present  day.  May  we  be  brought  into  the 
depths  together,  and  there  know  the  love  and  power  of  Christ  to 
triumph  over  all  our  disputations,  and  to  heal  all  our  wounds  ! 

Finally,  my  dear  friend,  I  must,  in  all  honesty,  tell  thee 
that  I  cannot  at  all  approve  the  contrast  with  which  the 
Beacon  concludes,  between  "  a  religion  of  feelings,"  and  a 
"religion  of  FAITH." 

While  I  am  prepared  to  go  all  lengths  with  thee  in  de- 
precating the  mystical  absurdities  of  misplaced  metaphysics, 
and  the  arbitrary  impressions  of  a  wild  enthusiasm, -^unsup- 
ported as  they  are  by  reason,  and  unchecked  by  Scripture, — 
I  am  quite  sure  that  religion  is  nothing  to  us,  unless  it  is 
a  religion  of  feelings  ;  and  notwithstanding  the  contrast  which 
thou  hast  thus  drawn,  I  am  heartily  willing  to  give  thee  credit 
for  the  same  assurance.  It  is  only  as  we  give  way  to  those 
gracious  impressions  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  bring  us  into 
tenderness,  and  fiU  us  with  the  love  of  God ;  it  is  only  as  we 
obey  the  ijerceptihle  government  of  our  Holy  Head  in  the 
path  of  practical  piety,  that  we  shall  ever  be  established  in 


30  FURTHER    LETTER  1835. 

our  mast  holy  Faith.  Thus  alone  shall  we  be  made  in  the 
end  "  more  than  conquerors  through  him  that  loved  us." 

In  conclusion,  I  wish  to  express  the  hope  (to  which  I  cling) 
that,  after  all,  I  may  have  misconceived  thy  sentiments,  as 
conveyed  in  the  Beacon,  respecting  the  doctrine  of  Universal 
Light ;  respecting  the  immediate  influence  and  perceptible 
teaching  of  the  Spirit ;  and  respecting  the  nature  of  true 
worship  and  ministry.  If  so,  I  can  only  plead,  in  my  excuse, 
that  the  volume  has  produced  precisely  the  same  effect  on  a 
multitude  of  other  minds — on  minds  as  deeply  impressed  as 
thy  own  respecting  the  imm'ense  value  and  importance  of  the 
Christian  revelation,  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  of  the 
glorious  doctrine  of  Christ  crucified.  Under  such  circum- 
stances, I  would  suggest,  as  the  only  sufficient  remedy,  an 
explicit  disavowal  of  the  sentiments  imputed  to  thee,  as  open 
and  public  as  the  Beacon  itself. 

I  can  say  truly,  that  this  suggestion  is  offered  to  thee  as  to 
a  Christian  brother,  by  a  most  sincere  friend,  and  in  tender 
love. 

Such  a  disclosure  of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  views 
awakened  a  considerable  amount  of  feeling  amongst 
those  who  approved  of  the  Beacon.  But,  happily, 
ho  had  not  now,  for  the  first  time,  to  learn  the 
lessons  of  Christian  truth.  Long  disciplined  in  the 
school  of  experience,  he  was,  in  mercy,  prepared  for 
a  conflict  in  some  respects  more  painful  and  severe 
than  any  which  he  had  yet  endured. 

to  a  friend, 

(Who  had  written  warmly  to  Joseph  John  Gurney  on  the  subject  of  the  Beacon,  &c.) 

Norwich,  5th  mo.,  18th,  1835. 

My  dear  Friend, 

Thy  two  letters  have  reached  me  in  due  course, 
and  I  am  sincerely  obliged  to  thee  for  so  freely  telling  me  all 
that  is  in  thy  mind  towards  me.  I  utterly  deny  that  I  have, 
in  the  smallest  degree,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  com- 
promised the  blessed  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  .Christ  our  Lord. 


-ET.  47.  ON   THE    BEACON.  "37 

either  in  private  or  in  public.  To  the  best  of  my  ability,  (I 
"well  ki;iow  how  poorly  and  weakly  as  regards  myself,)  I  have 
declared  what  I  believe  to  be  "the  whole  counsel  of  God," 
from  place  to  place,  especially  during  my  late  prolonged  visit 
to  London  and  Middlesex.  More  than  this,  in  the  public 
teaching  of  young  people,  I  have,  in  the  most  specific  manner, 
detailed  both  the  evidences  of  the  Christian  religion. and  of 
the  divine  authority  of  Scripture,  and  the  scriptural  proofs  of 
the  grand  doctrines  of  the  Divinity  and  Atonement  of  Christ. 
I.  have  found  it  my  place  to  unfold  these  points  by  themselves, 
before  I  touched  on  the  doctrine  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  views 
of  it  which  are  in  some  degree  peculiar  to  Friends.  In  all 
this  service  I  have  never  met  with  the  slightest  opposition 
from  those  among  whom  I  was  labouring;  but,  as  far  as  I 
know,  have  had  the  full  unity  and  kind  co-operation  of  Friends. 
What  possible  reason  then  can  I  have  for  taxing  Friends  with 
infidelity  ? 

I  have  fully  stated  my  views  of  the  Beacon  to  our  dear  friend 
Isaac  Crewdson.  While  I  cordially  concur  in  his  view  of  the 
Divine  authority  of  Scripture,  the  inspiration  of  the  Apostles, 
the  privilege  and  necessity  of  prayer,  and,  above  all,  the  great 
and  glorious  doctrine  of  the  justification  of  the  penitent  and 
conA^erted  sinner  through  faith  in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  I  as 
clearly  differ  from  what  I  understand  to  be  his  view  of  univer- 
sal light  and  of  the  immediate  teaching  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
the  church  of  Christ.  On  neither  of  these  branches  of  truth 
have  my  sentiments  undergone  the  least  change  since  I  first 
became  a  Quaker  on  conviction  :  and,  until  I  am  better  in- 
formed, it  is  my  oalm  and  deliberate  intention  to  adhere  to 
them  both  (as  ability  is  afforded)  to  my  life's  end. 


2S  YEARLY   MEETING.  IS 35. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 
1835.     iET.  47—48. 

THE  YEARLY  MEETING;  APPOINTMENT  OF  A  C0M3IITTEE  TO  VISIT 
LANCASHIRE;  LETTER  TO  THE  AUTHOR  OF  THE  "DEFENCE"  IN 
REPLY  TO  THE  BEACON;  FIRST  AND  SECOND  VISITS  TO  MAN- 
CHESTER; JOL'RNEY  TO  DERBYSHIRE  AND  NORTH  WALES;  ILL- 
NESS   AND    DEATH    OF    HIS    WIFE. 

In  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  1835,  the  difficolties  con- 
sequent on  the  publication  of  the  Beacon  formed  a 
prominent  topic  for  deliberation. 

"It was  proposed," wi'ites  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "to  appoint 
a  committee  to  aid  Lancashire  Quarterly  Meeting  in  the  case ; 
upon  which  I  expressed  my  sentiment  that  there  was  so  much 
fault  on  both  sides  of  the  controversy,  that  the  whole  affair 
had  better  be  left  where  it  was,  or  in  other  words,  all  proceed- 
ings quashed.  This  proposition  was  overruled  ;  and,  notwith- 
standing my  earnest  request  to  the  contrary,  I  was  appointed 
on  the  committee.  Arduous,  indeed,  did  we  find  the  service, 
when  we  met  in  Lancashire,  at  their  summer  Quarterly 
Meeting." 

Previously  to  going  into  Lancashire,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Friend 
who  had  written  the' Defence  of  Immediate  Revela- 
tion, in  reply  to  the  Beacon,  explanatory  of  several 
particulars  in  which  he  considered  the  reply  defective 
or  open  to  objection. 


^T.  47.      to"  THE  AUTHOR  OF  THE  DEFENCE.  39" 

Earlham,  Xorwich,  6th  mo.,  SUi,  1835. 

My  Dear  Friexd, 

Attached  as  I  am  on  principle,  to  those  spiritual 
vet  simple  views  of  religion  which  have  always  been  main- 
tained in  the  Society  of  Friends,  I  am  prepared  to  unite  with 
thee  in  earnest  endeavours,  through  every  day  of  rebuke  and 
difficulty,  steadily  to  uphold  them.  And  I  wish  openly  to 
repeat  a  declaration  which  I  have  often  made,  that  my  state 
of  mind  on  this  subject  is  not  founded  on  any  sectarian  or 
traditional  notions,  but  on  a  firm  conviction  that  Quakerism, 
rightly  understood,  is  nothing  mo7'e  nor  less  than  the  religion 
of  the  New  Testament.  I  look  upon  it  as  Christianity  with- 
out addition  and  without  diminution. 

Such  were  the  views  of  George  Fox,  William  Penn,  Robert 
Barclay,  and  other  veterans  of  their  day.  They  pretended 
to  the  revelation  of  no  new  truths ;  they  proclaimed  no 
modern  variations  from  the  one,  original,  unchanging  Gospel. 
They  pleaded  only  for  broad,  unfettered,  spiritual  Christianity. 
And,  Avith  respect  to  the  Avhole  system  of  divine  truth,  as  it  is 
revealed  to  us  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  they  sometimes  ex- 
pressed themselves  in  the  words  with  which  the  apostle  John 
concludes  the  book  of  Revelation  :  "  If  any  man  shall  add 
unto  these  things,  God  shall  add  unto  him  the  plagues  that 
are  written  in  this  book ;  and  if  any  man  shall  take  away 
from  the  words  of  the  book  of  this  prophecy,  God  shall  take 
away  his  part  out  of  the  book  of  life,  and  out  of  the  holy 
city,  and  from  the  things  which  are  written  in  this  book." 

Inseparably  connected  with  this  principle  was  their  noble 
testimony  on  the  subject  of  human  creeds.  They  were  indeed 
always  willing,  when  occasion  required,  publicly  to  declare 
their  faith  in  the  doctrines  of  Christianity ;  but  they  refused 
to  tie  themselves  down,  like  many  other  Christian  societies, 
to  "articles  of  belief"  constructed  either  by  themselves  or 
others.  They  depended  on  the  Holy  Spirit  as  their  immediate 
guide  and-  teacher;  and  their  only  written  creed  was  the 
volume  of  inspiration. 

I  am  induced  to  make  these  remarks  by  observing  that  in 
thy  reply  to  the  Beacon,  thou  hast  not  clearly  defined  what 


iO  TO  THE  AUTHOR  OF  THE  DEFEXCE.         1835. 

Is  tlie  standard  by  ■whicli  the  sentiments  of  its  autlior  are  to 
be  tried ;  for  while,  on  the  one  hand,  thou  hast  expressed  thy 
Avish  that  thy  defence"  should  rest  entirely  on  the  authoi'ity 
of  Holy  Scripture,"  thou  hast,  on  the  other  hand,  checked 
and  tested  the  Beacon  by  passages  from  Barclay's  Apology ; 
and  one  of  the  remarks  on  the  subject  is  as  follows : — "  I 
quote  the  Apology  of  Robert  Barclay,  concluding  that  one 
who  is  now  a  minister,  in  outward  fellowship  in  the  same 
society  with  myself,  can  hardly  be  supposed  to  have  throAvn 
off  the  authority  of  a  work  so  justly  esteemed  amongst  us ; 
for  this  would  imply  that  his  departure  from  the  ground  of 
our  testimonies  was  greater  than  I  am  yet  willing  to  believe 
it  to  be.  "     [Defence,  2nd  Edition,  p.  23.) 

I  have  no  desire  to  detract  from  the  value  of  the  writings 
of  Robt.  Barclay.  He  is  certainly  an  author  of  extraordinary 
learning,  abilitj^  and  piety ;  and,  as  such,  must  always  be 
entitled  to  a  very  considerable  degree  of  influence  in  our 
religious  society.  Nor  can  there  be  any  objection  to  our 
making  use  of  his  Apology,  when  occasion  requires  it,  as  an 
able  exposition  of  his  own  sentiments,  and  those  of  his 
brethren.*  But  whatsoever  a  superficial  view  of  Quakerism 
may  dictate  to  us  on  the  subject,  there  can,  in  my  opinion,  be 
no  greater  departure  from  the  "ground  of  our  testimonies," 
than  to  bring  the  doctrines  or  practices  of  any  man  to  the 
authoritative  test  of  any  writings  which  do  not  bear  the  stamp 
of  absolute  inspiration ;  or,  in  other  words,  of  any  writings 
whatsoever  but  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

I  cannot  believe  that  there  is  any  real  question  between  us 
on  this  point.  But  if  such  a  question  does  exist,  let  me,  in 
the  present  instance,  give  way,  and  refer  the  settlement  of  it 
to  Robert  Barclay  himself.  His  A^erdict  on  the  subject  is 
short  and  explicit.  "We  do  look  upon  them  (the  Holy 
Scriptures)    as    the    only  fit  outward  judge  of  controversies 

*  I  am,  however,  inclined  to  the  opinion,  that  were  we  compelled 
tc  select  a  single  writer  in  order  to  ascertain  the  religious  principles 
of  the  early  Friends,  we  could  scarce!}'  do  better  than  choose  George 
Fox  himself. — Xole  hy  J.  J.  Gurncy. 


^T.  47.  IN    REPLY    TO    THE    BEACON.  41 

among  Cliristians,  and  that  "wliatsoever  doctrine  is  contrary 
imto  their  testimonies  may  therefore  justly  be  rejected  as 
false."  (Apol.  prop.  Ill,  §  G.)  Just  similar  were  the  frequent 
declarations  of  Barclay's  brethren ;  a-nd  nothing  appears  to 
have  been  further  from  the  minds  of  these  eminent  men  than 
any  desire  to  test  each  other's  doctrines,  ■whether  written  or 
preached,  by  their  own  as  a  standard. 

No,  my  dear  friend,  their  sentiments  on  the  subject  were  of 
a  nobler  and  sounder  character ;  and,  while  they  appealed  to 
the  Scriptures  only  as  their  written  test,  they  east  themselves 
on  the  guidance  of  that  divine  anointing,  which,  to  a  wonder- 
ful extent,  led  them,  in  their  views  of  revealed  truth,  to  a 
blessed  unanimity.  When  they  were  gathered  together  for 
divine  worship,  Christ  was  their  present  head,  and  preserved 
them  in  harmony  both  of  feeling  and  doctrine.  And  when 
they  met  for  the  purpose  of  conducting  the  affairs  of  the 
church,  it  was  his  gracious  power  which  enabled  them  to  bear 
their  Christian  testimony  not  only  against  moral  delinquency, 
but  against  all  vital  and  dangerous  error,  in  matters  of  faith. 
May  we  never  be  found  departing  from  this  safe,  and  only 
Christian  ground.   *  *  *  * 

No  man  can  more  sincerely  believe  than  I  do,  in  the  doc- 
trines to  which  thy  work  chiefly  relates,  immediate  revelation, 
and  the  universality  of  divine  light :  but  I  greatly  regret  that, 
in  a  public  defence  of  our  principles,  which  has  obtained  so 
extensive  a  circulation,  these  points  are  not  more  carefully 
distinguished.  It  was  matter  of  surprise  to  me,  in  perusing 
the  chapter,  in  the  Defence,  on  immediate  revelation,  to  find 
almost  the  whole  of  it  relating  to  that  manifestation  of  the 
Spirit  of  Christ  which  we  believe  to  be  universally  bestowed 
on  mankind,  through  the  redemption  which  is  in  him,  and  of 
which  therefore  even  the  benighted  heathen  are  joint  partakers 
with  ourselves.  Thus  two  vastly  different  measures  of  the 
same  thing  are  so  intermingled  as  to  involve  the  mind  of  the 
reader  in  considerable  perplexity. 

Immediate  revelation  must,  I  think,  be  understood  of  a  far 
higher  operation  of  the  Spirit  of  God  upon  the  mind  of  man 
than  that  which  is  universally  enjoyed  by  our  species.     It  is 


42  TO  THE  AUTHOR  OF  THE  DEFENCE.        1835. 

justlj  represented  by  Robert  Barclay,  of  -whose  system  of 
Theology  it  is  the  primary  and  fundamental  article,  as  that 
especial  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  by  which  a  true  and  saving 
knowledge  of  divine  things  is  imparted  -to  the  soul,  and  by 
which  the  Lord's  chosen  instruments  in  different  ages  have 
been  prepared  to  communicate  these  truths  to  others.  By 
this  the  patriarchs  and  prophets  of  old  were  instructed  in  the 
secrets  of  a  glorious  future,  and  spake  as  they  were  moved  by 
the  Holy  Ghost.  By  this  the  Apostles  and  their  brethren 
were  taught  the  doctrines  of  true  religion  in  their  evangelical 
fulness,  and  were  enabled  to  record  them  in  the  Xew  Testa- 
ment, for  the  instruction  of  men,  in  all  future  ages. 

And  now,  under  the  enlarged  effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
in  connexion  with  a  knowledge  of  Christianity,  which  dis- 
tinguishes the  dispensation  of  the  gospel  from  that  of  the  law, 
it  is  immediate  revelation  by  which  the  eye  of  the  soul  is  opened 
to  a  saving  view  of  the  truths  thus  recorded ;  it  is  this  by 
which  the  Christian  believer  is  guided  in  his  daily  path  of 
holiness ;  it  is  this  by  which  he  is  led  into  those  specific  and 
often  sacred  duties,  which  belong  to  his  particular  place  and 
calling  m  the  church  of  Christ.  "  The  anointing  which  ye 
have  received  of  him  abideth  in  you,  and  ye  need  not  that 
any  man  teach  you ;  but  as  the  same  anointing  teacheth  you 
of  all  thino-s,  and  is  truth  and  no  lie,  and  even  as  it  hath 
taught  you,  ye  shall  abide  in  him."  (1  John  ii,  27.)  This 
precious  anointing  —  this  immediate  and  perceptible  guidance 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  appears  to  me  to  be  the  grand  practical 
characteristic  of  the  New  Covenant ;  a  large  and  important 
feature  in  the  whole  system  of  the  gospel.  May  we  ever 
maintain  this  blessed  principle  of  truth  inviolate !  May  we 
neither  overrun  the  Lord's  anointing  by  our  natural  activity, 
nor  curb  and  check  it  by  our  prejudices  and  our  fears  !  It  is 
only  as  it  spreads  and  rules  amongst  us,  that  we  can  ever 
maintain  our  true  standing  in  the  church  of  Christ ;  or  fulfil 
the  purposes  for  which  we  were  raised  up  of  the  Lord,  to 
form,  for  a  season  at  least,  a  distinct  religious  community. 

No  sinoere  Quaker  can  entertain  a  doubt  that  the  imme- 
diate  influence    of  the    Spirit  was    the  moving  cause  which 


^T.  47.  IN   REPLY   TO    THE    BEACOX.  43 

gathered  our  forefathers  in  the  truth  ;  and  that  it  is  the  root 
of  our  peculiar  Christian  testimonies.  Here,  however,  I 
must  observe  in  passing,  that  our  early  Friends  were  not  led 
into  their  spiritual  views  of  the  Gospel,  independently  of 
Scripture,  but  in  connexion  with  the  diligent  searching  of 
that  blessed  book.  While  they  renounced  all  dependence  on 
human  wisdom  and  learning,  it  was  their  privilege  to  main- 
tain a  firm,  unshaken  hold  on  scriptural  Christianity.  The 
Bible,  in  their  view,  was  not  one  of  the  "appendages"  of 
religion  ;  much  less  did  they  regard  it  as  "*'  the  letter"  which 
"  veiled  the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom."  On  the  contrary 
they  hailed  it  as  the  divine  record  by  which  these  mysteries 
are  plainly  declared  to  us ;  it  Avas  their  treasury  of  knowledge, 
their  storehouse  of  matex'ials  for  the  Redeemer's  service. 

It  is  by  no  means  ray  intention,  in  making  these  remarks, 
to  convey  a  notion  that  the  special  influences  of  the  Spirit 
are  necessarily  confined  to  those  persons  who  are  acquainted 
with  the  Gospel.  Had  such  a  notion  been  true,  the  Scriptures 
themselves  could  never  have  been  written ;  and  Paul  the 
Pharisee  could  never  have  become  a  preacher  of  Christianity. 
There  are  few  of  us  perhaps  who  cannot  look  back  to  visita- 
tions of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  day  of  our  comparative 
ignorance,  which  were  productive  of  very  tender  feelings,  and 
were,  in  a  great  degree,  independent  of  extei'nal  circumstances. 
May  these  visitations,  so  justly  comparable  to  the  wind  blow- 
ing where  it  listeth,  ever  be  precious  in  the  view  of  our 
Society  !  May  we  be  preserved  from  ascribing  any  unauthorized 
limits  to  the  work  of  an  omnipotent  Agent  |  *  *  * 

It  may  probably  be  owing  to  thy  not  having  sufficiently 
marked  the  distinction,  in  point  of  degree,  between  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Spirit  in  "immediate  revelation,"  and  the  light 
universally  bestowed  on  mankind,  that  many  passages  of 
Scripture  are  adduced  in  the  "Defence"  in  support  of  the 
latter  point,  which  can  scarcely  be  regarded  as  applying  to  the 
subject.  Surely,  my  dear  friend,  when  the  Apostle  Peter 
speaks  of  the  "  incorruptible  seed"  by  which  the  converts  to 
Christianity  had  been  regenerated,  and  the  Apostle  James  of 
the  "  engrafted  word"  which  was  "  able  to  save  their  souls," 


44  TO  THE  AUTHOR  OF  THE  DEFENCE.        1835. 

they  must  be  understood  as  referring  to  that  especial  influence 
of.  the  Spirit,  in  connexion  with  a  knowledge  of  the  Go'^pel, 
by  which  these  believers  in  Jesus  had  been  delivered  from 
.the  power  of  darkness,  and  translated  into  the  kingdom  of 
the  dear  Son  of  God. .  A  similar  remark  applies,  as  I  con- 
ceive, to  several  of  our  Lord's  parables.  He  has  himself 
explained  the  parable  of  the  sower,  as  relating  to  the  word 
preached,  which  Avithers  or  flourishes  in  the  hearts  of  those  who 
hear  it,  according  to  their  respective  characters  and  conditions. 
(Matt,  xiii,  18 — 23.)  The  parables  of  the  grain  of  mustard 
seed  which  became  a  great  tree,  and  of  the  little  leaven  by 
which  the  whole  lump  was  leavened,  appear  to  me  to  be 
applicable  to  that  double  sense  In  which  the  kingdom  of  God 
is  mentioned  in  the  New  Testament.  Thus  they  may  be 
regarded  as  Indicating  first  the  growth  of  Christianity  In  the 
world,  and  secondly,  the  growth  in  grace  of  the  individual 
Christian.  To  both  these  points  the  figures  in  question  are 
beautifully  apposite,  but  where  is  the  evidence  of  their  being 
here  employed  to  describe  a  universal  light  ? 

Much  disadvantage  accrues  to  a  good  cause,  when  we 
attempt  to  support  it  by  evidence  which  will  not  bear  the  test 
of  calm  investigation.  Nothing  is  more  easy,  on  such  oc- 
casions, than  so  to  add  our  X  to  our  C,  as  to  turn  our  hun- 
dred into  ninety.  But  this  result  is  by  no  means  the  worst 
consequence  of  such  a  method  of  treating  the  subject  of  a 
universal  inward  light.  If  we  confuse  the  measure  of  light 
bestowed  even  on  the  heathen,  with  the  higher  influences  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  if  we  apply  to  it  those  passages  of  the  Scrip- 
ture which  relate  to  the  work  of  grace,  in  connexion  with 
revealed  religion,  we  are  in  danger  of  losing  our  sense  of  the 
unutterable  value  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  as  the  grand 
instrument  of  the  Spirit  in  the  salvation  of  sinners.  We 
soon  imagine  that  the  heathen  may  fare  as  well  without  a 
knowledge  of  Christianity,  as  with  it ;  and  this  notion  reacts 
upon  ourselves,  and  undermines  our  faith  in  the  crucified 
Immanuel,  as  our  only  hope  of  everlasting  glory.  No  one 
can  examine  the  history  of  the  late  schism  In  America,  or 
fairly  peruse  the  discourses  of  Elias  Hicks,  without  perceiving 


iET.  47.  IN   REPLY   TO    THE   BEACON.  45 

that  a  disproportioned  and  exaggerated  view  of  this  precious 
truth,  was  the  stepping  stone  from  which  he  and  his  followers 
plunged  into  infidelity.  While  we  humbly  endeavour  to  hold 
fast  the  truth  in  question,  may  we  ever  set  a  careful  watch 
ao;ainst  this  tremendous  danger  !  *  *  * 

I  can  readily  believe  that  the  author  of  the  Defence  does 
not  really  intend  to  insinuate  the  doctrine,  often  unjustly 
ascribed  to  Friiends,  that  there  is  in  man  a  native  tendency  to 
good  as  well  as  to  evil.  Such  a  doctrine  is  utterly  opposed  to 
the  declarations  of  Scripture,  that  "the  heart  is  deceitful 
above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked,"  that  we  are  "by 
nature  the  children  of  wrath,"  that  in  us,  that  is,  in  our 
flesh,  "there  dwell eth  no  good  thing."  Any  departure  from 
the  truth,  as  it  regards  this  primary  article  of  Christianity, 
like  a  wrong  figure  in  the  early  part  of  a  sum  in  arithmetic, 
is  sure  to  produce  a  train  of  error.  It  inevitably  leads, 
as  I  conceive,  to  the  substitution  of  another  gospel  for 
the  Gospel  of.  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Believe  me, .  that 
I  give  the  author  of  the  Defence  credit  for  a  willing 
concurrence  with  the  strong  language  in  which  our  early 
Friends  were  accustomed  to  express  themselves  respecting  any 
such  substitution.  For  we  do  firmly  believe  that  there  is  no 
OTUER  GOSPEL  or  doctrine  to  be  preached  but  that  which  hath 
been  already  preached  by  the  apostles;  and  do  freely  sub- 
scribe to  that  saying,  "  Let  him  that  preacheth  any  other 
Gospel  than  that  which  hath  been  already  preached  by  the 
Apostles,  and  according  to  the  Scriptures,  be  accursed." 
Barclay's  Apology,  prop.  Ill,  §  9. 

I  must  now  advert  to  another  point,  of  a  most  fundamental 
character,  respecting  which  I  would  on  no  account  ascribe 
unsound  views  to  the  Author  of  the  Defence.  Yet  I  cannot 
but  express  my  regret  at  the  manner  in  which  he  has  touched 
on  the  subject.  *  *  *  * 

Our  [early]  Friends  frequently  declared  their  belief,  first 
that  "  There  are  three  who  bear  record  in  heaven,  the  Father, 
the  Word,  and  the  Holy  Spirit;"  and  secondly,  "that  these 
Three  are  One." 

"We  believe,"   said  George  Fox,  "concerning   God,   the 


46  TO   THE   AUTHOR    OF   THE   DEFENCE.  1835. 

Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit,  according  to  the  testimony  of 
the  Holy  Scripture  which  we  receive  and  embrace  as  the  most 
authentic  and  perfect  declaration  of  Christian  faith,  being 
inditetj  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  that  never  errs  ;  first,  that 
there  is  one  God  and  Father,  of  whom  are  all  things  ;  secondly, 
that  there  is  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  all  things  were 
made,  who  was  glorified  with  the  Father  before  the  world  began, 
who  is  God  over  all,  blessed  for  ever ;  thirdly,  that  there  is 
one  Holy  Spirit,  the  promise  of  the  Father  and  the  Son,  and 
leader,  and  sanctifier,  and  comforter,  of  his  peo'ple.  And  we 
further  believe,  as  the  Holy  Scriptures  soundly  and  sufficiently 
express,  that  these  three  are  One,  even  the  Father,  the  Word, 
and  the  Spirit." — Aiistver  to  all -such  as  falsely  say  tJie  Quakers 
are  not  Christians,  p.  27,  1682.. 

I  cannot  but  compare  the  mode  in  which  this  subject  is 
defined  in  the  Defence,  [p.  38,]  with  the  corresponding  asser- 
tion (in  p.  7,)  that  the  term  "distinctive  offices,"  as  applied  to 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit,  is  "  altogether  unscriptural." 
I  can  easily  beheve  that  this  remark  was  intended  for  the 
purpose  of  warning  some  of  us  against  a  too  precise  and 
systematic  method  of  defining  Christian  doctrine ;  and,  as  an 
individual,  I  gratefully  accept  the  caution,  and  co-nfess  that 
in  these  matters  simplicity  becomes  us  as  well  as  clearness. 
Yet  I  must  assert  that  although  the  term  in  question  is  not  to 
be  found  in  the  Bible,  the  doctrine  which  it  obviously  conveys, 
is  not  only  clearly  scriptural,  but  absolutely  essential  as  an 
article  of  faith.  True  indeed  it  is,  that  a  perfect  unity  of 
counsel  and  operation  as  well  as  nature  are  ascribed  in  Scrip- 
ture to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit.  Yet  it  cannot 
surely  be  denied,  that,  in  the  economy  of  grace  and  redemption, 
certain  acts  are  ascribed  distinctively  to  the  Father,  certain 
others  distinctively  to  the  Son,  and  certain  others  distinctively 
to  the  Spirit.  For  example  it  is  declared  of  the  Father  only 
that  he  sent  his  beloved  Son  into  the  world  for  the  salvation 
of  sinners;  of  the  "Son  only  that  he  died  on  the  cross,  as  a 
sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  mankind ;  and  of  the  Spirit  only  that 
he  should  be  sent  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son,  to  "  testify 
of  Christ,"  that  he  should  take  of  the  things  of  Christ,  and 


^T.  47.  IN   REPLY   TO    THE   BEACON.  47 

show  them  to  the  believer  ;  that  he  should  bear  witness  with 
our  spirits,  that  we  are  the  children  of  God.  "  The  holy  Scrip- 
ture Trinity,  or  three  thereby  meant,"  says  George  Whitehead, 
"  we  never  questioned  but  believed  ;  as  also  the  unity  of 
essence  ;  that  they  are  one  substance,  one  divine  infinite  being ; 
and  also  we  question  not,  but  sincerely  believe  the  relative 
PROPERTIES  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  according  to 
Holy  Scripture  testimony,  and  that  these  three  are  one." — 
Works,  p.  195. 

Allow  me  to  su*gest,  that  there  is  infinitely  more  danger 
in  confounding  these  relative  prpjjerties  than  in  simply  main- 
taining them,  as  they  are  declared  in  Scripture.  Dost  thou 
think  it  is  quite  desirable  to  say,  "  To  acknowledge  Christ  as 
Saviour  is  one  thing,  to  feel  and  know  him  to  be  the  actuating 
Spirit,  is  another," — [Defence,  p.  61.)  What  is  intended  by 
the  "  Spirit  in  the  Comforter,"  (p.  57,)  and  when  Christ,  the 
eternal  Word,  is  described  as  the  "  sword  (or  sharp  instrument) 
of  the  Spirit  ?"  (p.  97.) 

Believe  me,  that  I  am  as  jealous  as  thou  canst  be,  for  our 
upholding,  with  all  faithfulness  and  decision  the  glorious  one 
ness  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit ;  and  I  havo 
pleasure  in  concluding  my  remarks  on  this  subject  with  a  few 
words  written  by  our  late  dear  friend  Jonathan  Hutchinson. 
"  While  the  Christian  rejoices  in  the  distinct  characters  and 
offices  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit,  so  graciously 
revealed  to  us  for  our  instruction  and  edification,  he  probably 
never  finds  his  soul  bowed  down  with  so  deep  a  reverence, 
or  filled  with  so  pure  a  delight,  as  when  he  contemplates  the 
Almighty  as  an  ineffable  glory,  an  incommunicable  name,  an 
infinite  and  incomprehensible  UNITY." 

******* 

Thus  faithfully  did  Joseph  John  Gurney  labour 
in  private  to  correct  the  misapprehensions  that 
appeared  to  exist  on  both  sides  of  the  controversy. 

He  now  entered  upon^  the  more  public  service 
allotted  him  in  Lancashire,  as  one  of  the  Committee 


48  PIRST    VISIT    TO    LANCASHIRE.  1835. 

appointed  by  the  late  Yearly  Meeting.  Referring 
to  this  engagement  in  his  Autobiography,  he 
writes :  — 

"  Our  committee  consisted  of  thirteen  individuals,  viz  :  — 
William  Allen,  Peter  Bedford,  Edward  Pease,  Joseph  Tat- 
ham,  Barnard  Dickinson,  William  Forster,  Josiah  Forster, 
George  Bichardson,  Samuel  Tuke,  Edward  Ash,  Joseph 
Marriage,  myself,  and  George  Stacey,  who  acted  as  clerk,  I 
may  truly  say,  with  great  ability.  Manchester  was  the  place 
of  peculiar  difficulty ;  and  ^fter  some  conferences  with  the 
ministers  and  elders  of  that  meeting,  the  committee  pro- 
ceeded with  a  scriptural  examination  of  the  Beacon.  In  this 
work  I  w-as  closely  engaged ;  it  was  indeed,  no  common 
labour ;  but  it  was  the  means  of  bringing  the  members  of  the 
Committee  into  very  intimate  communication  one  with 
another ;  a  free  interchange  of  sentiment,  in  a  high  degree 
instructive  and  profitable.  Our  strictures  have  since  been 
printed,  and,  whatever  any  objectors  may  think  of  them,  three 
points  are  undeniable ;  first,  that  they  try  the  Beacon  by  no 
test  whatever  but  simple  Scripture ;  secondly,  that  they  fully 
support  all  the  cardinal  features  of  evangelical  truth  ;  and 
thirdly,  that  they  are  written  in  the  spirit  of  true  love  and 
kindness  towards  our  dissentient  brother,  who  was  the  object 
of  our  solicitude.  We  left  them  in  his  hands  for  his  calm 
consideration ;  and,  after  the  rest  of  the  committee  had 
departed,  I  gave  up  two  or  three  days  to  the  further  expla- 
nation of  our  views  to  him  in  private ;  and  I  remember 
leaving  him  in  tears  after  a  highly  favoured  meeting  one  fifch 
day  morning. 

My  dear  Avife  was  my  companion  during  this  first  visit  to 
Manchester.  On  leaving  that  place  (7th  month,  2nd)  we 
proceeded  to  Matlock,  where  we  had  the  delight  of  meeting 
my  sister  Rachel  Fowler  with  my  children.  Happy,  yet  very 
touching  is  the  recollection  of  this,  the  last  journey  which 
we  took  together  through  Derbyshire  and  Xorth  Wales.  I 
held  a  certificate  for  convening  public  meetings  as  the  way 


^T.  47.  OF   THE   YEARLY   MEETING'S   COMMITTEE.  40 

might  open,  and  many  very  interesting  ones  were  held  at 
Matlock,  Bakewell,  Castleton,  Llangollen,  Conway,  Caernar- 
von, Barmouth,  Dolgelly,  and  some  other  places.  Perhaps 
the  most  remarkable  was  that  held  at  Castleton  in  the  Peak 
Cavern ;  a  great  part  of  the  population  of  the  town,  and 
many  from  the  neighbouring  villages  assembled  on  the 
occasion,  and  the  Great  Head  of  the  church  graciously 
condescended  to  bestow  his  presence  upon  us  in  that  noble 
natural  temple.  Others  of  the  meetings  were  held  in  the 
open  air,  which  appeared  to  answer  a  good  purpose.  I  believe 
we  all  felt  that  the  pleasure  of  the  journey  was  greatly 
increased  by  the  engagements  of  a  higher  nature  which 
devolved  upon  us  from  time  to  time  as  we  proceeded.  The 
contemplation  of  the  sublimity  and  beauty  of  nature  is  in 
true  harmony  with  such  services ;  and  nothing  is  more 
salutary  than  to  bear  in  mind  that  the  God  of  nature  is  also 
the  God  of  grace ;  that  the  Lord  of  the  heavenly  host,  (even 
of  the  stars  that  deck  the  firmament)  is  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel. 

Whilst  on  this  journey  he  had  much  pleasure  in 
making  the  acquaintance,  at  Barmouth,  of  the  late 
Dr.  Olinthus  Gregory,  "  a  most  agreeable  and  in- 
structive companion." 

In  his  Journal  he  writes  :  — 

Ith  mo.,  20th.  Morning  spent  at  Barmouth.  Fourteen 
Cambridge  students  to  meet  the  Gregorys  at  dinner ;  instruc- 
tive conversation  till  six  o'clock,  when  we  drove  off,  along 
that  beautiful  estuary,  to  Dolgelly,  having  parted  from  our 
friends,  old  and  young,  in  much  friendship  and  love.  Dr. 
Gregory  gave  us  an  interesting  account  of  Hutton  and 
Bonnycastle,  his  two  predecessors  in  the  mathematical  chair 
at  Woolv.'ich;  awful  instances,  especially  the  latter,  of  the 
danger  of  permitting  science  to  exclude  religion. 

They   returned   home   by   way   of  Coalbrookdale, 
Vol.  IL  — 4 


50  KELIGIOUS    MEETINGS.  1835. 

where  a  large  meeting  was  held  with  the  work 
people  of  the  Iron  Factory,  about  2000  being 
assembled  on  the  occasion ;  "  a  blessed  meeting,  I 
humbly  trust,"  he'  remarks  in  his  Journal,  "and 
greatly  to  the  relief  of  my  own  mind."  On  his 
return  he  writes:  — 

8^/i  mo.,  drd.  Seven  weeks  have  sped  their  rapid,  interest- 
ing course,  since  my  last  entry  in  this  journal.  During  those 
weeks,  the  catalogue  of  deaths  has  been  affectingly  increased 
by  the  decease  of  my  ti'uly  dear  friend,  Lord  Suffield,  in  con- 
sequence of  a  fall  from  his  horse.  It  has  been  a  great  blow 
to  me,  and  a  very  painful  loss,  both  public  and  private ;  a 
sad  loss  as  it  relates  to  the  poor  blacks  in  our  colonies,  of 
whose  sufferings  under  the  apprenticeship  system,  we  hear 
grievous,  heart-rending  accounts.  Lord  Suffield  died  in  the 
faith  of  a  Christian,  in  humble  reliance  on  the  atonement  of 
Christ.  He  spoke  to  Sir  B.  Brodie  of  the  blessing  which  had 
mercifully  rested  on  my  feeble  labours  with  him,  in  a  religious 
point  of  view,  which  has  been  a  comfort  to  me.  Our  dear 
cousin,  G.  Allen,*  has  also  escaped  from  the  infirmities  of 
mortality.  The  sudden  death  of  John  Shelly,  of  Yarmouth, 
a  highly  useful  character,  after  attending  a  Parliamentary 
Committee,  leaving  a  large  family,  has  excited  much  feeling. 
The  good  do  indeed  seem  to'  be  remarkably  taken  away ! 
The  cry  has  been  afresh  raised  in  my  heart,  "  0  that  I  may 
die  the  death  of  the  righteous,"  and  a  sweet  hope,  and  even 
behef,  has  been  graciously  given,  that  the  death  of  the  Christian 
believer  will  be  mine.  Yesterday  such  a  precious  assurance  of 
divine  favour  was  permitted,  as  I  have  not  of  late  often  ex- 
perienced. AVhat  a  mercy  to  be  brought  at  times  to  a  living 
sense  of  the  rule  of  Christ  over  all ! 

Whilst   at    Conway   he   had    been   much   interested 
with    several   persons   in   comparatively  humble  cir- 

*  The  wife  of  his  friend  William  Allen. 


^T.  47-48.  CONWAY.  51 

cumstances,  whose  minds  appeared  remarkably  open 
to  the  spirituality  of  the  Gospel.  To  one  of  these 
he  subsequently  wrote  the  following  letter.  The 
,  individual  to  whom  it  was  addressed,  on  being 
called  upon,  fifteen  years  afterwards,  by  a  relation 
of  Joseph  John  Gurney's,  alluded  to  his  visit  with 
tears. 

Earlham,  9th  mo.,  1835. 

It  was  pleasant  to  us  to  hear  from  thee,  and  we  are  glad 

that  thou  and  our  friend are  pleased  with  the  present 

of  hooks. 

The  Observations  on  our  Distinguishing  Views  would  give 
thee  some  idea  of  the  various  particulars  Avhich  Friends  have 
seen  in  a  more  spiritual  light  than  many  of  their  fellow 
Christians.  I  thought  when  I  was  at  Conway  that  we  were 
not  much  disagreed  upon  these  subjects.  It  is  a  very  blessed 
thing  to  know  something  of  the  immediate  teaching  and 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit  so  graciously  bestowed  upon 
us  by  our  dear  Redeemer.  "  The  anointing  which  ye  have 
received  of  him  abideth  in  you,  and  ye  need  not  that  any 
man  teach  you,  but  as  this  same  anointing  teacheth  you  of  all 
things,  and  is  truth  and  no  lie,  and  even  as  it  hath  taught  you 
ye  shall  abide  in  him."     (1  John  ii,  27.) 

I  feel  a  strong  desire  tbat  thou  mayest  be  enabled  to  obey 
the  teaching  of  this  divine  "anointing,"  although  it  may  and 
will  lead  thee  in  the  way  of  the  cross.  "  Except  a  man  take 
up  his  cross  and  follow  me  he  cannot  be  my  disciple,"  said 
the  best  and  holiest  of  masters.  As  thou  "  followest  on"  to 
know  and  serve  the  Lord  who  bought  thee  with  his  blood,  the 
truth  will  be  more  and  more  unfolded  to  thee  in  its  beauty 
and  purity,  and  thou  wilt  be  led,  I  believe,  out  of  all  those 
things,  even  of  a  religious  character  which  are  in  the  will  of 
man,  and  brought  to  a  more  simple  and  unreserved  dependence 
on  the  wisdom,  power,  and  goodness* of  God.  What  a  blessed 
thing  would  the  worship  of  Christians  be,  were  there  less  in  it 
of  the  mere  activity  of  the  human  mind,  and  more  of  patient 
reverent  waiting  upon  the  Lord,  in  the  silence  of  all  flesh  ^ 


no. 


LETTERS.  1885. 


And  how  sweet  and  enlivening  would  be  the  ministry  of  the 
Gospel  were  it  exercised  under  the  immediate  influence  of  the 
Spirit  of  Christ !  Then  would  the  great  Head  of  the  church 
enable  his  servants  livingly  to  baptize  their  hearers  "  into  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holj  Ghost."- 

I  am  pleased  to  find  that  thou  art  prepared  to  agree  with 
my  view  of  plainness.  The  plain  and  simple  mode  of  address 
as  well  as  attire,  which  Friends  have  thought  it  right  to 
adopt,  sometimes  exposes  them  to  ridicule ;  but  a  little  con- 
sideration may  suffice  to  show  that  it  is  quite  consistent  with 
the  principles  and  precepts  of  the  New  Testament.  I  hope 
thou  wilt  be  enabled  to  be  faithful  even  in  these  matters; 
and  that  thy  light  will,  in  all  things,  shine  before  men  to  the 
glory  of  God  the  Father. 

Seek  daily,  and  more  often  than  the  day,  for  retirement 
before  the  Lord ;  and  pour  out  thy  heart  to  him  in  fervent 
prayer.  Take  care  never  to  neglect  the  deliberate  reading 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  both  in  private  and  in  thy  family  circle, 
and  may  thy  wife  be  of  one  mind  with  thee  in  following  and 
serving  the  Lord !  • 

TO   PRISCILLA   JOHNSTON. 

Earlham,    Sth  mo..  8th,  1S.35. 

*  *  *  I  have  been  much  interested  by  reading  Lord 
Broucham's  Discourse  on  Natural  Theolocrv.  He  has  some 
strong  points  on  the  right  side,  and  is  a  noble  defender,  not 
only  of  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  God,  as  revealed  in 
created  things,  but  also  of  the  immateriality,  independent 
existence,  and  immortality  of  the  soul.  But  he  nevertheless 
treats  his  subject  like  a  man  who  has  but  little  knowledge  of 
scriptural  religion.  I  am  quite  awaro.  that  natural  theology 
has  its  own  proper  department,  and  I  own  I  have  a  great 
delight  in  it,  and  would  have  it  kept  distinct.  Yet  no  man 
can  ever  truly  unfold  it,  who  does  not  know  and  love 
Christianity.  It  is  just  here  that  one  perceives  the  difference 
between  Brougham  and  Butler. 

I  leave  home  again  under  some  difficulty,  but  the  object  is 
of  so  much  importance   that  it  must  be  no  common  bond  that 


-ET.  48.  RETURN    TO    MANCHESTER.  53 

would  retain  me  there.  I  have  often  thought  of  thy  hint 
about  Manchester,  referring  us  to  the  Lord  as  the  lover  of 
even  balances.  This  remark  exactly  applies  to  our  need  in 
this  case.  May  he  graciously  bestow  and  preserve  amongst 
us  that  evenness  of  balance  which  he  so  justly  loves. 

The  illness  of  his  beloved  daughter,  who  since 
their  return  to  Earlham,  had  been  seized  with 
typhus  fever,  occasioned  Joseph  John  Gurney  much 
anxiety,  especially  in  the  prospect  of  again  resuming 
his  labours  at  Manchester,  where  the  committee 
had  appointed  to  meet  on  the  10th  of  the  8  th 
month. 

"  The  work,  however,"  he  writes  in  his  Autobiography, 
"  was  too  important  to  be  neglected,  and,  hard  as  was  the 
struggle,  yet,  with  the  sanction  of  our  medical  attendant,  I 
pursued  what  appeared"  to  be  the  path  of  duty.  Our  meeting 
was  an  important  one.  Isaac  Crewdson's  answer  to  our 
Strictures  was  before  us,  and  contained  much  that  seemed  to 
evince  his  continued  attachment  to  the  views  of  Friends.  In 
a  private  conference  he  made  some  further  declarations,  which 
were  satisfactory  to  the  committee ;  and  these,  through  my 
earnest  persuasion,  were  at  last  reduced  by  him  to  writing, 
handed  to  the  committee,  and  recorded  in  our  minutes. 
They  were  read  to  Friends  in  the  committee  of  the  Quarterly 
Meeting,  and  afforded,  on  the  whole,  so  good  a  hope  of 
reconciliation,  that  we  resolved  to  quit  the  scene  of  action  for 
several  months,  trusting  that,  with  the  Lord's  blessing,  the 
swelling  billows  on  all  sides  would  subside  into  quietness,,  and 
the  mischief  produced  by  the  controversy  die  out  and  cease. 
In  this  glad  hope  I  returned  home,  and  had  the  happiness  to 
find  my  daughter  recovering." 

But  he  was  now  once  more  permitted  to  be 
plunged    into   deep   affliction.     It   was   an   unlocked 


54  ILLNESS    AND    DEATH.  1835. 

for  stroke.  His  beloved  wife,  whose  health  had,  of 
late  years,  much  improved,  had  been  unremitting  in 
her  attentions  to  his  daughter  during  her  late  illness, 
without  apparently  suffering  in  consequence.  The 
disease  was,  however,  lurking  in  her  constitution,  and 
after  some  time  made  its  appearance.  The  fever 
gradually  gained  ground,  and  she  sank  under  it  on  the 
29th  of  the  9th  month. 

"When  we  became  aware  of  the  nature  of  her  complaint," 
he  Avrites  in  his  Autobiography,  "it  appeared  of  so  mild  a 
character  that  we  were  by  no  means  very  anxious.  A  decided 
prevalence  of  hope  cheered  us  as  the  disease  advanced  to  its 
crisis ;  and  it  was  no  small  happiness  to  wait  upon  the  beloved 
object  of  our  care,  and  observe  her  quiet,  comfortable,  and 
even  lively  condition.  Precious  were  the  religious  oppor- 
tunities which  we  enjoyed  together  from  day  to  day.  At 
length,  however,  delirium  came  on;  weakness  rapidly 
increased,  and  I  Avas  brought  to  the  inexpressibly  afflicting 
point  of  surrendering  my  dearest  earthly  treasure.  For 
almost  thirty  hours  before  her  end,  she  lay  in  a  state  of 
insensibility,  after  which,  though  speechless,  she  suddenly 
recovered  her  powers  of  perception,  recognized  us  one  after 
another,  and  expressed  her  joy  and  happiness,  by  the  most 
radiant  smiles.  It  was  like  the  bursting  forth  of  the  setting 
sun  from"  under  the  dark  clouds.  Cordial  was  her  response 
to  the  remark  that  "Jesus  Christ  is  all  in  all;"  and  her^ 
answer  to  the  question  "Whether  she  was  comfortable,"  was 
the  most  remarkable  exhibition  of  delight  which  could  be 
given  by  mere  motion  and  expression.  I  am  not  aware  that 
I  ever  witnessed  such  an  appearance  of  ecstatic  pleasure.  I 
eay  so  with  reverent  thankfulness  to  the  Author  of  all  our 
mercies.  From  this  state  of  bright  effulgence,  she  sank  into 
:i  gentle  calm,  and  in  a  few  minutes  without  the  least  struggle, 
breathed  her  last.  I  knelt  down  and  returned  heartfelt 
ihanksfrivino-  for  her  deliverance  in  Christ,  from  every  trouble/* 


Ml.  -48,  OF   HIS    WIFE.  55 

TO    A    NEAR    RELATIVE. 

Earlham,  10th  mo.,  2iid,  1S?>J. 

*  *  I  begin  in  some  degree  to  understand  where  I  am, 
which,  during  the  first  two  days  after  the  awful  and  unex- 
pected stroke,  I  found  to  be  diflBcult.  The  "  iubreathings" 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  which  thy  letter  alludes,  are  my  support 
and  comfort  under  this  truly  bitter  sorrow.  My  own  secret 
infirmity  of  mind  almost  passes  conception,  but  I  am  per- 
mitted to  feel  and  know  assuredly  that  there  is  an  influence 
from  above,  which  restrains  the  buflfetings  of  Satan,  brings 
all  into  soundness,  sweetness,  and  calmness,  and  enables  me 
to  rejoice  in  her  happiness,  and  even  on  my  own  account  to 
give  thanks. 

Never  have  I  known  such  a:  combination  as  I  found  in  her 
of  a  strong  and  lucid  intellect,  a  sound  judgment,  great 
amiability  and  generosity,  and  deep  abiding  piety.  Her 
views  of  religious  truth  were  of  a  very  comprehensive  and 
Avell  balanced  kind,  and  it  Avas  her  joy  and  strength  to  abide 
under  the  teaching  of  the  Lord's  "anointing."  This,  in  fact, 
was  the  grand  secret  of  her  excellence,  connected  as  it  was 
with  a  daily  and  diligent  study  of  the  Holy  Scripture.  She 
was  admirably  versed  in  the  Greek  Testament,  and  used  to 
read  it  to  me  with  a  fluency  and  beauty  of  pronunciation, 
and  with  a  nice  spiritual  and  critical  discernment  of  its 
meaning  which  I  have  seldom  known  equalled.  A  more 
adapted  companion  it  was  impossible  for  any  man  to  have 
found,  and  the  blank  and  loss  must  be  in  proportion.  I  am, 
however,  most  thankful  for  having  enjoyed  her  society  during 
more  than  eight  years,  and  undue  sorrow  is  precluded  by 
some  living  sense  of  the  fulness  which  is  in  Christ. 

The  following  stanzas  written  by  Joseph  John 
Gurney  after  her  decease,  and  subsequently  pub- 
lished by  him  as  part  of  the  Christian's  Race, 
beautifully  describe  her  character. 


56  HER    CHARACTER.  1835. 

Her's  was  tbe  cultur'd  and  the  lucid  mind, 

The  generous  heart,  the  conduct  ever  kind, 

The  temper  sensitive,  yet  always  mild, 

The  frank  simplicity  of  nature's  child — 

Nature  unspoiled  by  fashion  or  by  pride, 

And  yet  subdued  by  grace,  and  sanctified; 

The  cheerfulness,  devoid  of  base  alloy, 

That  bade  her  speed  her  even  course  with  joy, 

Yet  left  full  scope  thro'  her  revolving  years, 

For  love's  fond  grief  and  pity's  softest  tears; 

The  abstinence  from  self — an  humble  view 

Of  all  sbe  said,  and  did,  and  thought,  and  knewj 

The  elder's  judgment  in  the  youthful  frame, 

And  love  to  God  and  man,  a  deathless  flame. 

*  *  *  * 

Her  early  covenant  not  vainly  made. 
Like  some  fair  flower,  she  blossom'd  in  the  shade, 
Till  with  advancing  years  afliiction  came, 
And  wan  disease  oppressed  her  slender  frame. 

Her  virtues  grew  in  sorrow's  lingering  hour, 
Her  faith  was  deepen'd  by  the  Saviour's  power, 
She  rose,  replenished  with  abundant  grace, 
For  larger  duties,  in  a  wider  space. 
Blest  was  our  union;  all  that  life  endears 
Brightened  the  current  of  those  rapid  years, 
Brightened  and  swelled ;  —  around  her  bounty  flowed, 
Her  soul,  enlarging,  with  fresh  fervour  glowed; 
Her  views  of  truth  extending  more  and  more, 
As  Scripture,  daily  studied,  spread  its  store. 
'Twas  hers  each  rougher  wave  of  life  to  smooth, 
To  advise  and  comfort,  elevate  and  soothe. 
Fondly  we  hoped,  when,  with  no  Altering  voice 
She  bade  her  friends  in  Jesus  Christ  rejoice, 
Fondly  we  hoped,  her  gifts  with  years  would  grow 
To  enlarge,  improve,  the  struggling  chuix-h  below; 
But  God  ordained  a  higher  walk  of  love, 
In  boundless  regions,  with  the  blest  above ; 
The  summons  came,  the  accepted  hour  was  given. 
Her  sainted  spirit  smiled  and  sprang  to  heaven. 


^T.  48.  LETTERS.  57 

More  than  a  hundred  letters  which  have  been 
preserved  amongst  his  papers  manifest  the  deep 
reeling  which  the  event,  awakened  in  the  circle 
of  his  numerous  friends.  From  these  a  very  brief 
selection  only  can  be  liere  given. 

FROM   ELIZABETn   DUDLEY. 

Peckham,  9th  mo.,  30tb,  1835. 

What  can  I  say  to  thee,  my  beloved  friend  and  brother,  in 
this  the  day  of  thy  calamity,  that  is  not  likely  to  be  said  by 
other  nearly  interested,  sympathizing  friends,  and  suggested 
immediately  to  thy  own  mind,  as  a  source  of  encouragement 
and  comfort  ?  Happily,  thou  knowest  where  to  look  for 
availing  succor,  and  hast  proved  the  faithfulness  of  him, 
who,  whilst  he  sees  meet  to  afflict  and  wound,  sustains  by  his 
own  almighty  arm,  and  pours  the  balm  of  heavenly  consola- 
tion upon  the  sorrowful  and  bleeding  heart.  In  the  darkest 
dispensations  of  his  providence,  the.  eye  of  faith  perceives  a 
bright  spot  whereon  to  rest ;  though  joy  may  be  far  from  the 
dwelling,  and  for  a  season,  sadness  and  mourning  be  not  only 
allowed,  but  called  for  and  sanctioned.  She  whom  we  have 
lost  was  lovely  and  justly  beloved  in  an  extensive  circle  of 
relatives  and  friends.  Her  endearing  qualities  and  sincere 
piety  awakened  respect  and  aflfcction  where  the  acquaintance 
was  but  slight;  while  with  intimate  knowledge,  nearness  of 
regard  and  union  seemed  increased  by  every  fresh  interview, 
and  her  capacity  for  usefulness  in  various  ways  more  and 
more  developed.  I  was  peculiarly  sensible  of  these  feelings 
when  we  were  last  together ;  and  my  heart  became  bound  to 
her,  in  tender  and  religious  fellowship,  to  a  degree  which  was 
surprishig  to  myself,  and  made  the  parting  painful,  though 
attended  with  sweetness. 

I  -  trust  thou  wilt  be  kept  in  calmness  and  resignation, 
knowing  "that  it  is  the  Lord."  He  will  be  mercifully  with 
thee  in  the  furnace,  and  in  his  own  time  brino-  thee  out 
uninjured,  with  fresh  capacity  to  serve  and  praise  him. 


58  LETTERS   ON   THE   DECEASE  1835. 


\    FROM   THE   BISHOP   OF   NORWICH, 
(then  I'n  his  91st  year.) 

London,' October  3rd,  1835. 
My   VERY    DEAR   FrIEND, 

Taught  by  severe  experience,  no  one  can  know 
better  than  I  do  how  to  estimate  your  loss ;  a  loss  for  which 
you  want  no  Bishop  to  remind  you  that  there  is  only  one 
remedy. 

Yours  ever  most  sincerely  and  affectionately, 

Henry  Norwich. 

from  dr.  olinthus  gregory. 

Woolwich,  19th  October,  1835. 

*  *  Wliat  a  mercy,  that  in  the  midst  of  the  darkness  and 
desolation,  the  grief  and  the  agony,  in  which  so  heavy  a  stroke 
leaves  an  affectionate  spirit,  you  are  not  without  "  strong 
consolation."  You  have  lost  her  whom  your  soul  loved,  but 
blessed  be  God,  only  for  a  season.  A  few  more  years  of 
active  exertion  in  promoting  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  salva- 
tion of  souls,  and  then  you,  dear  friend,  will  be  called  to  your 
reward,  and  she  and  you  will  again  meet  to  separate  no  more 
for  ever.  *  *  Doubtless  you  are  often  called  back  in  your 
mournful  meditations  to  think  how  happy  your  dear  wife  was, 
and  how  happy  she  made  others ;  yet  you  will,  I  trust,  by  the 
merciful  supply  of  grace  and  consolation,  be  enabled  to  point 
your  medij;ations  in  the  opposite  direction  and  think  how 
happy  she  is — how  everything  now,  without  the  slightest  draw- 
back, augments  her  bliss.  0 !  the  ineffable  delights  of  that 
state,  in  Avhich  there  is  a  perpetual  increase  of  knowledge 
without  any  mixture  of  error ;  a  glorious  measure  of  holiness 
without  the  least  degree  of  sin ;  constant  peace  and  joy 
without  the  slightest  intermixture  of  solicitude,  sorrow, 
weariness,  or  pain ;  the  most  pleasing,  refreshing,  unweafying 
society,  in  which  no  misconception  of  motive,  sentiment,  or 
principle  can  enter ;  the  uninterrupted  exercise  of  the 
purest   love ;    "  the  spirits  of  the  just  made   perfect   inter- 


JET.  48.  or  HIS  "WIFE.  59 

mingling  their  energies  and  their  excellencies  in  an  ever 
augmenting,  ever  flowing  stream.  All  rests  upon  the  rock 
of  the  Divine  "veracity,  binding  upon  our  hearts  and 
confirming  to  our  faith,  the  deep  conviction  that  all  the 
ineffable  delights,  all  the' high  prerogatives  "of  the  saints  in 
light,"  are  stamped  with  the  seal  of  eternity.  How  do  we 
read  again,  and  again,  and  again,  of  "everlasting  life,"  "eternal 
glory,"  "the  everlasting  kingdom,"  going  "no  more  out  for 
ever,"  "an  endm-ing  substance,"  "pleasures  for  evermore," 
"an  incorruptible  crown,"  "a  kingdom  which  cannot  be 
moved,"  "a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternak weight  of  glory." 
And  why  is  this  placed  before  us  in  so  rich  a  variety  of  forms  ? 
but  that  we  may  trust  the  record  even  when  we  cannot  trace 
the  hand,  and  cherish  the  persuasion  that  when  our  Heavenly 
Father  rcmoAXS  from  us  our  dearest  delights,  he  takes  what  is 
his  more  than  ours,  and  transplants  them  to  a  higher  region, 
his  providence  concurring  with  his  grace  in  saying  "  Come  up 
hither." 

From  his  sister  Elizabeth  Fry,  who  had  been 
■with  him  on  the  occtision  of  the  funeral,  he  received 
the  following :  — 

Upton  Lane,  10th  mo.,  14th,  1835. 

I  have  exceedingly  missed  your  dear  sorrowful  party,  and  felt 
a  certain  painful  lowness  in  being  out  of  the  sweet,  solemn, 
holy  atmosphere,  that  surely  we  appeared  to  live  in  from  day 
to  day.  SoiTow  passes  through  many  variations  of  feeling. 
On  coming  to  the  stripped,  low,  and  at  times  tossed  estate, 
when  simple  faith,  and  not  present  consolation,  must  be  our 
stay,  there  is  need  to  possess  the  soul  in  patience ;  and  thus  to 
wait  for  the  fresh  opening  of  the  springs  of  hope  and  consola- 
tion. When  I  wake  at  night  and  in  the  morning,  I  think  of 
thee  in  thy  lonely  condition ;  but  I  rest  confidently  assured 
that  thy  Lord  will  be  thy  stay,  and,  however  high  at  times  the 
waves  may  appear  to  arise,  they  never  shall  overflow  thee. 

I  have  had  several  sweet  glances  at  the  kingdom  where  all 
is  rest,  peace,  joy,  and  full  satisfaction  ;  but  when  a  prospect 


60  ON    THE    DECEASE    OF    HIS    WIFE.  1835. 

of  this  state  is  permitted,  then  the  fear  enters  lest  those  we 
love,  and  perhaps  ourselves  at  last,  should  fall  short  of  it,— 
there  are  so  many  hindrances  here, — and  then  again  some  joy 
is  felt  over  the  beloved  departed ;  the  warfare  accomplished, — 
what  a  consideration !  May  we  continue  in  faith,  patience, 
humility,  and  dedication,  to  fight  the  good  fight,  until  we 
come  to  the  same  blessed  end.  The  time  is  short,  therefore, 
we  must  go  on,  nothing  doubting,  remembering  that  "  faithful 
is  he  that  calleth  us  who  also  will  do  it,"  and  in  him  we  must 
wholly  trust. 

I  am  truly  thy  most  loving  and  sympathizing  sister, 

E.  Fry. 
P.  S.     Jonathan    Hutchinson    once    said    to    me,   "  school- 
masters   give    apt    scholars    hard    lessons."       So    with    oxir 
Master ;  this  thou  mayest  take  home. 

"  The  present  stage  of  my  grief,"  writes  Joseph 
John  Gurnej,  to  a  near  relative,  a  few  weeks  after 
his  bereavement,  "is  one  marked  by  some  pecu- 
liarly trying  and  sorrowful  feelings,  and  much 
conflict  has  been  occasionally  my  portion.  But  I 
believe  that  nothing  will  do  but  patient  bearing, 
and  waiting  in  hope  for  brighter  and  better  things. 
This  I  strive  after,  and  can  gratefully  acknowledge 
that  I  am  surrounded  with  many  precious  allevia- 
tions, and  am  not  forsaken  by  the  God  of  all  hope  and 
comfort." 


JIT.  48.  LETTER.  61 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

1835—1837.     ^T.  48—49. 

THIRD  AND  FOURTH  VISITS  TO  MANCHESTER;  EXTRACTS  FROM 
journal;  YEARLY  MEETING;  CONCLUSION  OF  THE  LABOURS 
OF  THE  committee;  JOURNEY  IN  SCOTLAND  AND  THE  NORTH 
OF  ENGLAND;  PROSPECT  OF  VISIT  TO  NORTH  AMERICA; 
LETTERS;    GRANTING   OF   CERTIFICATES. 

Amidst  this  deep  sorrow,  Joseph  John  Gurney  was 
again  called  to  his  painful  duties  in  Lancashire.  The 
Yearly  Meeting's  committee  had  appointed  to  meet  at 
Manchester,  in  the  twelfth  month.  "May  the  Lord 
open  my  way  in  the  path  of  duty,"  he  writes  in  his 
Journal,  "  and  provide  for  all  my  need  by  the  riches 
which  are  in  Christ !" 

FROM   A7ILLLAM   FORSTER. 

Bradpole,  10th  mo.,  27th,  1835. 

*  *  I  have  often  wished  that  I  could  -write  and  tell  thee 
with  what  fulness  of  sympathy  I  was  bearing  thee  in  constant 
remembr£j,nce.  It  was  much  more  of  an  effort  to  me  than  I 
was  willing  any  of  you  should  know,  to  turn  my  back  on 
Earlham,  but  most  of  all  to  break  away  from  thee.  I  had 
been  so  entirely  at  home  with  thee,  and  thou  hadst  been  so 
much  to  me — every  thing  that  a  friend  could  be — and  I  had 
partaken  so  largely  with  you  of  the  peace,  and  joy,  and  hope, 
with  which  you  had  been  sustained,  that  it  required  as  much 
resolution  as  I  could  command,  to  pursue  the  course  it  seemed 
best  for  me  to  adopt ;  and  it  was  long  before  I  could  feel  that 
I  had  actually  left  you.  Throughout  the  day  I  had  such  a 
sense  of  thy  affliction,  and  thy  conflict  of  mind,  and   such 


62  THIRD   VISIT    or   THE    COMMITTEE.  1835. 

assurance  of  our  Saviour's  love  and  care  towards  thee,  that  I 
was  glad  to  be  left  very  much  to  myself,  and  did  not  wish  for 
the  best  of  conversation  to  divert  my  attention  from  that  vrhich 
had  such  full  possession  of  my  mind  and  feelings.  I  had 
books  enough,  but  I  had  not  much  inclination  to  read  them, 
for  I  had  enough  to  do  to  think  where  I  had  been,  and  what 
I  had  witnessed ;  and  I  dwelt  upon  that  which  I  had  seen  of 
the  power  of  the  grace  of  God,  much  to  my  instruction  and 
to  the  confirmation  of  my  faith.  *  *  * 

I  look  forwards  with  much  comfort  to  our  impending 
journey  together  into  the  north.  Friends  seem  as  if  they  could 
not  give  up  the  hope  of  having  thee  there. 

In  Avhat  I  have  written,  I  have  told  thee  but  little  of  my 
feeling  of  the  past,  the  present,  and  the  future,  as  it  relates  to 
thee,  and  all  the  hope  and  confidence  I  have  for  thee.  What 
a  pleasure  Avill  it  be  if  in  any  way  I  should  be  of  the  least  use 
or  comfort  to  thee. 

The  following  are  from  Joseph  John  Gurnej's 
Journal :  — 

llth  mo.,  Sth.  The  last  week  has  passed  very  smoothly ; 
our  dear  little  home  party  uninterrupted,  and  our  course  of 
study  pursued  diligently ;  but  the  "tone  of  my  own  mind  has 
been  very  low,  and  the  conflict  occasionally  severe.  I 
believe  that,  through  infinite  mercy,  I  have  not  murmured; 
but  indeed  I  have  nothing  to  look  to,  nothing  to  depend 
upon,  except  the  one  great  source  of  hope  and  consolation, 
the  infinite  and  unmerited  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 

llth  mo.,  10th.  I  feel  this  morning,  in  some  degree  willing 
and  desirous  to  leave,  (forget  I  cannot,)  that  which  is  behind, 
and  press  forward  in  hope.  Yet  there  is  a  holy  forgetfulness 
of  that  which  is  behind,  at  which  the  Christian  pilgrim  must 
aim,  and  to  which  he  is  sometimes  enabled  to  attain  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord. 

12th  mo.,  2th.  I  have  completed  my  evidence  on  the 
Beacon,  &c.,  and,  after  some  inexpressible  conflict,  find  myself 


^T.  48.  TO    LANCASHIRE.  63 

ready  for  our  journey  to  Manchester.     "\Ye  hope  to  set  off  to- 
morrow morning. 

Ill  allusion  to  this  visit  lie  writes  :  — 

1st  mo.,  8th,  1836.  All  the  committee,  except  two,  met 
on  seventh  day  morning,  the  12th  ult.  It  was  a  great 
favour  that  I  found  an  opportunity  during  this  first  morning 
of  our  labours,  to  read  to  the  committee  the  whole  of  my 
strictures  on  various  demi- unsound  pamphlets,  which  laid  a 
clear  foundation  for  i^urther  arduous  service  in  the  working  of 
our  business. 

The  committee  concluded  its  operations,  for  the  present, 
on  seventh  day  evening,  the  2nd  instant,  at  Manchester. 
Such  a  fortnight  it  has  never  been  my  lot  to  pass  before.  The 
engagement  of  mind;  the  intensity  of  thought  and  feeling; 
the  strong  and  clear  expositions  of  sentiment ;  the  singular 
turns  of  Providence ;  and,  above  all,  the  gentle,  unseen,  resist- 
less influence  of  the  "  anointing,"  and  the  grace  and  goodness 
of  our  ever  present  Caretaker  and  Holy  Head,  were,  dui-ing 
this  period,  most  remarkably  displayed. 

During  the  Avhole  time,  though  not  unfrequently  finding 
relief  in  tears,  I  was  mercifully  sustained  in  quiet  peaccfulness, 
not  without  an  occasional  flow  of  natural  pleasure,  and  I  be- 
lieve of  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  I  have  repeatedly  said,  that 
the  inexpressible  sufferings  tlirougli  which  I  had  previously 
been  passing,  seemed  to  me  but  an  adequate  preparation  for 
the  peculiar,  new,  and  difficult  duties  which  devolved  upon  rae, 
a  poor,  weak,  and  blind  one,  during  this  memorable  and 
important  time.   *  *   * 

"  It  was  a  time,"  he  Avrites  in  his  Autobiography,  "  of  great 
pressure  upon  us,  for  strong  were  the  currents  setting  in  from 
opposite  quarters,  both  of  which  required  to  be  stemmed. 
When  I  was  on  the  scene  of  action,  my  private  conflicts  dis- 
appeared, and  I  was  graciously  strengthened,  from  day  to  day, 
for  the  extremely  diflficult  piith  in  which  I  believed  it  my 
duty  to  tread.  Of  one  thing  I  think  I  am  sure,  that,  both  in 
public  and  private  I  was  enabled  to  bear  an  unflinching  tes- 


64  THIRD    VISIT    OF    THE    COMMITTEE        1885-1836. 

timony  to  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour :  the 
Lord  alone  be  praised  for  it. 

The  result  of  the  visit  was,  first  the  decision  of  the  com- 
mittee, (reported  to  the  Monthly  Meeting,)  not  to  recommend 
disciplinary  proceedings  on  the  doctrinal  question  of  the 
Beacon  ;  and  secondly,  to  hand  Isaac  Crewdson  their  private 
advice  to  withdraw  for  a  time,  from  public  ministry,  and  from 
attending  the  meetings  of  ministers  and  elders.  The  two 
conclusions,  in  my  opinion,  were  not  inconsistent  with  each 
other ;  both  arising,  by  a  kind  of  necessity,  from  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case.  But,  indeed,  some  of  us  on  that  occasion, 
were  called  on  to  endure  a  'fight  of  afflictions.' 

Whilst  I  had  no  unity  with  the  spirit  of  disaffection  and 
restlessness  which  marked  the  course  of  our  dissentient 
Friends,  I  found  it  my  place  in  the  whole  affair,  to  set  a 
strong  guard  against  opposite  dangers ;  and  these  I  had  from 
time  to  time  to  press  upon  the  attention  of  my  brethren.  The 
committee  adjourned  to  the  fourth  month  (1836,)  and  I  spent 
much  of  the  intermediate  time  in  drawing  up  my  Remarks  on 
the  Defence,  (written  in  reply  to  the  Beacon,)  which  have  been 
printed  for  private  use,  but  not  published ;  also  in  extracting 
from  several  other  modern  publications  of  Friends,  (wholly 
unauthorized  by  the  Society,)  passages  which  appeared  to  me 
to  be  erroneous  and  dangerous,  tending  (without  the  smallest 
intention  on  the  part  of  the  writers,)  to  the  weakening  of  tho 
true  faith  of  the  Christian.  Fully  and  faithfully  did  I  lay  the 
subject  before  my  brethren  on  my  return  to  Manchester ; 
and,  the  author  of  the  Defence  having  removed  out  of 
the  scope  of  the  committee's  labours,  I  spent  a  morning  in 
company  with  Josiah  and  William  Forster,  and  another 
member  of  the  committee,  in  reading  my  remarks  on  his  work 
to  the  men  elders  of  the  meeting,  of  which  he  had  before  been 
a  member.  They  were  also  sent  to  the  author  himself,  who, 
1  may  add,  is  a  truly  amiable  and  pious  individual. 

Isaac  Crewdson  having  substantially  complied  with  the 
advice  of  the  committee  respecting  his  ministry,  nothing 
further  was  done  in  his  case,  in  the  fourth  month.  Some 
other   features   in    the   general   question    of  disunity    among 


^T.  48.  TO    LANCASHIRE.  65 

Friends,  "were,  hoj-ever,  closely  attended  to ;  and  we  again 
left  Manclicster  in  peace.  On  my  return  home,  I  continued 
to  pursue  the  object  to  Avhich  I  have  already  alluded,  and 
.wrote  the  Strictures  on  'Truth  Vindicated.'  This  publication, 
teeming  as  it  does  with  the  kind  of  error  I  am  speaking  of, 
was  written  by  an  anonymous  author  in  Wales,  once,  but  not 
now,  a  member  of  our  body.  It  is  a  work  of  no  small  ability, 
and  had  been  (through  carelessness,  I  trust,)  circulated  and 
patronized  by  many  Friends.  Under  these  cu'cumstances, 
some  check  was  essential.  When  the  Strictures  were  finished, 
I  laid  them  before  the  Morning  Meeting,  which,  of  course, 
did  not  commit  itself  to  the  controversy ;  but,  after  some 
discussion,  set  me  at  liberty  to  publish  them,  giving  an 
explicit  verdict  that  no  sentiment  was  advanced  in  my  pam- 
phlet at  variance  with  the  principles  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
Two  thousand  copies  were  rapidly  sold ;  and  I  look  back  on 
this  little  service  in  the  cool  of  the  present  hour,  with  much 
satisfaction  and  thankfulness. 

The     following    are    from    his    Journal    of    this 
period  :  — 


'Q 


2nd  mo.,  21st.  I  feel  thankful  that  I  have  not  been 
moved  by  any  thing  which  has  occurred,  from  my  own  position 
in  the  Society.  A  little  hope  yet  lives  that  a  remnant  will  be 
preserved  alive  in  the  truth,  and  enabled  steadily  to  maintain 
it  in  its  wholeness.  That  hope  is  simply  and  solely  in  Christ ; 
for  in  these  days,  the  wisdom  of  man  is  more  than  ever  fool- 
ishness. 0  most  gracious  Lord  God,  who  didst,  as  I 
reverently  believe,  raise  us  up  to  be  a  people,  graciously  con- 
descend to  show  forth  thy  matchless  power  for  our  deliverance 
from  all  the  snares  of  Satan;  and  be. pleased  according  to  thy 
wonted  loving  kindness,  to  guide  me,  thy  poor  unworthy 
servant,  in  the  path  of  simple  duty,  and  show  me  from  day  to 
day  wherein  thou  wouldst  have  me  and  my  children  to  serve 
thee,  0  Lord,  my  God !  Suffer  not  one,  who  has  preached  to 
others,  to  become  himself  a  castaway.  Anoint  me  with 
abundance  of  the  fresh  oil  of  thy  kingdom ;    prepare    and 

Vol.  IL  — 5 


66  STRICTURES    ON    TRUTH    VINDICATED.  1836. 

direct  my  work ;  and  enable  me,  I  earnestlyieseecli  tLee,  with 
a  single  eye,  to  seek  tliine  honour  and  glory,  who  alone  art 
vt-orthy,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

2nd  mo.,  2d^d.  Yesterday  I  took  my  Strictures  on  Truth ' 
Vindicated,  to  the  press,  to  my  own  satisfaction  and  relief  of 
mind.  I  have  now  to  work  on  the  Scripture  Essay.  I  also 
settled  my  accounts,  and  closed  another  year  of  pecuniary 
prosperity  with  thankfulness,  and  with  a  desire  \o  be  a  faithful 
steward. 

TO    HIS    SISTER    ELIZABETH    FRY. 

Norwich,  1st  mo.,  19th,  1836. 

I  have  a  surplus  fund  which  I  think  I  ought  to  dispose  of 
at  the  winding  up  of  the  year  1835,  and  had  been  thinking  of 
sending  thee  a  portion  of  it,  to  which  thou  art  perfectly  wel- 
come. I  order  Barclay  and  Co.  to  pay  thy  draft  for  the 
amount.  Pray  do  not  allow  thyself  any  compunction  or 
hesitation  on  this  point.  I  shall  always  depend  on  thy  being 
perfectly  free  in  mentioning  thy  needs  to  me.  In  fact,  it  is  a 
kindness,  as  I  do  not  consider  that  my  circumstances  justify 
much,  if  any  accumulation. 

■ith  month,  Srd.  [Referring  to  his  labours  in  connexion 
with  some  controversial  pamphlets.]  As  far  as  I  can  judge, 
it  is  the  present  line  of  dijty ;  [though]  in  various  respects 
iiphill  and  arduous,  and  one  in  which  I  may  expect  rebuke  and 
sulBFering.  But  "  if  our  heart  condemn  us  not,  then  have  we 
confidence  towards  God."  And  in  the  presence  of  the  Most 
High,  and  under  some  precious  feeling  of  it,  I  think  I  can  say 
with  truth,  that  my  heart  does  not  condemn  me  for  being  thus 
engaged.  0  that  I  may  be  yet  more  delivered  from  the  fear 
of  man  !  more  clothed  with  holy  boldness  as  well  as  meekness  ! 
0  that  I  may,  in  the  conduct  of  this  warfare,  take  every  step 
under  the  authority  of  the  Lord's  anointing,  and  not  one  step 
without  that  authority ! 

As  a  general  principle,  I  must  surely  be  right  in  pleading 
for  simple,  unalloyed,  scriptural  truth.  May  the  great  Ruler 
and  Head  of  the  church  graciously  condescend  to  endue  me 


2ET.  48.  LETTER    ON   GEOLOGY.  67 

with  wisdom,  love  and  strength,  that  I  maj  be  preserved  from 
doing  the  least  harm,  and  that  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  may 
prosper  in  my  hands  !  While  these  desires  have  been  much 
awakened,  I  feel  the  necessity  of  rising  above  the  turmoils  of 
the  day,  and  of  knowing  my  soul  to  be  really  fixed  on  a  better 
and  holier  world. 

Most  merciful  Lord  God !  Be  pleased,  I  humbly  beseech 
thee,  to  obliterate  all  my  past  sins  in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and 
plenteously  to  endue  me  with  wisdom  and  strength,  by  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  stand 
and  advance  in  my  rank  of  righteousness,  according  to  thy 
blessed  will,  for  the  benefit  of  thy  church,  and  for  a  purpose 
of  thy  glory.  Amen  and  Amen. 

Amidst  Joseph  John  Gurney's  other,  and  very 
dififerent  engagements  at  this  period,  he  found  time 
to  write  a  short  tract  on  a  subject  in  which  he  had 
been  long  interested.  This  he  published  in  the 
spring  of  this  year,  under  the  title  of  A  Letter  to  a 
Clerical  Friend  on  the  accordance  of  Geological 
Discovery  with  Natural  and  Revealed  Religion.* 
Deeply  as  he  was  convinced  of  the  inspiration  of 
Holy  Scripture,  and  steadily  as  he  was  opposed  to 
any  theory  of  the  creation  not  reconcileable  with 
the  inspired  record,  he  was  well  assured  that  the 
investigations  of  an  enlightened  science,  when  con- 
ducted in  a  proper  spirit,  can,  in  the  end,  serve  only 
the  more  completely  to  illustrate  the  harmony  of 
the  Divine  mind  as  manifested  for  purposes  distinct, 
yet  not  contradictory,  in  the  book  of  nature  and  the 
book  of  grace.  "  Let  Geology,"  he  writes  in  one  of 
his  letters,  "  have  her  full  scope  in  discovering  the 
ancient  secrets  of  the  crust  of  the  earth — she  will 
wonderfully   elucidate    natural   theology,    and   inflict 

*  This  tract  is  reprinted  in  the  Minor  Works,  vol.  ii,  p.  201. 


68  THE  YEARLY  MEETING.  1836. 

no  wound  on  the  religion  of  the  Bible."  To  illustrate 
this  view  is  the  object  of  this  little  tract,  which  may 
still  be  read  with  interest,  notwithstanding  the 
increased  light  that  further  research  has  thrown 
upon  the  subject. 

In  the  fifth  month,  as  usual,  he  attended  the 
Yearly  Meeting.  Referring  to  it  in  the  Auto- 
biography, he    says :  — 

The  yearly  meeting  of  1836  was  a  time  of  no  small  interest 
and  importance.  Although  considerable  excitement  was 
produced  by  the  unexpected  visit  to  this  country  of  Elisha 
Bates,  without  any  certificate  from  his  Monthly  Meeting,  yet 
on  the  whole,  the  prospect  of  an  increased  degree  of  good 
fellowship  seemed  to  brighten  upon  us.  In  consequence  of  the 
unfair  questioning  which  had  arisen  on  the  Society's  views  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  it  was  agreed  to  issue  a  declaration  on 
that  subject.  I  ventured  to  state  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  what 
I  apprehended  ought  to  be  the  substance  of  it.  These 
suggestions  were  afterwards  adopted ;  the  declaration  was 
brought  in  and  passed,  with  the  warm  concurrence  of  the 
body  at  large.  It  formed  a  part  of  the  general  epistle,  which 
was  carefully  drawn  up  by  a  judicious  committee,  and  which  I 
believe  to  be  as  clear  and  important  a  document,  considered  as 
a  confession  t)f  faith,  as  was  ever  put  forth  by  a  body  of  profes- 
sing Christians ;  and  it  certainly  ought  to  be  received  as  a 
sufficient  reply  to  all  doubters  and  cavillers  on  the  subject  of 
the  Christian  belief  of  the  Society  of  Friends.*  This  issue  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting  afforded  to  my  own  mind  a  most  acceptable 
relief. 

*  The  portion  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's  epfstle  here  alluded  to, 
is  as  follows  :  — 

"  Often  as  our  religious  Society  has  declared  its  belief  in  the  divine 
'authority  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  upheld  the  sacred  volume  as 
the  only  divinely  authorized  record  of  the  doctrines  of  true  religion, 
we  believe  it  right  at  this  time  to  revive  some  important  declarations 


MT.  48.         ErEOLARATION   ON   THE    HOLY    SCRIPTURES.  G9 

Uarlham  7th  mo.,  10th.  Some  missionaries  of  the  London 
Missionary  Society  came  to  us  on  fourth  day  morning. 
Williams's  account  of  the  South  Seas  highly  interesting  and 
instructive ;  about  250,000-  nominal  Christians  now  in  the 
Islands  of  the  Pacific,  with  rather  a  larger  proportion,  as  he 
thinks,  of  real  Christians,  than  in  this  country.  The  history 
of  Raratonga,  discovered  and  christianized  by  his  own  instru- 
mentality, very  striking.     In  itself  worth  living  for ! 

of  Scripture  itself,  on  the  subject.  It  is  expressly  declared  by  the 
Apostle  Peter,  that,  "  the  prophecy  came  not  in  old  time  bj  the  will 
of  map  ;  but  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost :"  2  Pet.  i,  21.  The  Apostle  John  declares  respecting 
the  gospel  which  he  wrote,  ''These  are  written  that  ye  might 
believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God ;  and  that  believing, 
ye  might  have  life  through  his  name :"  John  xx,  31.  Very  per- 
tinent and  comprehensive  is  the  language  which  the  Apostle  Paul 
addressed  to  Timothy;  "From  a  child  thou  hast  known  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  which  are  able  to  make  thee  wise  unto  salvation,  through 
faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration 
of  God,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for 
instrtiction  in  righteousness;  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect, 
thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works;"  2  Tim.  iii,  15 — 17. 
Again  the  Apostle  says,  "  Whatsoever  things  were  written  aforetime 
were  written  for  our  learning,  that  we  through  patience  and  comfort 
of  the  Scriptures  might  have  hope;''  Rom.  xv,  4.  Finally,  our 
blessed  Lord  in  reference  to  those  divine  writings,  of  which  the 
grand  object,  in  accordance  with  his  own  declaration,  was  to  testify 
of  himself,  emphatically  declares  "  the  Scripture  cannot  be  broken  :" 
John  X,  35. 

'-  Although  most  of  these  passages  relate  to'  the  Old  Testament, 
our  Society  has  always  freely  acknowledged  that  the  principles 
developed  in  them,  are  equally  applicable  to  the  writings  of  the 
Evangelists  and  Apostles.  In  conformity  with  these  principles,  it 
has  ever  been,  and  still  is,  the  belief  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  that 
the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  were  given  by 
inspiration  of  God;  that,  therefore,  the  declarations  contained  in 
them,  rest  on  the  authority  of  God  himself;  and  there  can  be  no 
appeal  from  them  to  any  other  authority  whatsoever  :  that  they  are 
able  to  make  us  wise  unto  salvation  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus,  being  the  appointed  means  of  making  known  to  us  the  blessed 


70  LETTER.  1836 

TO    ANNA   QURNEY   AXD    SARAH   M.    BUXTON; 
(then  on  an  extended  tour  on  the  Continent  of  Europe.) 

Earlham,  7tb  mo.,  1st,  1S36 

I  am  quite  pleased  to  be  invited  by  Priscilla  Johnston  to 
contribute  to  a  parcel  of  letters  for  the  "  Ambassador's  bag," 
for  I  assure  you  that  though  so  far  out  of  sight,  you  are 
anvtbino;  but  out  of  mind  to  me. 

I  suppose  that  you  are,  as  far  as  you  can  be,  missionaries; 
find  that  wherever  you  are,  you  do  not  forget  the  blessedness 
of  divine  truth,  either  for  yourselves  or  others.  *  *  * 

We  are  settled  again  at  our  delightful  home.  I  am 
surrounded  with  many  comforts,,  and  my  dear  sister  Rachel 
Fowler's  being  now  fairly  settled  with  us,  is  a  satisfaction  to 
us  all.  The  Yearly  Meeting  was  a  good  one,  and  served 
some  important  purposes.  We  put  forth  a  noble  declaration 
respecting  the  Scriptures,  and  on  some  points  of  doctrine,  in 
our  General  Epistle.  I  hope  it  Avill  settle  some  who  had 
before  been  very  restless.  But  my  path  in  these  matters  is 
still  somewhat  thorny  and  anxious.  Indeed  we  have  "  need 
of  patience,"  that  after  Ave  "have  done  the  will  of  God^  we 
may  "receive  the  promise." 

truths  of  Chi-istianity :  that  they  are  the  only  divinely  authorized 
record  of  the  doctrines  which  we  are  bound  as  Christians  to  believe, 
and  of  the  moral  principles  which  are  to  regulate  our  actions :  thai 
no  doctrine  which  is  not  contained  in  them  can  be  required  of  any 
one  to  be  believed  as  an  article  of  faith :  that  whatsoever  any  man 
says  or  does  which  is  contrary  to  the  Scriptures,  though  under  pro- 
fession of  the  immediate  guidance  of  the  Spirit,  must  be  reckoned 
and  accounted  a  mere  delusion. 

"  We  trust,  however,  that  none  of  our  members  will  content 
themselves  with  merely,  entertaining  a  sound  view  on  this  subject ; 
but  that  they  will  remember  that  the  Holy  Scriptures  are  given  to 
us  that  they  may  be  diligently  used,  and  that  we  may  obtain  a  right 
Tinderstanding  of  them  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  Let  us  never  forget 
that  their  main  purpose  is,  under  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
to  bring  us  to  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  by  a  living  operative  faith 
111  hira,  we  may  obtain  reconciliation  with  the  Father,  and  be  made 
pai-takei*s  of  everlas;ting  life." 


^T    48.  RELIGIOUS    ENGAGEMENTS    IN    NORFOLK.  71 

111  the  coiirsa  of  the  summer  he  was  occii-)ie>l  in 
various  reli2:ioLis  en<2;a2;ements  amoimst  Friends  and 
others,  princij)allj  in  his  own  county. 

"It  was  a  time,"  he  writes  in  his  autobiography,  "during 
which  I  had  much  to  suffer,  not  only  frOm  missing  my 
dearest  earthly  companion,  but  from  the  weakness  of  my 
nervous  system  ;  yet  in  'the  blessed  influence  of  the  Spirit,  the 
Comforter,  and  in  the  exercise  of  ministerial  labour,  I  found, 
from  time  to  fime,  the  requisite  relief.  This  was  particularly 
the  case  in  two  of  the  visits,  one  to  Lowestoft  and  Pakeficlu, 
where  my  dear  sister  Richenda  Cunningham  was  a  special' 
helper ;  and  the  other  to  Wells  and  Holkham.  In  the  latter 
I  had  some  rather  intimate  communication  with  Lady  Anne" 
Coke,  for  whom  I  have  long  entertained  a  sincere  friendship : 
and,  at  night,  read  the  Scriptures  and  ministered  to  the 
whole  family,  guests  and  household,  from  70  to  80  in 
number.  It  was  a  time  of  much  solemnit}^,  and  reminded  me 
of  the  visit  to  Knowsly,  already  recorded  in  this  Memoir. 
'Thomas  William  Coke,*  is  the  prince  of  British  commoners, 
now  a  very  old  man,  a  complete  gentleman  of  the  old  school, 
tminently  courteous,  and  remarkable  •  for  a  frank,  honest 
demeanour.  I  was  with  him  some  time  since,  at  his  one 
hundred  and  first  half-yearly  audit,  when  110  tenants  came 
to  dine  with  him  and  pay  their  rents.  On  the  evening  which 
I  have  just  mentioned,  both  he  and  his  lady  appeared  to  feel 
a  good  deal ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  of  the  sincerity  of  their 
religious  principles." 

In  the  autumn  of  this  year  he  was  again  closel/ 
engaged  with  the  other  members  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting's  committee  in  Lancashire,  and  was  also 
much  occupied  in  a  somewhat  extended  course  of 
religious    labour   in    the    North    of  England    and    in 

*  Afterwards  Earl  of  Leicester. 


72  FURTHER    LABOURS    AT    MANCHESTER.  1836. 

Scotland.      Of    these  engagements  he  has  preserved 
the  following  record  in  the  Autobiography  :  — 

When  the  committee  met  at  Manchester,  in  the  9th 
month,  1836,  we  soon  learned  that,  since  the  Yearly  Meet- 
in  o-,  our  friend  Isaac  Crewdson  had  re-commenced  and 
continued  his  ministerial  functions  without  reserve ;  and  at 
the  same  time  it  was  evident,  that  so  far  was  unity  from  being 
restored,  that  the  breach  had  become  wider  than  ever ;  so 
much  so  as  to  render  it  increasingly  clear,  that  principles 
were  at  work,  on  either  side,  which  operated  tq  make  the 
distance  between  Friends  and  the  dissentients  greater  and 
greater. 

This  was  indicated  by  a  variety  of  circumstances  ;  but  more 
especially  by  certain  devotional  meetings  held  by  the  dissen- 
tients, on  first  day  evenings,  and  conducted  on  principles  of 
worship,  essentially  different  from  ours.  Was  it  right  that 
under  these  circumstances,  our  still  valued  friend,  the  author 
of  the  Beacon,  should  continue  to  act  as  a  minister  in  our 
meetings,  notwithstanding  the  advice  of  the  committee,  that 
he  should  for  a  time  withdraw  from  the  service  ?  Was  it 
possible  for  us,  as  faithful  servants  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  to 
leave  this  difficult  case  without  further  care,  and  just  in  this 
position  ?  Constrained,  as  we  were,  to  answer  these  questions 
in  the  negative,  what  course  remained  for  us  to  follow  ? 
None,  as  I  conceive,  but  that  which  Ave  adopted  ;  namely, 
that  of  taking  no  further  responsibility  on  ourselves,  and  of 
simply  reporting  the  actual  state  of  the  case  to  the  church, 
in  which,  by  our  discipline,  reside,  in  all  such  cases,  both  the 
authority  and  responsibility,  under  its  holy  Head.  We 
therefore  went  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  with  a  simple  report 
of  the  fact,  (already  published  to  the  world  by  Isaac  Crewd- 
son's  friends,)  that  the  committee  had  advised  him  to  desist  for 
a  time,  from  his  public  ministry,  and  of  the  further  well  known 
circumstance,  that  this  advice  had  been  disregarded. 

No  sooner  was  this  report  read  to  the  Monthly  Meeting, 
than  Isaac  Crewdson's  friends  demanded  of  us  a  clear  decla- 
ration of    the  grounds  on  which  the  advice  in  question  had 


^T.  48.   ENGAGEMENTS  IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.       73 

been  given.  The  meeting  agreed  to  request  the  committee  to 
answer  the  inquiry.  We  accordingly  "withdrew  to  consider 
our  reply ;  and  then  it  was  that  I  felt  it  my  clear  duty, 
decidedly  to  stand  forth  in  defence  of  our  well-known 
principles.  I  therefore  voluntarily  undertook  to  give  the 
answer  to  the  Monthly  Meeting.  Friends  freely  accepted  the 
offer.  We  returned  to  the  meeting ;  and,  under  a  measure 
of  holy  anointing,  graciously  afforded,  as  I  believe,  for  the 
occasion,  I  was  enabled  quietly,  and  with  sufficient  clearness, 
to  state  the  grounds  of  our  advice.  Nothing  of  importance 
was  said  in  reply ;  the  question  was  drawing  to  its  inevitable 
settlement ;  and,  after  a  long  and  painful  discussion,  in  which 
the  committee  refrained  from  taking  any  side,  (as  to  the  yea 
or  nay,)  the  meeting  came  to  a  solid  conclusion,  to  confirm 
the  advice  of  the  committee.  *  *  *  * 

We  now  left  Manchester,  agreeing  to  meet  again  in  about 
five  weeks ;  an  interval  of  no  small  value  and  relief  to  myself, 
though  filled  up  by  labour  as  well  as  pleasure.  Be  it  ever 
remembered,  that,  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  labour  is  pleasure ! 
It  was  on  a  seventh  day,  that  I  went  from  Manchester  to 
York,  where  I  met  my  children  and  their  aunt  Rachel 
Fowler.  The  sabbath  was  spent  at  York,  and  a  large  public 
meeting  held  in  the  evening.  On  the  following  morning,  a 
meeting  of  peculiar  solemnity  took  place,  greatly  to  the 
comfort  of  my  own  mind.  It  was  with  the  patients  in  the 
"Retreat;"  and  afforded  me  renewed  evidence  of  a  fact  of 
which  I  had  been  before  convinced,  that  insanity  in  its  more 
moderate  degrees,  by  no  means  prevents  the  worship  of 
Almighty  God ;  and  further,  that  the  public  acts  of  worship 
are  highly  soothing  to  persons  afflicted  with  that  worst  of 
natural  maladies.  On  the  occasion  now  mentioned,  many  of 
the  poor  sufferers  found  relief  in  abundant  tears,  and  I  trust 
some  ability  was  afforded  us,  even  to  rejoice  together  in  the 
Lord  our  Redeemer. 

From  York  we  proceeded  to  Darlington,  where  we  spent  a 
few  interesting  days.  It  Avas  a  great  pleasure  to  find  our- 
selves under  the  roof  of  our  cousins  Jonathan  and  Hannah 
C.  Backhouse.     They  had  been  travelling  for  some  years  in 


74  ENGAGEMENTS  IN  SCOTLAND.  1836. 

America,  and  great  was  the  comfort  of  their  friends  in  their 
restoration  to  their  home  and  family. 

Whilst  at  Darlington  I  felt  much  interested  in  the  religious 
welfare  of  the  coal-pit  men  in  that  neighbourhood ;  there 
being  too  much  reason  to  believe  that  infidel,  and  even 
atheistic  publications  had  been  extensively  circulated  amongst 
them.  A  meeting  of  them  was  convened  one  first  day  after- 
noon, at  a  pit's  mouth,  near  Bishop  Auckland,  a  temporary 
awning  having  been  erected  for  the  purpose.  A  very  large 
company  assembled,  (from  1500  to  2000,)  and  I  trust  it  was 
a  time  in  which  the  truth  was  permitted  to  triumph  over  all 
doubts  and  cavils.  I  afterwards  held  a  similar  meeting  near 
Newcastle.  Here  my  sister  Rachel  Fowler  and  Anna  met  us, 
and  after  some  good  service,  (as  I  trust)  especially  in  two 
meetings  for  young  people,  we  pursued  our  course  into 
Scotland.  There  we  visited  Hawick  and  Jedburgh,  (where  I 
held  a  good  public  meeting,)  Melrose,  &c.,  and  so  passed  on 
to  Edinburgh.  Lively  and  pleasant  indeed  was  our  short 
sojourn  in  that  place.  It  gave  us  the  opportunity  of  enlarging 
the  circle  of  our  friends.  More  particularly  Avas  I  pleased  to 
form  a  friendship  with  Dr.  Abercrom|)ie,  the  author  of  those 
able  works,  so  generally  esteemed,  on  the  Intellectual  Powers, 
and  Moral  Feelings.  No  man,  perhaps,  has  written  more 
ably  on  the  subject  of  the  moral  principle,  universally  com- 
municated to  mankind.  He  came  to  dine  with  us  at  our 
hotel,  and  I  took  the  opportunity  of  explaining  to  him  the 
views  of  Friends  on  this  subject,  namely,  that  the  light  which 
enables  the  conscience  to  perceive  the  great  dictates  of  the 
divine  law,  even  independently  of  an  outward  revelation,  is  a 
measure  of  the  influence  of  the  Spirit,  graciously  bestowed  on 
all  men  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  He  made  no 
objection  to  these  views,  and  I  have  seldom  found  them 
otherwise  than  acceptable  to  evangelical  Christians.  Dr. 
Abercrombie  is  considered  the  first  physician  in  Edinburgh. 
His  works  display  a  mind  of  a  very  lucid  and  acute  character ; 
a  combination  of  sound  philosophy  and  evangelical  piety, 
which  renders  them  invaluable.  We  enjoyed  some  true 
communion  in  spirit  before  we  parted ;  and  I  trust  we  shall 


^T.  49.        LABOURS  OF  THE  COMMITTEE.  75 

always  remember  each  other  in  love.  Dr.  Chalmers  with  his 
family  we  found  at  Burntisland,  a  sea  bathing  place  in  the 
north  of  the  Forth.  Very  much  was  it  to  our  mutual 
enjoyment  to  meet  again.  His  conversation  was  luminous  as 
usual,  and  he  received  my  strong  words  of  warning  against 
high-churchism  with  great  good  feeling.  In  a  parting 
opportunity  we  were  brought  into  that  unity  of  spirit  which 
overflows  all  sectarian  distinctions. 

From  Burntisland  we  proceeded  to  Wemyss  Castle,  a  fine 
old  baronial  residence  on  the  rocky  coast  of  Fifeshire,  where 
our  friend  Captain  Wemyss  treated  us  with  characteristic 
hospitality ;  thence  to  Renny  Hill,  the  comfortable  little 
lairdship  of  the  Johnstons,  wlicre  two  days,  passed  with  my 
niece  Priscilla  and  her  husband,  were  to  our  mutual  comfort, 
and  so  across  the  country  by  Stirling  to  Glasgow.  At  a 
large  public  meeting  there,  I  had  to  insist,  in  an  especial 
manner,  on  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  reviewing  the 
subject  after  the  maflner  of  Friends.  I  afterwards  found  that 
Dr.  Wardlaw,  who  had  published  a  book  on  the  Beacon  side 
of  the  controversy,  was  present  with  a  great  number  of  his 
people.  At  his  request  we  went  to  breakfast  with  him  at  his 
cottage  on  the  banks  of  the  Clyde,  when  I  had  a  full  oppor- 
tunity of  more  explicitly  informing  him  of  our  true  views  of 
spiritual  influence,  and  of  correcting  his  misapprehensions 
respecting  us.  He  received  the  communication  with  great 
attention  and  respect,  and  I  trust  it  served  a  good  purpose. 
We  parted  in  much  love,  after  fervent  prayer  had  been  oflered 
for  him  and  his  interesting  family.* 

After  holding  many  meetings  in  Cumberland,  especially  in 
the  coal  and  lead  mining  districts,  where  there  appeared  a 
great  openness  among  the  people  towards  Friends  and  their 
doctrines,  I  returned  to  Manchester.  Great  were  the  difii- 
culty  and  conflict  which  awaited  us  there;  nevertheless  I 
believed  it  to  be  my  duty  to  support  Friends,  in  promoting  a 

*  Joseph  John  Gurney  afterwards  addressed  to  Dr.  Wardlaw 
several  letters  on  these  subjects ;  which  he  subsequently  published. 
See  Friendly  Letters  to  ])r.  Wardlaw,  Norwich,  1836. 


76  LABOURS    OF   THE   COMMITTEE.  1836. 

total  change  in  the  "  overseers,"  and  in  discouraging  the 
irreguLvr  meetings  for  worship,  which  the  dissatisfied  party 
had  instituted.  The  difference  of  principle  between  that  party 
and  the  society  had  become  so  obvious,  that  na  other  line  of 
conduct  could  be  pursued  by  me  consistently  with  my  own 
views.  The  crisis  was  now  come ;  the  Monthly  Meeting 
appointed  new  overseers ;  and,  within  a  very  short  time,  our 
long-valued  Friends,  Isaac  Crewdsonj  William  Boulton,  and 
many  others — in  all,  about  fifty — resigned  their  membership 
in  the  society. 

Most  sincerely  do  I  love  these  Friends,  and  heartily  do  I 
desire  their  welfare ;  but  we  are  separated,  not  merely  by  a 
diversity  of  practice,  but  by  the  difference  of  principle  on 
which  that  diversity  is  grounded.  We  must,  therefore,  agree 
to  differ — in  the  humble  hope  that,  through  a  reverent,  abiding 
trust  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  we  may  meet  at  last  where 
differences  will  exist  no  longer,  and  where  all  miscoudfeptions 
of  one  another's  conduct,  will  for  ever  cease. 

Thus  terminated  the  proceedings  of  the  committee 
at  Manchester.  The  Friends,  who  then  resigned 
their  membership,  at  first  established  a  separate 
meeting,  which  was,  however,  discontinued  in  the 
course  of  a  few  years,  as  its  supporters  found  that 
there  was  little  to  distinguisli  them  from  some  other 
communities  of .  professing  Christians.  Those  who 
withdrew  from  Friends  in  other  places  about  the 
same  period,  gradually  became,  in  like  manner, 
united  to  other  Christian  societies.  No  distinct 
body  now  survives  to  preserve  a  memorial  of  this 
secession.  But  though  the  loss  of  so  many  who 
misht  have  been  valuable  members  cannot  but  be 
greatly  deplored,  it  may  be  thankfully  acknow- 
ledged that,  whilst  not  insensible  of  its  weakness, 
the  Society  of  Friends,  in  England,  has  been  mer- 
cifully permitted   to   emerge  from   these   difficulties, 


MT.  49.  DEATH    OF   LOUISA   HOAEE.  7T 

more  than  ever  united  in  its  attachment  to  the 
essential  spirituality  of  the  Christian  religion,  in 
its  insej)arable  connexion  with  pure  evangelical 
truth. 

"In  reviewing  my  conduct,"  adds  Joseph  John  Gumey 
towards  the  conclusion  of  the  foregoing  account,  "  I  am  very 
ready  to  acknowledge  that,  under  the  diflSculties  of  the  case, 
I  may  have  been  betrayed  into  some  minor  errors  in 
expression,  &c.  ;  but  on  calm  and  deliberate  reflection,  I  am 
not  aware  that,  in  any  respect  of  importance,  I  could  have 
acted  differently.  In  reference  to  these  painful  affairs,  in  all 
their  various  stages,  I  can  say  with  the  apostle,  '  I  trust  I  have 
a  good  conscience.'  " 

During  Joseph  John  Gurney's  absence  on  this 
journey,  he  received  the  sorrowful  tidings  of  the 
decease,  after  a  rather  lingering  illness,  of  his  sister 
Louisa  Hoare,  the  wife  of  the  late  Samuel  Hoare, 
of  Hampstead.  With  the  warmth  of  brotherly 
affection,  he  thus  traces  her  character  in  the 
Autobiography. 

"  What  a  sister  and.friend  has  Louisa  been  to  me  ;  and  how 
glowing  is  the  picture  of  her  that  memory  is  often  painting 
for  me  !  Perhaps  I  should  not  be  far  wrong  in  estimating  her 
as  superior,  in  point  of  talent,  to  any  other  of  my  father's 
eleven  children.  She  was  a  calm,  deep  thinker,  and  applied 
her  well  wrought  out  views  and  principles  to  action  with  a 
perseverance  and  exactness  which  were  very  unconynon.  No 
small  sense  had  she  of  the  true  bearing  and  value  of  the  views 
of  Friends ;  but  her  circumstances  in  married  life  strongly 
led  in  another  direction.  Education  was  her  great  forte. 
Her  work  on  Nursery  Discipline,  or  the  Early  Education  of 
Children,  is  replete  with  wise  thoughts,  well  expressed,  and 
has  met  with  a  widely-extended  circulation.  A  little  book  on 
the  same  subject,  for  the  use  of  the  poor,  is  also  of  much 


78  PREPARATION   FOR  1836-1837. 

value,  as  is  her  interesting  Memoir  of  a  Workliouse  Boy.  She 
had  a  larger  and  yet  more  important  work  on  hand,  being  a 
collection  of  contrasts  between  the  effects  of  religion  and 
irreligion,  afforded  by  the  lives  and  deaths  of  the  godly  and 
ungodly,  the  believing  and  unbelieving,  the  righteous  and  the 
•wicked.  I  never  could  persuade  her  to  prepare  it  for  the 
press ;  but  I  still  hope  it  may  in  time  see  the  light.  The 
decease  of  her  eldest  son  inflicted  a  wound  on  her  sensitive 
constitution  from  which  she  never  recovered.  Her  sufferings 
were  peculiarly  affecting ;  but  she  struggled  against  them  with 
a  well-principled  steadiness  which  afforded  us  much  instruction  ; 
and  her  hold  on  the  truth,  and  on  its  blessed  promises,  was 
never  shaken. 

The  winter  was  spent  by  Joseph  John  Gurney 
mostly  at  home,  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  company 
of  his  children.  During  this  recess  from  more 
active  labours,  a  prospect  of  extensive  service  in  a 
distant  land  gradually  opened  before  him  with 
increasing  clearness.  The  following  extracts  will 
enable  the  reader  to  trace  the  course  of  his  mind  in 
relation  to  this  important  subject. 

After  a  short  visit  to  London  where  he  was 
detained  a  few  days  by  a  heavy  fall  of  snow  at  the 
bouse  of  his  brother  Samuel  Gurney,  he  writes :  — 

1st  vw.,  5th,  1837.  The  commencement  of  the  new  year 
was  felt  with  a  sort  of  melancholy  solemnity ;  but  the  Lord 
afterward^  seemed  very  graciously  to  lift  up  the  light  of  his 
countenance  upon  me.  My  situation  just  now  in  the  church 
is  one  of  considerable  humiliation ;  which  I  think  I  am 
content  to  bear,  if  so  be  the  precious  cause  of  eternal  truth 
may  not  suffer  through  me.  A  calming  influence  is  cheeringly 
spread  over  my  own  mind  this  morning,  in  the  humble  belief 
that  the  Lord  will  provide. 

1st  mo.,  14th.  I  could  hardly  have  beheved  it  possible  that 
four   or   five   days   should   have  witnessed   so   remarkable   a 


^T.  49.  MORE  EXTENDED  LABOURS.  "   79 

change  in  my  condition  of  mind,  prospects,  intentions, 
feelings,  &c.,  as  has  been  the  case  since  my  last  entry.  For 
several  months  past,  I  have  been  suffering  from  time  to  time 
under  a  state  of  conflict,  and  a  weight  of  sorrow,  for  which  I 
was  wholly  unable  to  account ;  though  at  no  time,  that  I 
remember,  have  I  quite  lost  either  faith,  hope,  or  patience ;'  or 
quite  slipped  from  my  footing  on  the  rock — Christ  Jesus.  It 
seems  to  have  been  permitted  for  my  humiliation  ;  for  the 
breaking  of  me  down  —  yegi,  for  the  grinding  of  me  into 
dust  —  before  the  Lord ;  and  a  thick  vail  of  darkness  was 
spread  over  the  future,  which  it  was  impossible  to  penetrate. 
I  often  seemed  to  myself  as  one  cast  out  and  trodden  on, 
who  could  be  of  little  farther  use  in  the  church  of  my 
Redeemer. 

During  the  continuance  of  this  condition,  I  may  gratefully 
acknowledge  that  the  anointing  of  God's  Holy  Spirit*  was 
from  season  to  season  bestowed  in  a  iheasure  for  my  refresh- 
ment; especially  through  the  exercise  of  the  ministry.  But 
if  the  cloud  broke  away  for  a  time,  that  time  was  but  very 
short ;  and  the  hand  of  the  Lord  still  appeared  to  be  very 
heavy  upon  me.  Seldom,  if  ever,  have  I  suffered  more  in  this 
way,  than  during  last  first  day  night ;  a  time  of  tempest- 
tossinjr  indeed  !  Notwithstanding  some  relief  in  the  mornincj 
of  second  day,  I  went  heavy  laden  and  broken  to  call  on . 


A  few  words  of  ministry,  which  were  then  addressed  to  me, 
seem  to  have  been  the  appointed  means  of  breaking  the  spell ; 
and  as  I  was  afterwards  riding  to  Thickthorn,  my  conflict 
fled  away,  and  I  was  left  in  a  calm,  but  decided  possession  of 
the  most  important  religious  prospect  which  has  yet  fallen  to 
my  lot  —  a  prospect  which  has  been  floating  before  me  for 
about  twenty  years,  and  now  seems  to  be  quickly  gathering  to 
its  focus.  Delightful  tranquillity  was  my  portion  during  the 
remainder  of  the  day  and  the  whole  of  the  next  day. 

TO    HIS    BROTHER    SAMUEL    GURNEY. 

Fakenbam,  1st  mo.,  20th,  1837. 

I  believe  that  I  ought  not  longer  to  delay  informing  thee 
of  my  present  condition  of  mind  m  reference  to  religious  ser- 


80       ■  PROSPECT   OF   VISIT  1837. 

vice.  Our  dear  sister  Fry  is  more  aware  tlian  3-ou  are,  of  the 
remarkable  measure  of  mental  conflict  under  ■whicli  I  have 
suffered  for  several  months  past. 

About  ten  days  ago,  this  conflict  was  wonderfully  removed 
in  the  view  of  quietly  submitting  without  much  further  delay, 
to  a  prospect  which  has  been  more  or  less  floating  before  me 
for  nearly  twenty  years,  of  no  less  magnitude  than  that  of 
crossing  the  Atlantic,  and  visiting  Friends  and  others  in 
America. 

Ever  since  something  like  a  surrender  at  discretion  on  this 
subject,  I  have,  with  few  intermissions,  felt  much  more  at 
ease  in  mind,  cheerful,  and  happy,  and  preserved  from  anxiety 
about  the  future ;  though  at  times,  of  course,  a  tide  of  fears 
and  doubts  sets  in  upon  me ;  but  it  is  my  increasing  appre- 
hension, that  the  Lord  is  condescending  to  require  the  sacrifice 
of  me. 

Until  within  a  short"  time,  I  permitted  myself-  to  believe, 
that  some  future  year  would  prove  to  be  the  right  time.  My 
present  apprehension  is,  that  there  ought  not  to  be  any  delay 
beyond  the  present  year ;  and  that,  if  nothing  providential 
forbids,  it  may  probably  devolve  upon  me  *o  mention  the  sub- 
ject at  our  ensuing  Monthly  Meeting,  that  is,  on  fifth  day, 
the  9th  of  next  month. 

Still  my* mind  is  by  no  means  fully  settled  on  that  point; 
and  I  am,  of  course,  open  to  your  counsel.  I  know  I  shall 
have  your  fervent  petitions  on  my  account,  and  your  tenderest 
sympathy. 

I  am  quite  tranquil,  and  feel  a  hope  that  if  this  matter  is 
required,  the  Lord  will  not  be  wanting  in  giving  me  the 
double  evidence  which  such  a  service  seems  to  demand. 

TO   THOMAS   POWELL   BUXTON. 

Earlham,  1st  mo.,  2Sth,  1S37. 

My  DEAREST  Buxton, 

Thanks  for  thy  verbal  advice  on  the  subject  df 
America,  and  still  more  thanks  for  thy  letter,  which  I  am 
able  to  digest  with  quietness  to-day  under  a  peculiar  feeling 


JET.  49.  TO    AMERICA.  81 

of  rest  and  relief.  I  very  much  accord  witli  thee  in  thy  view 
of  the  principles  on  which  it  must  be  settled.  "Do  the  will 
of  God,  whatsoever  sacrifice  it  may  bring  In  its  train,  but 
take  care  not  to  involve  yourself  in  the  sacrifice  until  you  are 
quite  sure  that  it  is  his  will." 

To  both  these  positions  I  say,  "Amen;"  but  I  wish  to  be 
preserved  from  exaggerating  either  the  sacrifice  itself,  or  the 
kind  and  measure  of  evidence  it  requires.  On  both  these 
points  I  desire  to  be  as  simple  as  a  child.  First,  with  respect 
to  the  sacrifice,  I  feel  and  acknowledge  it  to  be  great,  and  by 
far  the  greatest  I  have  ever  been  called  upon  to  make  in  my 
Christian  course.  Yet  I  do  not  consider  that  absence  in  a 
distant  land  during  two  'or  even  three  years,  involves  the  per- 
manent surrender  either  of  my  home  privileges  or  home 
duties.  It  is  Avhat  most  men  would  submit  to  without  much 
hesitation  in  the  pursuit  of  health.  I  have  no  idea  that  the 
personal  difliculties  or  deprivation  of  outward  comfort,  which 
would  attend  the  execution  of  such  a  purpose,  would  be  to 
any  great  or  overwhelming  extent.  With  respect  to  my 
darling  clildren,  and  all  over  whom  I  am  here  permitted  to 
exercise  some  benefidal  influence,  my  mind  is  stayed  upon 
two  grand  considerations.  First,  that  the  influence  of 
Christian  love,  and  even  of  Christian  authority  when 
grounded  in  love,  is  by  no  means  extinguished,  but,  in  some 
respects  increased,  by  the  absence  of  the  party  who  exerts  it ; 
and  it  may  by  the  very  discipline  which  a  temporary  separa- 
tion involves,  be  prepared  for  a  yet  more  vigorous  and  decided 
exercise  in  future.  And  secondly,  and  more  especially,  that 
if  ray  absence  is  ordered  of  the  Lord,  it  is  far  safer  for  my 
children  as  well  as  for  myself,  that  I  should  be  absent  than 
present ;  for  there  is  no  example  which  I  could  set  before  them 
with  so  little  advantage  as  that  of  disobedience  to  the  glorious 
Saviour  to  whose  service  I  wish  them  to  be  devoted.  In  the 
mean  time  I  feel  a  humble  confidence  that  so  long  as  I  am 
conformed  to  his  will,  he  who  protects  the  fatherless,  will 
graciously  protect  them  and  supply  all  their  need,  temporally 
YoL.  II.  — 6 


82  PROSPECT    OF    VISIT  18 


6t 


and  spiritually,  unspeakably  better  than  I  could  do  by  any 
planning  of  mine  in  a  direction  contrary  to  the  divine  counsels. 

These  remarks  bring  me  to  my  second  head — the  point  of 
evidence.  I  am  free  to  confess,  that  for  evidence  I  expect 
only  a  quiet,  deliberate,  settled  sense  of  duty,  in  connexion 
■with  my  general  call  to  the  ministry ;  such  a  sense  of  duty  as 
I  cannot  possibly  bring  upon  myself;  ■which  lives  through 
times  of  appalling  cloudiness ;  and  ■which  ever  and  anon,  at 
happier  seasons,  bursts  forth  ■with  a  brightness  all  its  own, 
rises  into  authority  by  its  native  po^wer,  and  brings  me,  in 
spite  of  all  discouragements,  into  a  happy  and  easy  tranquillity, 
if  I  am  but  submissive  to  it.  • 

Thou  ■wilt  perceive  that  my  views  and  experience  on  this 
subject  are  connected  with  my  general  call  to  the  ■work  of  the 
ministry.  With  regard  to  that  general  call  itself,  I  suppose 
that  Christians  of  every  denomination  who  have  entered  on 
so  sacred  a  function  with  the  seiiousness  which  it  demands, 
would  acknowledge  a  similar  experience,  and  would  cast 
themselves,  in  this  awful  affair  between  God  and  their  souls, 
on  the  same  description  of  evidence.  Here,  perhaps,  many 
would  leave  it ;  and,  for  the  location  and  peculiar  direction  of 
the  work,  would  look  for  nothing  more  than  that  providential 
guidance  which  is  marked  by  outward  circumstances.  Eat  it 
has  been  for  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  my  settled  belief 
that  the  same  description  of  evidence  may  be  looked  for  and 
ought  to  be  followed  with  respect  to  what  may  be  called  the 
secondary  parts  of  a  call  to  this  service.  "  Thou  shalt  go  to 
all  that  I  shall  send  thee,  and  whatsoever  I  command  thee 
thou  shalt  speak."  It  is  upon  this  principle  that  I  have 
endeavoured  to  act  ever  since  I  was  first  so  engaged ;  and, 
though  I  am  very  sensible  of  the  infirmity  of  the  earthen 
vessel,  I  may  truly  say  that  I  have  found  my  Lord  and 
Master  to  be  a  most  sure  and  sufficient  guide;  and  that  my 
security  and  success  in  the  work,  have  ever  been  found  to 
depend  on  a  simple,  faithful  following  of  the  liord's 
"anointing."  This  is  a  clue  that  I  dare  not  forsake  or 
neglect  or  refuse  to  follow.     I  have  the  belief  impressed  upon 


M'l.  49.  TO   AMEEICA.  83 

me,  that  if  I  did  so,  it  would  be  to  the  peril  of  my  soul. 
And  yet  I  humbly  trust  that  the  constraining  principle  which 
binds  me  to  the  service  is  love  rather  than  fear. 

I  am  far  from  confining  this  view  of  the  immediate 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  I 
apply  it  generally  to  our  whole  course  of  duty,  and  even  to 
temporal  avocations,  which  are  more  or  less  connected  with 
our  own  religious  interests  and  those  of  others.  I  think  thy 
own  experience  with  respect  to  parliament  and  parliamentary 
duties  has,  in  an  eminent  degree,  tallied  with  this  remark. 
But  I  nevertheless  conceive  that  the  application  of  this 
doctrine  to  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel  is  marked  with  pre- 
eminent clearness,  and  operates  with  peculiar  force. 

With,  regard  to  my  prospect  of  parliamentary  duty  some 
years  ago,  to  which  thou  hast  alluded ;  certain  it  is  that  I  was 
led  to  the  consideration  of  it  under  feelings  which  appeared  to 
me  to  be  of  a  sacred  character ;  but  never  was  I  brought  to  the 
point  of  condudincf  that  the  thing  was  right ;  and  after  some 
trial  of  patience,  I  was  delivered  from  all  bonds  on  the  subject, 
without  any  human  instrumentality,  and  without  any  aid  from 
circumstances.* 

With  respect  to  America,  after  all  that  can  be  said  on  every 
hand,  my  only  course  is  to  go  to  my  Lord  and  Master,  in 
simple  faith  and  fervent  prayer,  with  the  question — "  Is  it  of 
myself,  or  is  it  of  thee  V  or,  in  other  words,  "  Is  it  wrong 
or  is  it  right?"  the  two  questions  being  perfectly  equivalent. 

I  will  not  say  that  I  am  yet  in  possession  of  that  full  and 
clear  affirmative  answer  to  this  question,  on  which  it  is  safe 
for  me  to  act.  And  most  heartily  do  I  desire  that,  in  weighing 
the  subject,  I  may  be  preserved  from  presumption.  But 
honesty  compels  me  to  acknowledge  that  the  conviction  that 
this  is  actually  the  path  which  he  sees  fit  to  point  out  to  me  is 
not  decreasing.  In  the  mean  time  I  am  mercifully  favoured 
with  some  quietness,  and  I  hope  sobriety  of  mind.  My  hum- 
ble hope  and  belief  is,  that  if  this  thing  be  not  required  of 
me,  he  will  either  providentially  or   spiritually,  cast  a  bond 

*  See  supra,  Vol.  I,  p.   493. 


84  PKOSPECT   OF   VISIT  1837. 

upon  me  "which  will  -detain  me  here ;  and  that  if  it  be  required, 
you  "will  all  be  able,  in  due  season,  to  adopt  the  language, 
"  Loose  him,  and  let  him  go." 

TO    HIS    SISTEK    ELIZABETH    FRY, 

Norwich,  1st  mo.,  31st,  1837. 

I  am  glad  to  report  comfortablj  of  myself  fo-day,  as  I  am 
far  better  in  body ;  and  in  mind  tranquil  and  at  ease,  in 
unreserved  submission  to  the  prospect  already  mentioned  to 
thee.  I  feel  increasingly  bound  to  it,  and  cannot  believe  that 
the  voice  which  leads  me  into  it,  and  ■which  during  the  last 
few  days  has  been  very  distinct,  is  the  voice  of  a  stranger,  or 
any  other  than  that  of  the  true  Shepherd.  With  regard  to 
time,  though  I  felt  pretty  well  satisfied  with  the-view  taken  by 
thee  of  it  when  we  were  together,  it  is  now  evident  to  me,  that 
the  peculiarly  dose  conflict  which  has  been  allotted  me  for 
many  months,  was,  (though  unknown  to  myself,)  preparing  me 
for  an  earlier  surrender  to  the  service.  My  natural  judgment 
also  coincides  with  this,  for  when  such  a  burden  is  decidedly 
laid  upon  the  mind,  there  is  nothing  like  throwing  it  off  without 
unnecessary  delay.  Otherwise  one  is  crippled  and  spoiled  for 
everything  else.  So  also  with  respect  to  the  Monthly  Meeting, 
I  believe  it  best  to  give  Friends  %\\e\\' full  time^  though  an  early 
beginning  of  it  may  be  the  consequence.  I  have  endeavoured 
just  to  tread  on  the  ''stepping  stones"  as  they  have  appeared, 
and  in  this  way  have  now  mentioned  the  subject  to  all  my 
brothers  and  sisters,  and  to  all  my  partners  in  the  Norwich 
bank.  The  result  is,  less  difiiculty  and  obstruction  than  might 
have  been  anticipated.  But  I  have  had  my  low  seasons,  and 
may  have  them  again  before  I  go  further. 

1st  mo.,  24ft^.  We  had  an  excellent  meeting  last  fifth  day 
morning ;  William  Forster's  ministry  most  delightful ;  on 
being  brought  through  the  fire.  Dearest  Catherine,  Rachel, 
my  aunt,  and  my  own  children,  have  now  been  informed  of  my 
condition  of  mind,  and  I  have  written  to  my  brother  Samuel, 
kc.  Under  the  trial  necessarily  occasioned  by  this  develop- 
ment, I  feel  wonderfully  tranquil  and  quiet ;  and,  in  some 
degree  of  the  breaking  down  of  my  own  will  before  the  Lord, 


^T.  40.  TO    AMERICA.  85 

only  desire  to  be  favoured,  on  a  calm  and  deliberate  view  of 
the  case,  with  sufficiently  clear  evidence  as  to  the  real  path  of 
duty.  I  feel,  in  the  meantime,  happily  able  to  attend  to  the 
calls,  and  even  the  pleasures  of  the  day. 

Ind  mo.,  5th.  [Referring  to  a  visit  from  two  of  his 
brothers.]  I  believe  they  have  both  left  me  with  the  feeling, 
that  this  sacrifice,  affecting  as  it  evidently  is  to  them  and  all 
the  family,  as  well  as  to  myself,  must,  unless  providentially 
impeded,  be  quietly  submitted  to.  I  have  been  favoured  with 
unbroken  tranquillity ;  although,  at  times,  lowness,  as  well  as 
some  anxiety  about  my  bodily  state,  have  been  my  portion. 
On  the  whole,  it  is  impossible  not  to  perceive,  that  the  way 
towards  this  prospect  has  been  so  far  wonderfully  made  for 
me.  Oh !  that  I  may  continue  under  the  cqnstant  and  settled 
impression  that  I  can  do  nothing  well  of  myself,  and  that  so 
far  as  I  am  enabled  to  go  forward  steadily  in  the  path  of 
apprehended  duty,  it  is  entirely  of  the  grace  and  goodness  of 
the  Lord! 

According  to  the  Christian  order  which  has  been 
long  established  in  the  Society  of  Friends,  it  was 
necessary,  before  Joseph  John  Gurney  could  go  forth 
in  the  extensive  service  now  before  him,  that  he 
should  obtain  not  only  the  concurrence  of  the 
Friends  of  his  own  neighbourhood  and  county, 
testified  by  the  "certificates"  of  tlie  Monthly  and 
Quarterly  Meetings,  of  which  he  was  a  member;  but 
also  that  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  ministers  and 
elders,  consisting  of  representatives  and  others  from 
the  various  meetings  of  Friends  in  those  stations  in 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland.  On  the  morning  of  the 
day  on  which  he  was  about  to  lay  the  subject  before 
the  Friends  of  his  own  Monthly  Meeting,  he  received 
the  unlooked  for  intelligence  of  the  death  of  his 
sister-in-law  Lady  Harriet  Gurney. 


86  CERTIFICATES  GRANTED  BY  HIS  MOiS'THLY  1837. 

He  afterwards  writes  :  — 

2nd  mo.,  14:th.  Third  day.  Oh  !  the  importance,  and,  iu 
some  respects,  awfuhiess  of  the  past  week  !  During  the  former 
part,  my  mind  continued  tranquil,  but  fixed  witliout  change 
on  the  prospect  before  me.  At  my  request,  our  visitors  left 
us  on  fourth  day  morning,  that  I  might  have  that  day  quietly 
to  myself  at  home,  in  order  afresh  to  ponder  all  my  ways. 
Our  little  home  circle  was  calm,  and,  on  the  whole,  happy ; 
the  night  easy  to  me.  But,  alas !  while  I  was  dressing  on 
fifth  day  morning,  a  special  messenger  from  Runcton  was 
ushered  into  my  chamber,  with  the  appalling  intelligence  that 
our  dearest  sister  Harriet  had  been  prematurely  confined,  and 
was  dead.  I  was .  favoured  with  much  quietness  of  spirit  on 
receiving  these  heavy  tidings ;  broke  them  to  dear  Catherine, 

and    rode    to   Norwich    to   inform  C W ,  who,  with 

Lady  J ,  and  Catherine,  were  requested  to  come  to  Runc- 
ton at  once ;  then  returned  to  Earlham  to  see  Catherine  before 
her  departure ;  and  afterwards  went  to  our  solemn,  most 
important  meeting.  The  meeting  for  worship  was  refreshing, 
and  yet  deeply  searching.  Frances  Page  spoke  excellently  on 
the  case  of  Elijah  at  Mount  Horeb ;  and  I  was  led  to  vindicate 
the  dertainty  of  the  divine  guidance  by  the  voice  of  the  Spirit ; 
obedience  to  it  being  the  only  safe  path  either  for  time  or 
eternity.  The  women  were  requested  to  keep  their  seats  for 
the  Monthly  Meeting;  and,  after  a  solemn  pause,  I  fully 
unfolded  my  weighty  concern  for  America,  not  feeling  that 
the  duty  of  so  doing  was  in  the  least  degree  afi*ected  by  the 
trial  of  the  morning.  The  subject  was  well  considered,  under 
deep  solemnity,  and  very  full  unity  and  sympathy  were 
expressed  by  large  numbers,  so  that  a  certificate  was  ordered. 
Dear  Frances  Page  thought  that  a  ram  might  possibly  still  be 
caught  in  the  thicket ;  if  so,  how  entirely  willing  shall  I  be  to 
accept  it ;  but  if  not,  may  I  have  grace  to  go  simply  forward ! 
Early  the  next  morning,  I  went  off  with  Anna  to  Runcton. 
There  I  passed  sixth,  seventh,  and  first  days ;  a  time  of  deep 
mourning  indeed,  especially  sixth  day.     Afterwards  we  were 


^T.  49.  AND    QUARTERLj.-    MEETINGS.  o7 

more  tranquil.  My  dear  brother  is .  wonderful! j  c;ilui,  an. I 
supported,  though  broken,  and  sorely  tried.  I  read  with  the 
liousehold  and  others  twice  on  first  day;  and  we  were,  I  trust, 
favoured  with  the  gracious  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
accompanied  by  a  sweet  apprehension  of  her  perfect  happiness. 

Srd  mo.,  lOtJi.  Yesterday  our  Monthly  Meeting  was 
largely  attended.  We  had  a  solemn  meeting  for  worship,  in 
which  it  was  given  to  me  to  speak  of  the  quietness  of  those 
in  whom  Christ  governs ;  its  foundation  and  characteristic.-^. 
Afterwards  my  certificate  Avas  read  and  signed,  under  feelings 
of  great  solemnity.     It  was  to  me  inexpressibly  affecting. 

4:th  mo.,  4th.  The  Quarterly  Meeting,  on  fifth  day  last,  was 
well  attended,  and  a  very  solemn  season.  In  the  eonsideration 
of  my  certificate  much  unity  was  expressed,  and,  I  believe,  felt 
generally ;  and  the  certificate  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  was 
finally  completed  by  an  excellent  endorsement. 

4:th  mo.,  10th.  Peace  of  mind  —  the  result  of  an  arrange- 
ment with  my  partners,  respecting  my  profits  from  business. 
I  give  up  one-third  of  my  own  share  of  profits  to  those  who 
stay  at  home  and  do  the  work.  My  partners  have  been  very 
kind  and  considerate,  and  the  arrangement  is  made  from  my 
own  sense  of  propriety  and  duty.  I  have  looked  closely  at 
the  question  of  renouncing  a  considerable  proportion  of  my 
income,  which,  ha*d  I  continued  at  home,  might  have  been  ex- 
pended for  the  good  of  others ;  but  it  is  done  in  apprehended 
obedience  to  a  higher  call ;  and  with,  at  least,  a  sincere  desire 
to  promote  the  kingdom  and  glory  of  my  Redeemer.  As 
America  opens  before  me,  and  the  way  to  that  vast  field  of 
service  seems  gradually  clearing,  my  soul  is  bowed  in  reverent 
prostration  before  the  Lord,  with  the  earnest  desire,  that  he 
may  be  pleased  to  preserve  me  and  my  darling  children,  whom 
I  am  to  leave  behind,  from  falling  into  any  of  the  snares  of 
the  enemy  ;  and  that  we  may  meet  again  in  peace,  if  it  may 
be,  on  this  earth ;  but,  above  all,  and  far  beyond  every  other 
consideration,  before  his  mercy-seat,  in  glory :  there  to  unite, 
with  many  tenderly  beloved  ones,  in  endless  songs  of  thanks- 
giving and  praise  to  the  Lord  God,  and  to  the  Lamb. 


S8  DUBLIN    YEARLY    MEETING.  1837. 

Previously  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London,  he 
this  year  also  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  of 
Friends  in  Ireland.  On  his  return  from  these 
eiii'afrements    he  writes:  — 

Qth  mo.,  11th.  Returned  liorae  last  evening,  ■witli  my  sister 
Rachel  [Fowler]  and  Anna,  from  Upton,  after  nearly  seven 
weeks'  absence ;  a  period  of  deep  interest  and  iuiportance, 
in  the  retrospect  of  which  I  can  feel  my  own  Aveakness  and 
unworthiness,  and  praise  the  Lord  for  his  great  and  unmerited 
goodness. 

The  first  point  of  our  journey  was  Birmingham  ;  where  I 
examined  the  school,  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  and 
held  a  young  people's  meeting.  Thence  with  our  cousin,  B. 
Dickenson,  to  Coalbrookdale,  where  we  paid  a  precious  fare- 
well visit ;  reached  Holyhead  on  sixth  day  night,  and  arrived 
at  Dublin  early  the  next  morning.  The  Yearly  meeting  there 
was  a  good  one.  I  trust  I  was  enabled  to  preach  the  glorious 
Gospel  with  power.  Friends  abounded  in  kindness  towards 
me  and  my  dear  children. 

On  second  day  morning,  in  our  third  week,  my  children 
and  I  set  oflF  for  Limerick,  on  our  way  to  ICillarney ;  which 
latter  place  we  reached,  after  some  little  difficulties,  the 
following  evening.  The  weather  was  delightful ;  and  the 
evening  of  our  arrival,  and  the  following  day,  Avere  pleasantly 
spent  in  surveying  the  magnificent  beauty  of  the  scenery. 
Thence  to  Cork,  where  we  were  kindly  entertained  by  A.  Beale, 
and  sailed  the  next  morning  for  Bristol ;  which  place,  after  a 
voyage  of  twenty-eight  hours,  we  reached  in  safety  on  seventh 
day,  and  found  a  peaceful  home  at  Sarah  Allen's.  A  very 
exercising  Sabbath  followed,  in  which  I  had  to  plead  earnestly 
for  the  principles  of  the  Society ;  and  a  public  meeting  was 
held  in  the  evening. 

Our  fifth  week  commenced  with  a  first  day  morning  at 
Stoke  Newington,  which  was  very  satisfactory.  The  two 
following  days  were  occupied  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  minis- 
ters and  elders.     On  third  day  morning  I  brought  forward  my 


^T.  49.  YEARLY    MEETING    IN    LONDON.  89 

American  prospect;  it  was  most  carefully  sifted,  and  de- 
liberated on,  and  ended  with  a  clear  decision  for  my  liberation. 
The  principal  question  raised  had  respect  to  time.  That  the 
concern  itself  was  of  the  Lord,  and  that  the  present  is 
the  right  time,  may  be  said  to  have  been  the  conclusion  of 
the  meeting ;  though  perhaps  some  on  both  sides  might  fairly 
be  considered  to  be  in  opposition  to  the  prospect.  I  have  not 
regretted  the  shape  which  the  matter  thus  assumed,  and 
though  the  ordeal  was  exercising,  I  was  well  satisfied  with  the 
meeting.  At  the  adjournment,  the  certificate,  drawn  up  to 
my  entire  satisfaction,  was  passed  and  signed  without  altera- 
tion,* ■ 

*  The  following  copy  of  the  document  furnished  to  Joseph  John 
Gurney  on  this  occasion  will  not  be  without  its  interest-  to  the 
general  reader :  — 

to  friends  in  north  america. 

Dear  Friends, 

Our  beloved  friend  Joseph  John  Gurney,  a  minister  in 
unity,  and  well  approved  amongst  us,  has,  with  much  weight, 
informed  us  of  an  apprehension  of  religious  duty,  which  for  some 
years,  at  times,  has  impressed  his  mind,  to  pay  a  visit  in  the  love  of 
the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  to  Friends  in 
North  America ;  he  also  informed  us  that  he  had  a  prospect  of 
holding  meetings  with  the  people  at  large,  in  some  places,  in  the 
course  of  his  travels,  and  that  he  has  an  apprehension  that  he  may 
Qnd  it  laid  upon  him,  to  visit  one  or  more  of  the  West  India  Islands, 
on  his  return  home.  He  has  produced  a  certificate  from  his  Monthly 
Meeting,  endorsed  by  his  Quarterly  Meeting  expressive  of  their 
unity  with  him  in  his  concern,  and  we  think  it  right  to  add  our 
testimony  to  theirs,  that  his  life  and  conversation  are  consistent  with 
his  Christian  profession. 

This  important  and  extensive  concern  has  obtained  our  very 
serious  and  patient  deliberation ;  after  the  expression  of  much  unity 
and  sympathy,  this  meeting  concurs  with  his  prospect  and  liberates 
him  for  the  service  before  him.  In  granting  him  our  certificate  we 
commend  our  dear  friend  to  the  tender  care  of  our  Almighty  Father 
in  heaven.  We  feel  a  very  strong  desire  that  he  may  be  kept  in  a 
state  of  humble,  reverent  watchfulness  before  the  Lord,  relying  day 
by    day,    with    holy   faith    and    childlike    simplicity,    on    the    all- 


90  LETTER.  1837. 

FROM  WILLIAM  ALLEN. 

6th  of  the  7th  mo.,  1837. 

My  dear  Friend, 

The  love  and  sympathy  I  feel  for  and  with  thee, 
would  have  brought  me  to  Liverpool  instead  of  this  lettei',  if 
circumstances  had  not  been  too  adverse  to  the  undertaking. 
May  the  sacrifice  of  all,  which  I  believe  thou  hast  made,  be 
accepted  by  our  divine  Master ;  and  may  he  condescend  to 
hear  and  to  answer  the  ardent  prayers,  which  thy  fellow  ser- 
vants are  pouring  out  before  him,  for  thy  preservation,  and 
for  a  blessing  upon  thy  labours  in  his  cause  !  May  he  preserve 
thee  humble,  and  ever  depending  upon  himself,  in  all  thy 
movements  and  undertakings ;  and  then,  whatever  may  be 
the  permission  of  his  providence,  in  life  or  in  death,  thou 
wilt  be  sweetly  and  eternally  his  own,  and  he  will  give  thee 
to  feel  that  it  is  so.  Remember  those  precious  words,  *'  I 
know  my  sheep,  and  am  known  of  mine."  I  wished  to  have 
said  something  to  thee  about  encouraging  the  prosecution  of 
our  agricultural  plans  for  the  benefit  of  the  people  of  colour, 
but  this  may  become  the  subject  of  future  correspondence. 
My  feelings  are  too  solemn,  at  present,  to  admit  of  more 
than  farewell  in  the  Lord,  my  beloved  brother,  and  may  he  be 
with  thee  in  every  extremity.     So  prays  thy  aff"ectionate 

William  Allen. 

sufficiency  of  his  grace ;  then  should  the  enemy  be  permitted  sorely 
to  buffet  him,  we  trust  that  neither  in  heights  nor  depths,  will  any- 
thing be  permitted  to  harm  him ;  but  that  wherever  he  may  be  led 
in  the  service  of  his  Lord,  he  may  both  in  public  and  in  private 
out  of  a  good  conversation,  shew  forth  his  works  with  the  meekness 
of  wisdom.  Desiring  that  it  may  please  the  great  Head  of  the 
church  to  prosper  his  labours  among  you,  and  at  their  conclusion 
grant  him  a  safe  and  peaceful  return  to  his  family  and  friends,  and 
that  he  may  obtain  your  kind  and  tender  sympathy, 

With  the  sakitatiou  of  Christian  love, 

We  are  your  friends. 

Signed  by  de?ire  and  on  behalf  of  tho  Yearly  Meeting") 
of  Ministers  and  Elders  held  in  London  by  adjournments  i   >»  ILLIAM  ALLEN, 
.the  22nd  and  23rd  of  the  5th  and  the  3rd  of  the  6th  f  ClERK 

month,  1837.  J 


.^T.  49.  SABBATICAL    VERSES.  91 

Before  leaving  England,  Joseph  John  Gurney 
printed  a  few  Essays  in  poetry,  under  the  title  of 
Sabbatical  Verses.  Composed  during  a  period  of 
much  affliction,  they  had  helped  to  sooth  some  of 
his  solitary  hours  of  sorrow;  and  deserve  the  atten- 
tion of  the  reader,  both  from  their  intrinsic  merit, 
and  from  the  interest  attaching  to  the  circumstances 
under  which  they  were  written  and  first  presented 
to  the  Christian  public,  "  as  a  farewell  token  of 
•aflfectionate  respect  and  regard."* 

Qth  mo.,  20f;7.  I  have  to  iccnril-witli  humble  gratitude,  that 
though  it  has  been  through  considerable  conflict,  we  are  much 
advanced  towards  a  quiet  and  satisfactory  settlement  of  the 
various  points,  connected  with  the  Earlham  arrangements  in 
my  absence.  I  have  not  been  very  well  or  strong,  and  some- 
times a  little  oppressed  in  spirits;  but,  through  all,  I  have 
been  mercifully  favoured  with  great  calmness ;  and  no  doubts 
or  misgivings  respecting  the  main  object  before  me  have  been 
permitted  to  intercept  my  path,  even  with  the  alternative 
before  me,  that  it  may  be  either  for  life  or  for  death.  My 
brotber  Samuel  has  been  most  acceptably  with  us  for  a  few 
days ;  and  William  Forster,  my  most  effective  friend  and  helper 
in  the  needful  hour. 

1th  mo.,  lAth.  I  leave  home  to-day  in  much  quietness 
and  peace.  We  had  a  very  interesting  leave-taking  with  my 
Norwich  friends  and  associates  on  first  day  evening.  I  have 
been  favoured  to  clear  away  all  matters  of  business,  and  to 
leave  things  in  such  orde;-.  that  if  my  life  should  drop,  no 
one  would  be  put  to  any  difficulty  about  my  affairs.  Quietness 
and  peace  are  permitted  to  reign  over  my  mind.  We  had 
a  solemn  time  with  the  servants  this  mornino;  after  readinir. 
May  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  abundantly  with  us 
all ! 

*They  will  be  found  in  Joseph  John  Gurney's  Minor  Works;  vol 
ii.  pp,  251—294. 


92  DEPARTURE   FROM   LIVERPOOL.  183' 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

1837.     ^T.  49—50. 

VOYAGE  TO  AMERICA;  WRITES  HIS  AUTOBIOGRAPHY;  ARRIVAL  AT 
PHILADELPHIA ;  JOURNEY  TO  OHIO,  INDIANA,  AND  JJiORTH  CARO- 
LINA ;  ATTENDANCE  OP  YEAilLY  MEETINGS ;  EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS 
AND  JOURNAL. 

Joseph  Johx  Gurnet  embarked  from  Liverpool  in 
the  Philadelphia  packet,  Monongaliela,  Captain 
Miercken,  on  the  8th  of  the  7th  mo.,  1837.  Owing 
to  a  succession  of  head  winds,  and  occasional  calms, 
the  voyage  occupied  seven  weeks. 

1th  mo.,  Sth.  On  hoard  the  3fonongahela,  seventh  day 
7iight.  My  cii'cumstances  are  so  new,  so  strange  to  my 
natural  feelings,  that  it  is  no  wonder  that  I  can  as  yet  .hardly 
understand  myself.  But  I  can  understand,  that  the  Lord  has 
condescended,  in  an  astonishing  manner,  to  hear  the  broken 
and  feeble  petitions  of  one  of  the  very  weakest  of  his  children  ; 
so  that,  througli,  infinite  mercy,  even  I  am  not  a  castaway, 
but  graciously  protected  by  the  wing  of  his  love,  and  sent 
forth,  under  a  measure  of  his  own  anointing,  for  his  own  ser- 
vice. Our  parting  from  the  little  circle  at  Earlham  last  third 
day,  our  journey  to  Liverpool,  our  short  sojourn  there  at  the 
pleasant  abode  of  our  dear  hospitable  friends,  I.  and  T.  Had- 
wen,  the  precious  meetings  which  we  have  enjoyed  in  that 
dearly  beloved  family  party,  have  all  bespoken  the  loving- 
kindness  and  tender  mercy  of  the  Lord ;  and,  not  least,  our 
parting  religious  opportunity  on  board  the  vessel,  when  mj 


^T.  49.  VOYAGE.  93 

dear  sister  Fry  once  more  raised  her  voice  in  solemn  supplica- 
tion. What  am  I,. that  the  Lord  should  permit  so  many  of 
his  servants  to  he  my  helpers,  and  to  utter  blessed  words  for 
my  encouragement — words  full  of  hope  and  confidence,  and 
flowing  with  a  Saviour's  love  ?  Bow,  0  my  soul,  in  reverent 
gratitude  before  the  God  of  thy  life,  who  has  so  richly  pro- 
A'ided  for  thy  needs,  cleared  away  every  obstruction, 'and  is 
now  making  a  path  for  his  servant  through  the  mighty  deep. 
The  feeling  of  being  on  the  bosom  of  the  ocean  for  so  long  a 
voyage,  is  touching  and  sublime ;  and  might  lay  painful  hold 
of  my  nervous  nature,  were  it  not  for  some  happy  sense  of 
the  sustaining  and  protecting  arm  of  omnipotent  love.  William 
Forster's  last  words  in  ministry  to  me,  were  for  the  purpose  of 
reminding  me  of  our  blessed  Saviour's  declaration,  "Behold 
I  am  with  ymi  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world."  Here 
is  my  security,  here  is  my  comfort,  here  let  me  take  my  rest 
on  the  bosom  of  the  mighty  deep. 

Ith  mo.,  lOtli.  We  have  enjoyed  a  noble  day's  sail ;  a  fine 
view  of  the  Tuskar  Lighthouse,  on  the  coast  of  Wexford, 
about  seven  o'clock  this  morning;  and  soon  afterwards  we 
were  clear  of  the  narrows  of  St.  George's  Channel.  We 
have  been  since  bearing  to  the  south  of  west,  in  order  to  be 
clear  of  the  Irish  coast,  and  of  Cape  Clear,  at  its  south- 
western extremity,  without  being  liable  to  the  necessity  of 
tacking.  The  entrance  on  the  vast  Atlantic  was  peculiarly 
sublime,  from  the  various  considerations  with  which  it  is 
connected,  in  addition  to  the  great  beauty  and  glory  of  the 
ocean  scene,  ruffled  by  a  gentle  breeze,  and  sparkling,  under 
the  sunshine,  with  innumerable  living  diamonds.  I  have 
seldom  experienced  a  more  thrilling  and  pleasurable  sensation 
than  on  this  occasion.  During  the  day.  some  little  squeamish- 
ness,  from  the  increased  motion  of  the  ship,  has  been  my  lot ; 
but  I  have  read  a  good  deal,  and  have  felt  in  comfortable 
spirits,  favoured  with  some  ability  to  trust  in  the  Lord,  and 
to  commune  with  him. 

The  intervals  of  leisure  afforded  bj  the  voyage 
were   employed   by  Joseph  John  Gurnej  in  several 


94  VOYAGE.  1837- 

minor  literary  undertakings.  Besides  the  Tribute 
to  the  memory  of  Jonathan  Hutchinson,  sub- 
sequently published,  it  was  now  that  he  wrote,  at 
the  request  of  one  of  his  nephews,  the  little  volume 
of  Autobiography,  of  which  so  'raany  extracts  have 
been  laid  before  the  reader.  Meanwhile  his  fellow 
passengers  were  not  forgotten. 

*Ith  mo.,  IQth.  The  wind  is  clean  contrary,  which  is  some- 
what of  a  trial  to  my  easily  discouraged  mind ;  but  I  am 
thankful  to  have  a  little  faith  given  me  according  to  my  need. 
We  have  enjoyed  two  very  solemn  meetings,  in  the  cabin  and 
on  the  deck,  attended  by  about  fifty,  the  captain,  pa^ssengers, 
sailors,  &c.  I  trust  the  glorious  gospel  was  not  preached  in 
vain ;  the  sailors,  especially,  appearing  very  thoughtful  and 
attentive. 

Seventh  day.  This  day  completes  our  fortnight  at  sea,  and 
although  our  progress  through  the  waters  has  not  been  very 
great,  yet,  on  the  review  of  this  time  of  novel  experience,  I 
feel  that  I  have  much  for  which  to  be  very  thankful.  We 
have  been  preserved  in  safety,  and  although  conflict  of  mind 
has  at  times  been  my  portion,  I  may  commemorate  frequent 
occasions  of  peculiar  favour  and  peace.  We  have  had  adverse 
■winds ;  dead  calm ;  fair  wind  for  a  season,  and  now  somewhat 
the  contrary  again.  How  incontrollable  is  this  moving  power 
by  any  human  being ;  how  consoling  the  remembrance,  that 
our  Heavenly  Father  holdeth  "  the  winds  in  his  fist."  We 
are  in  lat.  about  47  deg.,  in  long.  23  deg.  Nothing  could 
well  be  more  solemn  to  my  feelings,  than  the  calm  which  pre- 
vailed on  fifth  day,  late  in  the  evening ;  scarcely  a  breath  of 
air  playing  with  the  sails,  the  ship  motionless,  in  the  midst  of 
a  mighty  ocean.  My  condition  was  one  of  much  lowness, 
for  the  enemy  had  been  beating  against  me  within,  with  many 
a  stormy,  restless  wave  ;  so  that  the  suggestion  arose,  am  I 
a  Jonah,  to  stay  the  vessel  on  its  course  ?  This  temptation, 
however,  left  me,  after  a  very  interesting  meeting  in  the  large 
dark  hold  of  the  vessel,  with  the  steerage  passengers  before 


JET.  -49-50.  TO    AMERICA.  95 

they  retired  to  rest ;  many  of  them,  indeed,  being  in  their 
beds.  The  voice  of  prayer  and  praise  arose  vocally,  I  humbly 
trust  with  acceptance  through  the  Saviour. 

1th  mo.,  27th.  I  had  much  satisfaction  last  evening,  in 
lecturing  a  third  time,  to  most  of  our  party,  on  the  Evidence 
for  religion  derived  from  Science. 

Sixth  day  morning,  lat.  47  deg.,  long.  45.  We  have  been 
in  the  midst  of  a  great  fog  since  yesterday  morning ;  and  the 
bell  at  the  head  of  the  vessel  was  ringino:  ever  and  anon 
during  the  night,  to  warn  any  wandering  vessel  of  our  near 
approach.  This  sort  of  weather  is  very  common  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  and  seems 
rather  trying  to  the  captain  and  most  on  board.  It  is  calcu- 
lated to  make  us  especially  feel  the  value  of  the  guiding  eye 
as  well  as  the  protecting  arm  of  our  God.  The  solemn  sound 
of  the  bell  during  the  night  kept  me  awake  for  many  hours. 
1  felt  both  the  singularity  and  the  seriousness  of  my  position, 
but,  I  trust,  I  was  not  mistaken  in  the  belief,  that  the  Master 
whose  I  am,  and  whom  I  desire  to  serve,  quieted  me  with  the 
gentle  voice  of  his  Spirit ;  giving  me  to  believe,  that  as  I  had 
borne  testimony  to  him,  in  the  cities  of  my  native  land,  so  I 
shall  have  to  do  the  same  at  Philadelphia.  2>Iay  I  be  bold, 
discreet,  and  faithful  therein,  seeking  to  be  wise  as  the  serpent, 
and  harmless  as  the  dove  ;  above  all  seeking  after  the  stead- 
fastness and  integrity  which  are  in  Christ. 

8i/t  mo.,  IQth.  We  have'  gone  through  some  tedious 
navigation  lately,  having  been  compelled  to  make  two  long 
south-eastern  tacks,  in  order  to  get  clear  of  Newfoundland, 
and  the  fatal  Virgin  rocks.  Notwithstanding  these  efforts, 
rather  an  awful  degree  of  anxiety  prevailed  last  night,  lest 
our  course,  after  all,  might  not  be  clear  of  them.  However, 
a  nearly  fair  wind  carried  us  swiftly  forward ;  we  found  our- 
selves past  the  danger  this  morning,  and  are  now  about  1000 
miles  from  Cape.Henlopen.  Thus  have  we  renewed  cause  for 
thankfulness  to  the  Author  of  our  being,  and  I  retire  to  rest 
with  a  quiet  and  hopeful  mind. 

Next  morning.  What  rapid  changes  are  we  exposed  to  on 
this  restless  ocean  !     Soon  after  I  made  the  above  entry,  the 


96  AIIIIIVAL    AT    PHILADELPHIA.  1837. 

weather  became  stormy,  the  wind  roaring,  the  night  exces- 
sively dark,  the  lightning  flashing,  sails  furled,  the  vessel 
drifting,  the  captain  and  his  men  all  night  in  action  and 
vociferation.  My  own  mind  was  mercifully  preserved  in  con- 
siderable quietness.  This  morning  we  have  nothing  left  to 
alarm ;  though  our  portion  is  a  head  wind,  with  rain  and 
fog.  But  Oh  !  the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  in  permitting  a 
gale  as  from  Araby  the  blessed  for  the  cheering  of  our  spirits. 
Solemn  and  sweet  has  been  the  meeting  which  we  have  just 
been  holding  in  the  cabin. 

8th'--mo.;  12th.  We  have  now  been  five  weeks  on  board 
this  vessel.  I  had  too  readily  given  way  to  an  impression, 
that  this  day  would  see  us  in  port.  May  I  be  instructed  by 
the  disappointed  hope  !  As  it  is,  I  prefer  having  a  few  more 
days  at  sea,  that  I  may  finish  a  little  essay  at  Autobiography. 

Evening.  The  day  has  been  favourable  dnd  ends  in  peace. 
I  have  been  enabled  to  take  a  calm  view  of  home,  and  of  the 
members  of  our  family  circle,  with  a  degree  of  quietness  and 
comfort. 

8i7i  mo.,  22«cZ.  At  the  Capes,  and  in  harbour  within  Delaware 
breakwater.  To  Philadelphia  we  cannot  go  at  present,  the 
wind  being  adverse  and  strong ;  and  no  steamboat  having 
come  to  our  help.  The  entrance  through  the  Capes  this 
morning  was  very  sublime  ;  and  in  being  in  harbour  in  America, 
I  have  felt  true  quietness  and  peace,  with  much  solemnity  of 
feeling. 

8th  mo.,  25th.  We  reached  Philadelphia  last  night,  at  nine 
o'clock,  after  an  interesting  voyage  up  the  bay  and  river  of 
the  Delaware.  The  first  introduction  to  America  has  been 
fraught  with  lively  interest ;  and  my  arrival  at  my  peaceful 
abode,  at  John  and  Hannah  Paul's,  was  marked  by  much 
comfort  and  tranquillity :  my  dear  friend,  Stephen  Grellel, 
being  here  to  receive  me. 

■  8th  mo.,  21th,  first  day  afternoon.  It  is  more  interesting 
to  me  than  I  know  how  to  set  forth,  to  be  at  length  engaged 
in  the  work  in  this  land.  My  way  has  been  rather  remark- 
ably made  so  far;  and  a  general  meeting  for  Friends  is  ap- 
pointed for  this  evening  at  Arch-street  Meeting  House.     Tlie 


^T.  50.  FIRST    EXGAGEMEXTS    TUERE.  9T 

meeting  of  the  northern  (district  attended  this  morning,  was 
large,  and  favoured  with  much  solemnity.  I  trust  some  hearts 
were  touched.  After  meeting  "a  brook  bj  the  way"  was  most 
graciously  bestowed  at  Samuel  and  Jane  Bettle's.  Oh !  the 
privilege  of  living  gospel  fellowship  with  the  Lord's  children. 
1  cannot  express  how  thankful  I  am  to  find  that,  after  all  my 
conflicts  and  temptations,  it  is  yet  mine.  Lord,  what  can  I 
render  ? 

•After  three  days  spent  in  Philadelphia,  Joseph 
John  Gurney's  course  was  directed  to  Ohio  and 
Indiana,  where  he  was  desirous  of  attending  the 
ensuing  Yearly  Meetings  of  Friends  in  those 
parts. 

TO    HIS    CHILDREN. 

On  board  the  canal  boat,  on  the  Pennsylvania  canal, 

between  Philadelphia. and  Pittsburg,  Sth  mo.,  29th,  1837. 

My  dearest  John  Henry  and  Anna  —  My  last  letter 
would  bring  you  up  to  my  first  Sabbath  at  Philadelphia.  ■  It 
was  a  very  good  day,  and  I  hope  worth  the  preparatory 
discipline  attending  our  long  voyage.  Strange  was  it  to  me, 
to  begin  my  sdi-vice  in  this  land,  and  I  cannot  imagine 
any  place  more  interesting  for  such  service,  than  Phila- 
delphia ;  the  society  large,  and  so  many  interesting 
things  and  persons  amongst  them.  I  attended  one  large 
meeting  in  the  morning ;  a  second  in  the  afternoon ;  and  in 
the  evening  a  general  assemblage  of  the  Friends  met  me  at 
Arch-street  meeting  house,  about  two  thousand  present ;  I 
believe  the  largest  assembly  of  Friends  that  has  been  known 
there  since  the  Hicksite  separation.  It  was  a  noble  sight,  and 
proved  a  satisfactory  meeting.  It  was  particularly  laid  upon  me 
to  defend  the  character  of  the  early  Friends,  with  some  reference 
to  the  original  formation  of  the  society  here :  "  The  memory 
of  the  just  is  blessed,"  it  will  not  decay ;  but,  in  connexion 
with  this  subject,  ample  was  the  scope  afforded  for  the  plain 
declaration  of  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel.     Thus  the  day 

Vol.  IL  — 7 


98  JOURNEY.  1837. 

ended  well ;  the  ice  was  fairly  broken  at  Philadelpliia  ;  and  at 
live  o'clock  yesterday  morning,  (second  day,)  I  set  off  with  an 
easy  mind,  with  my  kind  friend  John  Paul  for  my  companion, 
Towards  the  next' object,  Ohio  Yearly  Meeting.  The  route 
lies  through  Pittsburg,  which  is  about  three  hundred  miles 
from  Philadelphia.  We  travelled  about  one  hundred  miles 
to  Harrisburg,  (the  seat  of  the  Pennsylvania  govern- 
ment,) by  railroad,  comfortably  enough,  passing  through  a 
Avell-wooded,  fairly  cultivated  country,  adorned  with  neat 
looking  villages,  farm-houses,  and  barns ;  not  unlike  tlie 
.scenery  of  England,  but  on  a  larger  scale ;  palings  too,  instead 
of  hedges ;  the  grain  harvest  quite  finished,  but  the  Indian 
corn  still  growing,  in  large  quantities,  and  of  a  great  height. 
Its  appearance  is  beautiful.  At  Harrisburg  we  got  into  the 
canal  boat,  which  last  evening  was  much  crowded,  and  at 
night  we  were  bundled  together,  strangely  enough  to  an 
Englishman.  However,  every  one  found  some  kind  of  berth 
to  lie  in.  The  canal  passes  through  a  delightful  country, 
alongside  part  of  the  Susquehanr.ah,  then  of  the  Juniatta. 
Both  these  rivers  are  highly  picturesque ;  lofty  and  well-wooded 
hills  rising  from  them,  and  the  trees  on  the  banks,  rich  and 
varied.  The  scenery  is  amongst  the  finest  I  have  anywh.ere 
ceen ;  but  pecuHar,  not  very  like  anything  in  England.  As 
to  natural  histoi-y,  I  have  observed  the  bald  eagle  quietly 
seated  on  a  tail  tree ;  the  osprey  floating  over  the  river ; 
abundance  of  small  black  and  white  woodpeckers  with  red 
heads;  the  "yellow  bird,"  a  tiny  active  creature,  of  bright 
yellow  and  black;  the  large  green  bull  frog,  (good  to  eat,) 
and  the  water  snake  of  a  muddy  green  ;  also  a  variety  of 
beautiful  wild  plants ;  splendid  specimens  of  lobelia,  blue 
and  crimson,  Oenothera,  convolvulus,  calceolaria,  wild  sun- 
liowex',  &c. 

We  have  a  fine  company  of  Americans,  crowded  together, 
and  eating  heartily  at  a  long  table,  three  times  a  day.  The 
four  judges  of  the  supreme  court  of  Pennsylvania  are  of  the 
number ;  but  appear  to  claim  little  supereminence.  All  are 
equal  here,  with  the  single  exception  of  the  coloured.  The 
chief  justice  Gibson  tells  me  that  small  crimes  decrease,  but  that 


MT.  50.  TO    OHIO.  99 

heavy  ones  fearfully  increase ;  which  he  ascribes  to  the  deter- 
mination prevailing  amongst  Americans,  to  do  what  they 
please;  in  short,  to  ultra-radicalism.  Yet  I  am  not  unfavour- 
ably impressed  by  what  I  have  seen  of  their  temper,  demeanour, 
manners,  &c. ;  quite  the  contrary.  There  is  more  of  a  gentle- 
manlike civility,  and  less  of  that  barbarous  spitting  than  I 
expected.  Every  body  seems  good  tempered,  as  if  the  degree 
of  roughness  which  they  undergo  had  rubbed  off  their 
corners.  The  American  aspect  is  very  much  marked  ;  persons 
slim  and  active;  countenances  thin,  eager,  and  intelligent ;  with 
a  peculiar  air  of  independence.  This  independence,  this 
practical  oblivion  of  all  distinctions  of  class,  is  less  offensive 
than  I  should  have  expected ;  as  there  is  no  want  of  polish  in 
those  whom  we  should  consider  as  constituting  the  upper 
class.  These  four  judges  are  decidedly  agreeable,  especially 
chief  justice  Gibson,  and  judge  Dallas ;  cultivated  and 
intellectual  men.  They  tell  me  that  the  English  common 
law  is  maintained  here,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  changes 
introduced  by  American  statute.  These  judges  belong  to  the 
supreme  court  of  Pennsylvania,  in  which  law  and  equity  are 
united ;  and  which  exercises  an  appellate  jurisdiction  over  the 
local  and  inferior  courts.  Gibson  seems  to  me,  in  point  of 
information  and  mental  force,  very  much  on  a  level  with 
our  judge  Alderson,  of  v/hora  he  has  reminded  me ;  but  is 
paid  only  about  .£600  per  annum,  instead  of  ^5000  as  in 
England.     It  is,  in  my  opinion,  far  below  the  mark. 

Yesterday  we  passed  over  the  Alleghany  range  of  mountains, 
by  a  wondrous  railroad,  >.;onsistiag  of  a  series  of  levels  and 
inclined  planes,  rising  in  :i!l  iibout  1400  feet  from  the  first 
level.  Along  the  levels  we  Avere  drawn  by  horses ;  up  the 
inclined  planes  by  ropes  and  pullies  and  steam  power ;  and 
are  let  down  by  similar  ropes  in  the  descent.  It  is  a  vast 
triumph  of  human  art  and  entcrprize.  At  Johnstown,  on 
the  western  side  of  the  Alleghanies,  we  again  took  the 
canal,  and  are  now  upon  it,  on  our  way  to  Pittsburgh, 
which  we  hope  to  reach  tliis  afternoon.  The  canal,  on 
both  sides  of  the  Alleghany  mountains,  goes  alongside  of 
picturesque  and  beautiful  rivers;  in  the  ascent,  our  companions 


lOO  ARRIVAL    AT    MOUNT    PLEASANT,  1837 

(as  before  mentioned)  were  the  Susquehanna  and  Junlatta ; 
and  now,  in  the  descent,  first  the  Conemaugh,  now  tho 
Kiskiminitas,  and  we  expect  soon  to  reach  the  Alleghany. 
Sometimes  we  get  on  to  the  rivers  themselves  in  our  course ; 
and,  when  this  is  the  case,  we  are  treated  with  magnificent 
scenery.  0  !  could  you  have  seen  the  interior  of  our  boat 
last  night ;  judges,  merchants,  mechanics,  gospel  ministers 
crowded  together  on  the  floor,  the  seats,  &c. ;  very  little  air 
•allowed.  There  was  to  me  some  suffering  in  it,  and  I  was  on 
the  verge  of  real  illness ;  but  my  mind  was  calm  and  quiet. 
This  morning  we  are  comparatively  comfortable,  though  the 
more  than  four  thousand  miles,  which  now  divide  us,  sometimes 
hang  heavy  on  my  heart.  Ups  and  downs  in  feeling,  I  must 
expect ;  but,  on  the  whole,  substantial  happiness  is  my  portion, 
and  I  humbly  trust  yours  also.'  We  hope  to  be  able  to  take 
the  Ohio  river  at  Pittsburgh,  and  to  pass  by  steam-boat  to 
Wheeling  or  Steubenville ;  we  shall  then  be  within  a  drive  of 
two  hours  of  Mount  Pleasant,  where  the  Yearly  Meeting  is  to 
commence  next  seventh  day.  I  have  long  looked  forward  to 
this  service,  and  trust  I  may,  through  adorable  mercy,  be 
favoured  with  ability  to  accomplish  it.  May  I  be  clothed  with 
the  armour  of  righteousness  on  the  7-i(/ht  hand  and  on  the  left. 

At  Mount  Pleasant,  he  writes  in  his  Journal :  — 

Fi7-st  day  eveniJig,  9t7i  mo.,  3rtZ.  After  a  voyage  of  uncom- 
mon interest,  as  to  the  grandeur  of  the  scenery,  but  rendered 
trying  by  a  variety  of  accidents  and  detentions,  we  arrived  at 
Wheeling  by  a  row-boat,  (in  the  dark  the  last  four  miles,) 
about  eleven  o'clock  on  sixth  day  night ;  and,  by  a  romantic 
road  through  the  forest,  came  to  this  place  while  the  meeting 
of  ministers  and  elders  was  sitting.  We  entered  while  our 
beloved  friend  Stephen  Grellet  was  engaged  in  prayer.  I 
felt  much  sweet  peace  in  the  arrival,  and  met  a  warm  reception 
from  Friends.  The  meeting  this  morning  was,  to  the  view  of 
an  Englishman,  very  large;  a  very  mixed  company;  the  scene 
highly  novel  and  interesting ;  carriages  of  various  kinds,  and 
nutnerous    horses    thronging,  first    to,  and   afterwards  round 


^T.  50.  OHIO    YEARLY    MEETING.  101 

the  meeting-house.  It  "was  an  exercising  and  very  solemn 
time. 

A  public  meeting  in  the  large  house  is  appointed  for  the 
evening.  The  Lord  has  wonderfully  condescended  to  me  in 
the  work,  for  which  I  trust  I  can  bow  in  reverent  thankfulness. 
May  he  pour  forth  his  Spirit  on  the  present  occasion ! 

Second  day  morning.  I  am  thankful  to  say,  that  this  desire 
was  remarkably  fulfilled.  We  had  a  blessed  meeting  last 
evening,  in  which  baptism  into  the  name  of  the  Father,  the 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  was,  I  trust,  unfolded.  It  is  pleasant 
to  be  in  good  unity  with  Friends :  but  peculiarly  needful  to 
dwell  deep. 

Smithfield,  Ohio,  9th  mo.,  9th.  Yesterday,  Friends  gave 
me  their  retm-n  certificate,  couched  in  full  terms  of  approbation 
and  unity ;  the  current  of  feeling  and  expression  was  as  full  as 
on  any  occasion  I  ever  witnessed.  Very  interesting  conference 
in  company  with  my  beloved  Stephen  Grellet,  who  has  been 
throughout  a  kind  friend  and  father  to  me. 

This  morning  we  had  a  good  concluding  sitting ;  men  and 
women  being  together ;  a  weighty  and  dignified  close.  Surely 
the  Lord  in  his  infinite  compassion  has  been  eminently  with 
us !  In  coming  forward  to  this  sweet  spot  this  evening,  I 
have  much  peace,  being  comfortably  Housed  in  my  "  prophet's 
chamber,"  at  Benjamin  W.  Ladd's,  the  window  overlooking  a 
lovely  scene. 

TO    HIS    SISTER    ELIZABETH    FRY. 

Zanesville,  Ohio,  9th  mo.,  24th,  1837. 

It  certainly  has  been  very  relieving  and  sweet  to  me 
to  find  myself  in  full  unity  with  Friends  in  this  part,  whose 
returning  certificate  was  all  that  I  could  desire.  Since  the 
Yearly  Meeting  I  have  held  numerous  meetings  in  country 
places,  which  have  been  large  and  exercising,  many  "  Hicksites" 
attending ;  and  much  service  towards  them.  Considerable 
impression  appears  to  have  been  made  in  some  instances. 
John  Paul  was  my  agreeable  companion,  until  after  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  Ohio.  Since  then,  Benjamin  W.  Ladd  has  taken 
me  under  his  care,  and  is  now  driving  me  to  Indiana. 


102  OHIO.  183T. 

I  am  greatly  interested  in  the  country.  It  is  one  of  large 
scope  every  way.  It  is  highly  satisfactory  to  observe  how  the 
population  is  overtaken  by  the  means  of  religious  instruction 
and  worship — greatly  the  better,  as  I  believe,  for  the  absence 
of  the  incumhency  of  an  establishment.  This  town  of  seven 
thousand  inhabitants,  is  a  specimen  —  seven  or  eight  com- 
modious places  of  worship  in  it,  and  I  hope,  a  considerable 
prevalence  of  serious  religion.  At  the  same  time,  I  am  too 
young  in  the  country  to  form  an  accurate  estimate  at 
present.  *  * 

"  The  country  over  which  I  travelled  in  Ohio,"  he  writes  in 
another  letter  "  (chiefly  in  Jefferson  county,)  is  very  much 
of  one  character — a  beautiful  wooded  wilderness  of  hill  and 
dale,  gradually  coming  under  more  and  more  •  cultivation — 
about  half  of  it  now  cleared  from  wood,  and  very  productive. 
Plentifulness  and  ease,  on  the  sole  condition  of  industry, 
appeared  to  be  the  universal  order  of  things.  At  a  cottage 
one  morning,  after  a  neighbouring  meeting  had  been  concluded, 
such  a  cottage  as  an  English  peasant  might  not  unsuitably 
occupy,  Ave  were  hospitably  received  by  a  small  farmer  and 
mechanic.  There  was  no  strong  drink  on  his  table,  but  the 
abundance  and  variety  of  the  articles  produced'  at  dinner,  all 
served  up  in  the  most  simple  manner,  really  astonished  me. 
No  servants,  of  course,  in  any  such  house.  All  people  do  all 
things  for  themselves.  I  heartilv  wished  as  I  went  alone,  that 
I  might  myself  become  imbued  with  some  measure  of  this 
hardy  independence.  *  *  * 

It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  the  black  and  coloured 
people  of  this  state  are  far  from  being  on  equal  terms,  in  point 
of  civil  right,  with  the  white  population  ;  and,  by  a  late  law, 
their  condition,  in  this  respect,  has  become  even  worse  than 
before.  Repeated  appeals  to  the  legislature  have  been  made 
in  their  favour,  by  the  Society  of  Friends.  In  the  meantime, 
they  have  more  appearance  of  respectability,  and  even  ease 
here,  than  in  some  others  of  the  free  states  of  the  union.  I 
remember  meeting  three  negroes  one  day  on  horseback.  One 
of  them  was  a  farming  man  who  had  realized  a  little  property ; 
another    a   minister  of  the   gospel,  on    his  way  to   his   con- 


^T.  50.  JOURNEY    TO    ES'DIAXA.  Ijo 

gregation ;  the  tliircl  a  female  respectably  attired,  the  wife  of 
one  of  them.  How  happj  will  be  the  day  when  such  seen."-: 
shall  become  general  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  in  the 
states  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky  ! 

To  return  to  the  Journal :  — 

JacJcstoivn,  22  miles  ivest  of  ZanesviUe.  We  are  stopping 
here  for  the  noon  meal,  dinner  for  ourselves  and  horses.  The 
meetincr  last  evenincf  at  ZanesviUe  was  much  favoured; 
evangelical  and  spiritual  Christianity  was,  I  humbly  trust,  set 
forth  with  some  clearness,  under  the  renewed  gracious  influence 
of  our  Holy  Head ;  the  assembly  was  large,  and  the  quietness 
and  attention  great.  Notwithstanding  this  favour,  I  was 
brought  very  low  this  morning,  by  the  recollection  of  this  time 
two  years,  when  my  dearest  wife  was  in  the  depth  of  her  fatal 
fever ;  and  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land,  must  not  expect  to  be 
in  high  spirits.  However,  I  am,  I  believe,  content.  I  wush 
to  be  no  where  else,  and  a  little  enlivening  hope  dwells  with 
uie,  that  this  pilgrimage  is  on  my  way  to  a  better  country. 

May  it  be  so,  through  the  tender  mercies  of  my  God,  iu 
Christ  Jesus  ! 

Richmond,  Indiana,  10th  mo.,  2nd.  The  Yearly  Meeting, 
in  its  larger  assembly,  meets  this  morning.  A  week  has 
passed  since  I  made  the  last  entry,  and  I  am  still  well  and  in 
peace.  The  journey  hither  from  ZanesviUe  very  interesting  iu 
parts ;  the  great  Western  road,  almost  crowded  with  movers  in 
that  direction.  Immigration  seems  the  order  of  the  day. 
The  country  wooded  and  flat,  interspersed  with  natural 
prairies.  At  Columbus,  the  seat  of  government  for  Ohio,  we 
held  meetings  with  370  prisoners  at  the  state  prison,  and  at  the 
Lunatic  Asylum,  on  the  building  of  which  100  of  them  were 
at  work.  The  silent  discipline  at  the  prison  appeared  carried  to 
its  highest  pitch.  I  doubt  its  effects,  though  in  some  respects 
it  is  very  good  ;  the  employments  capitally  arranged.  Public 
meetings  on  the  road  at  Jefferson,  and  Springfield,  at  which 
last  place  we  were  kindly  entertained  by  Jeremiah  Warder 
and    family.     We    arrived   here    at    the    peaceful    abode    of 


104  INDIANA    YEARLY    MEETING.  1837. 

Elijali  Coffin,  on  sixth  day.  On  seventh  day,  the  meeting  of 
ministers  and  elders  was  large.  The  committee  on  Indian 
affairs,  in  the  afternoon,  very  interesting.  Yesterday,  after 
deep  and  searching  exercise  of  mind  in  private,  was  a  day 
highly  favoured  of  the  Lord.  We  had  a  vast  assembly  in  the 
morning,  and  a  public  meeting,  by  my  appointment,  in  the 
evening.  I  humbly  trust,  a.  good  impression  was  made. 
It  is  a  comfort  indeed  to  be  again  with  my  beloved  friend 
S.  Grellet. 

10th  mo.,  5t7i.  I  am  thankful  in  feeling  quiet  and  calm 
this  morning.  Oh !  how  graciously  condescending  is  my  dear 
Lord  and  Master  to  my  great  natural  weakness.  I  cannot  be 
grateful  enough  to  him ;  and  may  I  patiently  wait  and  quietly 
liope  for  the  clearing  away  of  clouds  and  difficulties,  in  the 
hour  of  his  own  appointment !  In  the  meantime,  watchfulness, 
faithfulness,  meekness,  may  they  be  mine !  And  may  the 
Lord  in  his  tender  mercy  grant,  that  whatever  provocation  to 
nature  may  fall  to  my  lot,  I  may  be  so  preserved  in  the 
meekness  of  wisdom,  yea,  in  the  very  truth,  and  in  the  life 
and  innocency  thereof,  as  not  to  offend  one  of  the  little  ones. 
I  preach  to  others  rather  loudly  of  the  necessity  of  getting 
rid  of  the  idolatry  of  self,  may  I  do  it  myself!  Lord  help 
me  in  this  work,  I  reverently  beseech  thee. 

lOtJi  mo.,  Ith.  All  difficulties  and  clouds  cleared  away,  and 
the  Yearly  Meeting  ended  with  great  solemnity,  a  time  of 
unusual  favour ;  solemn  fervent  prayer  fell  to  my  lot  at  the 
close.  Friends  have  given  me  a  good  minute  of  acknowledg- 
ment. Thus  I  have  abundant  cause  to  set  up  my  Ebenezer, 
To  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness,  and  to  trust  in  him  for 
the  future. 

After  noticing  a  round  of  meetings  in  a  district 
Avhere  some  controversy  had  lately  arisen  on  the 
subject  of  the  Resurrection,  he  continues  :  — 

Springhorough,  10th  mo.,  15th.  The  time  past  at  Duck 
Creek  was  closely  exercising.  We  had  a  large  and  good 
meeting   in    the  morning,  in  which    the    truth  was,  I    trust, 


S,T.   50.        JOURNEY  TO  NORTH  CAROLINA.  105 

plainly  preached ;  and  towards  the  conclusion,  I  had  to  advert 
to  the  true  scriptural  view  of  the  resurrection,  first  from 
dead  works,  and  afterwards  from  the  grave.  In  the  afternoon, 
I  held  a  select  meeting  with  the  dissentients,  and  spoke 
kindly  and  plainly  to  them,  ending  with  prayer ;  it  was  a 
good  time,  and  they  appeared  tender.  The  next  morning  a 
harder  meeting  at  Clear  Spring,  in  which  the  last  great  day  of 
account  was  awfully  before  me.  It  ended  with  great  solemnity, 
and  after  parting  from  Friends  in  love,  we  arrived,  after  night- 
fall, at  the  house  of  Joseph  Cox,  in  the  woods  near  Dublin. 
He  is  an  honourable  elder  of  a  superior  mind,  and  our  visit  to 
him  and  his  family  was  very  interesting  to  us.  The  next 
morning,  a  long  drive  of  about  twenty  miles  over  bad  roads 
brought  us  to  Elijah  Coffin's,  at  Richmond,  and  I  devoted 
most  of  the  evening  to  writing  an  epistle  to  Friends  of  Spice- 
land  Monthly  Meeting,  in  which  the  Scripture  doctrines  of 
the  immortality  of  the  soul,  the  new  birth,  the  resurrection  of 
the  spiritual  body,  and  the  great  day  of  judgment,  are  simply 
stated  with  an  exhortation  to  peace,  quietness,  &c.  I  have 
left  it  for  the  judgment  of  the  Ci)mmittee  of  the  Quarterly 
Meeting,  and  feel  peace  in  having  taken  the  step. 

From  Indiana,  Joseph  John  Gurney  proceeded  to 
North  Carolina;  an  arduous  journej^  of  six  hundred 
miles  across  a  region  in  parts  but  little  settled  or 
cultivated.  It  appeared  at  first,  difficult  to  obtain 
a  conveyance  suitable  for  such  a  journey.  "  It  so 
happened,  however,"  he  writes  in  one  of  his  letters, 
"  that  a  worthy  member  of  the  Society,  was  employed 
to  drive  me  to  a  neighbouring  meeting,  with  a  pair 
of  horses  which  he  used  in  his  business,  and  in  a 
carriage  borrowed  from  one  of  his  neighbours.  The 
animals  were  diverse  in.  colour,  but  admirably 
matched  in  pace  and  quality ;  doubtless  it  was 
because  of  their  suitability  to  each  other  that  they 
bore    the   names   of   David   and   Jonathan.     I    soon 


106  JOURNEY   TO  1837. 

perceived  that  this  was  the  man,  and  these  the 
horses,  -which  were  to  convey  ine  from  Indiana  to 
Carolina;  and  had  afterwards  much  reason  to 
acknowledge  that  this  was  one  of  the  many 
instances  of  a  kind  providence,  by  whioh  my  course 
in  America  was  w^onderfully  facilitated.  My  friend 
and  his  horses  suited  me  exactly,  and  continued  to 
be  my  helpers  through  a  much  greater  extent  of 
country,  than  I  then  contemplated.  I  bought  a 
humble,  but  convenient  waggon,  on  wooden  springs ; 
an  active  young  man  accompanied  us  on  horseback 
as  our  guide;  and,  our  party  being  joined  by  three 
other  Friends  bound  in  the  same  direction,  we  set  off 
on  our  journey  in  good  health  and  spirits,  at  the 
rate  of  about  four  miles  an  hour,  a  rate  which, 
though  a  slow  one,  was  often  exchanged  for  one 
still  slower." 

» 

GalUpoIis,  on  the  Ohio,  10th  mo.,  20th.  My  mind  has 
undergone  a  good  deal  of  conflict,  but  is  much  at  peace  after 
the  meeting  this  evening ;  the  close  of  my  labours  at  present 
on  the  western  side  of  the  Ohio.  They  have  been  numerous 
and  arduous,  but  the  Lord  has  been  wonderfully  condescending 
and  cracious  to  me,  and  abundant  cause  for  thankfulness  have 
I  for  the  help  vouchsafed  in  the  needful  hour.  We  expect  to 
cross  the  Ohio  into  Virginia  to-morrow  morning.  May  my 
gracious  Lord  and  Master  go  with  us  to  preserve  us  in  perfect 
safety,  both  of  body  and  soul ! 

"We  left  Gallipolis  early  in  the  morning,"  he  writes  in  one 
of  his  letters,  "  and  having  crossed  the  Ohio,  we  entered  at 
once  on  the  Virginian  forest.  Our  journey  was  adventurous 
and  difficult,  the  road  winding  through  apparently  interminable 
woods;  in  some  parts  rocky  and  hilly;  in  others  deep  with 
mud.  As  night  approached,  and  night  in  these  regions  comes 
on  with  little  notice  of  twilight,  we  were  pursuing  our  journey 


JET.  50.  NORTH   CAROLINA.  107 

through  the  forest  over  a  very  high  hilL  By  an  almost 
precipitous  descent,  we  arrived,  just  before  total  darkness,  at 
a  little  farm  house,  where  we  earnestly  hoped  that  we  should 
find  a  lodging.  But  no  such  accommodation  was  there.  Vie 
were  instructed  to  go  half  a  mile  further  to  a  more  likely 
tenement.  In  the  course  of  this  half-mile,  we  were  in  great 
danger  of  being  overturned  in  descending  the  steep  bank  of  a 
stream  which  it  was  necessary  to  cross,  though  all  was  then 
darkness.  I  shall  not  forget  the  comfort  of  at  length  finding 
ourselves  in  shelter  and  safety  beside  a  blazing  log  fire,  though 
with  rough  fare,  and  in  a  very  humble  dwelling.  Of  the  two 
little  beds  in  the  kitchen,  one  was  occupied  by  an  elderly 
friend  of  our  company  and  Li^  wife ;  the  other  was  kindly 
reserved  for  myself.  The  rest  of  our  company  were  lodged  in 
a  small  garret.  Want  of  cleanliness  is  the  only  real  pain  on 
such  occasions." 


Their    journey    through    A'irginia   wfis    continued 
r  severa 
Kenhawa. 


for  several  days    along   the    romantic   banks   of  the 


"It  is  a  curious  circumstance,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney, 
"  that  numerous  fountains  of  brine  are  found  within  a  few 
yards  of  the  river.  We  were  told  that  they  bored  for  it,  to 
the  amazing  depth  of  6,  7,  or  800  feet.  The  salt  produced 
is  excellent.  The  Americans  are  wonderfully  eager  and 
enterprising  ;  but  alas  for  the  slaves,  who  are  employed  in 
these  works  1" 

"We  arrived  at  night-fall,"  he  continues,  "at  a  comfortable 
house  of  entertainment,  kept  by  a  notorious  hunter,  who, 
amidst  the  wild  mountains  and  forests  of  this  neighbourhood, 
had  succeeded  in  destroying  an  amazing  number  of  panthers, 
wolves,  and  bears.  These  animals  are  still  frequent  in  a  dis- 
trict which,  with  the  exception  of  the  narrow  and  fertile  valley 
through  which  the  river  runs,  defies  all  attempts  at  squatting 
or  settling.  Wild  cats  are  also  numerous  here,  and  the  deer 
abound.  Not  long  previously,  our  landlord  had  killed  two 
Dears  and  three  deer  one  morning  before  breakfast ;  at  another 


108  THE  hawk's  nest.  1837. 

time,  a  panther  which,  from  the  tip  of  its  tail  to  that  of  its 
nose,  measured  10  feet  10  inches.  The  young  panthers  are  ' 
spotted ;  the  'old  ones  of  a  light  brown.  One  day  when  on 
horseback,  he  was  carrying  a  dead  deer  across  his  saddle 
through  tl\e  forest,  and  suddenly  found  himself  surrounded 
by  seven  Avolves.  The  foremost  aggressor,  on  a  rising  ground, 
was  ready  to  make  his  spring ;  but  the  hunter  shot  him  at 
once,  and  the  others  immediately  fled. 

In  the  course  of  the  following  day,  we  left  the  romantic 
river,  and  wound  our  way  at  a  slow  pace  into  the  high  country, 
this  being  the  course  which  the  new  Turnpike  takes.  As  we 
were  pursuing  our  journey  in  •  an  uninteresting  part  of  the 
road,  and  along-side  of  the  forest,  we  observed  on  our  right 
hand  a  small  path  running  up  a  hill,  through  the  wood.  We 
had  been  advised  to  watch  for  it,  and  when  found,  to  examine 
it  for  ourselves.  We  accordingly  left  our  carriages,  and  after 
pursuing  this  sequestered  path,  on  foot,  not  rouch  more  than 
fifty  yards,  we  found  ourselves,  unexpectedly,  on  the  flat  top 
of  a  perpendicular  rock,  many  hundred  feet  high.  This  was 
the  celebrated  "  Hawk's  Nest."  We  laid  hold  for  safety  on  the 
bare  boughs  of  a  little  cedar  on  the  edge  of  the  precipice,  and 
willingly  gave  ourselves  up  to  the  silent  contemplation  of  one 
of  the  most  magnificent  prospects  to  be  found  in  North  America. 
The  New  River,  which  afterwards,  with  another  stream,  forms 
the  Kenhawa,  is  here  seen  winding  its  course  first  through  a 
romantic  dell,  and  afterwards  along  an  open  plain  at  the  foot 
of  a  glorious  chain  of  mountains  covered  with  forest,  amongst 
which  it  appears  at  last  to  lose  itself.  The  beauty  of  the 
scene  was  much  enhanced  by  the  rich  woods  which  lay  im- 
mediately below  the  precipice,  and  covered  most  of  the  plain 
through  which  the  river  was  flowing. 

To  be  travelling  through  a  population,  a  large 
proportion  of  which  is  in  a  state  of  slavery,  was  a 
circumstance  very  aflfecting  to  Joseph  John  Gurney's 
feelings.  But  he  was  desirous  to  form  no  hasty 
judgment  of  the  state  of  things  around  him. 


MT.  50.  SLAVEKJ.  109 

"  It  is  impossible,"  he  writes,  "  for  a  casual  traveller  to 
form  an  exact  estimate  of  the  real  condition  of  the  slaves  in 
America.  One  thing  is  certain,  that  thej  are  systematically 
excluded  by  law  from  all  school  instruction  ;  and  though,  un- 
doubtedly, there  are  many  humane  slave-holders,  it  follows 
from  the  very  nature  of  the  case,  that  great  cruelties  must 
often  be  perpetrated.  I  well  remember  that  an  ingenuous 
white  lad  who  guided  me,  one  day,  to  a  bathing  place  on  the 
banks  of  the  Kenhawa,  gave  me  an  affecting  account  of  the 
whippings  with  the  cow-hide,  (sometimes  amounting  to  200 
lashes,)  which  are  still  often  inflicted  on  these  children  of  op- 
pression. The  best  aspect  under  which  I  saw  American 
slavery,  was  at  the  public  meetings  for  worship,  which  were 
held,  in  the  course  of  this  journey,  in  numerous  towns  and 
villages  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  The  slaves  often 
attended  in  considerable  numbers,  and  generally  occupied  the 
gallery,  while  the  body  of  the  house  was  filled  by  the  white 
inhabitants.  I  was  glad  to  find  that  this  liberty  was  allowed 
them  in  many  places,  though  the  practice  is  not  universal.  I 
felt  it  to  be  a  privilege  on  these  occcasions,  freely  to  proclaim 
those  grand  principles  of  Christian  truth,  which  are  of  equal 
application  to  bond  and  free  ;  but  which,  nevertheless,  when 
truly  received  and  acted  on,  cannot  fail  to  undermine  the 
system  of  slavery.  Although,  of  course,  the  subject  of 
slavery  itself  could  not,  with  propriety,  be  adverted  to  on  such 
occasions,  I  was  often  surprised  by  observing  that  a  close  prac- 
tical application  of  the  principles  of  the  gospel,  was  not  only 
patiently  borne,  but  even  received  with  apparent  cordiality. 

Having  arrived  in  North  Carolina,  he  writes  in  his 
Journal :  — 

11th  mo.,  2nd.  We  have  journeyed  along  quietly  to-day 
forty-five  miles,  and  are  come  this  evening  to  a  very  com- 
fortable house.  My  mind  is  graciously  kept  in  a  state  of 
much  quietness ;  and  in  the  review  of  this  interesting  journey 
of  nearly  600  miles,  I  can  indeed  gratefully  acknowledge  the 
goodness  and  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord.     Some  trials  of 


110  NATHAN   HUNT.  1837. 

faith  and  patience  have  fallen  to  my  lot;  but  I  know  not  that 
the  three  weeks  which  the  transit  has  occupied,  could  have 
been  more  desirably  spent  elsewhere.  I  feel  the  prospect  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting  for  North  Carolina,  but  humbly  trust  I 
may  again  be  mercifully  helped  in  the  hour  of  need. 

TO    HIS    CHILDREN. 
New  Giirden,  North  Carolina,  11th  mo.,  8th,  1837. 

It  is  an  inexpressible  pleasure  to  me  thus  to  communicate 
with  you,  my  tenderly  beloved  children ;  need  I  say,  that  you 
are  the  perpetual  subject  of  my  thoughts  and  prayers;  my 
fervent  desire  being,  that  you  may  have  abundant  grace  given 
you  to  serve  the  Lord  in  the  beauty  of  holiness.  *  '''•  * 

You  have  heard  of  Nathan  Hunt.  He  is  now  in  his  80th 
year,  brought  np  in  humble  life  as  a  blacksmith,  I  believe, 
but  a  thorough  gentleman  in  his  manners,  and  his  face 
shining  with  the  "  heavenly  oil."  It  is  delightful  to  be  with 
the  dear  old  man,  to  receive  his  unqualified  tokens  of  hearty 
unity,  and  to  hear  his  outpourings  in -the  ministry.  Perhaps 
about  the  best  meeting  I  ever  attended,  was  a  public  one  held 
by  appointment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  yesterday.  I  had 
been  prepared  for  my  share  of  it,  by  much  lowness  and  trial 
of  mind,  and  have  seldom  felt  the  same  power  in  preaching 
the  glorious  gospel.  Nathan  Hunt's  prayer  at  the  close  of 
the  meeting,  was  an  exti-aordinary  effusion  indeed. 

I  am  staying  at  the  boarding-school,  an  institution  which 
promises  well  for  the  Society  in  these  parts.  It  is  under  the 
superintendence  of  tAVO  valuable  ministers;  Nathan  Hunt's 
daughter  Asenath,  and  her  husband  Dougan  Clai'ke.  The 
house  is  lately  built  in  a  very  picturesque  situation  in  the 
forest,  near  the  old  Meeting-house.  This  latter  is  simplicity 
itself,  and  looks  like  a  large  old  barn,  but  the  woods  around 
it  are  highly  beautiful.  The  trees  are  more  spreading  here 
than  in  the  far  west,  where  they  grow  to  a  very  great  height, 
and  have  insignificant  tops.  The  burial  ground  is  quite 
beautiful.  A  vast  spreading  oak  adorns  its  centre.  Here 
rest  the  remains  of  many  poor  British  soldiers,  who  died  of 


331.  50.  NORTH    CAROLINA.  Ill 

their  wounds  after  Lord  Cornwallis's  victory  at  Guilford,  in 
tlie    first   American   war ;    the    meeting-house    having    then 
served  as  an  hospital.     It  is  a  real  pleasure  and  satisfaction 
to  be  among  Friends  in  these  parts ;  and  I  think  it  probable 
that  I  may  have  to  vi^-lt  the  subordinate  meetings  of  this  state, 
before  I  attempt  retaraing  to  Philadelphia.     If  so,  I  sha^ll  be 
journeying  about  in  my  humble,  but  comfortable,  conveyance 
for  some  weeks.     I  wish  you  could  take  a  peep  at  me  and  my  ' 
carriage,  driven   by   my   honest,  serious    companion,  William 
Kenworthy,    and    drawn    by    those    homely,    lively,    faithful 
"  creatures,"  David  and  Jonathan,  the  former  bay,  the  latter 
white.     I  cannot  imnginc  a  more  suitable  set  out.     Elizabeth 
Coggeshall,  who  visited  England  many  years  ago,  is  here,  to 
my  great  comfort.     She  is  a  cheerful,  pleasing  Friend.     I  can- 
not picture  to  myself  a  more  wholesome  form  of  religion  than 
she  presents.     Indeed,  I  may  truly  say,  that  abundant  have 
been  the  confirmations  which  I  have  received  since  my  lot  has 
been  cast  in  America,  of  the  truth  of  those  religious  princi- 
ples on  which  I  am  desirous  of  acting,  and  Avhich,  I  trust,  are 
increasingly  precious  to  you.     When  the  Lord's  anointing  is 
allowed  its  free  course,  without  let,  hindrance,  or  prejudice, 
fervent    evangelical   love  of   the    Saviour    prevailing    in    con- 
nexion with  it,  the  effect  is  delightful.     May  you  and  I  prize 
it  more  and  more  ! 

In  another  letter  he  says  :  — 

After  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  concluded,  I  set  off  with 
my  kind  friend  William  Kenworthy,  and  our  excellent  horses, 
with  a  young  man  on  horseback  for  our  guide,  on  a  visit  to  a 
round  of  meetings  in  Guilford  and  Randolph  counties.  Our 
journey,  which  lasted  nearly  a  month,  though  somewhat 
laborious,  was  to  me  fraught  with  interest.  The  people  at 
whose  houses  we  lodged  fi'om  night  to  night,  Avere  in  great 
simplicity  in  their  mode  of  living  ;  but  the  rough  accommoda- 
tion which  often  fell  to  our  lot  was  amply  compensated  by 
unvarying  kindness.  I  could  not  be  otherwise  than  surprised 
and  delighted  ^^y  the*  flocking  together  of  the  people  to  the 


112  LABOURS  IN  1837. 

meetings  whicli  were  lielJ,  one  after  anotlier,  in  the  midst  of 
these  woods.  On  some  occasions  the  numbers  collected  were 
so  large,  that,  although  it  was  now  late  in  the  eleventh  month, 
we  were  obliged  to  hold  our  meetings  in  the  open  air.  This 
circumstance,  however,  occasioned  no  material  difficulty,  as 
the  weather  was  delightful,  and  the  sky  without  a  cloud. 

"I  have  no  wish  for  anymore  intimate  companion,"  he 
writes  to  his  children  ;  "  and  enjoy  my  frequent  and  deep 
solitude.  I  "wish  you  could  see  me  walking  alone  in  the 
woods,  meditating  on  my  darling  children  ;  and  I  hope  also 
communing  in  some  measure,  with  the  glorious  Fountain  of 
light  and  life." 

In  his  Journal  he  continues  :  — 

lltJi  mo.,  16th.  [After  alluding  to  the  holding  of  several 
meetings.]  They  have  all  been  favoured  times,  and  though 
at  seasons  I  have  felt  an  inexpressible  sort  of  solitary  desola- 
tion, and  a  temptation  to  impatience  in  not  getting  on  more 
quickly ;  yet  on  a  calm  review  of  these  few  days,  I  can  with 
gratitude  acknowledge,  that  all  is  ordered  aright.  The  Lord 
be  praised  for  his  matchless  goodness !  The  truth  is  simple 
and  changeth  not ;  I  have  no  new  doctrines  to  proclaim  in 
my  ministry ;  but  the  Lord  in  his  great  goodness  has  been 
pleased  to  clothe  it  with  considerable  variety :  and,  I  believe, 
his  precious  anointing  has  not  been  withheld.  It  has  been 
my  earnest  desire,  and  the  frequent  and  fervent  petition  of 
my  soul,  that  I  may  be  preserved  from  speaking  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  otherwise  than  under  the  immediate  putting 
forth  of  this  precious  influence.  I  deeply  feel  I  can  do 
nothing  without  it ;  and,  with  it,  there  is  a  life  which  man 
cannot  command. 

Never  was  I  more  sensible  of  this  truth,  and  never  did  I 
feel  more  bound  in  ray  spirit  to  exalt  that  holy  principle  of 
grace  in  the  heart,  which  will  not  make  any  compromise  with 
evil;  and  will,  as  it  is  followed,  lead  into  all  righteousness. 
May  multitudes  be  turned  to  it,  saith  my  soul  I  and  may  the 


^T.  50.  NORTH    CAROLINA.  113 

Lord  graciously  enable    me  to  maintain  my  integrity  in  the 
truth,  in  humility,  simplicity,  and  godly  sincerity  ! 

ll^A  mo.,  21s^  I  have  been  remarkably  low  every  morn- 
ing before  the  approaching  exercise  of  my  gift ;  but  I  believe 
this  experience  is  needful  to  prepare  for  a  purer  and  more 
powerful  service  than  avouM  otherwise  be  attained  to.  I  cannot 
express  how  kind  and  liberal  the  Lord  has  been  to  me  in  be- 
stowing his  own  blessed  anointing.  Never  did  I  so  fully  feel 
its  value ;  and  never  was  I  more  alive  to  the  comfort,  as  well 
as  safet}^,  of  keeping  under  it ;  dependent  upon  it,  and  within 
its  limits.  May  this  graciously  continue  to  be  experienced  I 
I  am  remarkably  little  disposed  to  any  kind  of  subordinate 
service,  just  now ;  my  simple  business  seems  to  be  to  preach 
the  everlasting  gospel  of  my  Holy  Redeemer,  to  the  sinful,  the 
weary,  and  the  faint. 

Having  returned  to  New  Garden,  North  Carolina, 
he  spent  a  few  days  at  the  boarding  school  for 
Friends'  children  at  that  place;  with  the  view  of 
enconrnging  the  pursuit  of  scriptnral  knowledge 
upon  the  principles  which  had  been  so  beneficially- 
acted  on  at  Ackworth.  Thence  he  proceeded  on  a 
visit  to  the  southern  and  eastern  parts  of  the  state, 
intending  afterwards  to  go  northwards  to  Kichmond 
in  Virginia.  This  journey  by  the  same  mode  of 
conveyance  occupied  another  month. 

Thomas  Thomjysons,  Eno.  Fifth  day  evening,  12th  mo.,  Ith. 
We  have  arrived  at  this  comfortable  shelter  after  nightfall ; 
our  journey  from  Greensborough,  over  very  indiffei'ent  roads 
in  part,  having  been  thirty-eight  miles.  I  have  enjoyed  and 
prized  the  quietness  of  this  day,  passed  in  travelling  ;  the 
Bible  and  Comstock's  famihar  work  on  Philosophy  having 
been  (in  addition  to  William  Kenworthy,  and  Horace  Cannon) 
my  acceptable  companions.  Yesterday  was  a  favoured  one. 
After  holding  a  very  solemn  farewell  meeting,  we  cleared  ofl" 

Vol.  IL  — 8 


114  LABOURS  IN  NOKTH  CAROLINA.  1837. 

liappilj  from  New  Garden.  Tranquil  were  our  feelings, 
though  the  parting  from  our  beloved  aged  prophet*  may  be 
regarded  as  final.  We  proceeded  to  Greensboro',  where  we 
were  favoured  with  a  good  public  meeting ;  the  academy  and 
their  "professors,"  being  present. 

12th  mo.,  9th.  We  continue  to  be  mercifully  helped  on 
our  way.  The  meeting  at  Eno  w\is  satisfactory,  and  our 
intercourse  with  our  friends  there,  was,  I  trust,  of  some  ad- 
vantage to  tliem.  A  drive  of  thirteen  miles  this  morning 
V)rought  us  to  Chapel  Hill,  the  seat  of  the  North  Carolina  Uni- 
versity. In  the  afternoon  we  held  a  meeting  with  the  students: 
more  than  100  out  of  140  were  present,  besides  two  of  the 
Professors,  and  the  President,  Governor  Swaine.  It  was  to 
ine  a  very  relieving  time,  the  internal  evidence  of  Christianity 
opening  before  me  with  great  force  and  clearness,  and  utter- 
ance, and  at  last,  I  think,  entrance  being  graciously  given. 

12th  mo.,  12th.  Our  time  at  Ealeigh  was  unusually  pro- 
ductive and  interesting.  The  meeting  on  first  day  large,  sfnd 
.much  favoured;  both  white  and  black  present.  Yesterday 
social  and  religious  visits  to  many  rather  interesting  people  in 
their  families^ — Judge  Saunders,  Judge  Cameron  (to  tea,) 
Freeman  (the  Episcopal  Minister,)  Lacey  (the  Presbyterian,) 
Wadsworth  (the  Methodist,)  and  in  the  evening  we  held 
another  very  solemn  meeting  in  the  Presbyterian  Meeting 
House ;  parting  in  much  peace  from  the  inhabitants.  The 
subjects  of  slavery,  and  the  internal  slave  trade,  which  abound 
here,  have  deeply  oppressed  and  affected  my  mind ;  but  I  have 
felt  quite  clear  in  restricting  my  public  labours  to  the  faithful 
preaching  .of  the  full  gospel. 

12th  mo.,  olst.  The  last  day  of  1837  !  A  precious  solitude 
is  now  permitted  in  my  comfortable  chamber  at  John  Hare's, 
Summcrton  Meeting  House,  Virginia.  We  arrived  near  here 
last  evening,  after  a  journey  of  thirty-six  miles,  from  our 
friend  Nathan  Winslow's,  near  Piny  Woods.  The  fallow  day 
was  useful  to  me,  after  a  week  of  closely  successive  exercises, 
which  closed  memorably  with  a  visit  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting 

*  Nathan  Hunt. 


^T.  50.    REFLECTIONS  AT  THE  CLOSE  OF  TUE  YEAR.       115 

School,  at  Piny  Woods,  (about  forty  children,)  when  the 
Ackworth  system  of  scriptural  instruction  was  instituted  there. 
The  love  and  openness  of  Friends,  very  precious. 

I  have  now  done  with  North  Carolina,  perhaps  for  ever; 
and  look  back  on  the  eight  weeks  spent  in  that  state,  with  a 
remarkably  peaceful  and  unclouded  sense  of  the  goodness  of 
the  Lord,  who  has  led  me  along  safely,  guided  my  steps,  puc 
his  word  into  my  mouth,  and  at  times  poured  forth  his  anoint- 
ing in  a  remarkable  manner.  "V\Tiat  shall  I  render  unto  the 
Lord  for  all  his  benefits  towards  me  ?  I  will  take  the  cup  of 
salvation  and  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord ;  I  will  pay  my 
vows  unto  the  Lord,  now  in  the  presence  of  all  his  people." 
On  a  calm  review  of  this  period,  ought  I  not,  above  all,  to 
thank  him  for  those  very  low  states  which  have  been  so  fre- 
quent during  its  course,  and  which  have  never  failed  to  lead 
the  way  to  a  fresh  supply  of  his  unction  and  grace  ? 

In  commencing  with  Virginia,  and  in  looking  forward  to 
arduous  service  at  Richmond,  Washington,  Baltimore,  &e., 
I  trust  I  am  made  deeply  sensible  of  my  own  unworthiness 
and  unfitness  for  the  work.  0  Lord,  in  the  plenitude  of  thy 
mercies,  undertake  for  me,  and  let  thy  own  glorious  works 
abundantly  praise  thee  ! 

It  is  a  solemn  thing  to  me  to  close  the  present  year ;  and  a 
cause  of  unutterable  thankfulness,  in  looking  back  upon  past 
conflicts,  that  I  am  permitted  to  close  it  in  peace.  Never, 
I  believe,  while  memory  lasts,  shall  I  forget  the  "  ringing  in" 
of  this  year,  by  the  West  Ham  bells,  as  I  lay  on  my  bed,  in 
the  midnight  hour  at  L'pton ;  it  seemed  almost  like  the  knel^ 
of  death  to  me ;  but  surely  America  was  at  the  bottom  of  it, 
though  I  then  knew  not  the  cause  of  my  sufi'ering.  Praise 
the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me  bless  and 
hallow  his  glorious  name  I 


116  JOURNEY    TO    WASHINGTON.  1838. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

■^T.  50.     1838. 

JOUUNEY  FROM  RICHMOND  TO  WASHINGTON;  INTERVIEWS  WITH  THE 
PRESIDENT  J  HENRY  CLAT;  JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS ;  &C.  ;  MEETINO 
AT  WASHINGTON;  BALTIMORE;  ARRIVAL  AT  PHILADELPHIA; 
EXTRACTS  FROM  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS;  NEW  YORK;  RHODE 
ISLAND;  MASSACHUSETTS;  JUSTICE  STORY;  DR.  CHANNING  j 
REFLECTIONS    ON    COMPLETING    HIS    50tH   YEAR. 

After  spending  rather  more  than*  two  weeks  in 
Virginia,  part  of  which  Avas  occupied  in  a  visit  to 
Richmond,  the  principal  city  of  that  state,  Joseph 
John  Gurney  proceeded  to  Washington. 

••'  During  a  week's  journev  from  Richmond  to  Washington," 
he  "writes  in  one  of  his  letters,  "Tve  came  to  a  considerable 
settlement  of  Friends  at  Cedar  Creek.  One  of  the  principal 
of  them,  a  person  of  high  respectability,  had  been  distributing 
some  time  before,  an  excellent  address  against  slavery,  which 
had  been  issued  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Philadelphia. 
This  was  an  offence,  which,  by  the  law  of  Virginia,  was 
punishable  with  two  years'  imprisonment  and  hard  labour  in 
the  penitentiary.  The  case  was  brought  before  a  court  of 
justice,  and  our  friend  was  certainly  in  great  peril.  But  his 
knoAvn  respectability  called  forth  the  better  feelings  of  the 
gentlemen  of  the  district,  with  many  of 'whom  he  was  familiar : 
and,  greatly  to  their  credit,  the  grand  jury  ignored  the  bill. 
I  believe  that  his  influence  and  labours  in  relation  to  this 
subject,  were  by  no  means  fruitless ;  improving  sentiments 
respectmg  it  were  diffusing  themselves  in   the  neighbourhood ; 


^T.  50.  MOD^^T   VERNON.  117 

and  in  our  public  meetings  for  worship,  at  Cedar  Creek,  some 
close  practical  remarks,  -which  were  fully  understood  as 
applying  to  the  evils  of  slavery,  were  listened  to  with  great 
attention."  *  *  * 

After  holding  a  meeting  at  Fredericksburgh,  a  considerable 
toAvn,  pleasantly  situated  on  the  Rappahannock,  we  took  the 
steamer  the  next  morning  on  the  river  Potomac,  and  enjoyed 
a  delightful  voyage  of  sixty  miles,  to  the  city  of  Washington. 
The  river  is  of  a  magnificent  breadth,  the  banks  generally 
low  and  woody.  Both  the  Virginia  and  Maryland  shores, 
as  we  were  informed,  had  been  once  highly  cultivated ;  but  the 
blight  of  slavery  has  now  rendered  them  comparatively  un- 
productive. Shad  and  herring  are  caught  in  abundance  in  this 
river ;  the  finest  oysters  are  also  found  here  ;  and  during  the 
cold  of  winter,  its  surface  is  sometimes  half  covered  Avith  thou- 
sands of  ducks.  We  saw  considerable  numbers  of  them,  of  a 
black  and  white  plumage. 

On  the  south  bank  of  the  stream,  not  far  from  the  city  of 
Alexandria,  is  Mount  Vernon,  a  lofty  wooded  bluff,  on  which 
stands  the  elegant  but  simple  villa  where  Washington  lived, 
died,  and  was  buried.  We  had  no  opportunity  of  visiting 
this  interesting  spot ;  but  as  we  passed  by  it,  we  could  not 
but  pay  a  cordial  mental  tribute  to  the  genius,  as  well  as 
political  and  private  virtue  of  that  extraordinary  man.  To 
think  of  his  having  been  both  a  soldier  and  a  slave-holder, 
was  indeed  a  subject  of  deep  regret.  But  we  nevertheless 
knew  that  he  was  a  man  of  prayer,  and  his  qualities  of  mind 
were  peculiarly  calculated  to  obtain  for  him  the  warmest 
affections  of  America,  and  the  respect  of  the  world.  I  was  a 
good  deal  interested  afterwards  in  examining  a  copy  of  his 
pecuniary  accounts,  in  his  capacity  of  commander  in  chief. 
They  were  written  in  his  own  bold,  clear  hand,  and  displayed 
an  astonishing  accuracy  of  detail.  The  union  of  this  minute 
care  with  the  most  comprehensive  opinions  and  designs,  con- 
stitutes a  singular  feature  in  his  character.  He  is  generally 
regarded  as  having  been  the  most  religious  of  the  American 
presidents. 

The  aspect   of   the   city  of  Washington  under  the  bright 


118  WASHINGTON.  1838. 

sunlight  of  a  winter  afternoon,  as  we  glided  over  the  vast 
sheet  of  water,  (into  which  the  river  here  dilates,)  partook 
rather  largely  of  the  sublime  and  beautiful.  The  Capitol, 
Avhich  stands  on  a  considerable  elevation,  and  is  built  of 
white  stone,  was  the  most  conspicuous  object  in  the  scene. 
It  is  the  restoration  of  the  building  which  the  British 
army  so  wantonly  set  on  fire  in  the  last  American  w^ar ;  and 
might  be  considered  e::sceedingly  handsome,  were  it  not  for 
its  leaden,  heavy  dome,  which  is  sadly  out  of  proportion,  and 
mars  the  beauty  of  the  edifice.  We  landed  on  the  wharf  at 
nightfall  on  the  17th  of  the  1st  month,  1838,  and  found  very 
comfortable  accommodation  at  Erown's  Hotel.  There  our 
company  was  soon  joined  by  some  of  our  friends  from  Balti- 
more and  Philadelphia. 

On  the  morning  after  our  arrival  we  went  up  in  good  time 
to  the  Capitol,  and  were  introduced  to  several  of  the  senators, 
particularly  to  Colonel  Preston,  from  South  Carolina,  a 
gentleman  of  remarkable  urbanity  of  manners,  and  endued 
with  what  may  be  justly  described  as  the  silver  tongue  of 
eloquence.  I  also  enjoyed  a  short  interview  with  Daniel 
Webster.  His  forehead  is  of  remarkable  prominence  and 
breadth,  his  eye  penetrating ;  and  the  little  which  I  heard  of 
his  public  speaking  was  strong,  clear,  and  fluent.  With 
Henry  Clay,  of  Kentucky,  we  conversed  for  some  time  in 
private.  He  is  the  Broi:gham  of  America,  as  it  relates  to  his 
ready  wit  and  powers  of  fervid  declamatory  argument  •  but  is 
doubtless  his  inferior  in  literary  and  scientific  attainment. 
His  figure  is  tall  and  slender,  and  there  is  an  expression  of 
humour  and  benevolence  in  his  countenance,  which,  in 
connexion  with  his  marked  politeness,  is  very  winning.  He 
expressed  kind  feelings  and  good  principles  on  the  subject  of 
slavery,  as  well  as  on  that  of  the  wrongs  of  the  Aborigines. 
But  he  complained  bitterly  of  the  abolition  movement,  and 
was  evidently,  like  other  slave-holders,  under  the  influence  of 
.some  very  strong  prejudices. 

In  the  evening  we  spent  a  very  agreeable  hour  with  John 
Quincy  Adams,  once  the  President  of  the  United  States  ;  and 
almost  the  only  anti-slavery  advocate  in  congress,  though,  ou 


iET.  50.  WASHINGTON.  11? 

several  points,  himself  differing  from  the  abolitionists^.  He 
is  now  an  old  man,  yet  full  of  mental  vigour  and  animatioi.'. 
and  probably  more  fraught  with  learning  and  information 
than  any  other  man  in  America.  He  received  us  with  great 
kindness  and  cordiality.  On  a  subsequent  morning,  at  the 
early  hour  of  nine  o'clock,  we  were  introduced  to  Martin  Van 
Buren,  the  President,  a  gentleman  of  great  affability  and  ease 
of  maimer,  with  much  acuteness,  and  I  think,  benevolence 
also  marked  on  his  countenance.  During  our  short  inter- 
view, the  subjects  of  our  conversation  were  the  African  slave- 
trade,  and  the  claims  of  the  native  Indian  tribes ;  on  both 
which  topics  he  spoke  with  a  good  deal  of  firmness.  It 
was  my  endeavour  to  impress  on  the  mind  of  the  President, 
the  vast  importance  of  the  cordial  co-operation  of  America 
with  the  European  powers,  in  the  suppression  of  the  slave 
trade,  on  the  perfectly  reasonable  principle  of  a  mutual  right 
of  search,  a  principle  which  surely  ought  not  to  offend  the 
pride  of  any  one  nation.  But  the  Americans  are  a  com- 
munity of  kings,  every  man  his  own  ruler,  and  they  shrink 
from  the  very  notion  of  indignity.  Thus  I  fear  they  are  but 
too  likely  to  persist  in  sacrificing  the  interests  of  humanity, 
to  wliat  is  falsely  regarded  as  national  honour. 

The  principal  object  which  I  now  had  in  view,  in  visiting 
Washington,  was  the  holding  of  a  meeting  for  worship  with 
the  officers  of  government  and  members  of  congress.  My 
mind  was  attracted  towards  these  public  men,  under  a  feeling 
of  religious  interest ;  and  far  beyond  my  expectation  did  my 
way  open  for  accomplishing  the  purpose.  Colonel  Polk,  the 
speaker  of  the  representative  assembly,  granted  me  the  use 
•  of  the  legislative  hall ;  the  chaplain  of  the  house  (a  respect- 
able Wesleyan  minister)  kindly  surrendered  his  accustomed 
service  for  our  accommodation ;  public  invitation  was  given 
in  the  newspapers;  and  when  we  entered  the  hall,  on  the 
following  First  day  morning,  we  found  it  crowded  with  the 
members  of  congress,  their  ladies,  and  many  other  persons. 
The  President  and  other  officers  of  the  government  were 
also  of  the  company.  It  was  to  me  a  serious  and  critical 
occasion.       One    of  mv    friends    sat    down    with   me   in    the 


120  MEETING    IX    THE   LEGISLATIVE    HALL.  1838. 

speaker's  rostrum ;  a  feeling  of  calmness  Avas  graciously 
bestowed  upon  us ;  and  a  silent  solemnity  overspread  the 
whole  meeting.  After  a  time,  my  mind  became  deeply 
impressed  with  the  words  of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  "  I  am 
the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life."  Speaking  from  this  text, 
I  was  led  to  describe  the  main  features  of  orthodox  Christi- 
anity; to  declare  that  these  doctrines  had  been  faithfully  held 
by  the  Society  of  Friends,  from  their  first  rise  to  the  present 
day ;  to  dwell  on  the  evidences,  both  historical  and  internal, 
which  form  the  credentials  of  the  gospel,  considered  as  a 
message  to  mankind  from  the  King  of  heaven  and  earth ;  to 
urge  the  claims  of  that  message  on  the  world  at  large,  on 
America  in  particular,  a  country  so  remarkably  blessed  by 
Divine  Providence,  and,  above  all,  on  her  statesmen  and  her 
leo-islators  ;  to  advise  the  devotional  duties  of  the  closet,  as  a 
guard  against  the  dangers  and  temptations  of  politics ;  to 
dwell  on  the  peaceable  government  of  Christ  by  his  spirit ; 
and  finally  to  insist  on  the  perfect  law  of  righteousness,  as 
applying  to  nations,  as  well  as  individuals,  to  the  whole  of  the 
afiairs  of  men,  both  private  and  public.  A  solemn  silence 
again  prevailed  at  the  close  of  the  meeting ;  and  after  it  was 
concluded,  we  received  the  warm  greetings  of  Henry  Clay, 
John  Quincy  Adams,  and  many  other  members,  of  whom  we 
took  our  leave  in  the  flowing  of  mutual  kindness.  Thus  was 
I  set  free  from  the  heavy  burden  which  had  been  pressing 
upon  me.  In  the  evening  we  met  a  large  assembly  in  the 
Methodist  Chapel,  in  George  Town,  a  populous  place  almost 
adjoining  Washington ;  and  the  next  morning  pursued  our 
journey  forward  to  a  small  settlement  of  Friends,  in  the  state 
of  Maryland. 

In  his  Journal  he  writes  :  — 

Baltimore,  Ist  mo.,  25th.  A  drive  of  twenty-four  miles, 
over  poor  roads  and  a  poor  country,  brought  us  hither.  The 
view  of  the  Patapsco  river,  Chesapeake  bay,  and  the  city,  as 
we  approached  it,  under  the  light  of  the  bright  evening  sun, 
was  striking  and  beautiful.     I  have  a  truly  comfortable  home ; 


^T.  50.         BALTIMORE  ;  PHILADELPHIA,  121 

and  we  have  been  favoured  with  a  very  relieving  meeting  this 
morning,  half  public ;  many  Hicksites.  I  have  ventured  to 
appoint  twc  public  meetings,  and  am  about  to  engage  in  a 
family  visit  to  the  interesting  flock  here.  My  way  seems 
remarkably  made  amongst  them,  to  my  humble  admiration. 

2nd  mo.,  2nd.  My  work  has  been  arduous,  and  I  hope  in 
now  done.  I  ha.ve  gone  through  the  families,  in  much  feeling 
of  poverty  and  humdiation  ;  upwards  of  sixtj"  visits.  Large 
meeting  of  coloured  people,  on  fourth  day  evening ;  and, 
yesterday,  meetings  at  the  jail  and  penitentiary. 

From  B'altiraore  Joseph  John  Gurnej  proceeded  to 
Philadelphia. 

"  The  distance  between  the  two  cities,"  he  observes,  in  one 
of  his  letters,  "is  about  one  hundred  miles;  and  one  circum- 
stance on  the  journey  is  well  calculated  to  interest  a  stranger. 
It  is  the  conspicuousness  of  the  line  (though  without  any 
natural  division)  which  separates  the  slave-wrought  lands  of 
Maryland  from  the  free  territory  of  Pennsylvania.  The  sudden 
transit  from  inferior  to  superior  cultivation,  and  from  impove- 
rished soil  to  fertility,  is  extremely  striking,  especially  at  the 
more  advanced  seasons  of  the  year ;  and  certainly  it  speaks 
volumes  for  the  instruction  of  statesmen,  in  proof  of  the  im- 
policy of  slavery.  One  can  hardly  imagine  on  what  grounds 
this  perpetual  visible  evidence  can  be  long  resisted." 

Joseph  John  Gurney  continued  in  Philadelphia 
and  its  neighbourhood  upwards  of  three  months. 
The  Society  of  Friends  in  that  city  is  still  a  nu- 
merous and  influential  body.  Besides  attending  the 
Quarterly  and  other  meetings  of  Friends  there,  and 
in  some  of  the  adjoining  districts,  as  well  as  the 
Yearly  Meeting,  in  usual  course,  he  w^as  closely 
engaged  in  paying  religious  visits  to  the  families  of 
Friends  in  three  out  of  the  four  "  Monthly  Meetings" 


122  TRIALS    AND    DIFFICULTIES.  1838. 

into  which  the  city  is  divided.  A  minister  of  the 
gospel,  more  especially  one  engaged  as  he  was,, 
must  not  expect  to  have  a  course  free  from  difficult}-. 
Great  is  the  trial,  to  the  servant  of  Christ,  of  being 
misunderstood  and  misinterpreted  by  those  who  sin- 
cerely love,  and  desire  to  serve,  the  same  blessed 
Redeemer;  but  he  may  surely  be  consoled  by  the 
reflection,  that  from  a2;e  to  a<2;e  such  has  been  the 
portion  of  many  faithful  believers.  This,  in  a  re- 
markable degree,  was  the  case  with  the  early  Friends. 
Their  views  were  misunderstood  and  misinterpreted 
by  other  professing  Christians,  and  frequently  were 
the  motives  and  course  of  action  of  the  more  emi- 
nent amongst  them  not  comprehended  even  by  the 
members  of  their  own  Society.  Separated  as  the 
human  family  is,  by  an  almost  endless  variety  of 
disposition  and  circumstances,  and  very  imperfectly, 
if  at  all,  acquainted  with  one  another's  motives, 
impressions  are  often  received  of  the  conduct  of 
others,  which  further  acquaintance  and  more  ex- 
act investigation  prove  to  be  wholly  unfounded,  or 
greatly  mistaken  and  exaggerated.  It  is  possible 
that  some  of  the  readers  of  these  pages  have  already 
discovered  that  their  acquaintance  with  Joseph  John 
Gurney  (and  perhaps  also  with  their  own  hearts) 
was  at  this  time  too  imperfect  to  enable  them  to 
form  a  just  estimate  of  his  character;  and  now, 
perhaps,  in  the  cool  of  the  day,  they  may  be,  at 
times,  led  to  look  back  with  some  sadness  at  the 
misconceptions  which  then,  to  a  limited  extent, 
prevailed.''' 

•'•'  The  dispensation,  trying  as  it  is,"  he  writes,  in 

*  See  infra,  ch.  xlvi. 


JET.  50.  ENGAGEMENTS    AT    PHILADELPHIA.  123 

one  of  his  letters,  in  allusion  to  this  subject,  "  has 
been,  as  to  myself,  seasonable ;  a  wonderful  defence 
against  undue  exaltation ;  bringing  me,  from  time 
to  time,  low  and  prostrate  before  the  Lord.  I 
thank  God  for  the  wholesome  discipline;  and 
earnestly  do  I  desire  and  pray  that  not  a  single 
unchristian  feeling  towards  my  opposers  may  enter 
into  my  heart.  With  all  their  mistakes,  I  give 
them  credit  for  much  sincere  love  to  Christ." 

The  following  are  from  his  Journal  of  this 
period  : — 

2nd  mo.,  4:tJi.  The  Quarterly  Meeting  of  ministers  and 
elders,  yesterday  morning,  passed  off  quietly  and  Avell ;  various 
calls  and  interviews  -with  Friends  in  the  after  part  of  the  day. 

A  long  one  with  my  dear  friend ,  kindly  intended  to 

prepare  me  for  conflict  and  impediment.  I  have  felt  it  a  good 
deal  during  the  night ;  but  I  think  my  chief  anxiety  is,  that 
the  Society  and,  above  all,  the  cause  of  truth  may  not  suffer ; 
and  I  am  mercifully  favoured  with  precious  quietness  of  mind 
this  morning.  0  Lord,  I  most  earnestly  and  reverently 
beseech  thee,  that,  surrounded  as  I  am  by  some  opposing 
influences  and  some  share  of  perplexity,  I  may  be  enabled,  by 
thy  grace,  to  keep  a  conscience  void  of  offence  in  thy  sight, 
and  in  the  sight  of  my  fellow-men,  avoiding  even  the  appear- 
ance of  evil.  0  for  a  holy  integrity  and  independence  in  the 
truth,  united  with  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent,  the  meekness  of 
the  lamb,  and  the  Jbarmlessness  of  the  dove  ! 

Third  day,  \2.7id  mo.,  Qt.h.'\  Yesterday  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing ;  a  good.time ;  the  ministry  which  fell  to  my  lot  was  close 
and  searching ;  but  it  is  evident  that  I  have  a  course  of  some 
difficulty  and  tribulation  before  me.  May  I  accept  it  with 
all  cheerfulness  and  submission  !  To-day,  at  the  Northern 
Monthly  Meeting,  (dear  Stephen  Grellet  present,)  I  laid 
before  Friends  my  concern  to  visit  the  families ;  much  unity, 
but  some  little  opposition  appeared.     This  was  over-ruled,  and 


124  LABOURS   AT  1838. 

I  suppose  that  John  Paul  will  commence  the  ■work  with  me 
to-morrow  morning.  May  the  Lord  graciouslj  sustain  me  in 
patient  resignation  ! 

Fifth  day  evening.  We  have  passed  through  two  days  of 
family  visiting ;  and  I  believe  the  gracious  anointing  oil,  which 
can  alone  qualify  for  the  service,  has  not  been  withheld ;  eight 
visits  yesterday  as  a  beginning ;  ten  to-day. 

First  day  night.  AVe  have  again  been  favoured  with  a  good 
Sabbath.  The  meeting  at  Arch  Street,  in  the  afternoon, 
satisfactory ;  and  a  very  large  one  there  this  evening ;  a  noble, 
solemn  assembly  indeed.  One  would  hope  that  the  truly 
searching  work  of  this  day  must  have  done  something  tOAvnrds 
quelling  opposition ;  and  I  hope  also  towards  the  confirmation 
of  our  faith,  as  Christians  and  as  Friends.  The  Lord  alone  be 
praised  ! 

2nd  mo.,  IGth.  The  public  meeting  at  the  North  Meeting 
House  last  third  day  evening,  notwithstanding  pouring  rain, 
was  large,  and  very  solemn  and  relieving.  I  was  greatly 
comforted  by  it,  and  ended  the  day  in  peace.  Fourth  day, 
industrious  family  visiting ;  drank  tea  at  I.  Lloyd's.  Fifth 
day,  Woodbury  Quarterly  Meeting,  over  the  Delaware,  in 
Jersey ;  a  good  open  time ;  Friends  very  cordial.  To-day, 
filled  again  with  family  visits ;  dear  S.  Grellet  with  us  at 
dinner  ;  Thomas  Evans  this  evening ;  both  to  my  comfort ;  so 
tha.t,  through  mercy,  I  retire  to  rest  quiet  and  relieved  in 
mind. 

2nd  mo.,  ISth.  Good  series  of  visits  yesterday  ;  drank  tea 
very  agreeably  at  Ellis  Yarnall's.  A  quiet  mind  is  mercifully 
bestowed  this  morning.  Earnest  are  my  breathings  to  the 
Lord,  that  I  may  be  preserved  from  uttering  anything  this 
day  in  public,  except  under  the  "anointing;"  and  that  in  and 
under  this,  I  may  be  gifted  with  a  holy  boldness  in  the  truth. 
I  humbly  trust  that  ground  has  been  gradually  gained. 

22nd.  To-day,  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting  at  Arch 
Street.  I  laid  my  concern  before  Friends  for  visiting  their 
families,  which  was  acceded  to.  Only  one  opposing  voice. 
Five  family  sittings  since.     I  have  felt  much  peace  in  having 


^T.  50.  PHILADELPHIA.  126 

taken  tliis  further  step  with  Friends ;  and  it  is  evident  that, 
through  mercy,  my  Avay  is  opening  among  them. 

Second  day  evening,  3rc?  mo.,  Gth.  [After  attending  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  at  Burh'ngton.]  The  visit  to  Burlington 
was  an  occasion  of  encouragement  and  comfort.  It  is  delight- 
ful  to  enlarge  the  boundaries  of  gospel  fellowship.  Rebecca 
Grellet,  John  Cox,  Susan  Smith  and  her  children,  Julia  Clai'ke. 
and  Abigail  Barker,  with  many  others,  were  then  added  to  my 
list  of  Friends,  known  and  loved.  We  returned  as  we  came, 
by  the  rail-car  and  ice-boat,  on  fourth  day  morning,  and 
pursued  our  family  visits  with  quiet  diligence  during  the 
remainder  of  the  week.  Yesterday  was  a.  favoured  day. 
Something  like  the  closing  of  the  commission  at  the  North 
meeting  in  the  morning ;  a  very  searching  time,  but  I  trust 
the  power  of  the  Lord  accompanied  the  word.  To-day,  we 
have  been  again  quietly  pursuing  our  visits.  My  mind, 
through  adorable  mercy,  is  clothed  with  much  peaceful  quiet. 
Can  I  be  too  thankful  ? 

drd  mo.,  16th.  Deep  and  close  are  the  exercises  of  mind 
which  have  fallen  to  my  lot  since  the  last  entry.  Seventh  day 
last,  spent  in  calls,  &c.,  was  a  very  happy  one  ;  sweet  was  the 
flow  of  peace  after  the  conclusion  of  the  northern  visits.  First 
day,  one  of  much  conflict  and  exercise  ;  opened  my  commission 
at  Arch  street  in  the  morning.  At  Orange  street  in  the  after- 
noon, much  in  the  cross ;  a  few  faithful  sentences  respecting 
not  limiting  the  anointing  either  in  ourselves  or  others.  Very 
large  evening  meeting,  in  which  Christ,  the  Word  of  God,  in 
his  several  gracious  ofiices,  was  largely  preached. 

The  family  visit  in  Arch  street,  with  dear  Thomas  Steward- 
son  as  a  companion  and  elder,  has  hitherto  sped  well ;  though 
the  work  has  been  very  humbling.  Good  meeting  yesterday  ; 
my  subject,  "  the  practical  fruits  of  true  Christianity."  On 
the  whole,  I  am  thankful  and  cheered ;  blessed  be  the  name 
of  the  Lord.  Now  for  the  deep  and  watchful  indwelling  in 
Christ : 

Srd  mo.,  25fh.  On  fourth  day  I  attended  the  Western 
Monthly  Meeting.  Many  Friends,  not  of  the  district,  were 
also  there.     It  was  a  weighty  time.     I  was  much  engaged  in 


126  LABOURS    AT  1838 

ministry.  "  There  is  a  middle  path  which  is  the  way  of 
safety;  and  there  is  a  middle  path  which  is  the  way  to  death." 
My  concei'n  to  visit  the  families  was  warmly  united 
with. 

SOth.  Seventh  day  noon.  I  am  favoured  to  end  my  arduous 
labours  in  Arch  Street  District  in  peace,  with  a  good  sitting 
at  Samuel  Bottle's.  The  public  meeting  last  night  was  very 
searching  and  solemn. 

4M  mo.,  ord.  Arrived  at  my  dear  aged  friend  Thomas 
AVlstar's,  at  ten  o'clock  yesterday ;  and  we  have  spent  two 
days  together  in  family  visiting,  (in  the  Western  District,) 
I  hope  and  believe  satisfactorily.  Great  watchfulness  and 
weightiness  of  spirit  are  surely  required  in  this  work  ! 

First  day  evening,  8th.  The  meeting  with  the  young  people 
this  evening  very  large.  I  was  led  to  unfold  the  doctrine  and 
discipline  of  the  cross,  as  it  applies  both  to  worship  and  con- 
duct. I  never  get  on  so  comfortably  in  religious  service,  as 
when  I  have  no  anticipation  whatever  in  my  own  mind  of  its 
nature.  This  pointing  of  previous  exercise  cannot,  as  I  well 
know,  always  be  avoided  ;  yet  it  is  much  more  consoling  and 
refreshing  to  my  own  spirit  when  the  concern  comes  upon  me, 
as  it  did  this  morning,  at  the  instant.  I  wish  to  be  preserved 
from  anticipatory  exercise  as  far  as  possible,  and  (to  adopt  an 
old  Friend's  image)  "  go  to  meeting  as  a  blank  sheet." 

4:fh  mo.,  16th.  Since  the  last  entry  I  have  been  favoured  to 
realize  divine  help,  from  day  to  day,  through  no  small  variety 
and  depth  of  exercise  of  mind.  I  have  abundant  cause  for 
gratitude  in  the  retrospect  of  the  Western  family  visit.  A 
large  public  meeting  on  sixth  day  evening,  very  relieving. 
The  Yearly  Meeting  of  ministers  and  elders,  on  seventh  day, 
a  time  of  close  exercise  of  mind.  I  am  very  thankful  for 
close  unity  with  such  men  as  Stephen  Grellet  and  John  Cox. 
And,  under  the  difficulties  and  discouragements  which  still 
remain,  I  desire  to  be  very  meek,  quiet,  patient,  fearless  in 
the  Lord.     My  mind  is  remarkably  tranquil. 

4cth  mo.,  22nd.  Great  are  thy  mercies,  0  Lord ;  my  soul 
desires  to  commemorate  them  with  humble  gratitude.  The 
week    has    been    passed    through  wonderfully;    and  I  am  at 


/ET.  50.  PHILADELPHIA.  127 

ease  and  peace,  ready  to  praise  my  God  and  Saviour.  The 
first  sitting  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  very  trying,  from  the 
manifestations  of  a  hard,  over-bearing  spirit ;  but,  from  that 
time,  truth  and  liberty  began  to  arise  and  spread.  The 
several  sittings  were  large  —  larger  than  known  since  the 
Ilicksite  separation,  and  increased  towards  the  end.  I  was 
twice  engaged  in  solemn  prayer ;  and  in  the  last  sitting, 
particularly,  was  somewhat  enlarged  in  preaching.  I  also 
clearly  unfolded  my  views  of  American  Slavery,  and  paid  a 
visit,  to  the  women's  meeting,  where  there  was  evidently  a  very 
open  door  for  service. 

4th  mo.,  2'Mh.  Since  the  last  entry  I  have  been  chiefly  at 
Thomas  Wistar's,  engaged  in  finishing  the  Western  family 
visit ;  also  attending  in  succession  the  Northern,  Western, 
and  Arch  street  Monthly  Meetings,  and  delivering  in  the 
reports  of  my  visits.  The  elders  who  accompanied  me  bore 
strong  testimony  in  favour  of  theni ;  and  the  respective  meet- 
in  <i-s  were  times  of  great  solemnity. 

5th  mo.,  V2t.h.  On  second  day,  [Philadelphia,]  Quarterly 
Meeting.  In  the  evening,  laid  before  the  men-elders  my 
concern  for  a  concluding  young  people's  meeting ;  all  of  them 
there.  I  v.-as  much  exercised  in  mind,  during  the  hour  and  a 
hiilf  which  they  occupied  in  discussing  the  proposition,  fear- 
ing lest  I  had  involved  myself  and  the  cause  in  difficulty ; 
but  notwithstanding  the  strong  opposition  from  a  particular 
(juarter,  it  was  decided  that  the  meeting  should  be  held. 
This  result  afforded  me  great  relief;  and  I  afterwards  spent 
a  cheerful  evening  at  Moses  Brosvn's,  with  the  Wistar  family. 
Third  day,  visit  to  the  penitentiary,  which  is  admirable ;  good 
meeting  in  one  corridor  ;  visit  to  the  alms-house  in  the  after- 
noon ;  good  meeting  there.  Fourth  day,  to  Gerraantown, 
(Abington  Select  Quarterly  Meeting,)  which  passed  off  pretty 
well.  Spent  the  afternoon  at  Deborah  Logan's  old  mansion, 
built  by  James  Logan,  AYilliam  Penn's  secretary.  Public 
meeting  in  the  evening  at  Germantown,  much  crowded.  Fifth 
day,  Abington  Quarterly  Meeting  ;  larger  than  I  expected. 
I  was  much  engaged  in  the  meeting  for  worship.  In  the 
subsequent  meeting,  leave  to  open  the  shutters  (to  unite  men 


128  PHILADELPHIA.  1838. 

and  ■women  in  a  closing  opportunity)  was  refused;  the  first 
instance  of  the  actual  obstruction  of  a  religious  service  ■which 
has  ever  occurred  to  me.  I  have  desired  that,  in  the  humilia- 
tion of  self,  it  may  operate  beneficially.  .  Sixth  day,  visit  to 
the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States ; 
inspection  of  the  mint.  Two  meetings  at  the  Moyamensing 
prison  in  the  afternoon  ;  and  in  the  evening,  the  farewell 
meeting  of  young  people ;  very  large,  solemn,  and  relieving. 
"  We  preach  not  ourselves,  but  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  and 
ourselves  your  servants,  for  Jesus'  sake."  This  morning, 
breakfast  with  J.  Vaughan,  at  the  Philosophical  Rooms ;  met 
Duponceau,  the  president,  a  lawyer  and  linguist  of  rare 
attainments.  Since,  many  calls  ;  and  now  I  am  once  more  at 
B.  Cooper's  peaceful  country  residence,  in  a  good  degree  of 
peace  and  comfort.     "Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul !" 

After  describing  a  round  of  country  meetings,  in 
which  he  was  accompanied  by  his  friend  Israel  W. 
Morris,  and  in  one  or  two  of  which  he  met  /with 
some  trial,  he  writes  : — 

^th  mo.,  21st.  *  *  Where  influential  persons  are  watching 
for  one's  halting,  the  life  cannot  arise  in  its  fulness,  unless  the 
Lord  be  pleased  to  put  forth  pre-eminent  power.  These  are 
rough  things  in  my  course,  to  which  I  am  little  accustomed. 
I  never  met  with  the  like  before,  but  I  have  no  doubt  they 
are  permitted  for  good  purposes  ;  and  I  feel  thankful  for  the 
humiliation  thus  allotted  me.  May  I,  through  infinite  mercy, 
be  clothed  upon  with  the  integrity,  patience,  meekness,  and 
quietness  of  Christ !  I  have  been  enjoying  a  solitary  wander 
of  an  hour  or  more — 0  how  deep  the  solitude  of  the  fields  and 
woods  I — and  was  enabled  to  pour  forth  my  heart  in  solemn, 
fervent  prayer  for  myself  and  for  my  children.  Much  internal 
tranquillity  is,  through  adorable  mercy,  my  portion. 

Sjth  mo.,  --ith.  We  had  an  excellent  Quarterly  Meeting  at 
Concord,  notwithstanding  all  discouragements :  and  my  visit 
and    services    were    recorded    as    satisfactory.     Both    Israel 


^T.  50.  HOSPITALS,    PRISONS,    ETC.  129 

Mon-is  and  I  feel  that  the  Lord  has  dealt  very  graciously  with 
us.  I  am  on  my  return  to  Philadelphia,  with  the  prospect  of 
leaving  it  to-morrow  in  peace. 

Whilst  in ,  Philadelphia  and  its  neighbourhood, 
Joseph  John  Gurney  took  the  opportunity  of  visit- 
ing several  of  the  hospitals,  prisons,  and  other 
public  institutions.  He  was  particularly  interested 
with  the  Eastern  Penitentiary,  in  which  he  foun^ 
the  separate  system  of  prison  discipline  "  admirabl}' 
conducted"  under  the  care  of  Samuel  Wood.  In 
his  letters  he  also  alludes  with  much  pleasure  to 
his  visits  to  the  schools  at  West-town  and  Haver- 
furd. 

"The  former  is  situated,"  to  use  his  own  words,  "in  a 
healthy  and  picturesque  part  of  Chester  County.  The  land- 
scape around  it  of  woods,  hills,  valleys,  and  here  and  there  a 
little  stream,  is  beautiful.  Here  about  230  of  the  children 
of  Friends,  of  both  sexes,  receive,  under  judicious  care,  a 
guarded  and  religious  education,  on  a  somewhat  higher  scale 
than  in  the  public  schools  belonging  to  our  body  at  Ackworth 
and  Croydon.  The  Holy  Scriptures  are  daily  read,  and  the 
children  instructed  in  their  contents.  I  have  every  reason  to 
believe  that  the  moral  and  religious  influence  of  this  institu- 
tion is  at  once  powerful  and  extensive.  *  *  *  *. 

"  A  drive  of  fifteen  miles  from  West-town,  aci'oss  a 
'rolling'  country  of  much  picturesque  beauty,  brought  us 
to  Haverford,  where  there  has  been  lately  established  an 
academy,  or  rather  college,  for  the  education  of  an  older 
and  more  opulent  class  of  lads.  Repeatedly,  and  always 
with  great  pleasure,  did  I  visit  this  institution.  At  this 
time  there  were  seventy  boys  and  young  men  accommodated 
in  the  house,  which  was  built  for  the  purpose,  pursuing  a 
course  of  classical  and  scientific  study,  under  well-qualified 
teachers.      Each    of    them    is    provided    with    a   neat    little 

Vol.  II.— 9 


130  PHILADELPHIA.  1838. 

chamber,"  in  which  may  be  found  his  Bible,  a  few  other  books 
i)f  his  own  selection,  and  the  requisite  articles  of  furniture. 
This  separate  lodging  I  hold  to  be  a  most  important  provision 
for  the  moral  and  religious  welfare  of  the  young.  There  was 
an  appearance  of  order  and  sobriety  to  be  observed  in  these 
young  persons,  accompanied  by  an  obvious  infusion  of 
American  independence,  which  pleased  me  greatly.  In  many 
of  the  young  people  whom  I  saw  in  diiferent  parts  of  the 
Union,  after  they  had  left  this  school,  I  was  able  clearly  to 
trace  the  effects  of  that  Christian  care,  under  which  they  had 
been  placed  at  Haverford.  The  beauties  of  nature  are  not 
neglected.  The  house,  which  stands  on  an  eminence,  is  in 
the  midst  of  a  pleasure  ground,  laid  out  after  the  English 
fashion.  The  boys  had  just  been  raising,  among  themselves 
and  their  friends,  a  purse  of  2000  dollars,  which  has  since 
been  expended  on  an  excellent  conservatory.  I  look  back  on 
my  visits  to  both  of  these  seminaries,  with  peculiar  gratifi- 
cation. Long  may  they  flourish  for  the  intellectual  and 
spiritual  benefit  of  our  young  people  ! 

"During  my  stay  in  Philadelphia,"  he  elsewhere  remarks, 
•'  several  circumstances  transpired  of  a  public  nature,  Avhich 
were  by  no  means  calculated  to  impress  me  favourably  on 
the  subject  of  democratic  institutions,  though  I  am  well 
aware  that  those  of  America  are  not  without  their  great 
advantages. 

"  One  of  these  was  the  want  of  public  virtue  manifested  in 
Congress,  on  the  occasion  of  the  fatal  duel  between  Graves 
and  Cilley.  These  combatants  fought  with  rifles,  fired 
repeatedly,  and  (as  I  was  informed)  drew  ten  paces  nearer 
to  each  other  at  each  fire,  until  poor  Cilley,  the  father  of  four 
little  children,  fell  and  died.  This  murderous  affair  was 
suffered  to  pass  with  impunity ;  the  murmurs  in  Congress 
on  the  subject  soon  died  away ;  and  the  members  attended 
the  funeral  of  Cilley,  who  was,  of  course,  just  as  guilty  as  his 
antagonist,  with  every  mark  of  respect.  It  seemed  to  me 
that  this  was  partly  the  result  of  the  general  notion,  that 
every  citizen  of  the  state  is  left  at  almost  unlimited  liberty  to 
du  as  be  pleases. 


JET.  50.  PHILADELPHIA.  131 

"  Anotlier  circumstance  which  gave  me  a  similar  impression 
was  the  combination  of  a  large  company,  called  the  "  Pre- 
emption company,"  to  deprive  the  Indians  of  the  Seneca 
nation,  in  New  York,  of , their  reserved  lands ;  and,  under  the 
pretext  of  a  false  and  surreptitious  treaty  with  some  of  their 
chiefs,  to  drive  them  into  the  western  wilderness.  Many 
Friends  in  Philadelphia  have  long  been  zealously  engaged  in 
the  endeavour  to  stave  off  this  act  of  unrighteousness,  by 
personal  applications  to  the  officers  of  state,  and  other  in- 
fluential persons  at  Washington ;  but  the  corruption  of  mem- 
bers, who  were  set  upon  seizing  the  property  of  their  neighbours, 
has  prevailed  over  the  simple  dictates  of  justice,  and  thus  this 
shameless  treaty  has  at  length  been  ratified. 

"  A  third  circumstance  was  the  change  in  the  consti.tution  of 
Pennsylvania,  which  had  at  this  time  just  been  carried  en 
masse,  by  the  votes  of  a  majority  of  the  people.  The  judicial 
office  was  reduced,  by  this  change,  to  a  state  of  entire  depen- 
dence on  the  government  and  legislature  of  the  day ;  and, 
by  the  introduction  of  that  single  word,  "white,"  the  whole 
.coloured  population,  40,000  in  number,  were  at  once  deprived 
of  their  citizenship.  This  affecting  act  of  degradation  was 
received  by  the  coloured  people  with  deep  sorrow.  I  was  told 
that  a  white  boy  was  observed  seizing  the  marbles  of  a  coloured 
boy  in  one  of  the  streets,  with  the  words,  "you  have  no  rights 
now."     The  coloured  boy  submitted  in  silence. 

"  Shortly  after  my  visit  to  Philadelphia,  an  event  occurred 
which  corresponded  in  its  nature  and  principle  with  the 
circumstances  already  mentioned ;  but  was  of  a  more  frightful 
and  violent  character.  I  mean  the  conflagration  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Hall,  at  the  time  of  the  anti-slavery  convention, 
after  the  assembly  had  been  compelled  to  leave  the  room 
by  violent  and  abusive  conduct.  The  work  of  destruction 
was  effected  by  an  uncontrolled  and  uncontrollable  assemblage 
of  the  people,  including  many  persons  dressed  like  gentle- 
men. True,  indeed,  it  is,  that  no  small  provocatives  to 
popular  fury  were  administered  on  the  occasion  by  the 
imprudence  of  some  zealous  individuals ;  but  nothing,  of 
course,  could,  ia  the  least  degree,  justify  this  lawless  attack, 


132  NEW  YORK.  1838. 

not  only  on  the  personal  safety,  but  on  the  undoubted  civil 
rights  of  a  respectable  part  of  the  community.  Nevertheless 
this  tremendous  outrage  was  permitted  to  pass  over  -with  per- 
fect impunity.*  The  ruins  of  the  hall  still  present  to  the  view 
of  the  stranger  a  most  significant  memento,  that  there  is  no 
tyranny  so  bad  as  that  of  a  mob  ;  no  government  so  dangerous 
as  that  of  a  self-willed  and  licentious  populace." 

Joseph  John  Gurney  left  Philadelphia  for  New 
York,  on  the  25th  of  the  5th  month. 

"  The  journey  from  Philadelphia,  of  about  one  hundred 
miles,"  he  writes,  "was  the  easy  occupation  of  a  morn- 
ing. The  time  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  this  state  was 
come ;  and  Friends  were  collecting  in  considerable  num- 
bers, not  only  from  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  city,  but 
from  distant  parts  of  the  country ;  and  more  than  a  few 
from  Canada.  The  followers  of  Elias  Hicks  are  here  the 
more  numerous  body,  and  have  taken  possession  of  the  large 
old  meeting  houses  belonging  to  Friends.  Our  own  meeting 
was  composed  of  about  1000  persons,  men  and  women,  and 
was  very  agreeably  conducted,  the  members  being  much  united 
in  their  endeavours  to  maintain  the  cause  of  sound  primitive 
Christianity.  *  * 

"  There  are  two  large  buildings  in  New  York  which  may 
be  hired  for  public  meetings  either  of  a  philanthropic  or 
religious  character.  The  Tabernacle,  in  Broadway,  which  is 
large  enough  to  contain  4000  people ;  and  an  old  theatre  now 
converted  into  a  chapel,  in  Chatham  street,  which  is  said  to 
hold  more  than  3000.  Meetings  for  worship  were  appointed 
at  my  request,  in  each  of  these  buildings  successively. 
These  were  attended  by  a  multitude  of  Hicksites  as  well  as 
Friends  and  persons  of  other  denominations,  and  I  had  reason 
to  believe  that  the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  as  plainly 
unfolded  in  the  New  Testament,  were  then  listened  to  with 
attention  and  good  will,  by  many  who  had  been  accustomed 
to  neglect  or  oppose  them.  I  have  no  doubt  that  religion, 
under  various  administrations,  is  bearing  with  great  force 
*  Tbe  County  Subsequently  paid  for  all  damages  doue  by  the  mob. 


ET.  50.  NEW   ENGLAND.  133 

on   the    Btlrring    and    intelligent    population    of    this    great 

{*'\f"\7  *  T^  ^         "I* 

To  recur  to  his  Journal :  — 

Sixth  day  ;  6th  mo.^  8tk.  Last  second  day  morning  early, 
started  by  steamboat  for  a  voyage  up  the  Hudson  for  Albany, 
the  seat  of  the  state  legislature  ;  the  weather  fine,  the  scenery 
novel  and  delightful.  I  greatly  enjoyed  it,  and  took  several 
sketches ;  arrived  at  Dr.  Sprague's  in  the  evening,  and  met  a. 
cordial  reception.  Third  day,  spent  with  him  at  Albany, 
much  to  my  satisfaction ;  the  day  ended  with  a  good  public 
meeting,  in  which  the  ever  blessed  truth  was  freely  pro- 
claimed. Fourth  day,  returned  to  New  York ;  a  wet  stormy 
day  ;  spent  the  evening  at  Henry  Hinsdale's.  We  took  boat 
on  fifth  day  evening,  (H.  Hinsdale  and  myself,  with  Richard 
Mott  and  many  other  Friends,)  for  Newport,  in  Rhode  Island, 
a  voyage  of  200  miles  up  Long  Island  sound,  round  Point 
Judith,  &c.  We  were  favoured  with  a  fine  voyage,  and 
reached  Mary  Williams's  comfortable  boarding  house  this 
morning,  at  an  early  hour  before  breakfast.  The  sunny  fresh 
morning,  the  bays  of  the  sea,  the  harbour,  the  billows  in 
which  I  have  been  bathing,  a  drive  with  Charles  Jenkins  in 
his  chaise,  have  all  been  very  pleasant,  and  my  mind  has  been 
much  clothed  with  quietness  and  peace. 

After  attending,  at  Newport,  the  Yearly  Meeting 
of  Friends  in  New  England,  he  writes :  — 

6th  mo.,  16th.  I  look  back  on  the  week,  now  drawing  to 
its  close,  with  a  degree  of  humble  gratitude.  There  have 
been  times  Avhen  I  could  indeed  say,  "  I  am  desolate  and 
afflicted,"  but  the  spring  of  divine  love  and  power  has  arisen 
from  season  to  season;  and  the  glorious  truth  has  been  in 
good  dominion  during  the  course  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and 
at  its  close  yesterday  morning.  There  seems  a  good  work 
going  on  among  the  young  people  in  these  parts ;  many  of 
them  are  interesting  and  intellio;ent. 


134  JUDGE  story;  dr.  chaxning.  1838. 

"  At  Newport,"  he  observes  in  one  of  las  letters,  "  I  had  the 
opportunity  of  making  the  acquaintance  of  Judge  Storj,  -who 
■was  presiding  over  the  circuit  court  of  the  United  States,  then 
in  session  at  that  place.  I  called  upon  him  at  his  lodgings, 
and  was  received  with  that  easy  urbanity  which  distinguishes 
the  public  men  of  America.  Ilis  manners  and  appearance 
are  remarkably  lively,  his  conversation  fluent,  his  information 
varied  and  extensive,  and  his  legal  lore  almost  unrivalled  on 
this  side  the  Atlantic.  He  invited  me  to  take  a  seat  by  him 
on  the  bench;  but  although  my  stay  did  not  allow  of  my 
accepting  his  offer,  the  short  time  which  I  spent ,  in  his  court, 
afforded  me  an  evidence  of  his  good  sense  and  acuteness  in 
his  capacity  of  a  judge.  He  was  then  engaged  in  trying  a 
case  of  mutiny,  w'hich  had  occurred  among  the  seamen  of  an 
American  merchantman.  We  could  not  wait  the  issue  of  the 
trial." 

The  jouniev  from  Newport  to  Providence,  by  a 
somewhat  circuitous  route,  occujDied  about  a  week. 

"On  our  way,"  he  writes,  "We  called  upon  another  cele- 
brated citizen  of  New  England,  Dr.  Channing,  who  resides 
during  the  summer  months  in  a  sequestered  villa,  on  the 
island  of  Rhode  Island.  The  place  is  embosomed  in  trees, 
and  the  gai"den  is  carefully  laid  out  in  green  walks  and  flower 
beds  like  those  of  England. 

"  He  is  a  man  of  slender  frame  and  small  stature  ;  his 
countenance  as  completely  intellectual  as  any  I  know.  His 
manners,  in  the  first  instance,  appeared  to  rhe  to  be  reserved, 
but  he  soon  became  free  and  animated,  when  we  conversed  on 
tho  subject  of  slavery.  Every  one  knows  that  his  pen  is  dis- 
tinguished for  felicitous  vigour.  His  expressive  portraits  of 
John  Milton  and  Napoleon  Bonaparte  are  well  known  in 
England  ;  and  his  useful  little  work  on  the  internal  evidences 
of  Christianity,  might  lead  one  to  suppose  that  the  leaning  of 
his  mind  is  in  favour  of  evangelical  truth.  His  pamphlets  on 
slavery,  on  the  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  Union,  and  now 
lastly,  on  emancipation,  are  full  of  just  sentiments,  expressed 


MT.  50.  NEW    ENGLAND.  135 

m  a  lively,  pointed,  and  spirited  style.  Most  heartily  do  I 
desire  that  jie  may  at  last  find  his  rest  in  the  fulness  which 
is  in  Christ." 

Providence,  6zh  mo.,  25th.  The  round  of  meetings  allotted 
for  last  week  has  been  well  got  through.  It  was  an  interest- 
ing journey,  and  through  an  interesting  country.  The  meet- 
in  o-  at  Providence  crowned  the  whole,  so  that  I  have  much 
cause  for  reverent  gratitude ;  and  further  letters  from  my 
dearest  children,  up  to  the  30th  of  5th  mo.,  are  decidedly 
comforting.  We  were  favoured  with  help  from  the  sanctuary 
yesterday,  both  in  our  morning  meeting,  and  in  a  very  large 
public  one  in  the  Baptist  House  in  the  evening :  in  which  the 
Evidences  of  Christianity  and  the  Divinity  of  our  Saviour 
were  much  before  me.  It  was  one  of  the  most  favoured 
public  meetings  which  I  have  held  in  America ;  Dr.  "VVayland. 
the  President  of  the  College,  the  professors,  clergy,  &c.,  were 
there.  My  writings  are  popular  among  them,  and  I  appear 
to  be  personally  so ;  but  the  Lord  is  laying  me  low,  even  in 
the  dust.  I  am  about  to  hold  a  meeting  with  the  student-s 
+liis  evening,  and  have  appointed  a  third  public  meeting  for 
to-morrow.  May  I  be  graciously  helped  wath  that  outpouring 
of  the  Lord's  anointing,  to  which  I  bear  such  frequent  testimony, 
and  which  such  occasions  so  peculiarly  require. 

Neiv  Bedford,  Ith  mo.,  Ist.  The  meeting  with  the  students 
at  the  college,  after  a  tea  visit  at  Dr.  Wayland's,  ended  well. 
It  was  given  to  me  to  lead  them  to  the  internal  evidence  and 
practical  bearing  of  Christianity.  I  was  afterwards  informed, 
that  a  considerable  impression  was  made  on  them.  On  third 
day,  a  precious  visit  to  John  and  Elizabeth  Meader,  in  the 
country ;  afterwards  a  truly  baptizing  meeting  at  Providence 
institution — the  Friends'  boarding  school,  which  is  admirablv 
planted,  but  lacks  more  pupils.  I  'returned  thither  in  the 
afternoon,  for  a  talk  with  the  children,  and  established  the 
Ackworth  plan  of  scripture  instruction.  In  the  evening, 
another  large  public  meeting  at  the  Baptist  House,  which  was, 


136  NEW  ENGLAND.  1838 

to  my  own  feelings,  inexpressibly  solemn.  The  president, 
professors,  &c.,  united  with  many  Friends  in  a  party  at 
William  Jenkins'  the  next  evening  ;  when,  in  the  course  of 
conversation,  to  which  the  party  listened  with  lively  attention, 
I  was  enabled  to  unfold  the  doctrine  of  the  anointin":;  we 
afterwards  read  a  Psalm,  and  Anna  Jenkins  prayed. 

Sixth  day.  A  touching  parting  sitting  M'ith  the  Jenkins' 
family,  at  the  late  William  Almy's  mansion, 'and  a  truly 
solemn  parting  meeting  with  Friends,  at  eleven  o'clock.  Dr. 
Wayland,  and  many  others  not  of  our  Society,  present.  A 
quiet  steamboat  voyage  of  thirty  miles  refreshed  me  a 
good  deal  in  the  afternoon,  and  brought  me  to  Fall  River,  in 
time  for  a  public  meeting,  which  was  well  attended,  but 
rather  overwhelming  to  my  own  spirit. 

Yesterday,  seventh  day ;  I  called  on  a  few  families ;  held 
two  good  meetings  at  Newtown ;  and  arrived  at  my  very 
pleasant  home  (George  Howland's)  at  New  Bedford,  last  even- 
ing. Here  peace  has  been  spread  over  mc,  a  most  acceptable 
and  timely  "  token  for  good." 

Nantuchet,  7th  mo.,  4:th.  SomeAvhat  stran<;e  is  the  feelinoj 
of  being  on  this  island  so  often  beard  and  read  of,  so  entirely 
out  of  the  way  of  my  own  things  and' people.  Yesterday, 
Ave  were  favoured  with  a  safe  and  agreeable  voyage  by 
steamer,  to  this  place.  Friends  are  still  numerous  here. 
Some  interesting  calls  last  evening,  and  a  bird's-eye  view 
of  the  town  and  island  from  a  church  steeple ;  the 
Aveather  of  the  hottest.  My  mind  has  been  mercifully 
favoured  Avith  tranquillity,  though  I'do  not  feel  matters  to  be 
altogether  smooth  or  floAving.  "  The  Lord  is  my  light  and 
my  salvation,  whom  shall  I  fear?" 

1th  mo.,  Ith.  On  fourth  day,  meeting  for  ministers  and 
elders  at  Nantucket,  some  painful  exercise  in  consequence  of 
the  state  of  things.  The 'Quarterly  Meeting  large  and  interest- 
ing. R.  Mott's  ministry  a  great  enjoyment  to  me,  lively 
and  Christian  indeed  !  In  the  CAcning  a  large  public  meeting, 
and  so  relieving,  that  I  was  set  quite  at  liberty  (in  tender 
mercy)  for  returning,  yesterday  morning,  to  Ncav  Bedford,  by 
steamboat.     We    were    favoured    with    a    fine    voyage.     A 


^T.  50.  NEW    ENGLAND.  137 

precious    concluding    opportunity   ■with    R.    Mott,    at    John 
Ilowland's  last  evening. 

♦ 

Joseph  John  Gurney  continued  for  several  weeks 
to  be  engaged  in  a  course  of  religious  labour  in 
the  state  of  Massachusetts.  In  allusion  to  the 
various  opinions  prevalent  in  New  England,  he 
remarks:  — 

The  Unitarians  chiefly  consist  of  the  more  refined  and 
educated  classes.  They  appeared  to  me  to  form  in  Massachu- 
setts an  aristocratic  castQ,  quite  as  much  as  a  religious  sect ; 
as  if  it  were  inconsistent  with  the  claims  of  polished  intellect, 
and  especially  with  the  functions  of  public  life,  (to  which 
many  of  them  are  devoted,)  to  be  trammelled  by  what  they 
regard  as  the  superstitions  of  orthodoxy.  As  to  Universalism, 
it  may  be  described  as  a  sort  of  heretical  Methodism,  in 
which  an  appeal  is  made,  with  no  small  measure  of  success, 
to  a  less  cultivated  part  of  the  community.  I  have  reason  to 
believe  that  many  low  free-thinkers  are  embraced  in  this  sect ; 
and  I  fear  that  the  leading  tenet  on  which  they  are  accus-' 
tomed  to  dwell  is  spreading  among  the  people.  It  is  that  the 
doctrine  of  eternal  punishment  forms  no  part  of  Christianity ; 
that  good  and  bad  will  all  be  ultimately  saved.  Thus  the 
scriptural  view  of  human  responsibility  is  dangerously  under- 
mined, and  the  foundation  of  Christian  morals  shaken. 
Amongst  too  many  the  vei'y  notion  of  retributive  justice  in  a 
woi'ld  to  come-  seems  to  be  discarded,  and  the  evil  passions  of 
human  nature  are  let  loose  in  proportion.  The  diffusion  of 
this  line  of  sentiment  is  one  of  the  worst  features  of  the  pre- 
sent state  of  society  in  Kew  England. 

On  some  other  topics  also  there  has  arisen,  of  late  years,  an 
uncontrolled  wildness  of  sentiment,  which,  were  it  to  prevail, 
would  soon  be  found  to  be  utterly  inconsistent  Avith  the  fun- 
damental principles  of  civil,  social,  and  domestic  order. 
When  male  and  female  itinerant  lecturers  are  heard  declaring 
that  women  have,  in  all  respects,  the  same  civil  and  political 


138  NEW   ENGLAND.  1838. 

rights  and  duties  as  the  stronger  sex  —  that  no  resistance 
ought  to  be  made,  even  by  peaceable  legal  proceedings,  to  the 
violence  of  the  thief  or  the  murderer — that  no  allegiance  is  due 
from  the  Christian  to  any  civil  government  whatsoever — that 
children  are  at  liberty  to  follow  their  own  courses,  and  that 
it  is  unlawful  for  a  parent  to  punish  them — that  Avives  and 
husbands  may  lawfully  separate,  when  they  are  weary  of  each 
other's  society  —  and  that  the  agrarian  law  of  olden  times 
ought  now  to  remodel  the  whole  affair  of  property, — when  all 
these  anomalous  ideas  are  let  loose,  each  in  its  turn,  on  an 
imaginative  public,  one  cannot  but  tremble  in  the  view  of  the 
consequences.  One  is  brought  home  more  than  ever  to  the 
conclusion,  that  "  it  is  not  in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his 
steps :"  that,  unless  he  comes  under  the  restraining  influence 
of  Christian  principle,  the  imaginations  of  his  heart  will  be 
only  evil  continually  in  the  sight  of  God.  *  *  * 

In  the  houses  which  I  visited  in  New  England,  I  seldom 
met  with  any  kind  of  fermented  liquor;  and  it  was, evident 
that  the  practice  of  abstaining  from  all  such  beverages  was 
increasingly  prevalent  throughout  the  more  thoughtful  part  of 
the  community.  The  air  in  thpse  regions  is  so  stimulating, 
that  I  found  little  difficulty  in  falling  into  the  general  prac- 
tice ;  and  cordially  did  I  rejoice  in  the  temperate  habits  which 
distinguish  so  large  a  proportion  of  the  rising  generation  in 
America.  But  I  confess  I  had  no  pleasure  in  observing  the 
social  cup  of  tea  or  coffee  exchanged  for  the  glass  of  cold 
water ;  and  I  was  really  grieved  when  I  saw  fine  young  people, 
of  both  sexes,  undermining  their  constitutions,  (as  I  believe,) 
by  resolutely  restricting  their  diet  to  vegetables.  It  seems  to 
be  one  of  the  favourite  devices  of  the  great  adversary  of 
mankind,  to  accompany  every  virtue  with  its  shadow  in  cari- 
cature, for  the  purpose,  I  suppose,  of  turning  the  virtue  itself 
into  ridicule,  and  of  thus  diminishing  its  legitimate  influence. 

Lynn,  3Iassac7iusetts,  7th  mo.,  15ih.  [After  noticing 
meetings  at  several  places.]  Yesterday  an  interesting  journey 
to  this  place ;  stopped  for  a  few  hours  at  Boston,  of  which  we 
bad   a    magnificent  view  from    the    top  of  the    state   house. 


iET.  50.  NEW   ENGLA2^^D.  139 

Another  -week's  labour  has  been,  through  great  mercy,  com- 
fortably accomplished.  I  trust  ray  mind  is  grateful  to  the 
^bountiful  Author  of  all  good,  and  especially  for  that  measure 
*  of  precious  and  holy  quietness  v.'hich  is  my  portion  this  morn- 
ing.    0  may  the  Lord  condescend  to  permit  its  continuance! 

Fourth  day  morning,  ISth.  I  found  myself  bound  to  a 
family  visit,  [to  Friends  of  Lynn  and  Salem,]  and  proposed 
it  to  Friends  yesterday  morning.  It  met  with  luianimous 
concurrence,  and  we  have  made  a  good  beginning.  Henry 
Hinsdale  my  acceptable  companion  in  the  work. 

Salem,  fifth  day  afternoon,  1th  mo.,  26th.  I  hope  that,  so 
far,  the  week  has  brought  some  blessings  in  its  course.  The 
family  visiting  continued  satisfactorily  on  second  and  third 
days ;  and  on  third  day  evening  we  collected  a  numerous 
assemblage  of  young  people  and  others,  to  whom  I  related 
anecdotes,  leading  them  to  the  principles  of  Friends.  It  was  a 
refreshing  evening.  Yesterday,  1;he  usual  meeting  for  worship 
was  public,  and  attended  by  Friends  in  a  large  body.  It  was 
a  closely  exercising,  but  open  time ;  and  I  had  to  unfold  the 
character  and  the  danger  of  the  divers  and  strange  doctrines, 
religious',  moral,  and  civil,  which  are  afloat  in  America  in  the. 
present  day.     I  believe  considerable  impression  was  made. 

1th  mo.,  oOth.  Yesterday,  public  "meetings  ;  here  in  the 
morning,  and  at  Boston  in  the  evening ;  the  latter  peculiarly 
exercising  and  fatiguing ;  but  I  am  mercifully  favoured  with 
peace  and  quietness  this  morning,  and  have  comfortable  letters 
from  home. 

The  following  are  some  of  his  reflections  on 
completing   his    fiftieth   year:  — 

Amlierst,  Neiv  Hampshire,  8th  mo.,  27id.  H.  Hinsdale  and 
Samuel  Boyce  are  with  me  on  my  way  to  Weare ;  and  we  are 
stopping  at  this  sweet  village  for  a  public  meeting  this  evening. 
I  deeply  feel  the  completion  of  my  half  century,  only  nine 
years  younger  than  my  loved  father  was  when  he  died.  Deep 
and  numerous  causes  have  I  of  humiliation  in  looking  back 
■  on  my  past  life.     Satan  has  done  much  to  perplex,  grieve, 


140  COMPLETION    OF    HIS    FIFTIETH    YEAR.  1838. 

and  buffet  me ;  and  sore,  beyond  expression,  have  been  the 
tribulations  at  times  appointed ;  but  the  Lord  has  assuredly 
been  very  graciously  with  me,  and  has  abundantly  helped  me 
by  his  good  Spirit.  I  have  been  twenty-one  years  engaged 
in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  and  all  my  works  have  been 
written  within  the  last  twenty  years.  I  am  permitted  to  look 
back  on  these  labours  of  love  with  a  considerable  degree  of 
satisfaction  and  peace ;  and  I  "  trust  T  have  a  good  con- 
science," as  to  not  having  intentionally  baulked  the  cause  of 
truth  at  any  time,  by  not  faithfully  witnessing  for  Christ. 
The  very  perplexing  transactions  at  Manchester,  in  regard  to 
the  Beacon,  often  bring  me  into  thoughtfulness ;  but  sure  I 
am,  that  I  did  not  knowingly  let  down  the  precious  cause  of 
truth  at  that  time,  on  either  side,  I  am  aware  that  the 
seceders  say  and  think  hard  things  of  me,  but  I  could  not 
sacrifice  the  doctrine  of  the  immediate  and  perceptible 
guidance  of  the  Spirit,  as  I  think  they  have  done,  practically. 
That  precious  doctrine  has  since  been  abundantly  confirmed 
to  my  feelings  and  experience ;  and  truly  in  this  land  it  has 
been  my  constant  refuge.  It  is  my  quietly  settled,  and 
deliberate  desire  and  intention,  to  devote  the  remainder  of  my 
days,  be  it  shorter  or  longer,  to  the  service  of  my  holy  and 
ever-blessed  Redeemer  ;  fixing  my  eye  singly  on  him,  without 
undue  reference,  in  any  direction,  to  my  fellow-men. 

The  present  separation  from  my  son  and  daughter,  so  deeply, 
60  truly  loved,  is  a  trial  of  faith  and  patience,  such  as  has  never 
before  fallen  to  my  lot.  But  my  mind  is  at  this  time  quiet,  in 
the  believing  hope  that  they  and  their  pilgrim  father  will  be 
preserved,  and  that  this  trial  will  have  a  happy  issue. 

Thus  the  termination  of  my  fiftieth  year  finds  me  calm,  quiet 
in  spirit,  though  in  no  small  degree  broken  before  the  Lord. 
Notwithstanding  the  deep  infirmities  to  which  I  am  liable,  I 
believe  it  is  not  too  much  to  say,  that  through  infinite  mercy, 
I  feel  a  peaceful  assurance  that  the  Lord  will  preserve  me, 
give  me  the  victory  over  all  my  spiritual  enemies,  guide  me 
with  his  counsel,  and  afterwards  receive  me,  yes,  even  me,  to 
glory  !  Be  it  so,  most  gracious  God  and  Father,  I  humbly 
entreat  thee  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 


Ml.  50-51.  ANDOVER.  141 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

1838.     ^T.  51. 

VISIT  TO  THE  SEMINARY  AT  ANDOVER;  CONVERSATION  WITH  MOSES 
STUART;  ANTI-SLAVERY;  YALE  COLLEGE  ;  PROFESSOR  SILLIMAN  ; 
JOURNEY  TO  CANADA;  CORRESPONDENCE  "WITH  THE  EARL  OP 
DURHAM ;  ENGAGEMENTS  IN  LOWER  CANADA  ;  RETURN  TCf  BAI^TI- 
MORE  YEARLY  MEETING;  VISIT  TO  FRIENDS  AT  NEW  YORK; 
EXTRACTS   FROM   LETTERS   AND   JOURNAL. 

On  his  way  to  Amherst,  Joseph  John  Gurney  paid 
a  visit  to  the  well-known  Theological  Seminary  at 
Andover,  where  he  enjoyed  a  few  hours'  conversation 
with  the  late  Moses  Stuart,  some  particulars  of  which 
he  has  preserved  in  the  following  letter : 

TO   HIS    SISTER    CATHERINE   GURNEY. 

Amherst,  New  Hampshire,  8th  mo.,  2nd,  1838. 

My  DEAREST  Catherine, 

One  sometimes  arrives  at  a  deep  pause  in  life, 
as  if  its  pulse  stood  still ;  and,  this  is  my  experience  this 
afternoon,  at  a  neat  country  village,  where  I  am  stayed  in  my 
course,  for  a  few  hours,  in  order  to  hold  a  public  meeting.  It 
is  an  afternoon  of  bright  sunshine  without,  (and  sunshine  in 
this  country  is  doubly  bright,  from  the  transparency  of  the 
atmosphere,)  and  of  solemn  gravity  within ;  not  without  a 
touch  of  happiness,  on  the  accomplishment,  this  day,  of  half 
a  century  spent  in  this  vale  of  tears.  *  *  * 

My  last  letter  was  forwarded  on  second  day  from  Salem,  a 


142  ANDOVER  1838 

large  town  on  the  sea-coast  of  Massachusetts.  I  completed 
my  family  visit  there  on  third  day,  and  concluded  with  two 
successive  meetings  in  the  evening ;  the  first,  a  familiar  one 
in  a  Friend's  house,  vrith  the  young  people,  to  whom  I  related 
anecdotes  of  our  sister  Fry,  Wilberforce,  Legh  Richmond,  and 
Daniel  Wheeler,  by  way  of  illustrating  the  important  con- 
sequences of  individual  conversion  to  God.  AfterAvards  a 
public  meeting  was  held,  attended  by  a  large  and  miscellaneous 
assembly,  including  the  ministers  of  the  various  sects,  and 
the  intelligent  aristocracy  of  the  city.  It  was  one  of  those 
worth-while  meetings,  which  repay  for  a  great  deal  of  mental 
conflict.  A  full  development  of  truth,  addressed  to  both  head 
aiid  hSart,  was  peculiarly  wanted  in  the  place,  and  was  listened 
to  with  profound  attention.  The  silence  at  the  close  of  the 
meeting  was  remarkable.  On  fourth  day  morning  I  enjoyed 
a  farewell  swim  in  the  sea-water,  and  afterwards  visited  the 
Museum,  which  contains  a  celebrated  collection  of  East  India 
and  other  tropical  rarities,  contributed  by  the  merchants  and 
sailors  of  the  place ;  no  person  being  admitted  a  member  of 
the  institution  who  has  not  sailed  round  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  or  Cape  Horn.  Warm  afiection  had  been  excited 
towards  me  among  the  Friends  of  the  place,  some  of  whom 
are  very  pleasing  and  interesting,  especially  the  Chase  family, 
who  had  provided  most  kindly  for  my  every  want.  Thus  our 
parting  was  a  good  deal  felt  when  I  went  off  to  Andover,  the 
seat  of  a  theological  seminary,  open  to  all  Protestants.  Here 
the  celebrated  professor,  Moses  Stuart,  (who  re-published  my 
book  oh  the  Sabbath,  with  a  preface  and  notes,)  has  for  many 
years  carried  on  his  almost  unrivalled  Biblical  researches.  He  is 
a  man  of  sixty  or  upwards  ;  of  singular  cordiality  and  simplicity 
of  manners ;  and  pours  out  his  information  in  a  most  agree- 
able way.  I  held  a  meeting  in  the  evening  with  the  president. 
Dr.  Edwards,  the  professors,  and  upwards  of  one  hundred 
young  men.  It  was  to  my  feelings  an  unusually  critical 
occasion  ;  the  discourse  into  which  I  found  myself  led  being  a 
mixture  of  science,  literature,  and  religion  ;  the  subordination 
of  the  two  former  to  the  last  being  the  subject  before  me.  I 
was  mercifully  helped  through  the  service,  and  the  meeting 


&T.  50-51.  MOSES    STUART.  '  143 

ended  in  a  very  refreshing  and  impressive  silence.  Visits  to 
the  colleges  or  universities  of  America  form  an  interesting 
part  of  my  present  engagement,  and  I  had  a  decided  view  to 
them  before  I  left  England.  I  have  now  held  meetings  in 
three  of  them,  and  hope  to  find  my  way,  in  due  season,  to 
several  others.  With  the  single  exception  of  Cambridge,  near 
Boston,  which  is'  under  Unitarian  sway,  they  may  be  regarded 
as  Christian  and  religious  institutions.  ,  I  had  heard  of  neology 
in  them  before  I  came ;  but  have  not,  as  yet,  found  any  trace 
of  it.  Nearly  every  tenth  man  educated  at  Andover  becomes 
a  missionary  to  the  heathen. 

I  must  now  try  to  give  some  account  of  Moses  Stuart's 
conversation,  which  I  consider  to  be  worth  preserving,  as  a  part 
of  my  journal.  We  were  sitting  together  under  the  shade  of 
some  fine  elms,  in  front  of  our  hotel,  he  being  a  person  with 
whom  one  feels  immediately  at  ease.  Knowing  him  to  be  deeply 
versed  in  German  theological  literature,  I  asked  him  whether 
neology  was  on  the  increase  or  decrease  in  Germany. 

"  Decidedly  decreasing ;  and  it  is  a  curious  circumstance, 
that  the  profound  researches  of  their  infidel  critics  have  led  to 
the  development  of  many  facts  which  confirm  the  evidences  of 
the  Divine  authority  of  Scripture,  and  illustrate  and  establish 
an  orthodox  interpretation  of  its  contents.  Many  valuable 
commentaries  have  lately  been  published  by  the  industrious 
and  learned  Germans,  which  throAv  great  light  on  Scripture, 
and  in  the  right  direction.  To  be  sure,  the  Germans  are 
prone  to  take  an  occasional  flight  into  the  air ;  and  this  is  the 
case  even  with  the  soundest  of  their  theologians.  They  plod 
through  the  mud  with  intense  diligence ;  and  then  by  way  of 
change,  give  wings  to  imaginative  speculations.  Their  novels 
are  the  Arabian  Nights'  tales  renewed,  and  their  theology 
partakes  of  the  same  romance.  The  sternest  fagging  is  a 
joyous  thing  with  them.  One  of  their  great  scholars,  who, 
after  the  labour  of  twenty  years,  has  produced  the  best  of 
Greek  Lexicons,  observes  at  the  end  of  his  work,  that  he 
might  be  expected  then  to  recur  to  the  intense  labours  which 
he  had  undergone,  the  unrivalled  tax  on  his  patience,  &c.  ; 
but  all  he  could  say  with  truth  was,  that  while  he  was  engaged 


144  '  A>DOVER.  1838. 

in  the  composition  of  his  Lexicon,  he  had  been  swimming  for 
twenty  years  in  an  ocean  of  pleasure." 

AVhat  dost  thou  think  of  Kuinoel  and  Rosenmiiller's  Com- 
mentaries on  the  New  Testament,  as  books  to  be  used  by 
young  men  ? 

"  Young  men  require  the  judicious  care  of  a  good  tutor  in 
the  use  of  these  books,  ahhough,  as  you  know,  the  w'riters  are 
essentially  orthodox ;  but  in  giving  instruction  to  my  theo- 
logical students,  I  make  use  of  no  reserves.  I  freely  inform 
them  of  any  neological  objections  to  Scripture,  and  explain  to 
them  how  they  are  met." 

Dost  thou  not  find  that  the  sceptical  doubt  sometimes  lays 
hold  of  the  mind,  instead  of  the  answer  to  it  ? 

"  I  find  about  one  student  in  fifteen,  who  has  five  doubts  to 
one  reason ;  but  on  the  whole,  my  method  answers  well.  I 
am  careful  to  do  no  harm." 

"What  is  thy  opinion  of  Neander's  Church  History  ? 

"  He  is  a  great  writer ;  but  not  always  perfectly  sound  in 
his  views !  for  example,  he  denies  the  validity  of  the  Christian 
Sabbath.  He  unfolds  his  subjects  with  great  exactness;  my 
students  call  him,  in  joke,  Dr.  Entwickelung,  Dr.  develop- 
ment." 

Is  Hebrew  much  studied  in  America  ? 

"All  the  students  at  Andover  study  both  the  Hebrew  Bible 
and  the  Greek  Testament  as  a  matter  of  course.  As  an 
evidence  of  the  general  attention  paid  to  Hebrew  by  theo- 
logical students  in  America,  my  Hebrew  Grammar  has  gone 
through  six  editions.  I  have  lately  been  engaged  in  a 
controversy  with  Dr.  Norton,  a  Unitarian  divine,  who  has 
published  a  very  excellent  book  on  the  four  Gospels,  but 
pretends  that  the  Gospel  of  Matthew  was  originally  written 
in  Hebrew,  and  that  our  Greek  copy  is  only  a  translation. 
I  consider  this  notion  to  be  disproved  by  the  Peshito  Syriac 
version,  the  date  of  which  may  now  be  regarded  as  ascertained 
to  be  somewhat  before  the  middle  of  the  second  century.  I 
have  lately  compared  it,  word  by  word,  with  the  Greek  of  the 
Gospel  of  Matthew ;  and  the  correspondence,  even  with 
respect  to  the  smallest  particles,  is  so  perfect,  as  to  afford  a 


^T.  50-51.  MOSES    STUART.  145 

demonstration  that  It  was  the  Greek,  as  we  now  have  it,  and 
not  any  supposed  Hebrew  copy,  from  which  the  translation 
was  made.  It  was  therefore  the  Greek,  and  not  the  Hebrew 
Matthew  that  was  current  in  those  primitive  times." 

What  part  of  Scripture  is  now  occupying  thy  attention  ? 

"  I  am  now  lecturing  on  the  Apocalypse ;  and,  at  the 
earnest  request  of  my  pupils,  am  intending  to  publish  a  work  on 
the  criticism  of  that  book.  The  book  interests  and  delijrhts 
me  more  than  I  can  express.     Not  that  I  have  any  taste  for 

speculations  on  unfulfilled  prophecy.      was  here  some 

time  since,  giving  proofs,  as  he  called  them,  from  the  Hebrew 
Scriptures,  that  the  Jews  would  return  in  a  body  to  re-possess 
the  land  of  Canaan,  and  that  Christ  would  come  to  reio-n  over 
them  in  person,  in  the  year  1860.  Nothing  could  be  more 
puerile  and  inconclusive  than  his  arguments.  I  see  nothing  in 
Scripture  to  warrant  the  opinion  that  our  Saviour  will  come 
again  to  reign  personally  upon  the  earth." 

That  surely  is  a  Jewish  notion  ? 

"Yes,  indeed  it  is.  With  respect  to  the  Revelation,  it  has 
been  said,  by  persons  who  wish  to  disparage  its  claims  to 
authenticity,  that  there  are  no  books  of  that  peculiar  style 
which  belong  to  the  first  century.  The  more  I  have 
examined  this  point,  the  more  I  have  discovered  the  fallacy 
of  the  assertion.  The  Book  of  Enoch,  the  Epistle  of  Barna- 
bas, the  Shepherd  of  Hermas,  the  Vision  of  Isaiah,  with 
many  others,  are  all  of  the  same  class  in  point  of  style  and 
construction,  and  were  all  written  in  the  first  century ;  and 
yet  they  fall  immeasurably  below  the  Revelation  in  point  of 
weight  and  excellence.  There  is  nothing,  in  my  opinion,  that 
more  clearly  evinces  the  apostolic  origin  of  the  four  Gospels, 
than  the  comparison  of  those  writings  with  the  spurious 
Gospels  which  followed  them.  So  nothing  can  more  clearly 
establish  the  authenticity  and  scriptural  character  of  the 
Revelation,  than  a  comparison  of  its  contents  with  those  of 
the  unspeakably  inferior  productions  of  the  same  kind,  which 
were  circulated  even  in  the  first  century.  The  apostolic  date 
of  the  book  is  capable  of  being  proved  beyond  the  shadow  of 

Vol.  II.  — 10 


146  ANDOVER.  1838. 

a  doubt.  The  only  question  -which  can  fairly  be  raised 
respecting  it,  is  whether  it  was  composed  by  John  the  apostle, 
or  by  some  other  John  ;  but  for  my-part,  I  have  no  idea  that 
there  was  any  John  in  the  first  century,  except  the  apostle, 
who  could  have  addressed  the  seven  churches  of  Asia,  as  they 
are  addressed  in  the  Apocalypse." 

Art  thou  acquainted  with  Dr.  Mode's  work  on  the  Revelation  ? 

"  I  have  him  by  me ;  but  I  consider  Mede,  and  id  genus 
omne,  essentially  mistaken  in  the  plan  of  their  exegesis. 
They  attempt  to  explain  every  successive  conflict  described  in 
the  book,  as  relating  to  some  particular  event  in  history ;  but 
I  consider  these  descriptions  generic  ;  a  succession  of  pictures, 
intended  to  represent  that  one  great  conflict  between  Christ 
and  his  enemies,  which  will  finally  result  in  the  absolute 
triumph  of  the  religion  of  Jesus.  As  a  key  to  the  exegesis  of 
Revelation,  I  refer  my  students  to  the  18th  Psalm,  which 
David  wrote  in  his  old  age,  in  commemoration  of  all  his 
victories  and  deliverances.  lie  probably  won  100  battles. 
A  tyro  in  sacred  literature  might  interpret  the  lively  picture 
presented  to  us  in  the  Psalm,  to  be  the  representation  of  some 
particular  battle,  and  might  so  interpret  it ;  but  the  picture  is 
generic,  and  equally  relates  to  the  99  others.  The 
Apocalypse  was  written  for  the  encouragement  of  the  martyrs, 
and  doubtless  during  some  noted  persecution.  I  believe 
•luring  the  persecution  of  Nero,  which  was  before  the  siege  of 
Jerusalem.  The  whole  tendency  of  the  book  is  to  arm  their 
courage,  confirm  their  patience,  and  animate  their  hopes.  It 
(>heers  them  with  a  description  of  the  happiness  of  their 
associates,  who  had  already  bled  in  the  cause,  and  with  a 
promise  of  a  part  in  the  first  resurrection ;  and  brings  to  view 
the  final  victory  of  their  religion  over  the  two  great  perse- 
cuting powers — the  Jews,  described  uncjer  the  name  of  spiritual 
Sodom — and  the  Romans,  under  that  of  Babylon." 

Then  has  Babylon,  after  all,  nothing  to  do  with  Popery  ? 

"Yes,  I  think  it  includes  Papal  Rome,  and  her  persecutors." 

Is  your  theological  seminary  well  endowed  ? 

"  It  has  been  endowed  by  individuals  to  the  extent  of 
400,000    dollars;    but    such    institutions  are  springing  up  in 


^T.  51.  MOSES   STUART.  147 

other  parts  of  the  Union,  and  its  operations  are  now  confined 
chiefly  to  Massachusetts.    We  have  sometimes  140  students." 

Thou  art  a  Ccngregationalist,  I  think ;  or,  as  we  say  in 
England,  an  Independent  ? 

"Yes,  but  we  have  more  of  a  regular  church  government 
than  the  Independents  in  England.  We  also  send  a  deputy 
to  represent  us  in  the  Synod  of  the  Presbyterians,  but  merely 
as  an  act  of  brotherhood." 

Now,  Professor,  the  carriage  waits,  I  must  leave  thee. 

"Well,"  said  he,  shaking  hands  warmly,  "you  know  there 
is  but  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism."  The  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  I  replied.  "Yes,  to  be  sure,"  he  added,  "I  do 
not  think  much  of  any  other;"  and  so  we  parted,  in  much 
love. 

Having  pursued  his  journey  from  Amherst,  by 
way  of  Weare,  to  Concord,  the  capital  of  New 
Hampshire,  where,  besides  holding  a  meeting  for 
worship,  he  had  an  interview  with  the  prisoners 
^in  the  State  Penitentiary,  Joseph  John  Gurney 
returned  into  Massachusetts,  holding  large  meetings 
on  his  way  at  the  "busy  manufacturing  towns"  of 
Nashua  and  Lowell,  both  on  the  Merrimac.  In 
allusion  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  at 
Lynn,  which  he  subsequently  attended,  he  writes 
in    one   of  his    letters: — - 

A  lively  discussion  arose  on  a  question  by  which  the 
Friends  of  New  England  have  been  a  good  deal  agitated, 
whether  it  was  desirable  that  the  members  of  our  religious 
Society,  and  especially  the  young  people,  should  join  the 
public  anti-slavery  associations  of  the  day,  or  whether  it  was 
not  preferable  that  Friends  should  pursue  their  own  course  of 
duty,  in  promoting  the  abolition  of  slavery,  in  their  select 
capacity,  as  a  distinct  religious  body.  Several  individuals 
eagerly  advocated  a  union  with  the  public  associations,  but 


148  NE"W    ENGLAND.  1838 

the  generality  were  in  favour  of  the  more  prudential  linef  of 
conduct  in  this  respect.  Stranger  as  I  was,  I  took  no  part  in 
the  discussion,  with  which  it  did  not  appear  to  he  my  province 
to  intermeddle;  hut  I  plainly  saw  that  it  was  one  of  con- 
siderable difficulty  and  perplexity.  On  the  one  hand,  I  was 
fully  prepared  to  admit  the  rectitude  of  the  general  principle 
of  the  union  of  Christians  of  all  denominations  in  the  pursuit 
of  philanthropic  objects  which  compromise  the  principles  of 
none  of  them.  On  the  other  hand,  it  was  impossible  for  me 
not  to  perceive  that  the  public  movement  in  this  cause  in  New 
England,  was  intermingled  with  collateral  points  and  circum- 
stances dangerous  to  the  character  of  the  Christian  and  the 
Friend.  I  believed,  therefore,  that  it  was  my  duty  to  call 
upon  all  present,  to  seek  after  that  depth  and  maturity  of 
religious  experience,  and  that  humility,  meekness,  and  foi'- 
bearance,  in  which  alone  our  most  interesting  concerns, 
whether  public  or  private,  can  be  rightly  conducted.  I  also 
expressed  on  this,  and  on  many  other  occasions,  a  heartfelt 
solicitude  that  the  difficulties  which  impeded  the  union  of 
many  Friends  in  the  public  abolition  movement,  might  not 
lead  them  into  any  coolness  or  indifference  of  feeling,  on  a 
subject  respecting  which  the  Society  had  so  long  borne  a 
conspicuous  Christian  testimony ;  and  that  all  might  be 
Avatchful  to  perform  their  religious  duty  in  reference  to  this 
vital  topic ;  and  move  forward  in  the  cause  of  justice  and 
mercy,  as  the  Lord  and  giver  of  truth  might  be  pleased  to 
guide  them  and  open  their  way. 

From  Lynn  Joseph  John  Gurney  pjroceeded  to 
Newhaven,  in  Connecticut;  his  principal  object  being 
a  visit  to  the  students  of  tlie  LTniversity  in  that 
place.  This  University,  the  largest  in  America, 
\vas  founded  in  the  year  1700,  and  has  long  main- 
tained a  high  reputation.  On  liis  way  he  passed 
through  Worcester  in  Massachusetts,  where  the 
Lunatic  Asylum  especially  attraciod  his  notice;  an 
institution,  he  says,  "in  every  way  creditable  to  that 


^T.  51.  YALE    college;    PROFESSOR    SILLIMAN.  119. 

State."  It  was  night,  at  the  close  of  the  week  when 
he  and  his  companion  arrived  at  New  Haven,  8th 
mo.,  11th. 

"  Late  as  Avas  the  hour,"  he  writes,  "  I  called  at  the  house  of 
Dr.  Jeremiah  Day,  the  president  of  Yale  College,  with  a  letter 
of  introduction  from  the  professor  of  Theology  at  Andover. 
The  president  had  retired  to  rest,  and  his  lady  requested  me, 
if  I  wished  to  make  an  arrangement  with  him,  to  call  the  next 
morning  before  the  college  prayers,  which  are  at  half-past 
five.  Such  are  the  early  hours  of  the  presidents  and  students 
of  American  colleges.  Accordingly,  at  the  appointed  time  I 
presented  myself  to  the  president  in  his  college  rooms,  and 
told  him  of  my  wish  to  hold  a  meeting  with  the  students  in 
the  evening.  He  is  an  elderly  gentleman  of  pleasing  appear- 
ance and  grave  manners.  I  remembered  that  Connecticut  had 
long  been  celebrated  for  a  greater  degree  of  puritanical  strict- 
ness, than  any  other  state  of  the  Union,  and  did  not  feel  sure 
that  the  application  was  the  more  acceptable  for  coming  from 
lt  minister  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  The  Doctor,  however, 
after  a  little  consideration,  allowed  the  meeting  to  be  appointed, 
and  proposed  that  it  should  be  held  in  the  '  theological 
chamber,'  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening.  In  the  mean  time 
we  were  closely  engaged  during  the  day;  our  own  meeting  being 
held  in  the  morning  with  a  few  friends  w^ho  met  us  from  New 
York,  in  one  of  the  chambers  of  the  hotel,  and  the  public 
being  convened,  at  our  request,  at  the  Methodist  meeting- 
house in  the  afternoon.  In  the  course  of  the  day  we  called 
on  Professor  SiUiman,  whose  assistance  we  needed,  with  respect 
to  -some  of  our  arrangements  for  the  evening.  He  lives  in  a 
beautiful  spot  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  where  he  received 
us  with  great  cordiality.  He  holds  the  first  position  amongst 
the  men  of  science  in  America,  and  has  all  the  appearance 
of  strong  sense  and  ready  talent.  I  thought  he  would 
class  well  with  the  Jamiesons,  Whcwells,  and  Sedgwicks  of 
Great  Britain.  He  is  greatly  beloved  and  -respected  by  the 
students,  and  happily  unites  the  two  characters  of  the  philoso- 
pher and  the  Christian, 


iSd  NEW    ENGLAND.  1838. 

"  At  tlie  appointed  hour  we  repaired,  not  without  feelings  of 
fear  and  diffidence,  to  the  theological  chamber  at  the  college, 
which  was  soon  nearly  filled  with  young  men  who  came 
flocking  to  the  meeting.  Their  respectable  president  joined 
our  company,  which  soon  gathered  into  silence,  and  we  were 
favoured  with  a  time  of  great  solemnity  and  refreshment. 
We  were  reminded  of  our  Saviour's  words,  '  One  thing  is 
needful.'  To  lay  hold  of  that  one  thing,  to  become  possessed 
of  the  pearl  of  greatest  price,  seemed  to  be  the  desire  of  most, 
if  not  all  present.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting  the 
students  overflowed  with  kind  feelings  towards  us ;  and  if  the 
president  had  appeared  somewhat  reserved  in  the  morning,  he 
did  not  now  hesitate  to  express  his  cordial  good  will.  His 
crovernraent  of  the  college,  which  contains  upwards  of  400 
students,  is  said  to  be  distinguished  for  ability  and  prudence, 
and  he  is  greatly  respected  by  the  young  community  under 
his  care." 

Being  desirous,  if  possible,  of  visiting  Canada, 
taking  the  states  of  New  Hampshire  and  Maine  on 
the  wa}'^,  before  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Baltimore  in 
the  11th  month,  Joseph  John  Gurney's  stay  in 
Connecticut  was  very  short. 

Seventh  day,  Sth  mo.,  18th.  [Last  second  day  our]  journey 
began  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  from  New  Haven  to 
Northampton  ;  call  on  Lydia  Sigourney  ;  delightful  di*ive  by 
the  Connecticut  river ;  kind  reception  from  Judge  Dewey,  at 
Northampton;  lodged  at  his  htuse.  Next  day,  (third  day) 
very  interesting  visit  to  Professor  Hitchcock,  and  to  the  young 
men  of  Amherst  college ;  and  a  pretty  large  public  meeting 
at  Northampton.  Fourth  day.  Long  journey  by  stage, 
railroad,  &c.,  to  Lynn,  Massachusetts.  Fifth  day.  Large 
and  interesting  Quarterly  Meeting,  in  which  I  was  much 
engaged  on  the  true  nature  of  charity.  Yesterday  we  were 
employed,  successfully  I  hope,  for  the  prevention  of  discord ; 
and,  in  the  evening,  we  held  a  peaceful   public   meeting  at 


MT.  51.  JOUR>fEy   TO    CANADA.  lol 

Nahant.  We  left  Lynn  before  breakfast,  for  Salein,  wliore  vc 
were  favoured  with  a  good  religious  opportunity  with  tlie 
Chase  family  circle,  and  others.  My  arduous  service  in  those 
parts  is  now  concluded,  and  I  am  permitted  to  enjoy  the 
tranquil  feeling  of  unclouded  peace.  What  a  rich  and 
undeserved   mercy  ! 

I  have  now  »  long  and  varied  journey  before  me,  and 
scarcely  know  whither  I  may  be  led.  I  feel  the  deep  obscurity 
of  the  future,  but  am  in  some  degree  enabled  to  lie  quietly  in 
the  arms  of  infinite  wisdom,  strength,  and  mercy. 

After  various  engagements  in  New  Hampshire 
and  Maine,  Joseph  John  Gurney  set  out  from 
Augusta,  in  the  latter  state,  on  his  way  towards 
Canada,  on  the  22nd  of  the  ninth  month. 

Our  route,  (says  he,  in  one  of  his  letters,)  lay  by  the  side 
of  the  beautiful  Kennebeck,  and  the  first  day's  journey  was  of 
^fifty  miles,  to  a  picturesque  village  called  Anson.  Here  the 
stage  rested  for  the  Sabbath — a  circumstance  very  agreeable 
tu  ourselves,  and  an  example  which  might  be  followed  with 
great  advantage  in  our  own  country.  To  us  it  was  a  day  of 
peace  and  quietness.  Several  Friends  came  from  a  great 
distance  to  sit  down  with  us  in  our  morning  worship.  In  the 
afternoon  the  public  were  assembled,  and  some  romantic 
rocks  over  a  tumbling  stream  afi'orded  me,  in  the  interim,  a 
grateful  opportunity  for  solitary  reflection.  At  so  great  a 
distance  from  my  home,  and  now  about  to  enter  on  a  ncAV 
region,  and  on  fresh  scenes  of  interest  and  duty,  I  could  not 
but  feel  my  situation  very  seriously ;  and  it  was  delightful  to 
remember  that  no  distance  or  difference  of  circumstance  can 
divide  the  love  and  fellowship  of  tlose  who  are  endeavouring, 
however  weakly,  to  serve  the  Lord. 

Having  arrived  at  Quebec,  he  writes  :  ■ — 

9th  mo..,  29th.  The  journey,  from  Anson  to  this  place,  was 
one  which  I  shall  not  soon  forget ;  some  difficulties  in  it ;  but 


152  CANADA;    CORIIESPONDENCE    WITH  1838. 

all  "well  surmounted  by  time  and  patience.  Second  day,  from 
Anson  to  the  forks  of  Kcnncbeck,  ^vhere  yve  held  a  little 
meeting.  Third  day,  to  Hylton's,  near  the  Canada  line, 
■where  wc  were  sadly  disappointed  by  the  failure  of  the  regular 
)nail  conversance,  which  had  brought  us  so  far;  but  a  one-horse 
waggon  conveyed  us  a  tedious  day's  journey  of  twenty-eight 
miles,  to  Cathcarts ;  and  thence,-  a  tAvo-horse*waggon,  (a  great 
prize,)  on  fifth  day,  sixty-six  miles,  to  Point  Levi,  opposite  to 
Quebec.  We  crossed  the  noble  St,  Lawrence  before  breakfast 
on  sixth  day,  and  have  since  passed  two  days  of  no  small 
interest.  Pleasant  acquaintance  formed  with  Dr.  Cook,  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  ;  and  a  meeting  held  last  evening  in  tlie 
Methodist .  House,  which  was  a  very  good  one.  To-day, 
breakfasted  with  Dr.  Cook,  and  visited  the  Jail;  the  men  and 
women  prisoners,  (far  too  numerous  and  not  at  all  classified) 
were  separately  addressed,  and  appeared,  attentive. 

Cannda  was  then  in  a  very  disturbed  state,  and 
Joseph  John  Gurney  believed  it  his  duty  to  seek  an 
interview  with  the  late  Earl  of  Durham,  at  that 
time  the  Governor  General,  with  whom  he  had 
a  slight  previous  acquaintance ;  in  the  hope  of 
inducing  him,  if  possible,  to  remain  in  a  position 
in  which  his  great  talents  and  enlightened  views 
were  likely  to  be  eminently  serviceable  at  this 
critical  juncture. 

"He  received  me,"  says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "with  much 
kindness,  and  I  afterwards  dined  and  spent  the  evening  with 
him,  his  lady,  and  family.  I  had  a  great  deal  of  conversation 
with  him  of  a  highly  interesting  character,  and  was  much 
struck  with  his  extensive  information  and  superior  talents. 
Though  I  had  no  reason  to  suppose  that  he  agreed  with  me  in 
my  view  of  the  paramount  importance  of  evangelical  religion, 
it  was  evident  that  he  was  a  person  of  conscientious  feeling, 
impressed  with  a  lively  sense  of  a  superintending  providence  ; 
und  full  of  good  designs  for  the  intellectual  and  civil  improve- 


^T.  51.  THE    EARL   OF   DURHAM.  l^S 

ment  of  the  people  under  his  care.  His  government  was 
steady,  calm,  and  peaceable ;  and,  as  I  have  every  reason  to 
believe,  impartial.  Certainly  he  was  called  to  rule  in  troublous 
times;  for  nothing  then  could  be  more  uneasy  than  the 
juxtaposition  of  the  two  races  which  composed  the  population 
of  Lower  Canada.  Lord  Durham  was  utterly  opposed  to  the 
shedding  of  blood,  by  the  hand  either  of  the  soldier  or  of 
the  executioner.  He  had  put  a  stop  to  capital  punishments 
in  Upper  Canada ;  and,  above  all,  he  was  daily  manifesting  to 
tlie  citizens  of  the  United  States,  that  liberal  and  kindly 
feeling,  and  that  just  appreciation  of  their  character  and 
circumstances,  which  greatly  tended  to  the  removal  of  mis- 
understandings, and  to  the  insuring  of  permanent  peace 
between  the  two  nations.  Nothing  could  appear  more  ill-timed 
than  the  differences  which  had  just  taken  place  between 
himself  and  the  British  Parliament.  He  seemed  to  be 
extremely  chagrined ;  and  not  less  mortified  and  disappointed 
were  many  enlightened  members  of  the  community  under  his 
^are,  of  both  parties.  I  believed  it  right  to  devote  several 
hours  to  the  object  of  laying  before  him,  in  writing,  the 
reasons  why  I  thought  he  ought  to  refrain  from  giving  up  his 
government. 

TO    THE    EARL    OF   DURHAM. 

Quebec,  9th  mo.,  30th,  183S. 

Secluded  as  I  am  from  the  politics  of  the  world,  and 
engaged  in  this  country  on  a  simple  religious  errand,  I  cannot 
with  a  safe  conscience  quit  this  city,  (which  I  expect  to  do  to- 
night,) without  throwing  before  thee  a  few  considerations  on 
the  point  which  so  closely  occupies  the  public  mind  here  at 
the  present  time. 

I  am  strongly  convinced  that  thy  retirement  from  these 
provinces  is  likely  to  be  productive  of  two  results — the  pre- 
vention of  great  good ;  and  the  infliction  of  greater  evil. 

From  the  conversation  which  has  passed  between  us,  I 
conclude  that  the  improvement  of  the  prisons,  the  building 
of  hospitals,  the  suppression  of  vice  by  a  gocd  police,  and  the 


154  CORRESPONDENCE   WITH  1838. 

general  education  of  the  people,  are  all  of  them  objects  which 
occupy  thy  attention ;  and  to  these  must  be  added  the  far 
larger  points  of  the  softening  down  of  dangerous  asperities 
in  the  colony,  and  the  strengthening  of  good  feeling  between 
our  country  and  the  United  States  of  America,  services  in 
■which  thou  hast  been  already  so  successful. 

With  regard  to  the  infliction  of  evil,  the  giving  up  of  thy 
government  appears  to  me  to  have  a  strong  tendency  to  the 
renewal  of  discord,  and  possibly  of  open  hostilities  ;  and  who 
shall  say  that  in  the  back  ground  may  not  lie  one  of  the  worst 
political  calamities  which  could  befall  the  civilized  world,  war 
between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  of  America? 

Wilt  thou  kindly  excuse  my  freedom,  when  I  remark  that 
no  personal  considerations,  or  views  of  etiquette,  however 
fortified  they  may  be  by  custom,  seem  to  be  sufficient  to 
justify  a  course  which  may  probably  lead  to  such  results?  I 
know  that  thou  wilt  feel  that  downright  duty  alone  can 
justify  it. 

*  *  *         ■    * 

I  am  quite  sure  that  the  question  of  moral  responsibility  in 
this  great  affair,  must  press  with  vast  "weight  on  thy  highly 
conscientious  mind,  and  I  trust  I  do  not  exceed  the  bounds 
of  propriety,  when  I  venture  to  suggest  the  inquiry,  whether, 
notwithstanding  all  provocation,  the  responsibility  of  his 
secession,  and  of  its  probable  consequences,  must  not  be  still 
regarded  as  resting  mainly  on-  the  Governor  General  himself? 
May  the  Almighty  be  pleased  to  guide  thee  to  such  a  final 
decision  in  the  present  emergency,  as  will  best  promote  thy 
own  peace  of  mind,  and  the  welfare  of  these  provinces ! 
Heartily  do  I  unite  in  the  desire,  that  an  even-handed,  blood- 
less, and  efficacious  government,  may  not  give  place  to  a 
merely  military  rule,  and  to  its  various  distressing  conse- 
quences. 

With  great  respect  and  regard, 

I  am  thy  sincere  friend, 

J.    J.    GURNEY. 


^T.  51.  THE  EARL  OE  DURHAM.  165 

FROM  THE  EARL  OF  DURHAM. 

Government  House,  Monday,  Oct.  1st,  1838. 

Dear  Sir, 

Accept  my  warmest  thanks  for  your  kind  letter. 
I  can  well  appreciate  the  excellent  motives  which  dictated  it. 
Rest  assured  that  if  I  saw  within  my  reach  any  means  here 
of  doing  good,  no  personal  feelings  would  induce  me  to  quit 
this  country.  But,  I  am  sure  that  the  place  -where  alone  evil 
can  be  prevented  and  good  effected,  is  the  British  Parliament. 
In  Canada,  all  civil  authority  is  nullified ;  and  I  cannot 
reconcile  it  to  my  conscience  to  govern  by  military  power 
alone. 

Believe  me,  yours  very  truly, 

Durham. 

Lord  Durham,  as  is  well  known,  retired  from  the 
government  of  Canada,  and  returned  to  England. 
^Subsequent  events  confirmed  Joseph  John  Gurney 
in  his  views  as  to  this  step.  "I  thought  I  perceived 
many  evidences,"  he  writes,  in  allusion  to  it,  at  a 
later  period,  "  that  the  publication  of  his  manly  and 
able  report  was  premature." 

From  Quebec,  he  now  proceeded  .up  the  St.  Law- 
rence to  Montreal,  with  the  view  of  obtaining  a 
convenient  passage  to  Farnham,  one  of  the  eastern 
townships  of  Lower  Canada,  where  he  .had  been 
informed  that  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  in 
that  district  was  about  to  be  held.  On  his  arrival 
'  at  Montreal,  however,  he  found  that  the  meeting  in 
question  was  to  assemble  at  Ferrisburg,  in  the  State 
of  Vermont. 

"  There  was  no  time  to  be  lost,"  he  writes,  "  and  at  an 
hour's  notice  we  were  again  on  our  journey.  We  first  availed 
ourselves  of  the  only  railroad  in  Canada,  in  order  to  traverse  , 


156  VERMONT.  1838. 

a  flat  wooded  country  to  St.  John's,  a  considerable  town  on 
the  Richelieu  river.  Here  we  took  the  daily  American  steam- 
boat, and  soon  found  ourselves  on  the  noble  expanse  of  Lake 
Champlain.  Our  voyage  was  delightful.  There  are  many 
richly  wooded  islands  on  the  bosom  of  this  water,  and  the 
distant  mountains  of  the  state  of  New  York,  on  the  western 
shore,  and  of  Vermont  on  the  eastern,  give  a  AYelsh  character 
to  the  picture.  We  arrived  at  Burlington,  in  Vermont,  at 
nine  o'clock  in  the  evening.  The  next  morning  we  drove 
sixteen  miles  to  Ferrisburg,  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting, 
and  were  afterwards  entertained  at  the  dvrelling  of  two  aged 
Friends  of  a  very  primitive  character,  the  father  and  mother 
of  many  sons  and  daughters.  We  spent  two  more  days  in 
attending  some  other  meetings  in  the  neighbourhood,  and,  at 
the  close  of  the  week,  returned  to  Burlington. 

"  This  city  is  the  seat  of  the  State  University.  Here  we 
spent  the  first  day  of  the  week  much  to  our  satisfaction. 
Several  Friends  from  the  country  joined  us  in  our  quiet  morn- 
ing worship  at  the  hotel.  In  the  afternoon  a  public  meeting 
was  held  at  a  neighbouring  manufacturing  village  by  the  falls 
of  the  Winooski;  and  in  the  evening  a  much  larger  one  in 
the  Methodist  meeting  house  in  Burlington.  We  drank  tea 
with  Dr.  Wheeler,  the  president  of  the  college,  who  has 
travelled  much  in  Europe,  and  is  remarkably  well  informed. 
Professor  Marsh,  the  teacher  of  Moral  Philosophy,  was  also 
of  the  company,  and  spoke  in  high  terms  of  our  late  friend 
Jonathan  Dymond's  book  on  Ethics,  which  I  was  glad  to  find 
in  great  repute  in  the  seminaries  in  America.  The  Americans 
are  not  suited  by  Paley's  notions  of  expediency."   *  *  * 

Being  still  desirous  of  seeing  the  Friends  in  the 
eastern  townships  of  Lower  Canada,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  again  directed  his  course  Northwards. 

*S'^.  Johns,  10th  mo.,'  llth.  Our  visit  to  Farnham  yester- 
day was  remarkably  favoured  and  satisfactory,  and  seemed 
to  afi'ord  ample  repayment  for  the  exertion  of  getting  there. 


iET.  51.  CANADA.  157 

\Ye  were  cordially  received  by  the  very  interesting  community 
of  Friends ;  the  meeting  was  largely  attended  by  them  and 
their  neighbours,  and  was  a  time  of  much  solemnity.  After 
the  meeting,  Henry  Miles  introduced  the  subject  of  an  address 
to  Lord  Dui'ham,  which  was  very  cordially  agreed  to  and 
generally  signed.  In  the  afternoon,  I  held  another  meeting 
with  Friends,  in  which  I  had  to  encourage  them  warmly,  in 
the  faithful  maintenance  of  their  testimonies  and  religious 
standing;  which  may  probably  be  put  to  the  proof.  I  sat 
down  yesterday  morning  with  many  Friends,  in  order  to  dis- 
cuss the  difficulties  to  which  they  are  exposed,  from  the  dis- 
turbed state  of  the  province.  The  meeting  was  satisfactory. 
We  then  proceeded  about  twenty  miles  to  Bedford,  where  we 
held  an  excellent  public  meeting  in  the  evening.  Twenty 
miles  more  of  travelling  have  brought  us  hither ;  where  I  have 
been  quietly  engaged  in  writing  the  necessary  letters  intro- 
ducing our  friends  to  the  authorities  of  Quebec ;  and  we  have 
appointed  a  meeting  for  the  evening. 

3Iontreal,  First  day^  IQth  mo.,  l^th.  Notwithstanding 
discouragements,  we  had  a  pretty  large  and  very  relieving 
meeting  on  fifth  day  evening,  at  St.  Johns  ;  several  soldiers 
being  present ;  and  a  pleasant  journey  hither  on  sixth  day 
morning.  Our  Friends  went  off  by  a  boat  to  Quebec,  on 
their  mission  to  the  Governor.  I  made  several  calls,  and 
held  a  good,  though  very  small  meeting  in  the  Wesleyan 
house,  in  the  dark  wet  evening.  On  seventh  day  I  was  much 
occupied  and  exercised,  in  again  writing  to  the  Governor 
General. 

Joseph  John  Gurney  now  proceeded  by  a  some- 
what rapid  course  to  Baltimore. 

lOf/i  mo.,  15th.  The  meeting  yesterday  morning,  at 
Montreal,  was  greatly  to  my  relief.  In  the  afternoon,  we 
were. occupied  by  an  affecting  visit  to  the  wretched  prison ;  an 
interview  with  thirty-three  good-looking  soldiers,  sentenced  to 
transportation  for  desertion,  was  to  our  satisfaction.      Then  a 


158  BALTIMORE   YEARLY    MEETING.  1838 

visit  to  Thaddeus  Osgood's  Bethel  for  seamen  and  first-day 
school,  where  a  solemn  little  meeting  was  also  held ;  and  in 
the  evening  a  very  favoured  meeting  in  the  Congregational 
house ;  so  that  I  trust  a  blessing  rested  on  the  day.  I  am 
now  on  my  way  again  up  the  Lake  Champlain,  with  a  view  of 
holding  meetings  at  Peru,  and  afterwards  proceeding  towards 
Baltimore  Yearly  Meeting.  It  is  a  rainy  and  gloomy  day, 
but  I  am  favoured  with  a  degree  of  tranquillity,  in  committing 
myself  and  my  concerns  to  the  Lord,  who  knows  that  it  is 
my  desire,  weak  and  unworthy  though  I  be,  not  to  run 
counter  to  the  gracious  intimations  of  his  blessed  will.  0 
Lord,  cast  me  not  away  from  thy  presence,  I  beseech  thee,  and 
take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me.  Let  me  be  clear  of  the 
blood  of  all  men;  "Deliver  me  from  blood-guiltiness,  0  Lord, 
thou  God  of  my  salvation ;  and  my  tongue  shall  sing  aloud  of 
thy  righteousness." 

11th  mo.,  11th.  The  Yearly  "Meeting  of  Baltimore  began 
and  progressed  favourably.  We  had  an  excellent  time  over 
the  state  of  the  Society ;  and,  on  the  whole,  though  the  body 
was  small, — not  larger  than  many  Monthly  Meetings, — there 
was  much  of  the  weight  of  a  Yearly  Meeting  in  it.  The 
meeting  for  worship  on  fifth  day  was  a  good  one ;  and  the 
conclusion,  on  sixth  day  morning,  very  solemn.  John  Meader 
held  a  good  meeting  one  evening  with  the  coloured  people  : 
and  I  had  to  instruct  some  large  circles  of  the  young ;  a 
service  in  which  I  was  graciously  helped. 

After  attending  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Baltimore, 
Joseph  John  Gurney  was  closely  engaged  for  several 
weeks,  in  various  religious  services,  in  Maryland  and 
the  adjacent  parts  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania. 
He  then  returned  to  New  York;  and,  with  the 
concurrence  of  Friends  there,  entered  upon  a  visit 
to  the  families  of  Friends  in  that  city  and  its  neigh- 
bourhood, in  which  he  was  diligently  occupied  to 
the  conclusion  of  the  year. 


-ET.  51.  NEW   YORK. 

TO    HIS    DAUGHTER. 

New  lork   12tl.  mo.,  llth,  1838, 

My  dearest  Anna, 

I  have  a  mind  to  write  thee  a  few 
private  lines,  being  much  (lr:i\vn  forth  in  ardent  paternal  love 
towards  thee,  and  feeling  the  lengthening  chain  that  separates 
us  not  very  easy  to  my  natural  mind.  But  let  us  be  of  good 
cheer ;  the  time  of  absence  is  gradually  lessening,  and  if  we 
each  keep  to  our  line  of  duty  in  the  tenderness,  meekness,  and 
patience  of  Christ,  we  shall,  I  reverently  hope  and  believe,  be 
permitted,  in  due  season,  to  meet  again  in  peace  and  joy.  I 
feel  an  anxious  solicitude,  that  nothing  may  move  thee  from 
the  quiet,  unobtrusive  path  of  consistent  Friendliness.  I 
believe  thy  principles  in  these  matters  are  fixed  and  settled ; 
but  I  like  to  give  thee  a  word  of  encouragement  to  persevere. 
I  own  I  am  sometimes  fearful  lest  thy  association  with  some 
who  are  pursuing  a  less  restricted  course,  should  in  the  least 
rub  off  the  tender  bloom  of  retiring  piety  ;  that  piety  which 
lends  thee  at  times  to  sit  alone  and  keep  silence,  bearing  the 
yoke  upon  thee ;  yea,  "  to  put  thy  mouth  in  the  dust, 
if  so  be,  there  may  be  hope."  Be  very  watchful,  my  dear  child, 
as  if  thou  wast  in  thy  father's  presence.  Remember  that  the 
eye  of  the  God  and  Father  whom  he  desires  to  serve  is  always 
upon  thee.  Dw'ell  very  low  before  the  Lord  ;  shun  self  com- 
placency as  thou  wouldst  a  serpent.  Indeed,  my  darling,  my 
feelings  are  not  sectarian,  but  I  do  see,  that  the  quiet  self- 
denying  path,  which  I  wish  thee  to  continue  to  walk  in,  is  a 
safe  one  for  the  immortal  soul.  It  is  a  path,  that  I  am  myself 
constrained  to  walk  m,  by  principles  of  the  highest  and  most 
comprehensive  nature ;  and,  whilst  I  yield  myself  up  to  these 
principles,  my  heart  glows  with  love  towards  the  whole  Church 
of  Christ,  and  the  whole  family  of  man.  I  know  it  is  a 
humbling  thing  to  be  a  plain  Friend,  but  I  wish  thee  to  bear 
this  humiliation.  The  Lord  will  reward  tliee  for  it.  "Be 
faithful  unto  death,  and  a  crown  of  life  shall  be  given  thee." 


160  NEW    YORK.  1838. 

TO    HIS    BROTHER    SAMUEL    GURNET. 

New  York,  12tli  mo  ,  19th,  \?Z8. 

*  *  *  The  prevalence  of  a  "^vorldly  spirit,  and  of  tlie  love 
of  money  in  this  city,  and  the  opportunity  Trhich  has  hecn 
afresh  given  me  of  observing  how  those  things  dry  up  the  very 
sap  of  life,  and  also  how  sure  they  are  to  increase,  as  money 
accumulates;  i.e.,  as  the  only  possible  excuse  for  them  decreases, 
mahe  me  feel  deeply  anxious,  my  dearest  brother,  that  thou  and 
I,  and  our  dear  children,  may  be  taught  of  the  Lord,  to  continue, 
or  yet  more  to  abound,  in  diffuswg  in  proportion  to  our  means. 
It  is  an  absolutely  needful  safety-valve  for  us  in  a  spiritual 
point  of  view.  Of  this  I  am  increasingly  persuaded ;  and  yet 
I  know  if  must  all  be  in  the  ordering  of  best  wisdom,  under 
the  o-overnment  of  Him  for  whom  we  are  stewards. 

*  *  *  I  was  much  grieved  at  the  failure  of  my  appeal  to 
Lord  Durham,  though  I  believe  it  cost  him  two  days'  re- 
flection. His  leaving  the  province,  was,  in  my  opinion,  a  very 
unhappy  circumstance  ;  and  I  am  extremely  afraid  lest  the 
military  penal  executions  which  are  now  going  on  in  Canada, 
should  bring  upon  our  people  thei-e  a  terrible  retribution.  It  is 
a  foolish  game  to  arouse  the  sympathies  of  the  L'nited  States 
in  favour  of  the  rebels,  and  most  heartily  do  I  crave  that 
general  warfare  may  not  be  the  ultimate  result. 

The  warm  and  affectionate  letter  from  which  the 
following  is  an  extract,  was  addressed  to  the 
grandchildren  of  his  aunt  Jane  Gurney,  on  the 
anniversary  of  the  deceas-e  of  his  beloved  uncle 
Joseph  Gurney. 

New  Y^ork,  12th  mo.,  25th,  1S38. 

*  *  *  I  am  now  fifty  years  old,  and  have  seen  a  good  deal 
of  the  world, — my  acquaintance  with  the  religious  public,  and 
with  serious  persons  of  various  names  and  classes,  has  been 
extensive,  —  and   it  is  my  testimony  that  I  have  not  seen  a 


^T.  50.  LETTER.  '  101 

better  -way  to  walk  in,  than  that  into  which  he  was  led.  I 
mean  simple,  sincere,  living  quakerism.  I  think  it  is  under 
no  sectarian  feelings,  that  I  find  myself  penning  that  word 
quakerism.  I  have  reference  chiefly  to  the  well  known  views 
always  entertained  by  our  Society,  respecting  the  supreme,- 
immediate,  and  perceptible  government  of  Jesus  Christ  over 
his  church,  hy  the  influence  of  his  Holy  Spirit.  I  wish  you  to 
understand  in  what  sense  I  use  the  word  '■^perceptible.''  The 
distinct  whisper  of  some  private  counsellor  is  perceptible  to  the 
ear  ;  but  not  more  so  than  the  still  small  voice  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ  in  the  heart,  saying  to  every  one  of  you,  "  This  is  the 
way,  walk  ye  in  it."  The  light  of  the  sun,  which  reveals  the 
objects  of  nature,  is  perceptible  to  the  eye :  but  not  more  so 
than  the  light  of  Christ,  which  makes  manifest  moral  truth  to 
the  consciences  of  all  men,  and  which  shines  on  all  those  par- 
ticular duties,  to  which  we  are  individually  called,  as  living 
members  of  the  Church  of  God.  Thus  with  me  the  light  has  shone 
on  a  religious  visit  to  America ;  and  on  many  a  specific  labour 
and  service  in  that  land.  The  gentle  breeze  which  blows  from 
the  south,  is  perceptible  to  the  feelings ;  but  not  more  so  than 
the  gentle  constraint  of  a  divine  influence  which  impels  the 
Christian  onivard  in  his  race  of  duty.  When  every  wind 
ceases  to  blow,  the  very  stillness  is  perceptible  to  the  nerves  of 
the  body;  but  not  more  so  than  the  holy  tranquillity  of  soul 
which  the  Spirit  imparts  to  the  man  of  a  good  conscience  — ■ 
'*  the  peace  of  God  which  passeth  all  understanding." 

Now,  my  dearly  beloved  ones,  abide  and  walk  under  this  all 
effective  government  of  a  righteous  Saviour.  Let  every  desire 
that  would  lead  to  transgression  be  checked ;  every  rebel 
thought  subdued;  every  undue  conformity  to  the  world  and 
its  vanities  surrendered ;  and  be  ye  all  that  the  Lord  would 
have  you  to  be.  Imitate  the  example  of  Moses,  and  make  all 
things  according  to  the  pattern  showed  to  you  in  the  mount, 
even  to  the  least  pin  of  the  tabernacle.  This  is  the  ti'ue  secret 
of  Christian  perfection ;  a  standard  hard  to  reach,  but  alwavs 
to  be  followed.  "  Know  ye  not  that  your  bodies  are  the 
temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  in  vou,  which  you  have  of 

Vol   IL  — 11 


1C2  NEW   YORK.  1838. 

Goi.1,  and  that  ye  are  not  your  own,  but  bought  ivltli  a  price  -' ' 
i)h,  that  costly  glorious  price;  the  atoning  blood  of  Jep:i>» 
Christ,  the  one  propitiatory  offering  for  the  sins  of  the  whole 
Avorld !  I\Ieditate  on  the  infinite  lovinjT  kindness  of  that 
Saviour  Avho  came  down  from  the  glory  of  his  majesty,  to  live 
and  die  for  sinners — "vvhojjore  your  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the 
tree  ;  and  lose  not  an  hour,  you  dear  elder  ones,  in  devoting 
yourselves,  body  and  soul,  to  his  service. 

And  now  a  few  sentences  on  the  word  immediate.  Friends 
hold  the  immediate  influences'  of  the  Spirit  in  contrast  with 
those  who,  while  they  allow  the  inspiration  of  the  sacred 
writers,  imagine  that  their  writings  are  the  only  guide  with 
Avhich  we  are  now  favoured  in  the  way  of  truth  and  righteous- 
ness. "  The  Scriptures,"  say  such  persons,  "were  given  forth 
by  the  Spirit  of  God ;  all,  therefore,  who  believe  and  obey  the 
Scriptures,  are,  through  that  medium,  taught  by  the  Spirit." 
We,  on  the  other  hand,  assert  that  no  man  can  savingly 
believe  in  the  truth  declared  in  Scripture,  or  truly  obey  its 
precepts,  unless  his  understanding  is  illuminated,  and  his 
heart  touched  by  the  immediate  or  direct  influences  of  that 
Spirit,  who  is  himself  the  divine  author  of  the  book ;  and 
further  than  this,  while  we  expect  no  revelation  of  the  peculiar 
facts  and  doctrines  of  Christianity,  except  through  Scripture, 
we  believe  that  the  moral  latv  is,  to  a  certain  extent, 
immediately  revealed  to  all  mQT\,  independently  of  the  hook  ;  and 
also  that,  Avitli  respect  to  their  individual  callings  in  the  church. 
Christians  cannot  ascertain  them  from  Scripture.  Here  they 
have  no  other  guide  to  look  to,  but  the  voice  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  who  condescends  to  speak  immediately  to  his  people, 
and  to  show  them  what  are  the  services  into  which  he  in 
pleased  to  call  them.  May  you,  beloved  ones,  ever  be  attentive 
to  his  immediate  te;ichings  ;  they  will  guide  you  in  the  way 
of  truth  and  righteousness,  virtue  and  peace.  .From  these 
remarks  it  is  evident  that  thei'e  is  nothing  in  the  view  taken 
by  Friends,  of  the  immediate  influences  of  the  Spirit,  (a  view 
which  is,  I  believe,  increasingly  opening  on  sound  Christians 
of  every  name.)  which  has  the  least  tendency  to  discourage  a 


JST.  51.  LETTER.  IQ'i 

diligent  use  of  those  means  which  God  has  appointed  for 
our  edification  and  growth  in  grace.  Do  not  neglect  these 
means,  as  you  value  your  immortal  souls  !  Be  fervent  and 
instant  m prayer ;  seek  after  retirement;  reverently  wait  upon 
God ;  pour  forth  your  hearts  before  him.  He  is  a  prayer- 
hearing,  prayer-answering  God.  Never  pass  a  day  without 
reading  a  portion  of  Scripture  m  private;  "'meditate  on  these 
things;"  give  yourselves  "  wholly  to  them."  Be  faithful  and 
diligent  in  attending  all  your  meetings,  both  for  worship  and 
discipline.  Your  pilgrim  cousin  charges  you,  in  the  name  of 
his  Master,  never  to  subside  into  carelessness  in  these  matters. 
Let  him  more  especially  advise  you  to  be  regular  in  the 
attendance  of  your  week-day  meetings.  I  believe  I  could  say 
with  truth,  that  the  most  profitable  and  happiest  part  of  my 
life  has  been  spent  in  these  very  meetings.  It  is  both  good 
and  pleasant  to  retire  from  the  whirl  and  hum  of  a  money 
getting,  pleasure  hunting  world,  to  wait  upon  our  glorious 
Creator,  in  the  "  silence  of  all  flesh."  How  many  were  the 
happy  hours  which  I  spent  with  your  beloved  grandfather 
after  this  sort !  How  many  the  calm  and  cheerful  v*'alks  which 
we  afterwards  took  together  from  the  meeting  to  the  bank! 
Well,  my  dears,  to  conclude  this  long,  and  to  me  unexpected 
appeal,  be  strong  in  the  Lord;  persevere;  press  onwards  in  the 
path  of  self  denial,  in  the  race  of  holiness ;  give  up  all  for  Christ ; 
be  faithful  unto  death  ;  and  no  man  shall  take  your  crown. 
Bear,  however,  a  short  postscript  on  the  subject  of  plainness  of 
speech,  behaviour,  ai\d  apparel.  Your  grandfather  adoptea 
these  things  under  deep  convictions  of  duty.  He  knew  they 
were  right;  he  found  th;it  they  zvorJced  well ;  he  adhered  to 
them  faithfully  to  his  life's  end.  Will  you  not  follow  his 
example?  If  you  will,  of  one  thing  I  ax  assured,  that  you 
will  never  have  occasion  to  regret  your  decision,  either  in  this 
world,  or  in  the  world  to  come. 

******* 
I  must  conclude  with  a  message  of  dear,  faithful,  and  tender 
love  to  your  parents,  and  above  all  to  your  revered  grand- 
mother.    May  they  have  the  delight  of  seeing  you  walking  in 
the  truth ! 


184  NEW  YORK.  1839. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

1839.    ^T.  51—52. 

CONCLUSION  OF  LABOURS  AT  NEW  YORK;  ILLNESS  AT  FLUSHING; 
PAMPHLET  ON  SLAVERY;  SECOND  ATTENDANCE  OP  YEARLY 
MEETINGS  AT  PHILADELPHIA  AND  NEW  YORK;  LABOURS  IN 
THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK ;  AND  IN  UPPER  CANADA ;  SING-SING 
PRISON  ;  FENIMORE  COOPER ;  TONA WANDA  INDIANS  ;  BALTIMORE 
YEARLY    MEETING;    PROSPECT    OF    VISIT    TO    WEST    INDIES. 

During  Joseph  John  Gurnej's  stay  at  New  York, 
he  formed  an  acquaintance  with  several  interesting 
characters. 

"  I  called  one  morning,"  he  writes,  "  on  W.  C.  Bryant,  the 
first  of  American  poets.  He  bears  about  him  the  expression 
of  acute  intellectual  power,  and  somewhat  reminded  me  of 
Southey.  I  was  pleased  to  converse  ■with  him  about  his 
brethren  in  the  art,  the  living  poets  of  our  own  country. 
One  point  may  be  stated  greatly  to  the  credit  of  this  man  of 
genius  —  he  is  a  consistent  and  unflinching  advocate  of  eman- 
cipation. Another  leisure  evening  was  agreeably  spent  at  the 
house  of  Colonel  Stone,  vfho  is  well  known  for  his  extensive 
literary  acquirements.  He  is  a  person  of  ready  wit,  and, 
what  is  far  better,  of  serious  religious  principle.  At  his 
bouse  I  met  Dr.  Spring,  the  minister  of  a  large  Presbyterian 
congregation.  I  was  also  glad  to  renew  an  acquaintance  with 
Dr.  Milnor,  who  is  indefatigable  in  his  support  of  the  Bible 
and-  Tract  Societies,  and  other  similar  institutions.  I  was 
much  interested  by  visiting  the  office  and  warehouses  of  the 
American  Bible  Society.  The  business  of  that  institution  is 
there  conducted  on  a  large  scale ;  and  although  I  had  no  op- 


^T.  51.  EDUC-:iTION,    SCHOOLS,    ETC.  105 

portunlty  of  attending  its  public  meetings,  I  was  rejoiced  to 
hear  of  its  continued  activity  and .  prosperity.  It  surely  is  a 
work  of  which  no  man  can  deny  either  the  propriety  or  the 
importance. 

"  The  state  of  New  York,"  he  remarks  in  another  letter, 
"is  divided  into  upwards  of  10,000  educational  districts,  in 
which  more  than  500,000  young  persons  receive  an  elemen- 
tary education  free  of  expense,  being  at  school,  on  an  average, 
for  eight  months  during  the  year.  These  schools  are  sup- 
ported, partly  by  the  funds  of  the  state,  and  partly  by  local 
rates.  They  probably  form,  as  a  whole,  the  most  generalized 
machinery  for  popular  education  to  be  met  with  in  any 
country  in  the  world.  There  is  one  point  connected  with 
these  schools,  in  which  a  large  proportion  of  them  differ  from 
ths  British  schools  in  England.  It  is  that  neither  the  Scrip- 
tures themselves,  nor  extracts  from  them,  are  used  as  daily 
reading  lessons.*  This  I  consider  a  lamentable  defect,  and 
one  which  can  scarcely  fail  to  be  injurious  in  its  consequences. 
Happily  the  exception  does  not  apply  to  the  schools  in  New 
York  itself,  which  are  ably  superintended  by  a  committee  of 
gentlemen,  and  are  conducted,  as  all  such  schools  ought  to  be, 
on  the  basis  of  Scripture. 

"  The  friends  of  education  in  this  city  were  much  indebted 
to  the  late  Joseph  Lancaster,  whose  plan  they  adopted,  and 
who,  personally,  very  materially  assisted  them  in  the  formation 
of  their  schools.  I  often  saw  him  while  I  was.Jn  America, 
and  much  regretted  that  his  want  of  care  and  prudence  was 
so  constantly  involving  him  in  difficulties.  In  the  Autumn  of 
1838,  he  was  repeatedly  heard  to  say,  that  his  work  was 
finished,  that  he  had  now  nothing  left  him  to  do  but  to  die. 
Soon  afterwards  he  was  knocked  down,  in  the  streets  of  New 
York,  by  a  runaway  horse  in  a  waggon,  and  died  in  a  few  days. 
Notwithstanding  all  his  infirmities,  there  is  reason  to  believe, 
that,  through  the  mercy  of  that  divine  Saviour,  in  whom  he 
trusted,  his  end  was  peace. 

*  Some  alteration,  it  is  believed,  has  taken  place  in  this  respect, 
since  Joseph  John  Gurney's  visit. 


16G  KEW    YORK.  1839. 

Daring  tlie  whole  of  ray  stay  in  America,  New  York,  lu  a 
commercial  point  of  view,  was  in  a  state  of  considerable  de- 
pression. The  enormous  losses  occasioned  by  the  great  fire, 
in  1835,  were  by  no  means  fully  recovered ;  and,  since  that 
event,  frequent  conflagrations  to  a  less  terrible  extent,  have 
taken  place  in  the  city.  But  the  main  cause  of  suffering 
was  the  unequalled  course  of  speculation  and  gambling,  which 
disgraced  the  mercantile  annals  both  of  England  and  America, 
in  the  years  1836  and  1837.  The  amount  of  accommodation 
paper  which  was  then  in  circulation  between  the  two  countries, 
probably  formed  a  larger  bubble  of  that  nature,  than  the 
world  had  ever  before  seen  ;  and  when  it  burst,  in  the  spring 
of  1837,  the  desolation  which  it  produced,  in  New  York  par- 
ticularly, was  extensive  and  overwhelming.  One  indication 
of  the  altered  state  of  things,  was  afforded  by  the  comparative 
prices  of  land  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  city. 
During  the  flood  tide  of  prosperity,  large  lots  were  purchased 
at  Brooklyn,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  in  other 
places  near  the  city,  in  order  to  be  laid  out  for  houses  and 
streets.  Enormous  prices  were  given ;  in  many  instances 
2000  dollars  for  an  acre.  But  when  the  delusion  was  dissi- 
pated, the  speculators  in  land  were  in  distress,  and  it  was 
found  impossible  to  sell  the  subdivisions,  from  which  vast 
profits  had  been  expected,  without  incurring  a  formidable 
loss.  *  *  * 

Speaking  of  the  towns  of  America,  I  cannot  think  that  the 
population  derive  any  substantial  advantage  from  the  multi- 
plication of  their  daily  newspapers.  Scarcely  a  village  is  to 
be  found,  of  any  considerable  size,  in  which  one  of  these 
periodicals  is  not  published,  whilst  in  the  larger  towns  and 
cities  they  are  very  numerous.  I  often  regretted  that"  so  much 
time  is  occupied  by  American  citizens  in  poring  over  these  often 
flimsy  productions.  This  practice,  together  with  that  of  read- 
ing novels,  which  are  published  in  great  numbers  and  at  a 
very  low  price,  has  a  material  tendency  to  lower  the  tone  both 
•if  intellect  and  of  moral  feeling.  In  making  these  remarks, 
i  do  not  forget  that  newspapers,  well  conducted,  and  in 
moderate  numbers,  are  of  essential  service  to  the  community. 


^T.  51.  ILLNESS    AT    I< LUSHING.  1G7 

Soon  after  completing  his  visit  to  the  faniilit  s  of 
F)"iends  in  New  York,  Joseph  John  Gunie}',  in 
consequence  of  exposure  to  cold  and  wet,  was  seized 
with  a  violent  attack  of  illness,  which  prevented 
him  from  pursuing  his  labours  for  a  period  of  nearly 
three  months.  During  the  greater  part  of  this  cdn- 
(inement  he  was  hospitably  cared  for  at  the  house 
of  his  valued  friend  Joshua  Kimber,  at  Flushing, 
in  Long  Island.  "  It  was  a  time,"  he  writes,  "  of 
suffering  from  bodily  indisposition,  but  there  was 
much  in  it  both  to  instruct  and  to  enjoy.  The 
Friends  under  whose  roof  I  was  are  the  parents  of 
an  interesting  family;  and  both  they  and  theii- 
children  were  ever  ready  to  minister  to  my  com- 
fort." 

Writing  to  his  children,  in  the  early  part  of  his 
illness,  (under  date  1st  mo.,  16th,)  evidently  under 
a  feeling  of  some  uncertainty  as  to  the  result,  after 
sending  warm  messages  of  love  to  his  numerous 
friends,  and  expressing  his  earnest  desires  respect- 
ing themselves,  he  thus  concludes  :  — 

Above  all  things,  my  most  beloved  children,  keep  in  mind 
your  stewardship ;  that  giving  yourselves  freely  up  to  the 
softening,  melting  power  of  divine  grace,  and  suflering  it  to 
work  in  you,  and  through  you,  as  it  will,  you  may  neither  of 
you  miss  of  the  glorious  "well  done  "  at  last !  Be  sure  to  be 
faithful  Friends ;  persevering  workers  in  the  Bible  Society  ; 
and  circumspect,  living,  liberal  members  of  the  universal 
church  of  Clu'ist. 

The  following  are  from  his  Journal :  — 

1st  mo.,  20tJi.  My  mind  has  been  generally  preserved  :n 
a  state  of  quietness,  not  without  a  little  lively  faith  that  the 


168  ILLNESS  AT  FLUSHING.  1839. 

Lord  will  bring  me  through  this  illness.  "  I  shall  not  dio, 
but  live,  and  declare  the  works  of  the  Lord."  Tlie  experience 
of  this  sickness  has  brought  sweetly  home  the  reality  of  the 
truth,  as  held  by  Friends,  and  has  been  much  to  the  confirma- 
tion of  my  faith.  To  take  a  fresh  look  at  death,  and  to  find 
th%t  my  Saviour  is  above  its  terrors,  is  a  great  benefit. 

2nd  mo.,  1st.  Beginning  the  new  month  still  in  confinement 
has  been  rather  discouraging  to  my  natural  feelings.  Last 
evening  very  sweet  was  the  calm  spread  over  me ;  and  a  prayer 
from  dear  E.  Coggeshall,  who  is  now  paying  us  an  acceptable 
visit,  was  most  precious.  "  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  0  my 
soul,  and  Avhy  art  thou  disquieted  within  me  ?  Hope  thou  in 
God ;  for  I  shall  yet  praise  Him,  who  is  the  health  of  my 
countenance  and  my  God." 

First  day  afternoon,  2nd  mo.,  10th.  I  have  been  most  mer- 
cifully dealt  with,  and  I  desire  to  be  enabled  to  make  some 
record  of  the  gracious  dealings  of  my  Led  with  me ;  wdiolly 
unworthy  as  I  am  of  the  very  least  of  his  mercies.  It  was,  I 
believe,  in  a  measure  of  the  obedience  of  faith,  that  I  left  my 
all  to  come  to  this  country  ;  and,  pei'haps,  since  I  left  home 
my  faith  has  never  been  put  to  a  closer  test  than  during  this 
illness ;  but  there  is  that  which  is  in  us  which  we  have  of 
God,  that  does,  at  times,  arise  into  a  degree  of  blessed  pre- 
ilominance  over  all  our  fears  and  temptations.  May  I  be 
gathered  to  this  holy  power  and  influence  more  and  more  ! 

Fifth  day  morning.  I  have  been  attending  our  little 
week-day  meeting  this  morning ;  a  very  precious  time, 
wherein  a  concern  was  expressed  that  we  might  be  gathered 
to  the  Lord's  own  washing,  and  feeding,  and  teaching ;  and  I 
believe  I  am,  through  mercy,  unhurt  by  this  effort. 

2nd  mo.,  I'^th  [At  Westbury,  Long  Island.]  I  have  been 
favoured  with  a  night  of  enjoyable  repose,  and  greatly  feel  the 
benefit  of  change  of  air.  A  precious  time  after  the  reading 
this  morning.  Surely  the  Lord  condescends  to  be  with  us 
here,  and  praise  is  most  abundantly  his  due.  I  am  living  a 
day  at  a  time,  more  than  ever  before  perhaps. 

Evening. — Pleasant  visit  to  Jericho  ;  passed  by  the  house 
once  occupied  by  Elias  Hicks.     Visits  to  Thomas  and  Phebe 


£T.  51.  CONVALESCENCE.  161) 

Willis,  and  theiv. daughter  Anna;  and  in  the  afternoon,  tw(3  or 
three  hours  at  William  and  Anna  W.  Willis's.  Bodily  infirmity 
is  prevalent  Avith  these  Friends,  but  they  are  of  the  right 
kind  indeed.  We  had  comforting  opportunities  of  a  religious 
nature  in  each  house,  and  here  again  this  evening  with 
Stephen  and  Phebe  Rushmore.  Thus  the  Lord  is  bestowyig 
freely  of  his  goodness  upon  us  out  of  an  inexhaustible 
treasury. 

After  visiting  the  few  families  of  Friends  at 
"VVestbury    and   Jericho,    he    writes:  — 

Seventh  day^  ^rd  mo.,  IQth.  We  have  been  graciously 
favoured  to  get  along  comfortably  with  our  work,  though,  on 
my  part,  through  much  fear  and  weakness,  and  some  close 
trial  of  faith.  All  the  families  well  got  through,  and  a 
remarkable  meeting  with  a  large  company  of  Hicksites  and 
others,  at  Jerusalem,  yesterday.  Some  of  them  hard  and 
restless ;  but  I  trust  truth  was  over  all  opposition. 

3rc?  mo.,  I^tli.  Deep  and  various  are  the  exercises  of  mind 
which  I  have  gone  through  since  last  seventh  day.  The  after- 
noon meeting  on  first  day,  held  at  Jericho,  in  the  Hicksite 
meeting-house,  large,  and  attended  by  the  Hicksites  in  a  body. 
It  was  a  very  exercising  and  ciritical  occasion ;  the  first  Friends' 
meeting  there  since  the  separation ;  and  there,  in  the  place 
once  occupied  by  Elias  Hicks,  I  was  enabled  to  proclaim  the 
glorious  contrary  to  all  his  notions.  I  have  seldom  felt  more 
helped,  and  there  was  evidently  a  considerably  open  door.  We 
spent  a  highly  satisfactory  evening  afterwards  with  William 
and  Anna  Willis. 

During  his  convalescence  he  had  been  occupied 
in  writing  a  few  Free  and  Friendly  Remarks  on  a 
Speech  lately  delivered  in  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  by.  Henry  Clay,  of  Kentucky,  on  the  subject 
of  the    Abolition   of  North  American    Slavery.     In 


170  PAMPHLET    ON   AMERICAN    SLAVERY.  1889. 

this  little  tract,  after  dwelling  upon  the  startling 
fact,  admitted  by  Henry  Clay,  that  there  were  in 
the  United  States  three  millions  of  intelligent  and 
immortal  beings  condemned  by  law,  without  a 
crime  proved  or  even  alleged  against  them,  to 
an  ignominious  and  perpetual  "  servitude,"  all 
the  more  embittered  and  agonizing  by  being 
"  involuntary ;"  and  liable  to  be  bought  and  sold 
"like  pigs,  sheep,  and  oxen,"  Joseph  John  Gurney 
briefly  but  powerfully  exposes  the  monstrous  in- 
consistency between  such  a  fact  and  the  theory  on 
which  the  independence  of  the  United  States  is 
founded,  that  "all  men,"  (without  distinction  of 
colour,)  "tire  created  equal;  and  are  endowed 
b\'  their  Creator  with  certain  inalienable  rights;" 
among  which  "  are  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of 
happiness,"  He  then  proceeds,  in  a  strain  of  clear 
and  unanswerable  argument,  to  show  that  the 
abolition,  by  the  federal  government,  of  slavery  in 
the  districts  of  Columbia  and  of  Florida,  and  of  the 
internal  slave-trade  throughout  the  Union,  would 
be  in  perfect  accordance  both  with  the  letter  and 
the  spirit  of  the  constitution  of  the  United  States; 
and,  in  conclusion,  powerfully  urges  the  claims  of 
righteousness,  mercy,  and  truth,  as  loudly  calling 
for  the  adoption  of  these  measures.  The  whole 
spirit  of  the  tract  is  calm  and  Christian ;  and  though 
2)ublished  anonymously,  was  too  characteristic  of  the 
mind  of  the  author  to  admit  of  his  being  long  con- 
cealed. "And  so  you  are  a  writer  too,"  said  Henry 
Clay,  addressing  Joseph  Jolin  Gurney,  when  they  met 
at  Washington  in  the  following  year,  "  I  read  your 
pamphlet    and   discovered    the    author   immediately. 


^T.  51.  PUILADELPIIIA    YEARLY    MEETING.  171 

Of  the  various  reviews  of  my  speech  upon  Slavery, 
including  Channing's",  I  consider  yours  the  best." 
It  was  read  extensively,  and  its  conciliatory  tone 
obtained  for  it  a  wide  circulation  even  amongst  the 
slaveholders  in  the  southern  states.'''  Referring?  to 
its  publication,  Joseph  Jolm  Gurney  writes,  in  his 
Journal :  — 

o7'dmo.,  2oth.  I  have  been  this  afternoon  brought  fervently 
to  desire,  that  if  this  extra  service  of  mine  be  not  of  the  Lord, 
it  may  be  stayed  in  its  course ;  but  if  of  the  Lord,  that  it  may 
go  forward ;  and  in  the  latter  view  I  am  again  permitted  to 
feel  peace.  0,  I  would  not  break  or  lose  the  golden  thread 
which  can  alone  bring  me  safely  through  this  labyrinth  of 
tears,  for  all  the  fame,  the  honour,  the  riches,  the  adulation 
of  this  fallen  world.  Lord,  suffer  me,  I  most  ardently  beseech 
thee,  to  have  my  portion  (deeply  unworthy  as  I  am)  in  the 
lanQ;uao;e,  "We  have  the  mind  of  Christ."  Havinji:  that  mind, 
and  being  sure  of  it,  I  think  I  could  bear  the  consequences. 
Lord,  give  me  more  faith,  more  conquering  faith  in  thy  own 
eternal  wisdom  and  power  ! 

In  the  fourth  month  of  this  year  Joseph  John 
Gurney  again  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  at 
Philadelphia. 

4:th  mo.,  22nd.  I  have  many  mercies  to  record  in  the 
recollection  of  the  last  ten  days.  The  meeting  of  ministers 
and  elders  on  seventh  day,  the  13th,  passed  off  quietly.  On 
second  day  the  Yearly  Meeting  commenced ;  long  acceptable 
silence ;  equally  acceptable  prayer  from  Daniel  Wheeler. 
The  meeting  for  worship  at  Arch  Street  on  fifth  day,  much 
favoured ;  Elizabeth  Robson  more  powerful  in  testimony  than 
I    ever   before   heard   her ;    and    "  anointing"  in  prayer  was 

*  It  will  be  found  reprinted  in  the  Appendix  to  J.  J.  Gurney'a 
Winter  in  the  West  Indies,  pp.  253-282. 


172  PHILADELPHIA  YEARLY  MEETING.         1839. 

afterwards    as    graciously  given   me.     On    sixth    day  Daniel 
Wheeler  was  very  acceptably  engag'ed  in  ministry. 

Just  as  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  closing  that  evening,  I 
rose  and  said ;  "  In  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  in  ardent  love 
to  all  now  assembled,  I  feel  constrained  to  express  my  con- 
viction, that  the  noble  testimony  always  borne  by  this  Society 
to  the  universal  and  independent  influence  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  upon  the  minds  of  men,  and  to  the  primary  character  of 
this  influence  as  the  very  spring  of  all  true  knowledge  of 
divine  things,  will  never  perish  or  fade  away  from  among  the 
children  of  men ;  and  I  have  the  same  conviction  respecting 
the  immediate  teaching,  guidance,  and  government  of  Jesus 
Christ,  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  church ;  which  I  regard  as 
the  root  of  all  these  practical  testimonies,  respecting  worship 
and  conduct,  into  which  our  forefathers  were  led.  May  "we 
maintain  these  views  and  testimonies  with  one  mind  and  one 
accord,  remembering  that  they  are  in  perfect  accordance  with 
the  corresponding  doctrines  of  the  full  divine  authority  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  and  of  the  propitiatory  sacrifice  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  as  the  sole  ground  of  our  hope  of  acceptance 
with  God,  and  of  everlasting  salvation !  May  we,  by  the 
intelligible  language  of  ia  devoted  and  consistent  life  and 
conversation,  show  forth  our  adherence  to  the  truth,  the 
whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus  !" 
The  meeting  closed  in  much  solemnity. 

Whilst  thus  engaged  in  a  distant  land,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  was  cheered  by  receiving  the  following 
encouraging  account  of  the  beneficial  effect,  under 
the  Divine  blessing,  of  some  of  his  earlier  labours. 

FROM    ROBERT    HANKINSON. 

Hampstead,  April  4th,  1S39. 

*  *  *  *  Some  months  ago  I  called  on  a  dady  with  whom 
I  had  a  slight  acquaintance,  and  whose  inquiring  state  of 
mind  had  previously  interested  me.  I  found  her  very  anxious 
about  a  near  relative,  who  was  in  a  declining  state  of  health. 


MT.  51.  ENCOUnAGlNG    LETTER.  ITS 

His  religious  views  were  very  unsatisfactory,  and  it  was 
evident,  from  her  account,  that  he  had  drunk  deeply  of  the 
poison  of  Socinianism.  When  I  went  home  I  put  a  copy  of 
your  Letter  to  a  Friend  on  the  Authority,  Purpose,  and 
Effects  of  Christianity,  as  published  by  the  Religious  Tract 
Society,  within  the  volume  of  your  Essays,  and  sent  them  to 
her.  About  a  fortnight  ago  they  were  returned  with  a  short 
note,  and  I  have  since  called  on  her.  Striking  indeed  was 
her  report.  After  earnest  prayer  she  went  with  the  books  to 
her  father's  bedroom,  not  knowing  in  what  way  to  introduce 
them,  nor  how  far  they  were  suited  to  the  turn  of  his  mind 
She  determined,  therefore,  if  possible,  to  induce  him  to  dis- 
close to  her  his  religious  sentiments ;  and,  after  much  urgent 
pressing,  he  told  her  that  many  years  ago  he  had  been  in  the 
habit  of  associating  with  the  Friend  to  whom  your  letter  was 

addressed,  and  some  others  who  lived    in  ,  and   that 

from  them  he  had  taken  his  religious  opinions.  He  had  not 
wished  that  they  should  bias  his  family,  and  therefore  had 
refrained  from  communicating  with  them  on  the  subject,  but 
he  was  one  who  did  not  believe  in  the  Divinity  of  Christ. 
The  opportunity  had  come ;  his  daughter  told  him  that  she 
had,  in  the  room  with  her,  a  letter  w^hich  had  been  addressed 
to  his  friend,  and  which  had  been  the  means  of  inducing  him 
to  change  his  opinion.  He  was  incredulous  about  it,  but  said 
he  should  like  to  hear  it.  She  began  to  read,  and,  with 
growing  interest,  he  listened.  The  letter  was  read  again  and 
again,  and  again ;  and  from  it  they  went  to  the  Essays,  reading 
t'hose  portions  that  particularly  interested  him ;  and  so  was  it 
all  over-ruled  and  blessed,  that  it  ended  in  his  complete  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  Saviour.  The  day  before  his  death,  when 
his  family  were  around  him,  he  said  spontaneously,  "  I  wish 
to  make  this  acknowledgment  to  you :  I  feel  myself  to  be  a 
miserable  sinner,  but  my  entire  trust  is  in  Christ  my 
Saviour."  May  we  not,  my  dear  friend,  be  thankful  for  such 
a  testimony,  and  may  we  not  humbly  believe  that  in  his  85th 
ye«r  he  was  turned  from  his  error,  and  is  a  monument  of  the 
all-saving  power  of  Christ !  It  will  not  be  less  interesting  to 
vou  to  know  that  this  individual  was  the  late  Sir . 


174  STATE   OF   NEW  YORK.  1839. 

The  interval  between  the  Yearly  Meeting  of 
Philadelphia,  and  that  of  New  York  at  the  close 
of  the  fifth  month,  was  occupied  by  Joseph  John 
Gurney  in  various  religious  engagements,  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  principally  in  West  Chester, 
Dutchess,  Putnam  and  Columbia  Counties,  on  the 
East  of  the  Hudson,  and  in  Ulster  and  Orange 
Counties,  on  the  Western  side  of  that  river.  At 
Nine  Partners,  in  Dutchess  County,  he  visited  the 
public  boarding  school  under  the  care  of  New  York 
Yearly  Meeting.  He  describes  it  as  ''  a  very 
comfortable  place,  and  remarkably  well  managed; 
though  the  number  of  pupils  is  seldom  large."  At 
the  conclusion  of  his  labours  in  Dutchess  County, 
he  spent  part  of  a  day  at  West  Point,  on  the 
Hudson,  where  there  is  a  military  academy.  Whilst 
there,  in  the  prospect  of  holding  a  meeting  on  the 
ensuing  day,  he  gave  vent  to  his  feelings  in  the 
following  lines.  They  are  copied  from  his  Journal 
under  date  5tli  mo.,  16th:  — 

AN   evening's   rest   AT   WEST   POINT. 

The  pulse  of  life  stands  still — a  paiise  is  come — 

Though  mute,  its  meaning  cannot  be  denied : 

"  Cease  from  thyself,  and  commune  with  thy  God, 

The  Maker  and  the  Saviour  of  the  world." 

In  solemn  silence,  far  below  my  feet, 

Flows  on  the  wondrous  river ;  and  the  rocks 

On  either  side  impending,  clad  in  green, 

The  brightest  and  the  loveliest  blush  of  spring, 

Fling  their  dark-pointed  shadows — types  of  Him 

Whose  strength  immutable  and  fostering  care 

Invite  me  to  repose.     Behind  them  rise 

In  mutual  near  approach,  and  loftier  fur, 

Yet  not  so  lofty  as  to  mock  the  eye, 

The  mountain  peaks  and  domes  and  pyramids. 


^:t,  51.  evening's  rest  at  west  point.  175 

Waving  with  forest;  in  the  distant  north 

The  Katskill,  towering  high  above  them  all, 

Draws  her  pale  outline  on  the  azure  sky. 

The  mingled  foliage  of  the  sloping  woods 

That  mantle  the  deep  glen,  and  kiss  the  wave, 

What  brush  can  paint?     The  maple  filled  with  juice. 

The  oaks  of  various  leaf,  ehisell'd  and  glazed, 

And  the  light  willow  weeping  gracefully; 

The  sycamore,  and  poplar,  tulip  gemmed, 

And  blossomed  chesnut  of  the  darker  hue, 

Or  brighter  green  and  fiowerless,  elm  and  ash. 

Display,  in  all  the  fulness  of  their  charms. 

The  utmost  vigour  of  the  rising  year. 

Sloop  after  sloop  comes  dancing  o'er  the  wave, 

Each  sail  expanded  to  the  prosperous  breeze. 

Now  white  with  sunshine,  and  now  dark  with  shade, 

And  changed  from  form  to  form,  at  every  turn. 

Thought  roves  amid  these  scenes  unchecked,  and  the  young  town 

That  glistens  on  yon  green  and  distant  slope. 

Too  softly  slumbers  in  the  evening  beam 

To  indicate  "  the  busy  hum  of  men," 

Or  mar  the  peaceful  solitude  of  thought. 

Here  will  I  meditate,  unheard,  unseen. 

Not  joyless,  though  iu  tears;  and  breathe  my  prayer, 

Deep,  fervent,  frequent,  for  my  best  belov'd 

Whom  ocean  severs  from  their  pilgrim  sire. 

The  Journal  continues  :  — 

^th  mo.,  18iA.  Yesterday,  (at  West  Point,)  was  a  day  to 
lie  recorded  for  the  confirmation  of  my  faith.  Every  way  to 
a  meeting  seemed  closed.  The  commandant  refused  an 
interview  with  the  cadets ;  the  landlord  could  not  prepare  a 
room  at  the  hotel ;  my  friends  and  I  seemed  paralyzed.  I 
got  down  at  last  to  a  willingness  to  be  nothing,  and  invited  a 
few  individuals  to  sit  with  us  at  eight  o'clock  in  private. 
Without  notice  on  my  part,  we  had  JNIajor  Delafield  (tlje 
commandant)  himself,  several  of  the  professors,  about  thirty 
of  the  elder  cadets,  besides  the  episcopalian  clergyman  and 
others,  and  were 'favoured  with  an  excellent  meeting. 


17G  NEW    YORK;    NEW   JERSEY.  1839. 

Canterhury,  5th  mo.,  2ith.  The  public  meeting  here  last 
evening,  with  Friends,  Hicksites,  and  others,  amply  repaid 
for  much  labour  and  exercise,  and  was  a  crown  to  our  whole 
excursion.  I  have  now  been  favoured  to  make  a  pretty 
general  visit  in  Ferrisburg,  Saratoga,  (both  last  autumn,) 
AYestbury,  and  New  York,  Purchase,  Nine  Partners,  Stanford, 
and  Cornwall  Quarterly  Meetings,  all  in  this  Yearly  Meeting. 
We  propose  taking  steamboat  for  New  York  this  afternoon. 
May  the  Lord  continue  graciously  to  go  with  us,  protecting 
and  guiding  us  in  all  our  ways  !  On  the  retrospect  of  the  four 
weeks  since  leaving  Philadelphia,  my  health  better,  my  mind 
relieved,  I  feel  that  I  have  abundant  cause  for  gratitude  to 
the  Author  of  my  life,  and  for  renewed  and  more  entire 
dedication  to  his  service.     Be  it  so,  be  it  so,  saith  my  soul ! 

JVeiv  York,  6tk  mo.,  2nd.  I  have  now  to  commemorate, 
with  humble  gratitude,  one  of  the  most  open,  and  agreeable 
Y'early  Meetings  I  have  attended  in  America  which  ended  in 
great  solemnity  on  sixth  day  evening.  We  had  an  excellent 
discussion  on  slavery,  and  my  pamphlet  is  in  the  way  of 
satisfactory  circulation.  I  have  been  very  comfortably  united 
with  Daniel  Wheeler  and  T.  and  E.  Robson.  The  Yearly 
Meeting  has  been  large,  and  I  trust  the  state  of  the  society 
may  be  regarded  as  hopeful. 

JVew  York,  Qth  mo.,  12th.  Just  returned  from  an  excursion 
of  great  interest  in  New  Jersey.  Started  on  fourth  day  last, 
with  M.  Day,  and  arrived  at  Princeton  at  noon.  AVe  had  an 
excellent  public  meeting  that  night;  collegians,  professors,  &c., 
geijerally  present.  Sixth  day  to  New  Brunswick ;  meeting  there 
with  collegians,  &c.,  in  the  evening.  Seventh  day,  journey  (forty 
miles)  to  Shrewsbury;  much  oppression  and  indisposition  at 
night.  Wonderfully  helped  through  the  meetings  the  next 
day.  Came  to  New  Y'^ork  this  morning  in  time  to  attend  a 
large  meeting,  with  two  marriages.  To  Flushing  this  evening. 
I  have,  during  the  last  few  days,  been  passing  through  untold 
aTid  inexpressible  exercise  of  mind,  with  some  considerable 
oppression  of  body ;  but  have  been  most  graciously  helped 
through  the  meetings,  and  faith  has  been  renewed  from  season 
to  season  that  I  shall  be  carried  through. 


iET.  51.  TO    J.  AND    H.  C.  BACKHOUSE.  177 

0  Lord  !  give  me  more  faith,  more  strength,  more  unreserved 
submission,  more  of  the  patience  of  hope,  for  thy  mercy's 
sake,  and  for  thy  cause  sake,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.  Bless  and  keep  my  chiklren ;  and  permit  us,  if  it 
please  thee,  to  meet  in  peace ;  yea,  in  the  fulness  of  the 
blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

TO    J.  AND    II.  C.  BACKHOUSE. 

Samnel  Parsons',  Flushing,  6th  mo.,  15th,  1839. 

*  *  *  If  Christ  be  not  accepted  in  all  his  gracious  offices, 
and,  as  ability  is  afforded,  set  forth  in  the  same,  the  sure  con- 
sequence is  a  gradual  lapse  into  heresy — an  observation  which 
applies  with  equal  force  to  those  who  disregard  his  coming  in 
the  flesh  as  the  Revealer  of  truth,  and  the  Propitiation  for  sin, 
and  to  those  who  think  lightly,  and  dwell  very  cursorih', 
(if  at  all,)  on  his  appearing  in  the  heart,  by  his  Spirit.  It 
seems  impossible  that  anything  can  be  more  striking  than  the 
lessons  which  have  been  read  to  us,  on  both  these  points,  of 
late  seasons.  My  very  soul  is  penetrated  with  the  conviction 
of  the  excellence,  beauty,  and  perfection  of  pure  primitive 
Christianity  as  held  by  Friends.  The  evangelical  foundation  ; 
the  spiritual  superstructure ;  what  a  delightful  harmony  be- 
tween the  two ;  what  a  unity  in  the  glorious  whole  !  Who 
shall  dare  to  mar  it  either  by  diminution  or  addition  ? 

1  do  not  mean  that  the  whole  should  be  brought  forward 
in  every  sermon ;  but  the  whole  should  be  deeply  deposited  in 
the  mind  of  every  preacher  of  the  gospel,  and  be  brought 
forth  from  the  treasure  house  as  the  state  of  the  hearers 
may  require,  under  the  immediate  influences  of  the  Spirit  of 
Truth.  So  be  it  with  you,  and  with  me,  my  dearly  beloved 
fellow  workers  in  the  cause  of  Christ. 

Opposite  the  hospitable  abode,  at  Flushing,  where 
Joseph  John  Gurnej  was  now  staying,  stood  two- 
venerable  oaks,  under  which  George  Fox,  nearly 
two     hundred     years     before,     held     a     large     and 

Vol.  IL  — 12 


Its  MEETING    AT    FLUSHING.  1839. 

impres!<ive    meeting   with    the    inhabitants    of  Long 

ls!and.='= 

"  Under  these  oaks,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "  I  had 
long  believed  that  it  would  be  my  duty  to  hold  a  meeting, 
there  being  no  suitable  place  of  worship  in  the  village,  large  ' 
onough  to  accommodate  the  people.  It  was  now  the  middle 
of  tlie  sixth  month.  Notice  had  been  given  of  the  meeting 
to  be  hold  at  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  first  day,  and 
seats  had  been  provided  in  the  open  air  for  about  1000  people. 
The  day  was  Avindy  and  lowering  ;  and,  as  one  dark  cloud  after 
.•mother  moved  rapidly  across  the  sky,  I  could  not  but  feel 
considerable  anxiety.  My  powers  of  voice  also  appeared 
nearly  gone.  But  just  before  five  o'clock,  the  sky  cleared, 
the  wind  abated,  and  a  multitude  of  people  were  seen  flock- 
ing to  the  spot ;  large  numbers  of  the  upper  class,  and  many 
of  the  labouring  inhabitants  of  the  district,  including  the 
coloured  people,  and  Irish  Roman  Catholics.  The  mixed 
assembly  soon  settled  into  silence,  and  I  was  enabled  to  speak 
to  them  for  upwards  of  an  hour,  so  as  to  be  heard  by  all  pre- 
sent. We  were  reminded  that  God  is  'manifest  in  his  Son,' 
nnd  great  was  the  attention  which  prevailed  on  the  occasion. 
After  the  offering  of  prayer,  we  again  fell  into  silence  ;  and 
the  meeting  concluded  in  much  order  and  quietness.  It  was 
indeed  a  good  meeting.  George  Fox  might,  perhaps,  have 
applied  to  it  his  epithet  '  glorious.'  Immediately  afterwards 
a  slijiht  shower  fell,  which,  had  it  occurred  a  few  minutes 
sooner,  would  have  jobbed  the  meeting  of  its  best  and  most 
solemn  moments." 

He  now  left  the  neighbourhood  of  New  York, 
with  the  view  of  visiting  the  settlements  of 
Friends,  and    of  holding   meetings  with    the   people 

*See  Ceorge  Fox's  journal,  vol.  2.  p.  192,  edition  1709.  The 
precise  spot  is  not  indicated  in  the  journal,  but  the  remembrance  of 
it  has  been  preserved  by  a  local  tradition.  Since  J.  J.  Gurnev's 
visit,  one  of  these  oaks  h;LS  been  blown  down  by  a  violent  storm. 


^T.  51.  SING-SING    PRISON.  179 

at  large,  in  the  north-western  parts  of  the  State, 
and  in  Upper  Canada.  "  Sweet  and  solemn," 
he  observes  in  his  Journal,  "  are  the  feelings 
which  mark  the  commencement  of  this  new 
pilgrimage ;  very  much  like  those  on  leaving  Liver- 
pool. 0  Lord,  in  the  plenitude  of  thy  mercy  and 
of  thy  love,  undertake  for  me !" 

His  first  object  was  a  visit  to  Sing-Sing,  a  town 
on  the  enstern  banks  of  the  Hudson,  about  thirty 
miles  north  of  New  York,  where  he  was  desirous  of 
examining  the  state  penitentiary.  In  his  Journal 
he  briefly  records  the  result  of  his  observations. 

6th  mo.,  ISth.  We  have  thoroughly  inspected  the  prison 
this  morning ;  a  scene  of  wondrous  industry,  but  the  stimulus, 
alas !  is  that  of  the  whip,  in  the  arbitrary  hands  of  overseers 
or  underkeepers.  I  should  like  to  see  the  stimulus  of  a  share 
in  their  wages  tried  as  a  substitute.  The  prison  much  more 
than  pays  its  way.  Proportion  of  blacks  one  in  five.  A 
meeting  with  the  prisoners  is  appointed  for  this  afternoon. 

The  following  letter,  addressed  three  days  later, 
from  "the  Mountain-house,"  on  the  Hudson,  to  the 
Governor   of    the    prison,    more    fully   explains    his 

views :  — 

*  *  *  When  I  consider  how  much  there  is  of  what  is  de- 
sirable and  excellent  in  the  Institution,  especially  that  full 
and  constant  employment  of  the  prisoners  which  is  so  striking 
and  cheering  a  spectacle,  I  feel  the  more  solicitous  that  the 
system  should  be  carried  to  as  great  a  perfection  as  circum- 
stances will  admit,  and  be  divested  of  all  its  unfavourable 
features. 

Supposing  it  to  be  necessary,  with  very  hardened  offenders, 
and  on  very  particular  occasions,  to  make  use  of  the  cat, 
(which,  however,  I  doubt,)  it  must  surely  be  allowed  that  the 


l80  STATE    OF    NEW  YORK.  1839. 

frequent  use  of  it,  at  tlie  arbitrary  pleasure  of  tbe  overseer, 
or  underragent,  is  a  prodigious  evil,  liable  to  great  abuse.  I 
know  the  law  seems  to  allow  it,  but  the  law  might  easily  be 
altered  at  the  suggestion  of  those  interested  in  the  good 
management  of  the  prison.  The  more  I  reflect  on  this  sub- 
ject, the  more  I  deplore  this  mode  of  government,  which  can- 
not possibly  fail  still  further  to  harden  and  degrade  those  who 
are  subjected  to  it.  Taking  the  decrease  of  crime  to  be  the 
true  object  of  punishment,  the  reformation  of  the  criminal 
ought  surely  to  be  the  leading  tendency  of  every  system 
of  prison  discipline.  I  cannot  believe  that  there  is  any  such 
tendency  in  the  system  of  the  whip.  I  think  we  ought  to 
bear  on  the  better  parts  of  the  human  mind,  to  act  upon 
honourable  hope  rather  than  upon  terror  or  dread.  In  this 
point  of  view,  I  am  deliberately  of  the  judgment  that  the 
best  antidote  for  the  whip,  would  be  the  more  legitimate 
stimulus  of  wages.  The  giving  up  to  the  prisoners  of  a 
small  portion  of  their  wages,  would  leave  the  punishiuent  of 
imprisonment  and  hard  labour  quite  sufficiently  severe ;  and 
the  very  trifling  diminution  which  it  would  occasion  in  the 
profits  of  the  institution,  would  be  abundantly  repaid  by  its 
moral  effects.  Even  on  the  most  degraded  of  mankind,  no 
law  works  with  so  much  efficacy  as  the  law  of  Christian 
kindness,  grounded  on  real,  serious,  religious   principle.* 

Pursuing  his  journey,  he  now -spent  several  weeks 
amono;  the  numerous  little  settlements  of  Friends 
within  the  Quarterly  Meetings  of  Butternuts,  Scipio, 
and  Fannington,  in  the  north-western  counties  of 
tlie    State    of    New    York.     After     a    "  large    and 

*  Referring  to  the  suggestion  here  made,  Joseph  John  Guruey  re- 
marks several  years  later,  ''Whether  it  ha.s  been  acted  on  or  not  I 
(;annot  say;  but  I  am  glad  to  observe  the  following  passage  in  an  ab- 
stract of  the  message  of  the  Grovernor  of  the  State  addressed  to  the 
logislature  at  the  beginning  of  1841 : — 'The  discipline  of  the  prisons 
lias  undorgoijo  a  thorough  reform;  and  the  happiest  effects  arc 
anticipated  from  the  present  wise  and  phrlanthropio  system.'  " 


^BT.  51.  FENIMORE    COOPER.  181 

remarkable"  meeting  at  Butternuts,  in  Otsego 
county,  and  another  at  Burlington,  on  the  following 
morning,  he  came  to  Cooperstown,  the  county  town, 
situated  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  Otsego 
Lake,  where,  at  his  request,  a  meeting  of  th^ 
inhabitants,  was  appointed  to  be  held  that  evening. 

''  This  town,"  he  writes  in  one  of  his  letters,  "  derives  its 
name  from  the  late  Judge  Cooper,  whose  son  and  heir  occupies 
the  stone  mansion,  which,  although  of  no  great  antiquity,  here 
goes  by  the  name  of  the  Old  Hall.  I  called  upon  him  in 
company  with  our  guide,  who  had  long  been  acquainted  with 
the  family,  to  invite  him  to  our  meeting ;  and  we  afterwards 
found  that  he  had  broken  away  from  a  gay  party  in  order  to 
attend  it.  The  town  was  much  filled  on  this  day  with  judges 
and  lawyers ;  for  it  was  the  time  of  the  sessions,  and  the 
court  adjourned  at  an  earlier  hour  than  usual,  for  the  purpose 
of  affording  those  gentlemen  an  opportunity  of  attending  the 
Friends'  meetino-.  I  trust  that  their  oblisins;  behaviour  to  a 
stranger  was  not  useless  to  themselves.  The  cause  of 
Christianity  was  pleaded  on  the  occasion,  in  opposition  to 
some  of  those  insidious  forms  of  unbelief  which  are  not 
uncommon  in  America,  We  afterwards  found  that  a  highly 
gifted  lawyer,  who  entertained  these  sentiments,  formed  one  of 
the  party.  On  our  return  to  the  hotel,  I  found  our  friend 
J.  Fenimore  Cooper,  in  his  white  jacket,  ready  to  row  me  in 
his  little  boat,  that  I  might  examine  the  beauties  of  the  lake 
to  the  greatest  advantage.  I  was  pleased  with  the  opportunity 
of  his  company,  and  although  his  great  talents  have  been 
employed  in  a  direction  which  I  by  no  means  approve,  I  ought 
to  acknowledge  that  his  conversation  was  interesting  and 
instructive.  Yet  I  could  not  but  desire  that  the  strong  and 
well  informed  mind  of  this  man  of  genius,  might  be  brought 
under  that  sanctifying  influence  which  can  alone  enable  us  ta 
devote  all  our  faculties  to  the  welfare  of  our  fellow  men,  and 
the  glory  of  God." 


IS^  STATE   OF   NEW   YORK.  1889, 

At  Hamilton,  in  Madison  county,  "  the  seat  of 
one  of  the  principal  theological  seminaries  of  the 
Baptists,"  a  large  meeting  was  held  in  the  Baptist 
meeting-house  which  was  attended  by  the  Professors 
of  the  college,  and  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  of 
the  students. 

"  It  "was  an  interesting  audience,"  he  -writes,  "  and  onr 
Saviour's  words  were,  I  trust,  not  remembered  in  vain,  '  This 
is  life  eternal,  to  know  thee,  the  only  true  Gqd,  and  Jesus 
Christ  whom  thou  hast  sent.'  Before  leaving  the  place  next 
morning,  I  rode  up  to  the  college,  which  is  well  placed  on  a 
commanding  hill,  about  a  mile  from  the  town,  and  had  an 
interview,  in  the  chapel,  with  the  young  men  and  their 
teachers ;  the  elderly  president,  Dr.  Kendrick,  being  also 
present.  It  was  a  memorable  occasion,  during  which  many 
of  the  young  men  were  brought  into  great  tenderness  of 
feeling.  Several  of  them  were  about  to  engage  in  the  work 
of  the  missionary ;  nor  could  I  doubt  that  they  were  under 
the  preparing  hand  of  that  Saviour,  whose  name  they  were 
desirous  of  proclaiming  in  far  distant  lands.  Certain  it  is 
that  unless  He  sends  them  forth  to  their  field  of  labour,  and 
qualifies  them  for  their  work,  their  ardent  wishes  to  serve 
their  fellow  men  will  all  be  in  vain." 

After  various  engagements  of  a  similar  nature  at 
New  Hartford,  Clinton,  Westmoreland,  Utica,  and 
Rome  —  the  last  "a  handsome  busy  village,  destitute 
of  all  ancient  reminiscences,  but,  like  Utica,  teem- 
ing with  hope  fur  the  future ;"  he  writes  in  his 
Journal :  — 

NedT  Hector,  Tovihins  county,  7th  mo.,  l^th.  Reached 
Skaneateles  on  seventh  day ;  two  meetings  there  on  first  day. 
Second  day,  ride  by  the  side  of  the  lake ;  return  by  railroad 
i.0  Syracuse ;    good    public   meeting.       Third,  to  Auburn  by 


^T.  51.  HECTOE;    F.4RMINGT0N;    ROCHESTER.  183 

railroad;  memorable  time  with  650  prisoners ;  puullc  moetlT\^ 
in  the  evening.  Fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth  days,  meetings  nx, 
Scipio ;  all  remarkable  times,  the  last  especially  so.  Many 
visits  paid  to  families.  Last  evening,  an  excellent  public 
meeting  at  Aurora.  This  day  concluded  my  service  at  Scipio ; 
and  a  ride  of  thirty-five  miles  of  rare  beauty  in  parts,  round 
the  head  of  Lake  Cayuga,  and  by  Ithaca,  has  brought  us 
hither. 

Seneca  Falls,  1th  mo.,  16th.  [At  Hector]  we  had  two  open, 
searching  meetings,  morning  and  afternoon.  Yesterday,  a 
delightful  ride  with  a  company  of  Friends,  to  the  falls  of  the 
Tekennie,  a  mountain  stream,  which  has  forced  its  way 
through  wondrous  chasms  of  clay-slate,  into  Cayuga  lake; 
the  Fall  is  210  feet  high.  In  the  early  evening  to  Ithaca ; 
poorly  in  body,  and  much  discouraged  about  myself;  but, 
notwithstanding  this  state  of  things,  and  pouring  •  rain,  we 
had,  through  mercy,  a  large  and  good  meeting.  We  rose  at 
half-past  four  this  morning,  and  a  delightful  voyage  by  steam- 
boat, of  forty  miles  down  the  beautiful  Cayuga  lake,  brought 
us  within  three  miles  of  this  largo  village,  where  we  find 
ourselves  stopped  for  a  public  meeting. 

After  spending  a  few  days  among  the  Friends  in 
the  village,  of  Farmington,  and  in  the  adjacent 
district,  he  writes  in  his  Journal :  — 

Rochester,  first  day,  7th  mo.,  28th.  After  passing  through 
times  of  deep  discouragement,  I  find  myself  not  slain,  but 
alive  to  a  little  blessed  hope.  The  week  has  been  one  of 
great  and  varied  exercise  of  mind ;  rendered  the  more  difficult 
by  a  continued  measure  of  indisposition,  and  some  anxious 
thoughts  and  feelings  as  to  my  bodily  capacity  for  getting 
through  the  work  before  me.  Last  first  day,  at  Farmington  ; 
a  memorable  time;  two  large  overflowing  meetings  ;  that  in  the 
afternoon,  from  pressure  of  the  multitude,  held  in  the  Hicksitc 
meeting-house.  I  think  they  were  good  times ;  truth  being 
triumphant,  and  Christ  fully  preached.    • 


184  ROCHESTER.  1839 

"  In  the  city  of  Rochester,"  he  observes  in  one  of  his 
letters,  "  we  spent  two  clays,  including  the  first  day  of 
the  week,  in  the  midst  of  a  small  and  agreeable  society 
of  Friends.  The  Methodist  meeting-house  here  is  of  great 
size,  and  was  thi'onged  at  our  public  meeting  in  the  even- 
ing, by  an  orderly  but  promiscuous  multitude.  There 
are,  in  Rochester,  upwards  of  twenty  convenient  places  of 
worship,  affording  at  once  accommodation  for  the  whole 
population,  and  resistless  evidence  of  the  energy  of  the 
voluntary  system.  The  number  of  inhabitants  is  now  about 
20,000.  The  falls  of  the  picturesque  Genesee  river  are  very 
grand  and  striking,  and  afford  the  vast  water  power  M'hich  has 
produced  the  prosperity  of  the  city.  Thirty  years  ago,  this 
place  was  a  wilderness.  It  is  now  a  large  town  of  remarkable 
beauty  and  prosperity;  and  Avhat  it  will  be  thirty  years  hence, 
if  its  present  rate  of  progress  be  continued,  it  is  difficult  for 
any  one  to  conceive.  The  prospect  which  is  enjoyed  from 
Mount  Hope — a  Avooded  hill  two  miles  distant,  now  used  as 
the  public  cemetery — of  the  city  with  its  numerous  spires; 
of  the  Genesee,  winding  its  way  through  a  rich  valley  ;  and 
of  Lake  Ontario,  in  the  distance,  has  left  a  vivid  picture  on 
my  mind,  not  easily  to  be  effaced.  It  is  that  of  a  country 
richly  favoured  by  nature,  and  bursting  into  prosperity. 

"  Before  we  left  Rochester,  we  held  a  meeting  with  the 
prisoners  in  the  jail.  Amongst  them  was  William  L.  Mac- 
kenzie, one  of  the  restless  authors  of  the  late  rebellion  in 
Canada.  He  conducts  one  of  the  newspapers  at  Rochester ; 
and,  being;  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  had  been  condemned 
by  the  supreme  court  of  the  Union,  to  eighteen  months 
imprisonment,  for  the  breach  of  his  neutrality.  He  appeared 
an  acute  and  intelligent  person;,  .his  spacious  forehead 
betokening  the  great  mental  power  which  he  has  at  his  com- 
mand, either  for  good  or  evil.  I  could  by  no  means  approve  the 
exertions  which  were  then  making  for  his  deliverance  from  a  con- 
finement which  he  described  as  being  intensely  irksome  to  him." 

On  leaving  Rpchester,  Joseph  John  Gurney  w.as 
engaged    for    several    dnys    in    attending    the    few 


^1.  51-52.  TONAWANfA   INDIANS.  185 

scattered  meetings  of  Friends,  to  tlie  north  and 
east,  at  Elba,  Selby,  Hartland,  and  Somerset. 
From  Selby,  he  visited  the  neighbouring  settlement 
of  Tonawanta  Indians. 

TO    HIS    CHILDREN. 

Michael  Robsoivs,  Hartland,  8th  mo.,  Srd,  1839. 

Our  public  meeting  at  Selbj,  on  fifth  day  morning,  was  as 
large  as  we  could  expect,  considering  that  all  hands  are 
occupied  in  the  abundant  harvest.  We  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day  in  calls  upon  some  of  the  Friends, 
including  a  dying  widow,  who  was  quietly  anchored  in 
the  hope  and  faith  of  the  Christian.  Late  in  the  evening 
we  came  to  the  house  of  some  Friends  from  Yorkshire, 
who,  with  their  interesting  sons,  have  flourished  in  America, 
both  temporally  and  spiritually ;  but  they  have,  like  others,  to 
work  for  it  with  their  own  hands.  This  is  an  indispensable 
condition.  We  started,  after  an  early  breakfast,  yesterday 
morning  for  Tonawanta,  twelve  miles,  partly  through  a  vast 
wooded  swamp,  with  corderoy  roads,  for  about  tM'o  miles. 
Then  we  were  obliged  to  walk,  and  regaled  ourselves  as  we 
went  along,  with  wild  raspberries,  which  grow  there  in  great 
profusion.  The  swamp  is  gay  with  the  very  pretty  wild  rose 
of  this  country,  quite  a  noble  shrub ;  I  observed  one  bush 
thirty  feet  in  circumference. 

Two  Friends  had  preceded  us  the  evening  before,  to  prepare 
our  way ;  and  when  we  arrived  at  the  Indian  village,  we  found 
that  the  chief  had  held  a  council,  and  formally  agreed  to  their 
proposals  for  a  meeting ;  runners  being  sent  out  to  summon 
the  people.  The  reservation  is  ten  miles  in  length  and  two 
broad  ;  a  pretty  fertile  tract  of  country,  and  fairly  cultivated. 
The  Tonawanta  Indians  live  entirely  by  farming ;  and  we  saw 
many  fine  fields  of  wheat,  oats,  and  corn,  and  a  good  many 
beautiful  cows ;  but  their  habits  are  somewhat  indolent,  and 
nothing  under  their  hands  bespeaks  our  advanced  condition 
of  civilization.  Their  dwellings,  sometimes  log  and  sometimes 
frame,  (you   will    understand    the    difi"erence,  the    former    of 


186  TONAWANTA   INDIANS.  1839. 

unsawn  timber,  the  latter  of  boards,)  are  scattered  about 
over  the  lands,  which  they  hold  in  common,  not  in  severalty. 
They  are  far  superior  to  Irish  hovels,  and  more  cleanly 
than  I  expected.  Our  first  call  was  at  the  house  of  the 
"  Black  Chief,"  a  comfortable  abode  ;  a  large  vessel  in  which 
they  pound  the  Indian  corn  was  standing  at  his  door.  He 
was  absent,  but  his  squaw  and  her  family  looked  much  at 
their  case,  and  took  but  small  notice  of  us.  The  squaws 
glided  away  whenever  our  carriage  approached  them,  seeming 
quite  devoid  of  curiosity  and  averse  to  being  seen.  I  made 
entry,  however,  into  one  of  their  cottages,  and  quite  enjoyed 
nursing  a  noble  little  brown  baby,  which  one  of  them  had  in 
her  lap.  The  mother  and  grandmother  of  the  child  were 
there ;  cleanly,  and  of  fine  stature  and  features  ;  with  their 
lank,  black,  glossy  hair  neatly  bound  about  their  heads.  But 
few  of  these  can  speak  any  English.  We  then  drove  through 
a  picturesque  wood  to  the  peaceful  abode  of  the  Baptist 
missionary,  who,  on  the  edge  of  the  reservation,  (no  white 
man  is  allowed  to  settle  on  it,)  keeps  a  school  for  the  Indian 
children,  where  they  are  educated,  boarded,  and  clothed  at  the 
expense  of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society.  There  were  only 
fourteen  in  the  school,  but  during  the  winter  they  had  forty 
imder  their  care,  and  I  have  no  doubt  these  pious  people  have 
been  useful ;  though  the  effect  produced  is  far  from  being 
all  that  could  be  desired.  They  have  the  care  of  a  farm  of 
120  acres,  and  we  sat  down  with  them  and  their  labourers, 
including  some  well-behaved  Indians,  to  their  humble  fare. 
Nothing  drunk  by  these  hard  labourers  but  water ;  the  Indians 
working  at  a  dollar  a  day  in  harvest  time,  (the  same  rate  as 
the  whites,)  and  half  a  dollar  at  other  times.  At  ten 
o'clock  we  proceeded  to  the  missionary  meeting-house,  where 
they  had  agreed  to  hold  the  meeting.  It  was  a  curious  scene. 
Johnson,  (said  to  be  the  principal  chief  of  the  six  nations,)  the 
Black  Chief,  and  some  other  of  these  princes  of  the  earth 
were  there;  many  other  men;  and  a  company  of  squaws, 
neatly  attired  in  their  white  blankets,  thrown  somewhat 
gracefully  over  their  persons.  Most  of  the  men  were  dressed 
like  the  Americans  :  but  a  few  in  the  Indian  costume.     The 


^T.  52.  TONAWANTA    INDIANS.  187 

meeting  was  begun  by  a  handsome  young  chief,  who  spoke 
with  great  seriousness,  to  advise  the  people  (as  we  were  told) 
to  behave  with  due  attention  and  decorum.  Then  rose  the 
venerable  looking  Black  Chief,  a  swarthy  old  man,  to  com- 
municate the  decision  of  the  council,  and  to  give  us  their 
welcome.  Soon  afterwards  I  rose,  the  interpreter  standing 
beside  me,  and  was  enabled  to  preach  Christ  to  them,  I 
trust,  with  plainness ;  the  interpreter  translating  sentence  by 
sentence.  About  an  hour  w^as  thus  occupied ;  and  though  I 
felt  the  peculiar  difficulty  of  addressing  such  uncultivated 
beings,  yet  I  was  mercifully  helped  through,  and  the  meeting 
ended  comfortably.  Some  of  tliem  Avere  very  attentive,  and 
expressed  a  good  deal  of  pleasure  ;  but  the  general  demeanour 
was  on  a  par  with  the  unemphatic  monotonous  sound  of  their 
language ;  displaying  but  little  excitement  of  any  kind.  On 
the  Avhole,  I  left  them  with  rather  affecting  impressions,  with 
the  fear  that,  in  most  respects,  they  have  suffered  grievously 
from  their  association  with  those  who  call  themselves 
Christians. 

The  American  spirit-shops  on  the  very  borders  of  the 
settlement,  (they  seem  to  have  none  of  their  own,)  are 
sources  of  irreparable  injury;  and  now  there  is  every 
probability  that  they  will  be  cheated  out  of  their  reservation, 
and  driven  into  the  far  West.  Alas  !  for  the  treachery  and 
iniquity  of  our  species !  What  a  base  creature  is  man  without 
grace  !  I  heartily  wish  Friends  may  continue  their  attentions  to 
them,  as  they  have  the  highest  respect  for  the  "descendants  " 
of  William  Penn. 

After  visiting  Niagara,  Joseph  John  Gurney 
proceeded  to  Bufialo,  where  he  held  a  large  meeting 
in  one  of  the  principal  chapels.  It  is  here  that  the 
Erie  canal  joins  the  lake,  a  circumstance'  which 
gives  to  Buffalo  much  of  its  importance.  -  The  canal 
is  360  miles  in  length,  uniting  the  waters  of  Lake 
Erie    Avith    those    of  the    Hudson ;    and  was    formed 


188  UPPER  CANADA.       •  1839. 

under  the  auspices  of  the  late  De  Witt  Clinton, 
Governor  of  the  State  of  New  York.  This  extra- 
ordinary wOrk,  observes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "  may 
be  in  great  part  ascribed  to  the  unceasing  exertions 
of  two  excellent  Friends,  the  late  Thomas  Eddy 
and  John  Murray,  both  of  New  York.  It  is  found 
to  be  of  constantly  increasing  importance;  so  much 
so  that  the  present  width  of  the  canal  is  wholly 
insufficient  for  the  traffic  upon  it." 

Having  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of 
Friends  at  Lockport,  Joseph  John  Gurney  and 
his  companion  went  forward  on  their  journey 
towards  Upper  Canada.  The  rebellion  that  had 
recently  taken  place  in  that  province  had  left  the 
population  in  a  very  unsettled  state.  "In  con- 
sequence," says  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "  of  the 
premature  publication  of  Lord  Durham's  able 
report,  the  disaffected  party  had  adopted  his  name, 
and  were  availing  themselves  of  the  circumstance 
in  order  to  keep  up  a  continued  excitement.  The 
spirit  of  many,  on  both  sides,  appeared  lamentably 
bad ;  and  wherever  we  went  we  found  ourselves 
constrained  to  plead  for  the  cause  of  good  order 
and  Christian  moderation."  Taking  the  steamboat 
to  Hamilton,  at  the  western  extremity  of  Lake 
Ontario,  they  went  forward  a  distance  of  sixty  miles 
westward  to  Norwich,  "  a  fertile  country  district, 
pretty  well  cleared  and  cultivated,"  where  there  is 
a  numerous  settlement  of  Friends.  Thence,  by  way 
of  Toronto,  thej^  proceeded  to  Yonge  Street,  a 
journey  o&  130  miles,  where  the  Half-year's  meet- 
ing of  Friends  of  Upper  Canada  was  about  to 
assemble. 


^T.  52.  UPPER    CANADA.  189 

Branfford,  Sth  mo.,  22nd.  We  have  passed  a  good  time  at 
Norwich,  Two  large  meetings  on  first  day,  in  which  I  had 
to  proclaim  Christ  and  his  peaceable  reign  against  all  tumult 
and  factions.  I  afterwards  found  that  many  of  the  rebels 
were  present;  I  also  prayed  for  the  Queen.  Greatly  overdone 
at  night.  Second  and  third  days  spent  in  quiet  and  satisfactory 
family  visitins;.  Fourth  day,  another  larjre  meetino-;  and  a 
very  plain  address  to  Friends  on  several  practical  points, 
especially  education.  This  morning,  with  a  company  of 
Friends,  we  started  (three  wagon  loads)  on  our  journey  to 
Yonge  Street*;  and  are  now,  after  a  few  family  visits  by  the 
way,  stopping  at  a  quiet  tavern  here,  for  a  public  meeting  in 
the  evening. 

Second  day,  Sth  mo.,  2(jtJi.  I  am  favoured  this  morning, 
in  some  good  measure,  to  go  on  my  way  rejoicing ;  trusting 
in  the  Lord.  The  public  meeting  at  Brantford  last  fifth  day 
was  small,  but  passed  off  comfortably.  Seventh  day ;  delightful 
voyage  by  a  good  steamer  to  Toronto.  Arrived  about  noon,  at 
that  large,  and  not  very  thriving  town  of  10,000  inhabitants. 
Yesterday  was  rather  a  remarkable  Sabbath.  Our  company 
sat  down  together  in  the  morning  for  religious  worship,  to 
our  refreshment ;  then  a  call  on  Sir  George  Arthur,  the 
Governor ;  very  satisfactory  conversation  with  him,  and  a 
correction  of  some  misapprehensions  respecting  Friends.  At 
three  o'clock  a  large  public  meeting ;  very  attentive.  I  had  to 
unfold  the  constitution,  government,  and  laws  of  the  "  king- 
dom of  heaven,"  as  revealed  to  us  in  Scripture,  against  all 
factions,  broils,  and  contentions.  I  spent  the  evening 
pleasantly  with  the  Governor  and  his  family.  We  were 
favoured  with  a  solemn  Scripture  reading.  I  was  much 
pleased  with  their  simplicity. 

"At  Toronto,"  he  wi*ites  in  one  of  his  letters,  "I  was  glad 
to  form  an  acquaintance  with  Hiram  Wilson,  the  excellent 
agent  of  the  American  Anti-slavery  Society,  who  was  watch- 
ing over  the  interests  of  the  negroes  in  Canada.  About  100 
slaves  per  month  w'ere  at  that  time  making  their  escape  into 
this  land  of  freedom.     It  gave  me  pleasure    to    aid    him  in 


190  UPPER    CANADA.  1839 

promoting  the  formation  of  schools  for  the  Christian  edu- 
cation of  their  children.  The  Friends  of  New  York  Yearly 
Meeting  had  already  subscribed  a  considerable  sum  for  the 
furtherance  of  this  object. 

^  ^  ^  H:  it^  it: 

"  The  half  year's  meeting  [at  Yonge  Street]  was  held  in  a 
large  rustic  meeting  house ;  it  occupied  parts  of  three 
successive  days,  and  was  an  occasion  of  much  interest.  The 
sincere  and  simple  hearted  people  of  whom  it  was  composed, 
excited  my  regard  and  sympathy.  They  had  been  exposed  to 
many  troubles  during  the  late  political  exeitement.  An 
earnest  desire  appeared  to  prevail  that  the  members  of 
our  society,  throughout  the  province,  should  keep  clear  of  all 
the  jarring  and  tumults  of  political  parties ;  that  they  might 
'  study  to  be  quiet  and  mind  their  own  business.'  This 
indeed  was  already  their  general  habit ;  yet  every  one  felt 
that  it  was  a  day  of  temptation  and  difficulty.  Two  of  their 
young  men  had  been  thrown  into  jail  at  Hamilton,  and 
detained  there  for  sixteen  days  in  consequence  of  their  being 
unable,  on  conscientious  grounds,  to  serve  in  the  militia.  The 
subject  was  respectfully  urged  on  the  attention  of  Sir  George 
Arthur,  as  it  had  been  previously  on  that  of  Loi'd  Durham ; 
but  I  did  not  hear  the  result  of  either  application. 

"  The  attention  of  the  Friends,  at  this  meeting,  was  also 
closely  directed  to  the  subject  of  education ;  and  it  was 
determined  to  take  immediate  steps  towards  the  establishment 
of  a  boarding  school.  The  subscriptions  made  for  the  purpose, 
throughout  the  province,  were  aided  by  funds  from  New  York 
and  England ;  and  before  we  left  Canada,  an  excellent  house 
and  farm  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Ontario,  admirably  adapted 
for  a  manual  labour  boarding  school,  were  purchased  for  the 
purpose."  ' 

In  his  Journal,  after  recording  a  few  details  of 
his  engagements  at  Y'^onge  Street  and  the  neigh- 
bourhood, he  concludes:  — 

9th  mo.,  1st.  *  *  *  0   thou   most   gracious   preserver  of 


XT.  52.  UPPER    CANADA.  191 

men,  be  pleased  to  keep  me  in  perfect  safety,  both  of  body 
and  soul,  as  in  the  hollow  of  thy  hand ;  and  let  me  not  move 
a  single  step  out  of  thy  pure  wisdom,  I  humbly  beseech  thee. 
Enable  me  to  maintain  my  integrity  through  good  report  and 
evil  report.  Let  my  "vvords  and  ■works  be  all  of  thee,  and 
therefore  all  thine ;  and  for  a  purpose  of  thy  own  glory. 
Let  my  robes  be  washed  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  ; 
calm  my  natural  irritability ;  allay  and  subdue  my  fears ; 
renew,  confirm,  and  increase  my  faith.  Let  me  ever  realize 
thy  power,  thy  love,  thy  presence ;  let  me  live,  and  walk, 
and  rest  in  Jesus ;  restore  me  in  due  season,  I  humbly 
pray  thee,  if  it  seem  good  in  thy  sight,  to  my  family  and 
friends.  Give  more  abundant  grace  to  my  precious  children  ; 
guide  us  all  by  thy  counsel ;  and  afterwards  receive  us  into 
thy  glory,  for  Christ's  sake,  Amen. 

After  some  weeks  of  diligent  exertion,  Joseph 
John  Gurney  completed  his  labours  in  Upper 
Canada ;  and,  crossing  Lake  Ontario,  spent  a  few 
days,  previously  to  returning  southwards,  at 
Oswego,  in  the  State  of  New  York.  Whilst  here 
he  writes  in  his  Journal:  — 

9th  mo.,  29t7i.  [I  have  been]  much  occupied  by  finishing 
two  important  documents.  First,  an  epistle  to  Friends  of 
Michigan.  I  hope  and  believe  I  had  a  little  of  the  true 
unction  in  preparing  this  document ;  but  it  has  cost  me  some 
close  exercise  of  mind.*  Secondly,  long  letter  or  report  to  Sir 
George  Arthur,  respecting  various  points  in  Upper  Canada. 
We  had  hoped  to  sail  for  Sackett's  harbour,  with  a  view  to 
Friends  at  Le  Ray  on  fifth  day ;  but  have  been  impeded  by 
the  continued  rough  and  stormy  weather,  together  with  an 
apprehension  that  my  service  was  not  complete  in  this  place. 

*  The  object  of  this  Epistle  was  to  point  out  the  scriptural 
accuracy  and  practical  importance  of  the  views  of  Friends,  especially 
on  worship  and  the  ministry;  and  their  accordance,  and  necessary 
connexion,  with  tlicf  fundamental  truths  of  the  Gospel. 


102  KEW  YOEK  ;    PHILADELPHIA.  1839 

The  mournful  news  has  here  reached  me  of  the  unexpected 
death  of  my  long  loved  and  truly  faithful  and  loving  friend, 
Sarah  Buxton.  Oh  how  I  feel  for  dear  Anna  Gurney  !  And 
it  is  a  true  afBiction  to  myself.  Would  that  there  were  less  of 
selfishness  in  my  sorrow ! 

He  Avas  now  looking  forward  to  the  prospect  of 
spending  the  winter  in  the  West  Indies,  for  which 
purpose  he  expected  to  sail  from  New  York  in  the 
11th  month.  The  intervening  time  was  principally 
occupied  in  various  engagements  in  the  neiglibour- 
hood  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  and  in 
attending,  for  a  second  time,  the  Yearly  Meeting 
at    Baltimore :  — 

Albany,  IQth  mo.,  1st.  We  are  here  at  the  Temperance 
house,  after  a  fine  journey  through  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk; 
my  friend  Dr.  Sprague  being  absent.  I  called  on  his  dear 
children;  and  felt  happy  in  the  house  of  "the  good  man," 
though  its  master  was  away.  I  have  been  tried  a  good  deal 
during  the  day  with  doubts  and  fears,  lest  I  should  in  any 
way  have  unduly  turned  my  back  on  the  Lord's  work.  But 
this  evening  I  am  at  rest,  in  the  renewed,  humble,  and  con- 
soling belief  that  all  is  well. 

New  York,  10th  mo.,  1th.  On  sixth  day,  down  the  Hudson, 
to  this  city,  where,  in  the  house  [of  my  faithful  companion] 
Henry  Hinsdale,  our  cup  of  peace  overflowed.  Yesterday 
was  deeply  interesting ;  two  good  meetings  ;  between  them 
read  my  Michigan  Letter  to  Richard  and  Anne  Mott,  to  their 
entire  satisfaction ;  after  the  afternoon  meeting,  a  precious 
time  in  William  Waring's  family  in  the  sweet  recollection  of 
dear  Sarah  Waring ;  and  after  tea  at  E.  Coggeshall's,  a  time 
of  prayer  and  intimate  intercourse,  never  to  be  forgotten, 
with  her,  Richard  Mott,  and  Samuel  Parsons.  It  was  a  most 
Bweet  and  confirming  taste  of  heavenly  things. 

* 

On    the    steam    boat    in    goinsf  from  New  York  to 


^T.  52.  BALTIMORE   YEARLY   MEETING.  193 

Philadelpliia,  he  again  met  with  Martin  Van  Buren, 
the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"He  kindlj  recognized  me,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney, 
"  and  I  was  glad  of  the  opportunity  of  conversing  with  him  on 
a  variety  of  interesting  topics.  He  fully  agreed  in  my  view 
of  the  importance  of  the  daily  use  of  the  Bible  in  the  common 
schools,  as  well  as  on  the  subject  of  mildness  in  prison 
discipline;  listened  with  pleasure  to  a  description  which  I 
gave  him,  (in  answer  to  his  inquiries,)  of  Wilberforce  and 
Buxton,  and  spoke  with  feeling  on  the  subject  of  the  African 
slave  trade.  He  allowed  me,  at  the  same  time,  to  press  upon 
him  the  claims  of  the  afflicted  slaves.  When  the  voluntary 
system  in  religion  was  mentioned,  he  justly  observed  that  '  no 
other  system  was  possible  in  America.'  He  was  without 
any  attendant  except  his  son  ;  but  neither  the  simplicity  of 
his  mode  of  travelling  nor  that  of  his  manners,  interfered  with 
his  mamtaining  a  certain  dignified  demeanour  corresponding 
with  his  station.  On  parting,  I  presented  him  with  the 
daily  text  book,  published  by  my  sister  Elizabeth  Fry.  He 
was  well  acquainted  with  her  character  and  objects,  and^ 
received  the  gift  with  the  easy  politeness  for  which  he  is 
Bo  remarkable." 

Referring  to  his  attendance  of  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing at  Baltimore,  he  writes  in  his  Journal :  — 

11th  mo.,  9th.  [From]  second  day  (the  28th  ult.,)  to 
fifth  day  inclusive,  the  Yearly  Meeting;  a  really  good  time. 
My  returning  certificate  passed  in  the  meeting  of  ministers  and 
elders  with  full  unity.  Meeting  for  worship  on  fourth  day ; 
a  very  open  time ;  the  doctrine  of  the  supper  fully  developed. 
Meetings  interspersed  with  good  visits  to  Friends,  and  on  the 
whole  I  had  ample  cause  for  believing  that  I  had  been  again 
favoured  to  find  my  right  place. 

"As  I  continued,"  he  remarks  in  one  of  his  lettei'S,  "  tc 
Vol.  II.  — 13 


194  BALTIMORE.  1839. 

feel  a  lively  interest  in  the  welfare  of  tlie  Hicksite  commu- 
nity in  those  parts,  and  could  not  obtain  the  use  of  the 
luceting-house  which  thev  occupy,  for  the  purpose  of  a  public 
meeting  with  them,  I  thought  it  right  to  spend  a  day  or  two, 
during  this  visit  to  Baltimore,  in  writing  a  Christian  address 
to  that  body.  ^ly  object  Avas  to  explain  to  the  young  people 
and  others,  the  difference  of  sentiment,  on  points  of  the 
most  fundamental  character,  which  subsists  between  their 
leaders  and  the  Society  of  Friends ;  and  to  call  upon  them  to 
accept  the  Saviour  of  men  in  all  his  gracious  offices :  showing 
them,  that  it  is  by  faith  in  him  that  we  obtain  the  glorious 
gift  of  everlasting  life.  This  address  was  approved  by  the 
Friends,  printed,  and  extensively  circulated ;  and  I  venture  to 
entertain  the  hope,  that  it  has  been  blessed  lo  some  at 
Baltimore,  and  in  other  parts  of  the  country.  Sure  I  am 
that  it  was  written  under  feelings  of  Christian  affection, 
and  with  a  hearty  desire  for  their  spiritual  and  eternal 
v;  elf  arc. 


^T.  52.  DEPARTUEE   FOR   THE   WEST   INDIES.  196 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

1839—40.     ^T.  52. 

DErARTDRE  FROM  NEW  YORK;  VOYAGE;  ARRIVAL  AT  SANTA  CRUZ; 
ST,  THOMAS;  TORTOLA;  ST.  CHRISTOPHERS  ;  ANTIGUA;  DOMINICA; 
LETTER  FROM  THOMAS  FOWELL  BUXTON;  JAMAICA;  RESULT  OP 
INVESTIGATIONS  ;  ADDRESS  TO  THE  PLANTERS  ;  HAVANA  J  RETURN 
TO   AMERICA. 

Accompanied  by  his  friend  Mahlon  Day  of  New 
York,  Joseph  John  Gurney  sailed  from  that  city, 
in  the  Camilla,  for  Santa  Cruz,  on  the  22nd  of  the 
11th  month.  So  many  of  the  details  of  this  voyage 
and  of  his  visit  to  the  West  India  Islands,  are  given 
in  the  volume  which  he  subsequently  published,* 
that  it  seems  unnecessary  to  add  much  to  the 
comparatively  brief  outline  contained  in  his 
Journal, 

11^^  mo.,  22nd.  Under  a  bright  sun,  -with  a  favourable 
breeze,  and  with  peace  and  ease  of  mind,  we  sailed  about  ten 
o'clock,  and  have  since  quite  enjoyed  the  day.  The  scenery 
of  the  Bay,  and  in  passing  through  the  Narrows,  beautiful ; 
then  the  highlands  of  Jersey ;  and  now,  the  sun  having  just 
set  in  splendour,  we  are  fairly  at  sea,  out  of  sight  of  land. 

Many  warm  and  dear  friends  have  I  left  in  America,  but 
have  no  feeling  on  my  mind,  of  having  permanently  parted 

*  See  Winter  in  the  West  Indies. 


19i6  VOYAGE  TO  THE  1839. 

from  them,  thougli  for  the  present,  my  service  there  is 
closed. 

With  regard  to  the  objects  now  in  view,  there  are  three, 
which  severally  in  their  distinct  degrees,  and  very  fully  in 
their  combination,  seem  to  justify  the  devotion  of  the  coming 
winter,  to  these  "Isles  afar  off."  The  first  is  health  —  for  I 
believe  it  is  desirable,  if  not  needful  for  me,  to  avoid  another 
winter  in  North  America.  Secondly — slavery,  a  view  for 
myself  of  the  working  of  emancipation,  with  the  design  of 
subsequently  reporting  it ;  and,  I  hope  that  there  will  therein 
be  a  full  answer  to  my  dear  sister  Frj'^'s  prayer,  that  my 
mission  might  be  blessed  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  as  well  aa  to 
that  of  religion.  Thirdly,  and  above  all,  the  gospel  mission. 
May  it  please  the  Lord  to  preserve  me  in  safety,  and  to  bless 
the  mission  to  all  these  objects  !  I  have  earnestly  prayed, 
that  he  would  be  pleased  to  deliver  me  from  all  fears,  and 
from  all  cares.  It  is  indeed  an  affecting  farther  recession 
from  home,  and  from  my  children  and  family  circle.  I  have 
heartily  committed  them  and  all  my  concerns  to  the  Lord. 
Deeply  and  inexpressibly  unworthy  as  I  am,  I  now  and  then 
catch  a  glimpse  of  glory  to  come.  The  truth  of  these  pros- 
pects is  wonderfully  confirmed  to  my  mind,  by  the  realizing 
of  the  touches  of  his  holy  hand  in  this  pilgrimage.  I  can 
and  do  pray,  that  he  will  permit  and  enable  me  to  bring  the 
whole  of  this  transatlantic  mission  to  a  sound  and  satisfactory 
conclusion.  Hitherto  he  has  wonderfully  helped  and  guided 
me.     I  must  not,  will  not,  distrust  him. 

12th  mo.y  Ist.  We  have  sped  along  finely  on  our  voyage, 
having  been  favoured  with  an  uninterrupted  fair  wund,  being 
now  in  22  deg.  north  latitude,  enjoying  a  delightful  trade 
wind;  the  sky  clear,  the  sea  quiet,  and  the  temperature  deli- 
cious. It  is  cause  for  true  thankfulness  that  we  have  been 
permitted  to  hold  our  meetings  to-day  to  our  comfort.  That 
in  the  cabin  this  morning,  with  our  whole  company  of  pas- 
sengers., very  satisfactory  and  relieving  to  me.  Then  with  the 
sailors ;  and,  in  the  afternoon.  Scripture  reading,  &c.,  on  deck. 
This  evening  has  been  one  of  quiet  leisure.  I  hope  a  degreo 
of  thankfulness  clothes  my  spirit.     The  Lord  be  praised  ! 


^T.  62.  WEST   INDIES.  197 


TO    HIS    CHILDREN. 

12th  mo.,  Srd.  At  sea ;  on  board  the  Camilla.  We  are 
moving  along  very  slowly  this  morning,  perhaps  at  the  rate 
of  two  miles  per  hour ;  the  weather  delicious ;  but  our  ex- 
pectations of  seeing  land  have  not  been  realized ;  I  question 
■whether  they  will  be  before  to-morrow  or  next  day.  I  trust 
it  is  in  the  ordering  of  a  gracious  Providence  that  I  am  now 
enjoying  a  delightful,  settled  summer,  instead  of  the  capricious 
beginnings  of  a  North  American  winter.  May  we  be  enabled 
entirely  and  unfeignedly  to  put  our  trust  in  the  "  Shepherd 
of  Israel !"  I  rose  between  four  and  five  this  morning, 
being  called  by  the  captain  to  take  a  view  of  "  the  Cross," 
the  favourite  constellation  of  the  southern  hemisphere.  The 
sight  which  I  obtained  of  it,  before  a  cloud  obscured  it,  was 
too  transient  to  allow  of  my  saying  much  for  its  beauty ;  but 
the  four  stars  of  which  it  is  composed  were  not  very  striking 
to  my  eye.  I  enjoyed  a  finer  spectacle  when  I  turned  towards 
the  east ;  the  almost  expiring  Moon,  Venus,  and  Mars,  were 
in  all  their  splendour;  and  the  profusion  of  azure,  lilac,  ultra- 
max'ine,  pea-green,  orange,  and  crimson,  which  mantled  the 
sky  about  half  an  hour  before  sunrise,  I  certainly  never  saw 
equalled.  One  of  our  sailors  displayed  symptoms  yesterday 
both  of  thievishness  and  mutiny,  and  after  a  pretty  violent 
conflict,  was  tied  up  to  be  flogged.  The  execution  of  the 
sentence,  at  our  intercession,  was  remitted ;  and  the  spirited 
conduct  of  the  captain,  ending  with  an  act  of  clemency, 
seems  to  have  worked  well. 

Fourth  day  afternoon,  12th  mo.,  4th.  About  noon  yesterday 
we  caught  our  first  sight  of  land,  viz.,  of  the  Virgin  Gorda, 
a  rocky  island,  of  two  cones,  of  considerable  elevation,  unin- 
habited, and  like  the  rest  of  the  Virgin  Islands,  evidently  of 
volcanic  origin.  Soon  after,  Tortola,  St.  John's,  and  St. 
Thomas,  came  into  view,  but  at  a  great  distance.  The  first 
sight  of  the  West  Indies  could  not  fail  to  be  very  interesting 
to  my  feelings.  In  the  afternoon  we  were  entertained  by  the 
appearance  of  a  "  sea  lawyer,"  i.e.,  a  shark  of  noble  dimensions, 


1@S  SANTA  CRUZ.  1839. 

which  followed  the  vessel  for  a  long  time ;  the  first  I  ever 
saw ;  his  broad  head,  agile  body,  and  flapping  green  fins, 
were  quite  a  spectacle ;  and  I  saw  his  little  myrmidon  fishes 
which  accompanied  him  on  his  journey  ;  little  blue  creatures, 
striped  with  pink.  Various  attempts  were  made  to  entrap 
him ;  but  though  evidently  attracted  by  the  bait,  he  seemed  to 
have  a  perfect  notion  of  the  hook  within,  and  refused  to  be 
caught.  It  is  his  known  discernment  and  cunning  that  have 
imparted  to  him  the  name  of  Lawyer.  The  scene  on  early 
rising  this  morning  was  lovely ;  the  sky  was  again  gloriously 
adorned,  and  the  southern  Cross,  which  I  found  I  "had  not 
truly  seen  before,  shone  forth  beautifully ;  four  stars  thus 
arranged  *  ^  *.  The  islands  of  Virgin  Gorda,  Tortola,  St. 
John's,  and  St.  Thomas,  with  their  peaked  volcanic  tops  full 
in  sight,  at  the  distance  of  about  tvv^enty  miles ;  the  extreme 
clearness  of  the  atmosphere  producing  an  apparent  nearness. 
They  were  seen  in  the  west.  In  the  far  distant  east  were  just 
discernible  the  lofty  mountains  of  Porto  Rico,  where,  alas ! 
slavery  exists  in  its  worst  form. 

Sixth  day  l'2tJi  mo.,  6th.  We  have  just  landed  at  the 
little  town  of  West  End,  Santa  Cruz,  two  weeks  from  the 
time  of  weighing  anchor  at  New  York.  The  approach  to 
this  beautiful  island  was  singularly  interesting ;  fine  conical 
hills  and  mountains  cultivated  to  their  tops,  partly  red  where 
the  hoe  had  been  at  work,  and  partly  bright  green  with  the 
sugar  canes.  Cocoa  nut  trees,  with  their  strange  looking  but 
elegant  deciduous  branches  scattered  over  the  scene.  Neat 
settlements  of  the  planters  visible  in  different  places,  consist- 
ing of  a  handsome  dwelling,  a  mill  for  grinding  the  canes, 
sugar  boiling  houses,  and  neat-looking  negro  huts  in  the  dis- 
tance. I  have  made  several  sketches  on  board  ship,  and  fear  I 
shall  fill  my  sketch-books  somewhat  too  rapidly.  We  have 
obtained  excellent  accommodation  at  Rebecca  Rogers'  boarding- 
house,  where  our  dear  friend  Mary  Parsons  died  last  year, 
nnd  are  greeted  on  our  arrival  by  Samuel  Parsons,  jun.,  who 
is  here  on  business ;  he  intends  sailing  to-night  for  New  York, 
which  affords  an  excellent  opportunity  for  my  sending  this 
despatch. 


;ET.  52.  SANTA    CRUZ.  1*9^ 

Santa  Cruz,  it  will  be  recollected,  is  one  of  tlio 
islands  belonging  to  Denmark.  "The  slaves." 
remarks  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  the  volume  above 
alluded  to,  "form  about  four-fifths  of  the  popula- 
tion, and  are  in  number  about  19,000.  Time  was, 
when  the  treatment  to  which  they  were  exposed 
was  harsh  and  severe ;  and  then  their  numbers 
were  constantly  declining.  Of  late  years,  however, 
the  Danish  government  has  instituted  various  re- 
strictions which  have  ameliorated  the  condition  of 
the  slaves.  *  *  *  [Yet]  the  degradation  occasioned 
by  slavery  in  the  Danish  islands — the  low  physical, 
intellectual,  and  moral  condition  of  the  slaves,  as 
compared  with  those  of  the  liberated  negroes  of  the 
British  islands,  is  obvious  and  unquestionable." 

Santa  Oruz,  12th  mo.,  8tJi.  We  have  been  holding  a  good 
meeting  in  the  airy  hall  of  our  lodgings,  this  morning ;  about 
forty  present;  there  seemed  rather  an  unusual  opening  for 
service  among  them.  The  black  servants  of  the  house  pre- 
sent, and  the  boarders  from  some  other  houses.  I  must,  with 
all  gratitude,  acknowledge  that  I  feel  no  inconsiderable  com- 
fort and  happiness  in  being  here  ;  wonderfully  divested  of 
anxiety,  and  enjoying  the  indescribably  balmy  breezes.  There 
is  a  fanning  of  the  nerves  in  it,  which  is  certainly  very 
pleasurable ;  but  I  humbly  trust,  that  the  sources  of  my 
happiness  lie  deeper.  My  companions,  in  their  respective 
places,  are  truly  valuable.  I  think  I  could  not  be  better 
suited  than  by  Mahlon  Day,  a  friend  and  brother  indeed. 

12th  mo.,  11th.  We  held  good  and  relieving  meetings  on 
first  day;  at  our  own  quarters  in  the  morning;  and  at 
Elizabeth  Boyle's  in  the  afternoon.  In  the  evening  read  the 
Scriptures  at  Captain  Godwin's.  We  had  obtained,  as  we 
supposed,  the  sanction  of  the  Judge  (Anderson)  for  these  com- 
paratively private  rehgious  services.  But  the  next  day  great 
difficulties  were  made  about  them  by  the  pohce ;  and  a  formal 


200  SANTA  CRUZ.  1839. 

order  sent  to  each  of  the  boarding  houses  to  prevent  them. 
This  was  very  trying  to  my  feelings,  but  I  could  not  accuse 
myself  of  having  acted  otherwise  than  prudently.  Yesterday, 
we  went  to  Bassin,  the  other  end  of  the  island — a  fine  drive  ; 
and  were  introduced  by  our  friend  David  Rogers,  the  American 
consul,  to  Governor  Sobotker,  who  received  us  civilly ;  but  after 
expressing  that  he  had  no  objection  to  our  meetings  at  the 
boarding  houses,  subsequently  confirmed  the  Judge's  order ; 
so  that  our  way  is  so  far  hedged  up,  but  some  opening  seems 
to  arise  for  our  using  the  Episcopalian  chapel. 

12th  mo.,  19th.  Last  first  day  was  one  of  much  quietness ; 
and  we  have  since  formed  several  interesting  Christian  ac- 
quaintances. Our  proposal  for  holding-  public  meetings  is 
acceded  to  by  the  Government,  and  we  look  to  next  first  day 
for  the  accomplishment  of  the  object.  I  feel  the  weight  of  it 
very  much.  May  we  be  graciously  helped  through !  Last 
evening  I  attended  a  religious  meeting  held  by  Luccock  with 
Sabbath-school  teachers.  It  was  large.  I  spoke  freely  on 
several  points,  especially  "waiting;"  and  prayed  at  the  con- 
clusion of  the  meeting.     This  was  much  to  my  relief. 

12th  mo.,  29th.  It  is  not  easy  or  familiar  work  to  be 
engaged,  as  I  now  am,  in  these  tropical  regions ;  and  I  some- 
times feel  my  total  separation  from  all  my  friends  more  than 
a  little.  Yet  I  have  great  cause  for  thankfulness  that  my 
way  has  hitherto  been  graciously  made,  and  that  we  are 
favoured  with  the  rich  blessing  of  health.  Last  first  day,  the 
22nd,  we  held  large  meetings  at  "West  End  and  Bassin,  and 
afterwards  enjoyed  some  very  pleasant  intercourse  with  our 
friends  on  the  island,  especially  with  the  many  kind  and 
zealous  ones  in  the  neighbourhood  of  West  End.  Our  parting 
seemed  without  a  cloud. 

After  a  visit  of  nearly  three  weeks,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  left  Santa  Cruz,  and  proceeded  to  St. 
Thomas,  an  island  which  also  belongs  to  the 
crown  of  Denmark.  .  ♦ 


Ml.  52.  ST.  THOMAS;    TORTOLA.  201 

St.  Thomas,  12th  mo.,  29th.  We  left  West  End  on  fourtli 
(lay,  25th,  in  a  schooner  for  this  place,  where  we  arrived  on 
fifth  day  morning.  The  beauty  of  the  scenery  here  is  great, 
but  commerce  and  pleasure  seem  to  engross  and  absorb  the 
population  of  this  emporium  of  the  West  Indies.  We  have 
been  kindly  treated  by  Edward  Simmons  and  his  family, 
from  Philadelphia  ;  and  have  enjoyed  some  pleasant  hours  with 
them,  including  his  son-in-law,  Frederick  Peniston,  and  his 
wife.  Abraham  Lebagh,  the  Dutch  Reform  minister,  has  been 
very  obliging,  and  lends  us  his  place  of  worship  for  our  public 
meeting,  giving  up  his  own  service  for  it.  Thus  our  way  is 
again  open.  0  that  grace  and  power  may  be  given  to  me,  to 
make  known  the  everlasting  riches  which  are  in  Christ,  for  the 
benefit  of  some  immortal  souls  ! 

Referring  to  Tortola,  the  island  next  visited,  he 
remarks,  '^  we. could  not  but  feel  an  intense  interest 
in  making  our  first  visit  to  a  British  island,  peopled 
with  emancipated  negroes.  Oat  of  a  population  of 
nearly  five  thousand  there  are  scarcely  more  than 
two  hundred  white  persons ;  but  we  heard  of  no 
inconvenience  arising  from  this  disparity." 

Tortola,  \st  mo.,  5th,  1840.  Again  I  have  to  record  many 
mercies.  Our  meeting  at  St.  Thomas',  on  first  day,  was  held 
to  our  satisfaction,  and  apparently  to  that  of  the  people.  On 
third  day  we  set  sail,  from  that  island,  and  reached  this  port 
on  fourth  day  morning  to  breakfast.  We  have  spent  an 
uncommonly  pleasant  and  interesting  time  here,  having  been 
warmly  received  by  our  friends  Isaac  Thomas,  William  Rogers, 
Judge  Wigley,  Dr.  Dyett,  Dr.  Stovo,  R.  V.  Shew,  J.  Dubois, 
and  many  others,  including  Drummond  Hay,  the  young 
president.  We  have  ridden  about  this  romantic  island  in 
every  direction,  and  have  enjoyed  the  high  pleasure  of  finding 
the  cause  of  free  labour  going  on  well,  without  a  single  com- 
plaint.    The  evidence  of  this  fact  has  poured  in  upon  us. 

To-day  we  have  been  blessed  with  excellent  meetings.     In 


202  TORTOLA ;    ST.  CHRISTOPHER'S.  1840. 

the  morning  at  the  Methodist  chapel;  large  attendance  of 
black  labourers,  all  well  dressed  ;  the  gentry  also  there.  This 
afternoon  at  the  African  settlement,  under  a  tamarind  tree, 
■we  met  a  community  of  free  Africans,  taken  out  of  slave-ships : 
a  most  willing-hearted  and  attentive  audience,  200  or  300. 
Thus  we  have  abundant  cause  for  thankfulness,  and  I  feel 
much  relieved,  and  favoured  with  sweet  peace. 

In  the  volume  above  noticed,  he  observes :  — 

Tortola  was  once  the  seat  of  a  little  society  of  Friends,  and 
one  of  our  most  eminent  travelling  ministers  of  former  days, 
Thomas  Chalkley,  found  there  a  field  of  labour,  and  a  grave. 
There  are  no  members  of  the  Society  now  on  the  Island,  but 
there  is  a  small  community  of  black  people  settled  as  tenants 
in  common,  on  an  estate  ,once  belonging  to  Samuel  and  Mary 
Nottingham,  Quakers  of  high  character.  About  sixty  years 
ago  they  liberated  their  slaves  from  conscientious  motives,  and 
gave  them  their  estate  at  Longlook,  on  the  eastern  coast. 
A  letter  of  Christian  advice,  addressed  to  their  predecessors, 
by  these  pious  persons,  then  living  at  Bristol,  is  still  cherished 
by  the  Negroes  on  the  property,  about  sixty  in  number,  and 
held  as  a  sort  of  title-deed  to  the  estate.*  We  had  great 
pleasure  in  visiting  them.  Their  land  is  on  the  brow  of  a 
mountain,  and  a  considerable  part  of  it  is  well  cultivated 
with  yams  and  other  vegetables.  We  held  a  religious  meeting 
with  them,  in  the  largest  of  their  cottages,  and  were  entirely 
satisfied  with  their  respectable  appearance  and  behaviour. 

Having  pursued  their  voyage  to  St.  Christopher's, 
Joseph  John  Gurney  writes  :  — 

Second  day,  Ist  mo.,  12>th.  We  arrived  safely  at  St.  Kitts 
on  sixth  day  morning,  after  a  noble  sail  by  Anguilla,  St.  Mar- 

*  See  a  copy  of  this  letter  in  the  Appendix,  at  pp.  233,  234,  of 
the  Winter  in  the  West  Indies, 


MT.  52.  ST.  Christopher's.  "  S@S 

tin's,  Saba,  St.  Bartholomew's,  St.  Eastatia.  The  approach  to 
St.  Kitts  magnificent ;  the  Monkey  Mountain,  3600  feet  high, 
covered  with  wood;  and  the  appearance  of  prosperous  cultiva- 
tion in  the  plains,  very  cheering  ,  eleven  vessels  in  the  harbour 
waiting  for  sugars. 

On  our  landing  we  soon  found  that  dangerous  bilious  fever 
pervaded  the  town,  Basseterre,  and  were  greatly  disappointed 
at  learning  that  Charles  Cunningham,  the  governor,  was 
absent.  Finding  no  lodging  in  the  town,  we  took  up  our 
quarters  at  the  delightful  government  house,  on  the  invitation 
of  the  Secretary  and  the  President  of  the  Council.  There  we 
continued,  kindly  cared  for  by  the  steward,  until  this  morning, 
and  three  interesting  days  we  have  had. 

Seventh  day.  Bide  before  breakfast ;  call  on  Robt.  Claxton, 
the  Solicitor-General ;  spent  the  morning  in  a  ride  with  A.  Burt, 
over  the  hills  to  Cay  on,  where  I  had  much  satisfaction  in  visit- 
ing the  Moravian  settlement  under  the  care  of  brother  Miinzer. 
In  the  course  of  this  day  I  obtained  much  important  and 
highly  encouraging  information  respecting  the  free  labourers, 
and  the  general  prosperity  of  the  colony.  The  Methodists  and 
Moravians  are  doing  great  things  on  this  island,  their  labours 
tell  on  vast  masses  of  the  population. 

Yesterday  rvas,  I  trust,  a  favoured  sabbath.  Large 
meeting  at  the  Methodist  meeting-house  at  eleven  o'clock. 
Spiritual  religion  declared  to  an  intelligent  and  willing- 
hearted  audience.  Afterwards  called  on  R.  R.  Clesrhorn, 
stipendiary  magistrate,  who  was  ill  with  the  fever ;  very 
interesting  communication  with  him  on  slavery.  In  the 
evening  Ave  had  a  good  meeting  in  the  Moravian  chapel, 
which  was  filled  to  excess ;  great  numbers  about  the 
house.  It  left  me  tired,  but  easy  in  mind.  This  morning 
we  have  enjoyed  interesting  seasons  with  the  household 
at  the  Governor's;  with  the  lively,  intelligent  children  at 
the  Moravian  school ;  with  A.  Burt  and  his  wife ;  and 
finally  with  a  company  of  sailors  on  the  sea-shore.  "We 
are  now  embarked  for  Antigua,  and  may  probably  call  at 
Montserrat. 

Antigua,  1st  mo.,  IQth,     After  a  favourable  voyage  of  two 


204  -ANTIGUA;    DOMINICA.  ,     1840 

days  and  nights,  we  landed  here  yesterday  morning,  and  have 
renewed  cause  for  humble  gratitude  for  the  protection  and 
loving-kindness  of  our  Lord.  Soon  after  our  arrival,  James 
Cox,  the  exemplary  Methodist  minister,  kindly  granted  me 
the  use  of  his  chapel  for  a  public  meeting  in  the  evening,  at 
their  usual  time.  A  large  number  of  persons  attended,  and  I 
think  it  was  a  quiet  satisfactory  meeting.  I  feel  a  great  desire 
that  in  these  successive  services  I  may  be  preserved  on  the 
true  ground,  and  that  I  may  be  graciously  favoured  with  yet 
more  of  the  true  anointing.  This  morning,  a  precious  time 
of  prayer  followed  our  morning  reading,  in  our  retirement  in 
my  own  chamber.  Kind  calls  from  James  Gordon,  once  of 
Runcton,  and  from  Archdeacon  Davis. 

At  Antigua'  Joseph  John  Gurney  was  detained 
several  weeks,  partly  by  indisposition.  The  evi- 
dence there  afforded  him  of  the  beneficial  effects 
of  emancipation  was  very  satisfactory.  Amongst 
other  interesting  and  benevolent  individuals  with 
whom  he  became  acquainted,  he  enjoyed  frequent 
opportunities  of  intercourse  with  the  Governor, 
Sir  Wm.  Colebrooke,  who  ''  seemed,"  he  remarks, 
*'  to  derive  pleasure  from  freely  imparting  his  just 
and  admirable  views  of  Colonial  policy,  founded  on 
the  immutable  basis  of  Christian  principle." 

.  Writing  at  Dominica^  the    island  next  visited,  he 
says : — 

2nd  mo.,  2nd.  Finding  myself  much  recovered,  I  fell  to 
work  again  ;  and  on  fourth  day  (the  29th  ult.)  visited  the  jail 
and  house  of  correction,  and  held  little  meetings  in  each, 
accompanied  by  Chief  Justice  Nanton,  W.  Marshall,  Dr.  Wood, 
&c.  Then  the  endowed  grammar  school ;  then  the  Moravians 
and  their  school,  pleasant  and  satisfactory  interview ;  then, 
after  an  early  dinner,  to  the  Solicitor-General,  Robert  Hors- 
ford,  at  Dewitt's,  a  pleasant  call ;  and,  in  the  evening,  a  long 


^T.  52.  DOMINICA.  20S 

call  from  Sir  William  Colebrooke,  and  further   documents  to 
look  over. 

On  fifth  day  morning,  sailed  for  this  island,  which,  after  a 
rough,  sea-sick,  hut  otherwise  favourable  voyage,  we  reached 
on  sixth  day  night.  We  landed  before  breakfast  yesterday 
morning,  and  were  comfortably  housed  and  boarded  at  Maria 
Dalrymple's.  There  we  found  some  interesting  coloured 
brethren,  with  whom  we  took  sweet  counsel  in  the  Truth, 
enjoyihg  a  precious  solemnity  after  breakfast ;  the  regular 
ministers  absent  at  their  conference  at  St.  Kitt's.  Called  on 
Major  Macphail,  the  Governor ;  and  afterwards,  with  our 
young  energetic  coloured  friends,  rode  about  the  luxuriant 
romantic  country  until  night  overtook  us.  In  the  evening, 
spent  a  very  agreeable  hour  or  two  at  the  governor's. 
Nothing  can  well  exceed  the  beauty  of  this  island,  both  on 
approaching  it  by  sea  and  in  the  interior.  Nature  is  here 
fertility  embodied ;  and  freedom  is  working  admirably,  not- 
withstanding the  obstructions  interposed  in  some  matters  by 
self-will  and  old  prejudices. 

FROM    THOMAS    FOWELL    BUXTON. 

44,  Via  Condotti,  Rome, 

January  6th,  1840. 

How  passing  strange  it  is  that  I  should  write 
from  Rome,  addressing  you  in  Barbadoes  !  I  wish  we  could 
change  places  for  a  few  days.  Neither  St.  Peter's,  nor  the 
Capitol,  nor  the  dying  gladiator,  nor  Apollo  himself,  all 
beautiful  as  he  is,  are  so  interesting  to  me  as  would  be  the 
sight  of  the  negroes,  working  for  their  own  benefit,  and 
sheltered  by  law  from  the  lash  of  the  cart-whip.  It  is  a  sight 
I  pant  to  behold.  *  *  *  * 

I  have  enjoyed  both  the  country,  and  the  wonderful  works 
of  art  in  Rome,  more  than  I  had  any  notion  that  I  could. 
Rome  is,  in  truth,  a  wonderful  place.  There  is  hardly  any- 
thing more,  remarkable  than  the  profusion  of  its  treasures. 
You  go  to  a  villa  of  which  you  have  heard  next  to  nothing, 
and  you  see  scattered  in  all  directions  a  quarry  of  beautiful 
cut  marble.     What  must  Rome  have  been  in  its  glory,  when 


206  SANTA  CRUZ.  1840. 

its  relics  are  so  surpassing  ?  It  must  be  remembered  that 
there  is  now  only  "what  the  Goths,  and  the  Dark  Ages,  and  the 
various  conquerors  have  left.  Everything  bespeaks  wonderful 
intellect.  But  then — the  base,  cruel,  cowardly  rufEans — the 
whole  population  pouring  into  the  Coliseum  to  see  two  poor 
captives  licw  one  another  to  pieces ;  and  finding  infinite 
delight  and  merriment  in  such  a  holiday  !  There  too — close 
by  the  theatre  of  their  entertainment — is  the  dank  prison  in 
which,  according  to  a  tradition  which  has  some  warrant, 
Paul  prayed  and  shivered.  I  wish  the  conquerors  could  have 
known  that  more  true  and  lasting  renown  would  cleave  to 
that  despised  prisoner  than  to  the  chief  of  their  immortal 
heroes. 

From  Dominica  Joseph  John  Gurnej  proceeded, 
by  way  of  Santa  Cruz,  to  Jamaica.  He  had,  at 
one  time,  contemplated  a  visit  to  Barbadoes  and 
Trinidad.  "There  is,  I  confess,"  he  writes  in  his 
Journal,  "a  disappointment  to  the  natural  feelings 
in  not  going  forward ;  but  as,  when  Paul  '  assayed  to 
go  into  Bithynia,  the  Spirit  suffered  him  not ;'  so  I 
think  it  is  with  me  in  the  present  case,  as  in  former 
instances  during  this  pilgrimage." 

Santa  Cruz,  2nd  mo.,  IQth.  We  arrived  on  third  day,  and 
met  with  a  cordial  welcome.  We  have  since  visited  several  of 
our  friends,  and  have  had  remarkable  religious  opportunities 
at  each  house.  There  seems  scarcely  a  possibility  now  of  our 
getting  to  America  in  time  for  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting. 
I  must  endeavour  quietly  to  leave  it.  I  have  been  striving  to 
do  right,  and  if  I  have  in  any  respect  been  mistaken,  I  trust 
my  dear  Lord  will  overrule  my  infirmities  for  good ;  and  that 
he  will  not  take  his  Holy  Spirit  from  me,  or  cast  me  away  from 
his  divine  presence. 

At  Sea,  2nd  mo.,  2Brd.  After  the  above  entry,  the  Whit- 
mores  and  some  other  friends  sat  down  with  us  at  our 
lodgings,    and,    notwithstanding    past    difficulties,    we    were 


^T.  52.  VOYAGE   TO    JAMAICA.  2!^ 

favoured  with  a  precious  meeting,  and  the  police  gave  us  no 
farther  molestation.  In  the  afternoon  we  read  with  the 
"slaves"  of  the  house,  and  spent  a  highly  interesting  evening 
at  the  Euans.  Many  of  the  Santa  Cruz  gentry  were  there. 
I  read  John  xiv,  and  a  very  solemn  meeting  was  held  after- 
wards ;  I  was  in  conclusion  much  engaged  in  prayer.  It 
seemed  the  crown  to  our  religious  labours  in  the  island,  and 
left  me  happy  and  at  ease. 

On  second  day  I  completed  the  prospective  arrangement 
respecting  the  ship  Whitmore,  and  our  voyage  from  Jamaica, 
and  spent  half  an  hour  with  General  Sobotker,  the  governor, 
with  a  view  of  giving  him  the  result  of  our  inspection  of  the 
working  of  freedom  in  the  islands  we  had  visited.  I  hope  the 
interview  answered  some  good  purpose ;  and  I  left  a  similar 
report  in  writing  with  our  friend  Luccock,  for  General  Yon 
Scholten,  the  governor-general,  on  his  return  to  the  island. 
After  interesting  leave-taking  visits  from  many  of  our  friends, 
who  loaded  us  with  kindness  and  presents,  we  set  sail  [in  the 
Eclipse]  last  third  day  afternoon  with  a  fair  breeze,  and  calm 
and  satisfied  minds;  having,  through  mercy,  met  w^iih  clear 
evidence  that  our  return  to  Santa  Cruz  had  been  timely  and 
right. 

We  have  been  favoured  so  far  with  a  remarkably  fine 
voyage,  having  for  the  most  part  a  fiivourable  wind,  and 
have  passed  along  under  the  southern  coasts  of  Porto  Rico 
and  Hayti.  The  latter  being  strange  to  all  on  board,  and 
our  calculations  of  longitude  being  little  more  than  guess- 
work, we  have  been  put  to  some  difficulty.  The  opening  upon 
us  of  Alto  Velo  and  Beata,  sixty  miles  a-head  of  our  cal- 
culation, on  sixth  day  afternoon,  was  very  agreeable.  We 
then  turned  north-west,  with  a  view  of  landing  at  Jaquemel 
harbour,  [in  Hayti ;]  but  the  next  morning  found  our- 
selves becalmed  before  a  part  of  the  coast  which  we  -were 
wholly  unable  to  ascertain.  In  the  evening  we  moved  west- 
ward, and  at  night-fall  came  to  a  wild  romantic  spot,  which  so 
far  corresponded  with  my  apprehensions  of  Jaquemel,  that  I 
determined,  notwithstanding  a  fair  wind  for  progress,  to  stay 
the  vessel  in  its  couise  until   morning.     The  affair   cost   me 


208  ARRIVAL    AT    JAMAICA.  1840 

much  deep  feeling  and  even  conflict,  wlucli  av.-is  heightened 
this  morning,  when  upon  farther  inspection  of  the  coast,  I 
became  clearly  convinced  that  we  were  before  our  proposed 
harbour — a  wild,  desolate  looking  spot.  The  captain,  mate,  and 
all  the  rest  of  th«  party  were,  however,  of  a  different  judgment, 
and  I  gave  leave  for  the  vessel  to  be  turned  to  her  westward 
course,  a  fair  wind  blowing  freshly.  Sure  as  I  felt  that  we 
had  missed  our  port,  and  had  thus  lost  the  opportunity  of  the 
visit  to  Hayti,  I  felt  deeply  tried  and  even  afflicted  for  a  time ; 
but  very  soon  an  entire  calm  was  most  graciously  brought 
over  my  mind,  and  I  became  convinced  that  it  was  best  for 
me  to  proceed  without  delay  towards  Jamaica.  Since  then 
we  have  had  a  splendid  voyage  along  the  remaining  magnificent 
coast  of  Hayti,  and  are  now  on  our  way  to  Jamaica. 

TO    HIS    CHILDREN. 

On  board  the  Eclipse,  2nd  mo.,  2nd,  1S40. 
*  ***** 

I  am  more  preserved  from  anxiety  respecting  you  than  I 
could  have  anticipated.  I  believe  I  have  given  you  up  to  the 
Lord,  and  he  graciously  enables  me  to  feel  confidence,  that  he 
continues  to  care  for  you  in  body  and  in  spirit.  Most  earnest 
is  my  solicitude,  deeply  felt  on  this  solemn  Sabbath  day,  that 
you  may  each  of  you  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of 
our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  I  beseech  you  to  watch 
unto  prayer.  Remember  how  ill  your  father  could  bear  the 
least  departure,  on  your  part,  from  that  narrow  path,  in  which 
it  becomes  you  to  walk.  Let  us  look  cheerfully  forward,  in 
submission  to  the  Divine  will,  to  the  probabihty  of  our  meeting 
in  the  course  of  the  present  year,  perhaps  in  the  summer;  and 
let  us  individually  strive  to  correct  every  undesirable  habit,  that 
we  m.ay  find  each  other  improved,  intellectually,  morally,  and 
spiritually.     Then,  surely,  our  meeting  will  be  joy  indeed  ! 

On  his  arrival  at  Kingston,  in  Jamaica,  he  had 
the  satisfaction  of  meeting  his  friends  John  and 
Maria  Candler,  from  England,  who  liad  been 
already  many  weeks   in    the   island,  with   the  view 


MT.  52.  KINGSTON.  209 

principally,  of  applying  a  fund  raised  by  the  Soclet}- 
of  Friends,  in  England,  for  the  benefit  of  the  negro 
population. 

Kingston,  Jamaica.  First  day  evening,  ^rd  mo.,  1st.  We 
landed  here  in  safety,  on  fourth  day  morning,  and  -vvere 
warmly  greeted  by  John  and  Maria  Candler,  and  their  friends, 
Charles  Lake,  and  William  Anderson,  of  the  legislature. 
They  had  prepared  very  comfortable  lodgings  for  us.  We 
have  since  spent  two  good  evenings  at  John  Candler's,  with 
several  pious  people. 

Yesterday  afternoon,  visits  to  the  House  of  Correction  and 
County  Jail ;  bad  and  insufEcient  prisons,  the  latter  particularly  ; 
but  the  meetings  held  there  were  I  hope  good  times,  especially 
in  the  open  yard  of  the  jail ;  interesting  hour  afterwards  with 
Wilham  and  Lucy  Anderson.  To-day  we  have  been  favoured 
with  two  very  large  meetings,  about  three  thousand  each ;  one 
at  Samuel  Oughton's  Baptist  meeting-house  in  the  mornin"-; 
an  almost  entirely  black  congregation  ;  and  a  very  promiscuous 
one  at  the  Wesleyan  meeting-house  this  afternoon.  I  hope 
and  believe  that  our  divine  Helper  and  Master  was  with  us  on 
these  occasions.  I  felt  enabled  to  speak  very  plainly  to  the 
coloured  people  in  the  morning ;  in  the  afternoon,  I  had  to  set 
forth  the  gospel  remedy  for  all  man's  obhquities.  Li  both 
meetings  the  people  were  sohd  and  attentive ;  very  quiet  in 
the  times  of  silence. 

Joseph  John  Gurney  continued  in  Jamaica  rather 
more  than  four  weeks.  During  most  of  this  period, 
besides  attending  to  the  various  calls  of  religious 
dut}-,  he  was  diligently  occupied  in  journeying 
through  the  principal  districts  of  the  island,  care- 
fully investigating  and  noting  the  actual  state  of 
things  around  him. 

Spanish  Town,  Srd  mo.,  5th.    I  rose  on  second  day  morning, 
calm  and  peaceful.     Excursion  with  John  and  Maria  Candler, 
Vol.  IL  — 14 


'21^  JAMAICA.  1840. 

to  rapine;  ("WilJman's  sugar  estate;)  breakfasted  with 
W.  Manning,  catechist ;  visit  to  Hope  estate ;  and  to  the 
Independent  negro  village.  Except  at  table  after  breakfast, 
no  religious  service  during  the  dav.  The  information 
respecting  the  negroes,  in  general,  satisfactory ;  returned 
to  Kingston  in  time  to  dine  at  George  Atkinson's,  at  whose 
house  Ave  met  others  of  the  planters ;  their  information 
favourable.  Third  and  fourth  days  spent  in  a  very  interesting 
expedition  to  Halberstadt  coffee  establishment,  in  the  Port 
Eoval  mountains.  Evenino;  ride  to  Bloxburoh  estate  ;  good 
accounts  at  both;  scenery  delightful.  Next  morning,  little 
meeting  after  breakfast  with  many  of  the  black  people,  and  a 
loud  call  extended  to  "depart  from  all  iniquity;"  fine  ride 
afterwards  to  Lucky  Valley  sugar  and  coffee  estate,  where  we 
were  entertained  by  Hector  M.  Wood.  Returned  by  the 
beautiful  falls  of  the  Falls  river,  between  steep  limestone 
rocks,  to  the  tavern  where  our  carriage  was  left;  thence  to 
Kingston,  which  place  we  left  this  morning  with  a  view  to  a 
fortnight's  tour,  intending  to  hold  meetings  here  on  first  day. 
I  trust  the  Lord  is  still  condescending  to  guide. 

iSixth  day  morning.  TTe  had  a  noble  anti-slavery  meeting 
last  evening  in  Phillippo's  chapel ;  a  large  assembly  ;  much 
good  feeling;  some  little  violence  of  expression.  I  had  to 
advert  to  the  practical  points  of  the  case,  and  to  recommend 
quietness,  charity,  industry,  &c.,  all  which  Avas  well  received  ; 
and  in  the  retrospect  I 'feel  peace.  After  breakfast  this 
morning,  Ave  AA-ere  favoured  spiritually  to  draw  water  together 
from  the  living  spring.  Present,  J.  and  M.  Candler,  Captain 
SteAvart,  the  American  and  Scottish  missionaries  ;  and  the 
Baptist  minister.  SomcAvhat  felt  of  that  unity  which  is 
beyond  all  questions  of  form  and- administration. 

St.  Ann's  Bay,  2rd  mo.,  1-th.  I  am  writing  from  a  beautiful 
spot ;  a  fine  view  of  the  bay  and  little  tOAA-n ;  the  humming 
birds  flitting  about ;  the  body  rested  by  a  good  night  ;  the 
mind  easy. 

On  third  day  we  reached  Jericho  ;  a  fine  drive  through 
St.  Thomas    in    the  Vale;    passed  by  the    notorious  ilodney 


^T.  52.  JAMAICA.  211 

Hall  workhouse,  which  it  was  no  longer  necessary  to  visit ; 
arrived  in  pouring  rain  at  the  Baptist  missionary's ;  most 
kindly  taken  in  and  entertained.  Many  hundreds  of  the 
quondam  slaves  came  to  meeting  in  the  evening.  It  was 
a  good  lively  time.  We  had  a  precious  time  of  ministry,  &c., 
with  the  Merrick's  and  Phillippo's,  who  accompanied  us  so  far, 
yesterday  morning,  but  we  were  too  late  in  our  start  for  this 
place.  We  found  the  journey  difficult,  and  could  not  get  over 
the  ground  with  any  speed,  especially  in  passing  over  Mount 
Diavolo.  The  rich,  wooded  scenery  on  the  heights,  and  that 
of  the  descent  to  Moneague,  highly  beautiful.  It  was  with 
extreme  difficulty  that  we  reached  the  Baptist  chapel  here  just 
as  the  people  were  dispersing.  We  were  enabled  to  rally  them, 
and  were  favoured  with  a  good,  though  short,  meeting.  The 
message  of  the  Lord  was,  I  trust,  delivered  in  some  measure  of 
life  and  power.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  loving  a,ttention  of 
the  people. 

Mount  Oarey,  Thomas  JBureheWs,  Srd  mo.,  16th.  Fifth 
day,  peculiarly  interesting ;  fine  journey,  first  through  the 
sugar  grounds  by  the  coast  for  seven  or  eight  miles,  all 
appearing  prosperous ;  then  up  a  mountain  covered  with 
pimento  trees.  We  then  came  to  Antrim  estate.  John 
Candler  and  I  borrowed  two  ponies  of  some  black  people 
going  to  the  meeting,  and  rode  eight  miles  through  a  beautiful 
country.  The  rest  of  the  party  came  with  the  carriages  over 
the  difficult  passes,  v/ith  the  help  of  several  kind  negroes.  We 
overtook  crowds  of  these  people  going  to  the  meeting  at 
Brownstown,  which  I  liad  appointed.  It  was  a  goodly  sight. 
We  were  hospitably  received  by  John  Clark,  the  valuable 
Baptist  missionary.  The  meeting  large  and  affecting.  Our 
party  left  behind  arrived  safely,  to  our  great  joy,  before  it 
finished.  The  next  daj^,  a  pleasant  journey  through  a  fruitful 
prospering  country,  to  Falmouth ;  Avhere  we  met  a  warm 
welcome  from  brother  Ward  and  the  widow  Nicholls.  Good, 
but  not  very  large  meeting  in  the  evening ;  plain  advice  given 
to  the  labourers. — "  Whatsoever  ye  do,  do  it  heartily,  as  unto 
the    Lord,    and   not   unto    men;"  —  cultivation    of   the    soil; 


21-2  JAMAICA.  1840. 

cultiviitlon  of  the  mind  ;  Scripture  ;  care  of  children,  &c.  It 
■was  well  received.  The  next  morning,  calls  on  the  several 
ministers ;  A'isit  to  the  prisons ;  and  pleasant  journey  to 
Montego  Bay,  where  we  were  kindly  taken  in  by  Thomas 
Eurchell's  wife,  he  being  absent. 

Yesterday  was  a  fine,  encouraging  sabbath.  Nearly  3000 
people,  almost  exclusively  black,  at  the  chapel  in  the  morning; 
a  good,  solemn  meeting.  John  Candler  and  myself  both 
engaged;  the  seriousness  of  the  people  wonderful.  In  the 
afternoon,  visits  to  the  miserable  house  of  correction  and  jail, 
and  meetings  in  them.  In  the  evening,  a  very  crowded  and 
satisfactory  meeting  at  the  Methodist  meeting-house. 

Mandeville,  Srd  mo.,  22nd.  Our  week  has  been  a  remarkable 
one.  Our  two  days  of  retirement  at  Mount  Carey,  (though  I 
felt  every  way  weak  at  the  time,)  gave  me  the  opportunity  of 
writing  ray  intended  address  to  the  planters  on  reconciliation, 
to  the  satisfaction  of  my  own  mind,  and  that  of  my  friends. '*' 
We  also  inspected  some  of  the  neighbouring  estates ;  visited  a 
■  capital  school  connected  with  the  mission,  and  held  a  good 
meeting  on  third  day  evening.  Conversation  after  meeting 
with  the  people  of  Montpelier  estate,  (Lord  Seaford's ;)  up  till 
midnight  to  finish  the  Address. 

Fourth  day  morning  to  Betheltown,  another  Baptist  station, 
to  breakfast  with  Thomas  Burchell,  where  they  have  about 
'2000  hearers,  and  another  school.  We  were  much  united 
with  him.  He  is  a  gentleman  and  a  Christian,  of  modest 
nianners  and  solid  worth ;  I  doubt  not  a  highly  important 
instrument  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord.  A  drive  of  about  twenty 
miles,  afterwards,  to  George  Marcey's,  a  pious  proprietor,  be- 
longing to  the  Church  of  England,  living  in  a  beautiful  penn. 
lie  gave  us  a  very  kind  reception,  and  we  held  a  good  meeting 
with  his  people,  and  a  still  better  one  on  fifth  day  morning 
before  we  parted. 

Sixth  day,  went  six  miles  to  Barton  estate    to  breakfast, 

*  This  address  is  printed  in  the  Winter  in  the  West  Indies, 
Appendix  C. 


^T.  52.  JAMAICA.  213 

under  the  care  of  tlie  stipendiary  magistrate,  Ricketts  ;  tlio 
estate  capitally  managed.  Thence  up  to  Boguehill,  after 
calling  at  Bogue,  a  Moravian  mission  station  :  where  v\'c  found 
a  pretty  good  school,  and  a  kind  German  brother;  also  at 
William  Foster's ;  he  with  his  family  being  proprietors  of 
10,000  acres  in  that  lovely  country,  now  doing  well.  A  very 
difficult,  tedious  route,  under  the  guidance  of  Dr.  Hay,  whom 
we  met  at  Foster's,  brought  us  before  nightfall  to  Weare  Penn, 
in  Manchester,  the  residence  of  John  Davy,  who  has  twenty 
estates  in  good  order  under  his  care.  There  we  were  com- 
fortably lodged,  though  he  was  absent.  In  the  morning  he 
and  Dr.  Davy,  the  custos,  came  to  us,  also  Dr.  Stewart,  the 
rector.  I  read  the  address  to  them,  and  the  morning's 
conversation  with  this  circle  was  fully  to  our  satisfaction.  We 
then  spent  four  or  five  hours  in  travelling  a  difficult  road  to 
this  place,  where  we  arrived  in  safety  last  evening.  A  solemn 
time  of  waiting  and  prayer  concluded  the  evening,  in  which 
our  far  distant  beloved  ones  were  remembered  before  the 
Lord.  In  the  remembrance  of  many  striking  little  provi- 
dences during  the  past  week,  we  have  abundant  cause  for 
gratitude  ;  and  for  renewed  faith  and  confidence  in  our  Holy 
Redeemer. 

In  his  work  upon  the  West  Indies,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  carefully  reviews  the  state  of  the  colony  as 
it  had  come  under  his  own  observation  in  the  course 
of  this  visit.  Freely  admitting  that  the  total  pro- 
duce had,  to  some  extent,  decreased,  with  the  change 
from  shxvery  to  freedom;  and  that  such  decrease 
was  obviously  to  be  traced  to  a  corresponding 
diminution  in  the  quantity  of  labour,  he  proceeds 
to  remark :  — 

"  But  here  comes  the  critical  question ;  the  real  turning 
point.  To  what  is  this  diminution  in  the  quantity  of  labour 
owing  V  I  answer  deliberately,  but  without  reserve,  '  mainly 
DO  causes  which  class  under  slavery,  and  not  under  freedom.'' 


1214  ExcounAGixG  mosPECTS.  1840. 

It  is,  for  the  most  part,  the  result  of  those  impolitic  attempts 
to  force  the  labour  of  free  men,  Avhich  have  disgusted  the 
peasantry,  and  have  led  to  the  desertion  of  many  of  the 
estates.  *  *  *  In  the  mean  time,  the  imports  of  the  island 
are  rapidly  increasing  ;  trade  improving  ;  the  towns  thriving  ; 
new  villages  rising  in  every  direction  ;  property  much  enhanced 
in  value ;  well-managed  estates  productive  and  profitable : 
expenses  of  management  diminished  ;  short  methods  of  labour 
adopted  ;  provisions  cultivated  on  a  larger  scale  than  ever ; 
and  the  people,  wherever  they  are  properly  treated,  industrious, 
contented,  and  gradually  accumulating  wealth.  Above  all, 
education  is  rapidly  spreading ;  the  morals  of  the  community 
improving;  crime  in  many  districts  disappearing;  and 
Christianity  asserting  her  sway,  vfith  vastly  augmented  force, 
over  the  mass  of  the  population.  Cease  from  all  attempts  to 
oppose  the  current  of  justice  and  mercy ;  remove  every 
obstruction  to  the  fair  and  full  working  of  freedom ;  and  the 
bud  of  Jamaica's  prosperity,  already  fragrant  and  vigorous, 
will  soon  burst  into  a  glorious  flower." 

Their  journey  of  investigation  closed  with  a  visit 
to  Spanish  Town,  the  seat  of  the  government.  The 
colonial  legislature  was  now  assembled,  and  they 
took  the  opportunity  of'  listening  to  one  of  the 
debates,  and  of  calling  upon  Sir  Charles  Metcalfe, 
the  governor,  with  whom  they  enjoyed  the  privilege 
of  long  and  free  conversation. 

"Like  ourselves,"  writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "he  had 
just  returned  from  a  tour  of  inspection  in  other  parts  of  the 
island.  It  was,  therefore,  a  great  satisfaction  to  us,  to  find 
that  he  had  imbibed  the  same  convictions  as  we  had,  respecting 
the  impropriety  of  mixing  up  the  questions  of- rent  and  wages, 
and  of  all  attempts  to  compel  the  labour  of  free  men ;  that 
lie  rejoiced  as  much  as  ourselves  in  the  rapid  increase  of  villages 
of  independent  negro  settlers ;  and  that  he  fully  concurred 
with    us    as    to    the  most    efficacious  modes  of   ensuring  the 


JET.  52.  SIR    CHARLES    METCALFE.  212 

continuous  labour  of  the  people  on  the  estates  of  their  foinnei 
masters. 

*  *  ;i5  .        *  *  * 

"  At  the  governor's  table  in  the  evening,  we  met  most  of 
the  principal  officials  of  the  island  —  the  chief  justice,  the 
bishop,  the  attorney  general,  the  advocate  general,  the 
colonial  secretary,  several  members  of  the  council,  &c.  We 
believed  it  right  to  comjoly  with  the  governor's  kind  request, 
that  vre  should  be  present  on  the  occasion.  Nothing  could  be 
inore  friendly  than  the  treatment  which  Ave  met  with  from 
the  company.  The  dinner  was  moderate,  though  handsome ; 
temperance  was  strictly  maintained,  and  the  conversation  was 
rational -and  ao-reeable.  We  took  our  leave  at  niii-ht,  under 
feelings  of  Christian  love  and  regard  for  all  present.  May 
they  remember  that  for  public  as  well  as  private  men,  the  law 
of  righteousness  is  the  onli/  law  of  safety  and  of  peace  ! 

"  On  the  following  day  we  returned  to  Kingston,  where  we 
found  our  friends  just  arrived  [in  the  Whitmore,]  from  Santa 
Cruz,  and  with  them,  Miguel  Cabrera  de  Nevares,  Governor 
of  Madrid,  who  had  been  lately  acting  as  Commissioner  from 
the  Queen  of.  Spain,  in  the  revisal  of  the  municipal  laws  of 
the  Spanish  West  Indian  Colonies.  Our  friends  had  taken 
him  up  at  St.  John's,  Porto  Rico,  with  a  view  of  affording 
him  a  conveyance  to  Havana. 

"  This  circumstance  turned  out  to  be  of  no  small  importance 
to  myself.  For,  after  the  Spanish  consul  at  Kingston,  full 
of  the  fears  so  natural  to  the  abettors  of  slavery,  had  positively 
refused  me  a  passport  for  Cuba,  and  had  even  written  to  the 
captain-general  of  that  island,  erroneously  representing  me  as 
the  president  of  the  Anti-slavery  Society,  our  friend  Cabrera 
induced  him  to  alter  his  letter;  and  afterwards,  by  his  personal 
influence,  procured  me  a  quiet  landing,  and  polite  reception  at 
Havana.  Thus  had  we  again  to  acknowledge  that  super- 
intending hand  of  our  heavenly  Father,  which  provides  for  all 
the  needs  of  those  who  desire  to  serve  him. 

"At  Kingston  I  was  occupied  for  a  short  time  in  carryint^ 
through  the  press  a  small  pamphlet,  addressed  to  the  planters, 
and  entitled    Reconciliation  recommended    to    all    parties    in 


-16  LAST    DAY    AT   JAMAICA.  1840 

Jamaica.  The  object  of  this  address  -n-as  to  show  the  absohite 
identity  of  interest  which  now  subsists  among  the  planters, 
the  labourers,  and  the  abolitlo^iists ;  and  to  call  upon  them  all 
to  unite,  heart  and  hand,  on  just  and  salutary  principles,  in 
promoting  the  prosperity  of  this  noble  colon3\  We  have 
since  had  the  satisfaction  of  learning  that  it  was  well  received 
by  all  parties.* 

"  Our  last  day  in  Jamaica  was  the  first  of  the  week,  3rd  mo., 
29th.  Great  is  the  privilege  of  one  day  in  seven,  expressly 
set  apart  for  the  purpose  of  rest  and  worship.  For  ourselves, 
we  felt  it  to  be  salutary  to  cease  from  the  investigation  of 
secular  points,  however  interesting,  and  again  to  unite  with 
our  fellow  men,  in  drawing  near  in  spirit  to  the  Fountain  of 
every  blessing.  We  held  our  morning  meeting  in  one  of  the 
Baptist  chapels  ;  the  congregation,  chiefly  black,  was  deeply 
serious,  and  when  the  subject  of  the  afHictions  of  Africa  arose 
before  us,  the  feeling  of  the  people  became  intense.  Many  of 
them  are  awakened  to  a  lively  interest  in  the  religious 
welfare  of  the  people  from  whom  they  spring.  The  rising  of 
this  spirit  of  love  and  zeal  on  behalf  of  the  land  of  their 
foi'efathers,  has  been  one  of  the  blessed  accompaniments  of 
their  freedom.  In  the  afternoon  we  again  met,  in  the 
Wesleyan  meeting-house,  a  vast  assembly  of  persons  of  all 
ranks  and  classes ;  and,  after  once  more  pressing  upon  their 
attention  those  fundamental  principles,  in  the  maintenance  of 
which  the  true  church  of  Christ,  of  every  name,  country,  and 
colour,  is  one  body,  we  took  a  last  solemn  leave  of  Jamaica 
and  her  inhabitants.  The  next  morning  we  parted  from  our 
English  friends,  who  continued  for  the  present  on  the  island, 
'.vent  on  board  the  ship  Whitmore,  and,  as  soon  as  wind  and 
fide  permitted,  set  sail  for  Havana." 

The  voyage  to  Havana  occupied  upwards  of  a  week. 

"BafBing  winds  and  calms  detained  us,"  writes  Joseph 
John  Gmmey,  "for  two  or  three  daj^s;  our  last  pig  and  fowl 

*  See  Appendix  C;  at  the  end  of  the  Winter  in  the  We.'t  Indies, 
pp.  236-252. 


^T.  52.  HAVANA.  217 

had  been  eaten ;  we  were  beginnhig  somewhat  seriously  to 
long  for  the  land,  when,  one  delightful  evening,  a  favourable 
breeze  sprang  up,  and  brought  us,  in  full  sail,  past  the  Moro 
Castle  and  Lighthouse,  into  the  port  of  Havana.  It  was  the 
9th  of  the  4th  month.  The  scene  was  very  animating  and 
beautiful.  The  Moro  is  built  on  a  dark  rock,  on  the  left  of 
the  entrance ;  on  a  hill  above  it  stand  the  Cabanas,  a  fort  of 
prodigious  dimensions,  in  which  is  stationed  a  large  body  of 
Spanish  soldiers.  Before  us  lay  the  wide-spreading  old  city, 
said  to  contain  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  inhabitants  ; 
a  few  green  hills  were  seen  in  the  distance,  and  when  we  had 
passed  the  Moro,  the  land-locked  port  full  of  shipping, 
including  three  British  men  of  war,  and  surmounted  by  some 
handsome  public  buildings,  Avas  suddenly  opened  to  our  view. 
It  is  a  port  of  great  resort  and  traiSc,  far  exceeding,  in  this 
respect,  any  other  in  the  dominions  of  Spain.  With  the 
exception  of  the  Governor  of  Madrid,  we  continued  on  board 
for  the  night ;  and  early  the  next  morning  received  a  notice, 
that  we  were  all  permitted  to  land  without  undergoing  any  of 
the  usual  formalities.  The  British  Consul,  Charles  Tolme, 
came  on  board  to  pay  his  respects  to  some  of  our  passengers. 
I  found  that  he  was  an  old  friend  of  mine,  whom  I  had  not 
seen  for  thirty  years.  He  gave  me  a  hearty  welcome,  and 
accompanied  me,  on  our  landing,  to  the  Government  House, 
as  I  Avished  to  pay  my  respects  to  the  Prince  of  Anglona,  the 
Captain  General  of  Cuba.  Our  friend  Cabrera  had  already 
conveyed  to  him  a  letter  of  introduction  which  I  had  brought 
with  me  from  the  Governor  of  Jamaica ;  and  I  considered 
that  an  early  call  was  due  to  him  from  a  friend  to  the  slaves 
and  a  Christian  ftiinister,  whom  he  had  so  kindly  permitted 
to  land,  at  all  hazards.  The  Prince,  w"ho  is  one  of  the  old 
nobility  of  Spain,  is  a  person  of  small  stature,  and  by  no 
means  imposing  in  his  appearance,  but  of  good  talents  and 
liberal  politics.  He  received  us  with  great  politeness,  and 
even  apologized  to  our  consul  for  my  having  been  refused  a 
passport  in  Jamaica.  He  spoke  French  fluently,  and  talked 
to    us    for  a  few  minutes  in  a  friendly  manner.     No  oppor- 


218  VOYAGE    TO    SAVAXNAII.  1840. 

tunity  offered  for  conversation  on  important    topics,  and  we 
soon  retired."  . 

The  Journal  thus  continues  the  narrative  :  — 

4ith  mo.,  16th.  I  was  much  with  my  old  friend  Charles 
Tolme,  the  British  consul,  and  his  wife  and  family ;  visited 
Captain  Hawkins,  of  the  Romney,  and  James  Kennedy, 
judge  of  the  joint  commission  court ;  saw  the  slavers  now  in 
the  iiarbour  ;  visited  the  baracoons,  as  well  as  the  prison  and 
other  public  institutions ;  obtained  a  great  deal  of  valuable 
information,  and  am  thankful  that  I  have  been  permitted 
to  visit  Havana.  We'  returned  to  our  vessel  on  first  day 
evening,  and  sailed  on  second  day  morning.  A  quiet  little 
meeting  at  Watts'  boarding  house,  on  first  day  morning ; 
and  a  Scripture  reading,  in  the  evening,  on  board  ship,  were 
agreeable  and  refreshing.  Each  morning  since,  we  have  been 
favoured  with  comfortable  readings,  &c. ;  and  although  not 
insensible  of  much  deep  infirmity,  I  have  been  on  the  whole 
tranquil  and  happy. 

At  Savannah,  Georgia,  Ath  wo.,  227id.  We  arrived  here 
in  safety  on  second  day  the  20th,  after  experiencing  great 
danger  at  sea  from  a  violent  thunder  storm  on  the  night  of 
the  18th,  in  which  our  ship  was  struck  with  lightning,  and 
for  some  time  was  supposed  to  be  on  fire ;  but  we  were 
mercifully  protected,  and,  after  some  trial  of  our  faith, 
delivered  from  our  danger.  The  next  m,orning,  (first  da^^) 
Ave  held  a  meeting  on  deck  ;  both  passengers  and  crew  were 
gathered  together  in  much  solemnity,  and  I  hope  a  serious 
impression  was  made  on  all  our  minds.  In' the  evening,  there 
was  again  every  prospect  of  a  tempest,  but  the  weather  cleared. 
It  was  very  pleasant  to  arrive  on  the  American  shores  in 
safety,  and  we  are  permitted  to  reap  the  reward  of  peace.  I 
find  myself  happy  in  my  quiet  bed  chamber,  opposite  to  a 
grove  of  trees  in  the  square;  and  certainly  feel  much  more 
fit  for  this  seclusion,  than  for  a  third  time  attending  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  Philadelphia. 


^T.  52.  JOURNAL.  210 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

1840.     ^T.  52—53. 

SAVANNAH  J  CHARLESTON  J  SECONl)  VISIT  TO  WASHINGTON  ;  INTER- 
VIEWS WITH  THE  PRESIDENT,  .1.  C.  CALHOUN,  HENRY  CLAY,  &C.  J 
NEW  YORK  AND  NEW  ENGLAND  YKARLY  MEETINGS;  LETTER  TO 
HIS    CHILDREN;    VOYAGE    HOME;    EXTRACTS    FROM    JOURNAL. 

Joseph  John  Gurnet's  labours  in  America  were 
now  drawing  to  a  close.  He  had  looked  forward 
with  .  much  interest  to  being  once  more  present 
at  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends  at  Philadelphia; 
but  circumstances,  over  which  he  had  no  control, 
j^revented  him  from  reaching  that  city  in  time 
to  accomplish  that  object.  Whilst  at  sea,  on  his 
voyage  to  Havana,  in  allusion  to  this  subject,  he 
wrote  in  his  Journal:  — 

4ith  mo.,  9th.  I  have  passed  through  some  hours  of  con- 
flict, in  times  of  calm,  in  the  view  of  Philadelphia ;  hut 
during  the  past  night,  some  relief  has  been  experienced  from 
this  prospect.  I  have  compared  the  peculiar  fetters  of  mind 
which  I  have  long  felt  respecting  that  Yearly  Meeting,  to 
those  which  I  once  endured  in  reference  to  the  parliamentary 
prospect.  Oh  !  the  inexpressible  relief  which  I  felt  when,  in 
one  midnight  hour,  those  fetters  were  unexpectedly  broken, 
and  I  was  left  free  from  the  concern,  ready  for  work  in  the 
depth  of  Spitalfields.  Certainly  I  feel  more  happiness  in  the 
view  of  not  being  present  at  Philadelphia,  than  I  have  hithertc 


220  SAVANNAH.  1840. 

done.  I  can  look  back  on  my  exercises  and  labours  there  "with 
satisfaction  ;  not  having,  so  far  as  I  know,  withheld  any  part 
of  the  message  committed  to  me.  Thus  I  hope  I  may  feel  that 
my  work  in  America  is  pretty  much  done ;  and  that,  after 
having  accomplished  what  remains  of  service  in  the  cause  of 
Africa  and  her  descendants,  and  attended  the  Yearly  Meetings 
of  New  York  and  New  England,  I  may  return  to  my  home  and 
family  in  peace. 

"We  were  [detained]  a  whole  week  at  Savannah,"  he 
writes  in  one  of  his  letters,  "  before  the  steamboat  was 
ready  to  convey  us  to  Charleston  ;  and  certainly  it  was  a 
week  of  no  small  interest  to  .ourselves.  In  the  course  of  a 
few  days,  we  formed  an  acquaintance  with  several  of  the 
gentry  of  the  place,  who  treated  us  with  great  civility ;  and 
some  of  the  evenings  which  we  spent  in  their  houses,  were 
I  trust,  occupied  in  a  manner  calculated  to  leave  a  proj&table 
impression.  '  We  received  some  very  kind  attentions  from  a 
gentleman  of  the  name  of  Schmitz,  a  timber  merchant,  whom 
I  had  formerly  met  in  Virginia.  He  is  in  possession  of  a 
collection  of  costly  books  and  valuable  manuscripts,  such  as 
would  do  credit  to  the  Dibdins  and  Hebers  of  our  own  country. 
It  is  one  of  the  few  good  private  libraries  that  I  saw  in 
America. 

****** 

"  Savannah  contains  upwards  of  7500  inhabitants,  of  whom 
more  than  one  half  are  slaves.  We  had  made  our  arrange- 
ments for  a  public  meeting,  to  be  held  at  eight  o'clock  one 
evening,  and  were  about  to  insert  our  notice  in  the  newspaper; 
but  our  purpose  was,  at  that  time,  frustrated  by  the  sudden 
diffusion  of  a  report,  that  I  had  come  thither  from  the  West 
Indies,  as  an  "anti-slavery  spy."  It  produced  no  small  excite- 
ment ;  and  we  were  assured,  that  the  meeting  could  not  be 
held  without  endangering  the  peace  of  the  town,  and  probably 
our  own  lives.  We  had  been  previously  warned  by  a  mission- 
ary from  Jamaica,  who  came  from  these  parts,  that  we  could 
not   visit    Savannah  with    any   degree    of   safety,  a  warning 


^T.  52.  CHARLESTON.  221 

■which  seemed  now  likely  to  be  verified.  But  all  turned  out 
■well  at  last.  The  nature  of  our  gospel  mission  -was  explained, 
the  report  gradually  subsided,  and  two  large  public  meetings 
were  held  in  succession  —  the  latter  on  the  first  day  of  the 
■week,  ■with  nearly  2000  people.  It  ■was  a  satisfactory  occasion ; 
and  the  next  morning  ■we  left  the  place,  under  feelings  of 
sincere  regard  and  afiection  towards  many  of  its  inhabitants. 
Certainly  we  are  bound  to  acknowledge  that  they  treated  us 
■with  great  civility  and  kindness. 

From  Savannah,  Joseph  John  Gurney  proceeded, 
by  way  of  Charleston,  to  Washington. 

Washington,  fourth  day  evening,  5th  mo.,  6th.  It  is  under 
feelings  of  much  peace  and  thankfulness  that  I  find  a  quiet 
settlement  here  this  night,  after  a  safe  journey  by  sea,  land, 
and  river,  of  650  miles  from  Savannah,  propelled  the  ■svhole 
■way  by  steam.  How  abundant,  0  Lord,  are  thy  mercies, 
praised  be  thy  holy  name !  We  arrived  at  Charleston  on  third 
day  evening  last,  the  29th.  Our  stay  there  ■was,  I  hope,  pro- 
ductive of  good.  We  found  excellent  quarters  at  the  Ne^w 
Hotel ;  ■were  kindly  received  by  Richard  Howland  and  Ben- 
jamin. Hussey ;  also  James  M.  Carter,  Dr.  Post,  Henry  L. 
Pinckney,  (the  Mayor,)  and  others.  Not-withstanding  sundry 
reports  raised  about  me  as  an  abolitionist,  -way  ■was  made  for 
a  good  visit  to  the  Orphan  Asylum ;  and  for  three  large  public 
meetings :  on  sixth  day  evening  at  the  Trinity  Methodist 
chapel ;  and  on  the  first  day  at  the  Orphan  Asylum  chapel  in 
the  afternoon,  and  at  Dr.  Post's  "circular  church,"  at  eight  in 
the  evening.  AVe  had  previously  held  our  morning  meeting 
■with  about  thirty  people,  at  dear  old  Daniel  Latham's,  a 
Friend,  though  not  a  member,  aged  ninety.  They  were  all 
good  times.  On  second  day,  after  speaking  ■with  the  Mayor, 
Mahlon  Day  and  I,  accompanied  by  Richard  Howland,  visited 
the  Marine  Hospital,  which  ■was  in  excellent  order;  (supported, 
like    all   similar    institutions    in    this  country,  by  the  sailors 


222  WAsniNGTOxV.  1840. 

themselves :)  the  county  jail,  very  bad ;  there  we  found  tAvo 
negroes  condemned  to  be  hanged  in  two  months  for  robbery ; 
the  negro  jail,  where  the  negroes  are  confined  and  punished  by 
their  masters  almost  ad  libitum  ; — a  miserable  spectacle  ;  next 
the  workhouse,  and  wretched  lunatic  asylum.  On  our  return, 
a  call  on  Judge  O'Neal,  of  Newbury,  Avhere  there  is  still  a 
little  meeting  of  Friends.  Letter  written  for  the  information 
of  others,  respecting  the  working  of  freedom  in  the  West 
Indies ;  and  we  parted  from  our  friends  at  Cbarleston  in  peace 
on  second  day. 

Fifth  day.  My  two  young  Friends  and  I  have  been  enjoy- 
ing a  little  quietness  before  the  Lord  this  morning,  after 
reading  Col.  i  and  ii.  On  the  review  of  my  long,  long 
pilgrimage,  up  to  the  present  time,  my  soul  is,  I  trust,  bowed 
before  the  Shepherd  of  Israel,  in  humble  gratitude,  for  his 
long-continued  and  most  undeserved  mercies  ;  and  my  prayers 
are  offered,  though  in  much  weakness,  that  he  may  be  pleased 
to  permit  me  to  finish  this  course  with  joy,  and  to  restore  me 
to  my  family  and  friends  in  peace. 

First,  day  noon.  The  way  has  so  far  remarkably  opened 
here  at  Washington,  for  those  communications  which  I  Avas 
desirous  of  making  on  the  subject  of  West  Indian  freedom, 
to  several  of  the  leading  men  of  this  country ;  Daniel 
Webster,  John  Forsyth,  (the  Secretary  of  State,)  J.  C.  Calhoim, 
a  highly  interesting  interview, — Henry  Clay,  (from  whom  I 
parted  in  much  friendship,)  and  the  President  himself.  It  is 
more  than  I  could  have  ventured  to  hope  for,  and  an  in-^ 
expressible  relief  and  comfort  to  my  own  mind.  ^ 

From  Washington  he  wrote  i 

TO    HIS    CHILDREN. 

Seventh  day,  5th  mo.,  9th.  Mahlon  Day  and  myself  dined 
yesterday  at  the  house  of  an  old  lady  named  Tudor,  and  her 
daughter,  the  wife  of  Commodore  Stewart,  the  mother  and 
lister    of  our    friend,  Emma    Gardiner.     There,   besides    the 


mi.  52.  J.  c.  CALHOUN.  223 

Gardiner?,  we  met  G|,iencral  Miller,  who  has  been  long  in 
Mexico,  and  various  parts  of  South  America ;  a  modest,  well- 
informed  gentleman ;  also  John  Forsyth,  the  Secretary  of 
State,  a  remarkably  agreeable,  elderly  person,  with  much 
appearance  of  talent  and  thought  about  him,  and  deeply 
fraught  with  politics.  In  a  tcte  d.  tete  conversation  with  him 
in  the  evening,  I  contrived  to  put  him  in  possession  of  the 
whole  case  of  West  Indian  freedom,  as  far  as  it  had  passed 
under  our  notice,  and  he  gave  m^e  an  excellent  hearing.  He 
is  from  Georgia,  and  thoroughly  accustomed  to  slaveholding 
notions.  This  morning  we  have  been  enabled  to  do  an 
admirable  stroke  of' work  in  the  same  line.  At  ten  o'clock 
we  called  on  our  friend  Holmes,  who  took  us  to  his  favourite 
political  leader,  J.  C.  Calhoun,  who  gave  us  a  polite  and 
friendly  reception.  I  wish  you  could  see  Calhoun.  He  is 
about  57,  I  should  suppose,  of  middle  stature,  with  pale  face, 
prominent  forehead,  expressive  nose,  lips,  and  chin,  and  eyes 
dark,  deep,  and  penetrating.  After  a  little  preparatory  talk 
on  climate,  health,  &c.,  we  came  to  the  "fight  of  liberty."  I 
told  him  that  we  had  been  passing  the  winter  in  the  West 
Indies,  and  that  I  wished  to  be  permitted  an  opportunity  of 
laying  before  one,  whose  character  I  knew  as  a  lover  of  truth, 
and  a  deep  thinker  and  reasoner,  the  results  of  our  calm 
observations  of  the  state  of  those  islands.  He  said  he  had 
nothing  in  view  but  truth,  and  should  like  to  hear  me.  I 
then  entered  succinctly  on  the  de'ail,  giving  him  evidence 
upon  evidence  of  my  five  grand  points.  1st,  that  the  liberated 
negroes  are  working  well  on  the  sugar  and  coftee  estates ; 
under  which  head  I  explained  the  case  of  Jamaica.  2nd,  that 
the  staple  articles  are  produced  more  cheaply  under  freedom 
than  under  slavery.  3rd,  that  landed  and  other  real  property 
in  the  islands  has  risen,  and  ■  is  rising  in  value.  4th,  that 
there  is  a  corresponding  increase  in  the  comforts  of  the 
labouring  population,  evinced  particularly-  in  the  doubling  of 
the  imports  ;  and  5th,  that  there  is  an  equal  progress  in  the 
morals  of  the  community,  both  coloured  and  wliite.  He 
fixed  his  black  eye  upon  me,  and  listened  with  the  greatest 
attention.     After  I  had  concluded;  to  my  great  satisfaction, 


224  WASHINGTON.  1840. 

lie  freely  admitted  the  tnith  of  my  ■s\]ioIe  case  ;  confessing, 
without  reserve,  the  superior  pecuniary  advantages  of  freedom 
to  slavery,  but  ascribing  the  safety  of  Ihe  experiment  in 
Jamaica  to  its  dependence  on  the  superior  power  of  England  ; 
after  which  he  opened  his  fire  upon  me,  as  it  related  to  the 
political  aspects  of  the  case.  It  Avas  a  rapid,  declamatory 
argument,  vivid,  acute,  and  with  the  appearance  of  being  closely 
reasoned.  He  began  by  cross-questioning  me  as  to  the  probable 
political  ascendancy  of  the  blacks  in  Jamaica;  and  then,  turn- 
ing to  his  own  country,  endeavoured  to  show  that  the  whites  and 
blacks  were  so  distinct,  as  races,  that  one  must  rule  the  other  ; 
that  where  the  blacks  preponderated,  they  would  infallibly,  -in 
case  of  emancipation,  become  the  masters  of  the  whites ;  and 
that  where  the  numbers  were  matched,  there  would,  in  the 
nature  of  things,  arise  a  bloody  struggle,  which  would  end  in 
the  destruction  of  one  of  the  races.  I  observed,  that  if  the 
principles  of  the  gospel  were  permitted  to  prevail,  all  jealousy 
and  discord  between  races  and  parties  would  cease ;  and  all 
might  work  on  together  in  safety  and  harmony  ;  the  political 
influence  of  each  individual  and  each  race  depending,  in  the 
mean  time,  on  the  acquisition  of  property;  and,  while  measured 
by  property,  safe  in  its  nature.  Our  friend  Holmes,  Clay,  of 
Alabama,  and  other  southerners,  who  were  present,  seemed 
delighted  at  the  pouring  forth  of  their  leader ;  and  were  ready 
to  cry  lo  triumphe  !  For  my  own  part,  I  was  equally  pleased 
with  his  having  admitted  my  whole  case.  I  said  it  had  been 
a  treat  to  me  to  hear  J.  C.  Calhoun  reason,  and  that  I  would 
not  attempt  to  answer  him  ;  at  any  rate,  not  without  previous 
reflection.     So  we  parted  in  peace  and  friendship. 

Holmes  then  took  us  to  call  on  the  speaker,  R.  M.  T. 
Hunter,  of  Virginia,  whom  we  found  in  his  private  apartment 
in  the  Capitol.  He  is  a  modest,  pleasing  young  man,  and 
seemed  to  lend  a  willing  ear  to  so  much  of  the  statement  as 
we  had  time  to  give.  We  agreed  to  call  upon  him  again:  and, 
having  parted  from  our  friend  Holmes,  proceeded  to  the 
lodgings  of  Henry  Clay,  whom  we  found  at  home,  and  Avho 
gave  us  a  very  kind  and  friendly  reception.  He  is  farther 
advanced  in  3'ears  than  Calhoun ;  with  abundance  of  straight 


^T.  52.  HENRY   clay;    THE   PRESIDENT.  225 

greyish  hair,  and  a  countenance  of  great  intelligence,  softened 
by  the  obvious  touches  of  benevolence.  He  mentioned  my 
former  visit  to  Washington  as  remembering  it  well,  and  then 
poured  forth  an  encomium  upon  Friends,  and  a  str;fin  of 
declamation  against  the  northern  abolitionists  ;  after  Avhich, 
with  his  full  permission,  I  began  my  West  Indian  statement, 
and  calmly  went  through  it,  bringing  it  to  a  close  without 
any  interruption  from  him.  He  gave  me  a  willing-hearted 
hearing,  and  seemed  to  derive  real  pleasure  from  the  informa- 
tion. After  he  had  given  us  sundry  reasons  why  emancipation 
is  impossible  in  America,  or  to  be  effected  only  in  the  course 
of  centuries,  we  rose  to  take  our  leave.  Our  next  visit  was 
at  the  "  White  House ;"  our  second  call,  as  previously  arranged, 
on  the  President ;  Mahlon  Day  and  Samuel  Parsons,  jun., 
with  me,  as  in  all  our  previous  calls.  We  were  introduced 
immediately,  and  found  him  in  his  receiving;  room,  with 
Carroll,  the  Governor  of  Tennessee,  and  another  gentleman. 
He  understood  the  object  of  our  visit,  and  allowed  me  quietly 
and  plainly  to  lay  before  him  our  Avhole  story.  I  endeavoured 
to  make  it  as  perspicuous  and  pointed  as  possible ;  and  after 
going  through  the  several  particulars,  ended  with  a  brief  but 
full  recapitulation.  He  gave  me  his  entire  attention,  acknow- 
ledged that  the  statement  was  clear  and  satisfactory,  confessed 
that  the  subject  was  one  of  great  interest,  and  promised  to 
give  us  another  opportunity  of  conversing  with  him  on  the 
case  of  Cuba,  and  the  foreign  slave  trade.  We  then  took  a 
respectful  leave,  and  returned  to  our  hotel  in  much  peace. 

Second  day  morning,  5th  mo.,  11th.  After  our  interesting 
morning's  work  last  seventh  day,  I  was  glad  to  rest  during  the 
afternoon.  In  the  evening  we  went  to  the  Capitol,  to  attend 
the  National  Convention  on  Education.  Dr.  Bache,  the 
President  of  Girard  College,  Philadelphia,  was  in  the 
chair ;  and  members  of  Congress,  from  different  parts  of 
the  Union,  gave  an  account  of  the  state  of  education  in 
their  respective  states.  Large  supplies  from  the  public 
purse  are  applied  to  the  purpose  in  most  of  the  states ; 
a  measure  rendered  easy  in  America  by  the  absence  of  an 

Vol.  II.  — 15 


226  WASHINGTON.  1840. 

establisliraent,  aiii.1  tlie  evenness  of  the  sects.  Being  called 
upon  by  Dr.  Baclie,  I  spoke  shortly  on  popular  education  in 
England,  and  on  the  importance  of  a  diligent  daily  use  of  the 
Holy  •'Scriptures  in  the  schools.  In  this  respect,  America  is 
at  present  notoriously  defective. 

Our  sabbath  yesterday  -was  a  very  quiet  one.  We  held 
our  mectino-  in  our  own  chamber,  with  a  few  of  our  Whitmore 
ship-mates,  who  are  now  at  Washington  ;  and  believe  we  all  felt 
the  refreshment  of  it.  In  the  evening  we  joined  a  large 
circle  at  Tillinghast's,  member  of  Congress,  from  Providence, 
Rhode  Island,  where  we  met  several  congress  men,  their 
hidies,  kc.  I  read  to  them  part  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Philippians, 
and  was  afterwards  enabled  to  address  them  on  a  variety  of 
subjects  suggested  by  that  epistle,  I  hope  with  Christian  plain- 
ness. I  may  venture  to  say,  that  it  was  under  some  measure 
of  that  influence  v/hich  can  alone  qualify  for  such  a  woi'k. 

Second  day  afternoon.  This  morning  we  have  again  been 
paying  our  respects  to  the  Speaker,  in  his  private  apartment 
at  the  Capitol,  and  finishing  our  West  Indian  story  -\vith  hira. 
We  just  sounded  him  as  to  the  possibility  of  our  having  the 
use  of  the  Hall  of  Representatives  for  the  public  telling  of  the 
same  story ;  but  it  did  not  seem  that  it  could  be  arranged.  I 
fear  the  sensitiveness  which  prevails  on  the  subject  of  slavery, 
must  prevent  any  public  measure  of  the  kind.  If  so,  I  must 
iigain  content  myself  with  pamphlet  writing. 

Fourth  day  evening.  After  our  conversation  with  the 
Speaker,  on  second  day  morning,  we  found  our  way,  first  into 
ihe  Representatives"  Ilall,  and  next  into  the  Senate  chamber. 
^Ve  were  kindly  permitted  access  to  the  floor  of  each  house ; 
and  you  would  have  been  amused  to  see  me  quietly  seated 
among  these  patriot  debaters  in  the  lower  house,  as  if  I  had 
been  one  of  their  number.  It  is  a  better  House  of  Commons 
than  I  had  imagined  ;  but  their  debates  are  diff"use  and  long- 
continued,  and  at  times  the  members  are  pugnacious  enough. 

In  the  Senate  we  were  allow^ed,  by  special  favour,  to  occupy 
seats  in  a  circular  gallery  which  surrounds  the  house,  in 
immediate  contact  with  the  seats  of  the  Senators.  We 
listened    for    some    time    to   a    lively  debate    on    granting   a 


^ET.  52.  J.   QUINCY   ADAMS  ;    WEBSTER.  22T 

pension  to  tlie  widow  (aged  94)  of  the  American  officer,  who 
was  the  first  to  fall  in  the  revolutionary  war.  Colonel 
Preston,  of  South  Carolina,  spoke  on  the  subject  with 
uncommon  pathos,  force,  and  elegance.  In  the  evening,  S. 
Parsons,  jun.,  and  I,  walked  down  to  President  Square,  to 
call  on  our  friends  the  Gardiners,  who  were  going  away  the 
next  morning ;  and  we  accompanied  them  to  the  house  of  Joel 
R.  Poinsett,  the  Secretary  at  War,  Avho  is  one  of  the  able 
men  of  this  country.  There  we  spent  an  agreeable  evening, 
and  I  agreed  to  call  on  him  at  his  office,  to  talk  over  the 
West  Indies. 

On  third  day  evening  we  passed  an  hour  agreeably  with 
J.  Quincy  Adams,  that  vivacious  old  man  of  76,  v/ho  still 
makes  long  speeches  in  the  house,  and  surprises  every  one 
with  the  extent  and  accuracy  of  his  information,  and  the 
undying  fires  of  his  zeal.  He  was  deeply  interested  by  our 
narrative,  and  entered  into  a  good  discussion  with  us  on  the 
Cuba  slave  trade. 

To-day  has  been  decidedly  interesting.  After  breakfast  we 
called  again  on  Daniel  Webster,  showed  him  my  Jamaica 
sketches,  as  illustrative  of  the  offset  of  freedom,  and  talked 
over  the  whole  case  of  American  participation  in  the  African 
slave  trade.  His  intelligence  and  evident  amiability  are  very 
attractive.  From  him  we  proceeded  to  Poinsett,  who  received 
us  and  our  story  gladly,  though  himself  a  southerner  from 
Carolina.  He  has  been  an  extensive  traveller,  and  has  the 
reputation  of  much  science  and  erudition.  We  then  called  on 
John  Forsyth,  the  Secret:ny  of  State,  with  whom  we  conversed 
upon  the  African  slave  trade.  He  was  kind  to  us ;  but 
apparently  not  so  well  disposed  to  the  discussion  of  the  sub- 
ject as  Poinsett  and  some  others.  The  rest  of  the  morning 
was  spent  in  the  Senate,  where  we  heard  an  excellent  speech 
from  Crittenden,  of  Kentucky,  on  the  bankrupt  laws,  and  a  few 
sentences  from  Webster ;  and  lastly,  in  pursuance  of  a  very 
friendly  invitation,  we  have  been  dining  with  Henry  Clrvy. 
He  is  a  person  whom  we  cannot  help  liking,  and  even  loving ; 
there  is  so  much  of  kindness  and  good  humour  about  him. 

Sixth  day  morning,  5th  mo.,  15th.    Our  visit  to  the-  "White 


228  -R-ASHINGTON.  1840 

House"  jesterday  -was  satisfactory;  so  far  as'it  enabled  us  to 
cast  our  burden  from  our  oivn  shoulders,  and  lay  it  at  the 
feet  of  those  who  can  carry  it,  -with  good  eifect,  if  they  will. 
We  .were  kindly  received  by  the  President ;  Woodbury,  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and  Paulding,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  being  -with  him.  We  stated  the  case  of  Cuba  and  of 
American  participation  in  the  abominations  of  the  slave  trade  ; 
and  suggested  tha-t  a  mutual  right  of  search  might  be  granted, 
"^vith  restrictions  to  the  coast  of  Africa,  without  derogating 
from  the  high  feelings  (we  might  have  said  the  national 
pride)  of  the  Americans.  The  President  heard  us  with 
attention,  and  apparent  kindness  and  respect.  In  the  evening 
v/e  spent  a  highly  pleasant  hour  or  two  with  Samuel  Southard, 
senator  from  New  Jersey,  one  of  the  first  men  of  this  country, 
and  his  son-in-law  Ogden  Hoffman,  of  the  lower  house. 
They  are  both  right-minded,  and  particularly  agreeable ;  of 
one  mind  with  us  respecting  slavery  and  the  slave  trade. 
The  chaplain  of  the  House,  Dr.  Bates,  of  his  own  accord, 
offered  to  make  way  for  us  next  first  day  morning ;  and  the 
Speaker  having  given  his  consent,  we  are  now  looking 
forward  to  one  more  public  meeting  with  the  Congress  of 
America. 

This  afternoon,  after  a  morning  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives and  Senate,  we  have  been  visiting  Henry  Fox,  our 
ambassador.  He  is  a  person  of  very  singular  habits — turning 
niofht  into  day  and  vine  versa — but  of  decided  acuteness  and 
talent,  and  a  true  and  feeling  man,  on  the  subject  of  slavery. 
I  was  well  pleased  with  our  discussion.  I  suggested  to  him 
the  above-mentioned  plan  of  restricting  the  "  right  of  search" 
to  the  coast  of  Africa,  which  he  quite  approved ;  but  has 
little  hope  that  Congress  wottld  ever  agree  to  the  measure, 
however  limited  or  modified.  We  talked  about  slavery  in 
this  country,  qjid  I  was  glad  to  hear  him  express  his  opinion, 
that  the  movements  of  the  Anti-Slavery  Societies  of  America 
will,  in  the  end,  be  productive  of  good.  He  is  the  nephew  of 
Charles  James  Fox,  and,  whatever  may  be  his  infirmities,  I 
must  give  him  the  credit  of  sharing  in  the  integrity,  good 
sense,  and  kindness  of  heart,  which  distinguished  his  uncle. 


MT.  52.  MEETING    IN    THE    CAPITOL.  229 

I'irst  day  morning,  5th  mo.,  17th;  one  o'clock.  "With 
much  fear  and  trembling  did  I  ascend  the  steps  of  the 
Capitol,  my  very  heart  faint  within  me;  and,  after  having 
been  led  to  search  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  question, 
"  What  think  ye  of  Christ  ?"  I  return  from  it  with  ease  and 
quietness.  We  had  a  crowded  and  most  attentive  assemblage, 
amongst  the  rest.  Clay,  of  Kentucky,  Clay,  of  Alabama, 
Forsyth,  J.  Q.  Adams,  Wyse,  Hoffman,  J.  C.  Calhoun,  and 
others  of  the  "intellectual  nobility"  of  the  land.  I  ended 
with  strong  appeals  to  the  law  of  righteousness,  as  the  true 
guide  to  sound  national  policy,  as  well  as  private  virtue. 
There  was  a  solemn  silence  at  the  close  of  the  meeting,  after 
which  many  took  a  warm  and  affectionate  leave  of  us.   *  * 

"  Soon  afterwards,"  he  continues  in  another  letter,  "  I  took 
my  last  leave  of  Washington-  A  public  meeting  had  been 
previously  appointed,  for  that  evening,  at  Baltimore.  Under 
such  circumstances  we  could  not  hesitate  to  avail  ourselves  of 
the  afternoon  rail  car.  A  respectable  assembly  was  collected 
at  the  Baptist  chapel,  in  the  latter  city,  to  unite  with  us  in 
our  worship ;  and  thus  a  second  occasion  of  rather  peculiar 
religious  solemnity  brought  this  sabbath  day  to  its  close." 

The  attendance  of  the  ensuing  Yearly  Meetings 
of  New  York  and  New  England,  was  now  the 
principal  object  that  pressed  upon  Joseph  John 
Gurnej's  mind  before  leaving  America.  At  Wash- 
ington, Henry  Clay  had  suggested  to  him  the 
desirability  of  throwing  before  the  public  the 
results  of  his  inquiries  and  observations  in  the 
West  Indies,  in  reference  to  slavery  and  the 
working  of  emancipation.  This  idea  accorded 
with  his  own  view,  and  he  now  applied  his  ^aw 
remaining  hours  of  leisure  in  America  to  this 
object;    presenting    his    narrative    in    a    series    o^ 


230  KEW  YORK  ;  KEW  ENGLAND.  1840. 

letters  addressed,  with  liis  full  permission,  to  Henry 
Clay  himself.  This  little  work,  already  several 
times  referred  to,  was  soon  afterwards  pubhshed 
under  the  title  of  a  Winter  in  the  West  Indies, 
and  was  widely  circulated  both  in  England  and 
xVmerica. 

After  attending  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  New  York, 
he  writes  in  his  Journal:  — 

Joshua  ICimhers,  Flushing,  Gth  mo.,  5th.  My  return 
certificate  was  brought  in  on  fifth  day  last  week,  and  adopted 
■with  much  renewed  expression  of  consent.  I  spoke  at  some 
length  in  the  Yearly  Meeting,  on  domestic  religion,  and  on 
slavery.  It  ended  in  dignified  solemnity,  this  day  week.  On 
seventh  day  afternoon,  after  settling  affairs,  I  came  to  this 
place  exhausted,  panting  for  quietness  ;  and  have  been  busily 
engaged,  under  this  peaceful  roof,  in  writing  my  familiar 
letters  to  Henry  Clay. 

Having  proceeded  to  New  England,  he  con- 
tinues : — 

Newport,  \Rhode  Island,']  6th  mo.,  Idth.  We  are  this  day 
come  to  the  close  of  a  highly  favoured  Yearly  Meeting.  On 
first  day  week,  at  New  York,  we  had  an  excellent  united 
meeting  with  Thomas  and  E.  Robson ;  and  I  made  a  last  call 
on  dear  Daniel  TVheeler,  at  whose  bedside  I  was  very  shortlj 
engaged  in  prayer.  Afterwards,  in  the  solemn  and  sweet 
afternoon  meeting,  I  had  to  pray  for  him  and  his  family 
publicly.  Spent  the  rest  of  the  week  at  Samuel  Parsons', 
flushing,  and  wi'ote  my  book,  ninth  Letter  inclusive.  On 
sixth  day  morning  last,  voyage  by  Massachusetts  steamer  to 
NeAvport ;  we  arrived  here  safe  on  seventh  day  morning. 
Public  meetings,  morning  and  afternoon  of  first  day,  peculiarly 
.solemn  and  satisfactory.  In  the  Yearly  Meeting,  (of  New 
England.)  my  return  certificate  was  granted,  notwithstanding 


^T.  52.  LETTER    FROM    DR.  CHAX2sIXG.  231 

a  little  appearance  of  the  contrai'j  spirit,  with  reuiaikably  fui! 
concurrence ;  so  also  in  the  ^Yomen's  meeting.  In  the  early 
part  of  this  Yearly  Meeting  we  received  the  sad  tidings  of 
Daniel  Wheeler's  death.  I  have  borne  a  testimony  to  the 
grace  of  God  in  him,  in  both  meetings.  I  doubt  not  his 
beinff  at  rest  with  the  Lord.  Nothing  can  have  exceeded 
the  love  and  kindness  of  Friends,  and  we  parted  this  morning 
in  the  flowings  of  a  holy  cordiality.  Blessed  be  the  name  of 
the  Lord. 

FROM    DR.  CHANNING. 

Newport,  R.  I.,  June  26th,  1340. 

My  dear  Sir, 

After  you  left  me  the  other  day,  I  regretted 
that  I  had  not  expressed  to  you  in  stronger  language,  my 
earnest  desire  that  you  would  publish  among  us  your  obser- 
vations on  the  working  of  emancipation  in  the  West  Indies. 
There  has  been,  and  still  is,  in  our  community,  a  shocking 
mixture  of  incredulity  and  indifference  on  this  subject.  I 
trust  we  are  not  given  up  to  hardness  of  heart ;  and  if  any- 
thing can  rouse  us  from  our  insensibility,  it  must  be  the 
testimony  of  men  well  known  and  respected,  and  whose 
judgment  and  motives  are  above  suspicion.  Your  extensive 
travels  and  labours  have  made  you  an  object  of  interest  and 
confidence  through  a  considerable  part  of  the  country;  and 
very  many  would  listen  to  your  report.  Allow  me  then  to 
say,  that  it  seems  to  me,  you  can  render  import.ant  service  to 
the  cause  of  freedom  and  humanity,  by  giving  to  the  public 
here,  the  results  of  your  observations.  I  remember  with 
much  pleasure  our  intercourse,  and  am  truly  grateful  for  the 
cheering  light  you  communicated. 

V^ery  truly,  your  friend, 

William  E.  Channing. 

His  passage  to  England  was  taken  in  the  Roscius, 
which  was  expected  to  sail  from  New  Y^ork  at  the 


232  LETTER.  1840. 

latter  end  of  the  seventh  month.  The  interval  was 
spent  partly  at  Providence,  v.here  he  completed  his 
letters  to  Henry  Clay,  and  partly  in  farewell  visits 
to  Philadelphia  and  New  York.  In  the  prospect  of 
his  return  home,  mingled  as  it  was  in  his  mind 
with  a  feeling  of  uncertainty  as  to  the  event  of  the 
voyage  and  his  own  state  of  health,  he  thus 
intimately  pours  out  his  heart 

TO    HIS    CHILDREN. 

Newport,  Rhode  Island,  6th  mo.,  21st,  1840. 

*  *  *  Whether  I  am  permitted  to  return  to  you  or  not, 
I  look  back  "with  satisfaction  and  thankfulness  to  the  nearly 
three  years  which  I  have  spent  on  this  side  the  Atlantic,  and 
that  on  two  grounds ;  first,  the  preservation  which  you  have 
so  mercifully  experienced  in  my  absence  ;  and  secondly,  the 
evident  efficacy  (through  the  divine  blessing)  of  the  gospel 
mission  in  which  I  have  been  engaged. 

Many  seals  to  my  ministry  have  been  graciously  afforded 
me  in  individual  cases ;  and  many  tokens,  on  a  larger  scale, 
that  my  labours  in  the  gospel  have  be.en  the  means  of  clearing 
the  understanding  of  some,  and  of  impressing  their  feelings 
respecting  the  fundamental  and  cardinal  doctrines  of  Chris- 
tianity. You  know  that  I. am  very  infirm  in  myself,  and  I 
have  at  sundry  times  been  led  publicly  to  confess  myself  to  be 
one  of  the  most  unworthy  of  the  Lord's  servants ;  therefore 
boasting  is,  and  ought  to  be,  far  from  me.  I  am  humbled  in 
the  dust  before  the  Lord,  as  a  poor  guilty  earthworm,  without 
the  smallest  hope  of  salvation,  except  through  the  perfect 
righteousness  and  efficacious  blood -shedding  of  my  holy 
Redeemer.  Yet  I  enjoy  sweet  peace  in  the  retrospect  of  the 
long  and  various  labours,  both  in  America  and  the  West 
Indies,  into  which  the  Lord  has  been  pleased  to  lead  me ;  and, 
even  were  our  pleasant  prospects  of  meeting  again  on  earth 
never  tc   be  realized,  I  have  not  the  least  reason  to  regret 


^T.  52.  TO    niS    CHILDREN.  233 

having  left  my  all,  for    the    sake    of  Jesus    Christ    and   his 
gospel. 

I  think  raj  visit  has  been  the  means,  through  mercy,  of 
leading  many,  especially  of  the  young,  to  clearer  views  of  the 
religion  of  the  New  Testament,  and  to  a  firmer  and  more 
intelligent  attachment  to  the  principles  of  our  own  Society, 
than  they  had  ever  felt  before.  So  far  from  having  at  all 
unsettled  their  Quakerism,  my  ministry  has  been  the  means, 
under  the  divine  blessing,  of  inducing  many  of  them,  especially 
of  the  young  men,  to  renounce  the  habits  of  the  world,  and,  as 
a  token  of  their  allegiance  to  the  Saviour,  to  adopt  the  plain 
dress  and  language,  which  unquestionably  become  our  Christian 
profession.  They  form  an  outline  which,  in  the  present  con- 
dition of  the  church,  and  of  the  world,  we  cannot  spare  ;  they 
serve  the  important  purpose  of  separating  us  from  associations, 
amusements,  and  excitements,  which  pull  the  wrong  way. 
They  are  a  check  on  our  natural  tendencies  to  flippancy-  and 
vanity,  and  a  bridle  on  our  idle  tongues.  They  are  our  way 
(amongst  other  analogous  things)  of  openly  confessing  our 
Lord,  and  of  showing  ourselves  to  be  on  his  side  ;  and,  above 
all,  they  are  humbling  ;  and  humiliation  is  that  which  tve  all 
chiejly  vjant. 

The  divisions  of  sentiment  now  so  apparent  in  the  Church 
of  England,  and  the  rapid  retrograde  movements  towards 
Popery  of  a  large  proportion  of  the  clergy  in  America,  as  well 
as  in  England,  have  been  to  me  very  instructive  as  well  as 
affecting.  And  useful  and  valuable  as  are  the  Methodists, 
the  Baptists,  the  Presbyterians,  the  Moravians,  the  Indepen- 
dents, &c.,  in  their  respective  niches,  (and  of  their  usefulness 
I  have  seen  much,  both  in  America' and  the  West  Indies,)  I, 
am  clearly  of  the  mind,  from  deliberate  and  extensive 
observation,  that  their  respective  administrations  of  religion, 
would  never  suit  those,  who,  through  the  tender  mercy  of  our 
God,  have  been  accustomed  to  the  free,  unfettered  operations 
of  the  Lord's  anointing.  I  charge  [you]  to  abide  under  it, 
to  live  and  to  move  under  it,  in  all  things.  Sure  I  am,  that 
this  most  blessed  principle  of  action,  will  never  open  the  door 
for    your  forsaking    the    steady  maintenance  of  any  of  our 


234  PHILADELPHIA.  1840. 

Christian  testimonies,  little  or  great.  Never  set  up  your  own 
reasonings  against  it  or  over  it ;  but  follow  it  in  faith  and 
obedience,  and  it  will  keep  you  in  the  tenderness  and  innocence 
of  the  Christian  life.  I  entreat  you  both  to  persevere  in  the 
habits  of  daily  retirement,  of  the  private  reading  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  of  prayer,  much,  frequent,  fervent  prayer,  even 
through  the  blessed  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  prayeth  for 
us  with  ffroanings  that  cannot  be  uttered. 

I  conclude  with  the  apostolic  words,  "  Love  not  the  world, 
neither  the  things  which  are  in  the  world.  If  any  man  love 
the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him.  For  all  that 
is  in  the  world,  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and 
the  pride  of  life,  are  not  of  the  Father,  but  of  the  world :  and 
the  w^orld  passeth  away  with  the  lust  thereof;  but  he  that 
doeth  the  v,ill  of  God  abideth  for  ever." 

At  Pliiladelphia  he  Vv-rites  in  his  Journal :  — 

ItJi  mo.,  9th.  Encore  ici  pour  la  derniere  fois.  This 
morning  attended  the  quiet,  solemn  week-day  meeting  at 
Arch-street ;  in  which  I  had  to  speak  of  the  immortality  of 
the  soul,  of  the  happiness  of  the  departed,  and  of  the 
necessary  work  of  preparation  for  eternity.  Quietness  my 
portion,  through  mercy,  on  returning  hither. 

West  Sill,  7tli  mo.,  22nd.  I  have  to  record  many  mercies 
since  I  last  wrote.  The  time  spent  in  Philadelphia  has  on  the 
whole  been  very  satisfactory. 

On  fifth  day  to  Merion ;  a  blessed  little  meeting ;  dined 
and  lodged  at  Israel  W.  Morris's  ;  next  morning  to  Haverford ; 
a  very  satisfactory  visit.  Last  first  day,  a  lai'ge  and  full 
meeting  at  the  North  meeting-house ;  a  very  searching, 
solemn  time.  In  the  evening,  a  very  large  meeting  at  Arch- 
street,  for  Friends  of  all  the  meetings — "  If  I  wash  thee  not 
thou  hast  no  part  with  me."  A  deeply  afi"ecting  leave-taking. 
Second  day,  satisfactory  visit  to  Isaac  Collins  and  his  family, 
in  deep  affliction  from  the  unexpected  death  of  his  son  Henry ; 
but  there  was  a  good  hope  respecting  him.     In  the  afternoon 


2ET.  52.  EMBARKATION   FOR   ENGLAND.  £'-" 

I  took  ray  last  leave  of  mj  dear  friend  and  helper,  II.  Paul, 
and  was  accompanied  by  her  beloved  husband  to  the  steam- 
boat, for  Burlington;  being  permitted  to  leave  Philadelphia  in 
entire  peace. 

Accompanied  bj  his  young  friend  Alexander  S. 
Taylor,  he  embarked  on  board  the  Roscius,  on  the 
twenty-sixth  of  the  seventh  month. 

On  board  the  Roscius,  first  day  morning.  Again  have  I 
trusted  myself  on  the  bosom  of  the  deep,  after  having  accom- 
plished the  work  in  America,  and  am  homeward  hound!  I 
arrived  at  New  York  on  fifth  day  afternoon ;  many  friends  seen, 
and  book  finished.  Dear  Richard  Mott  came  in  from  the 
country ;  nothing  could  exceed  the  love  and  kindness  of 
Friends.  In  the  evening  of  sixth  day,  my  last,  last  meeting 
in  America ;  well  attended  by  Friends  and  others,  and 
peculiarly  weighty,  quiet,  and  solemn.  The  next  morning, 
Friends'  flocked  to  W.  F.  Mott's  :  and  two  religious  sittings 
took  place.  The  silence  was  long,  and  the  peaceful  solemnity 
more  than  I  can  describe.  The  Holy  Master  gave  us  his  seal 
in  a  pre-eminent  manner;  and  I  felt  perfectly  easy  and  tranquil. 
Large  were  the  numbers  who  accompanied  me  to  the  shore, 
and  most  of  them  in  the  steam-boat  to  the  ship.  Lord,  do  thou 
graciously  help  me,  sustain,  preserve,  and  comfort  me,  for  thy 
mercy  and  truth's  sake. 

Fifth  day  morning,  7th  7no.,  oOth.  This  morning,  we  have 
had  a  comfortable  opportunity  with  several  of  the  steerage 
passengers  ;  and  since,  a  solemn  and  satisfactory  week-day 
meeting,  with  my  companion,  wherein  the  blessed  presence  of 
Jesus,  with  the  "  two"  was,  I  trust,  made  known.  I  was  led 
to  look  at  the  past,  the  present,  and  the  future ;  and  the 
result  seemed  to  be 

"  To  thank  the  Lord  for  mercies  past, 
And  humbly  hope  for  more." 

Seventh  day  noon,  Sth  mo.,  1st.  This  afternoon  will  com- 
plete the  week  since  that  memorable,  peaceful,  tearful  parting, 


236  VOYAGE    HOME.  18-10. 

from  iny  many  friends,  when  I  left  the  steam-boat  in  New 
York  harbour  for  this  vessel.  As  it  draws  to  its  close  I  find 
myself  empty,  weak,  and  poor;  yet  not  otherwise  than  happy. 
I  suppose  we  have  progressed  neai-ly  800  miles  in  our  course ; 
say  one-fourth  of  our  voyage.  0  Lord,  I  do  desire  to  pre- 
sent the  remainder  of  my  days  to  thee,  as  a  living  sacrifice ; 
and  should  it  please  thee  to  add  the  fifteen  years  to  my  life, 
as  to  that  of  Hezekiah  in  the  days  of  old, — turning  as  it  were 
the  shadow  of  infirmity  in  mind  and  body  back  as  a  sign — • 
may  such  a  period,  whether  longer  or  shorter,  be  devoted  to 
thy  cause  on  earth,  in  the  pure  strength  and  wisdom  of  thy 
own  Holy  Spirit ! 

AVhile  fresh  evidences  multiply  upon  me,  that  God  permits 
grace  to  flow  through  many  very  different  administrations,  I 
increasingly  love  and  approve  the  simplicity,  solidity,  and 
purity  of  Christianity,  as  held  by  Friends.  First,  as  it  relates 
to  my  own  welfare.  In  the  saving  of  the  spiritual,  invisible, 
and  immortal  soul,  the  application  of  the  grand  truths  of  the 
New  Testament,  under  the  immediate  and  most  precious 
influences  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  seems  all  that  is  required.  It 
is  the  appropriation  by  faith  of  a  most  glorious  scheme  of 
wisdom,  holiness,  and  benevolence.  *  *  *  I  own  no  priest- 
hood but  the  priesthood  of  Christ ;  no  supper  in  worship,  but 
in  spiritual  communion  with  him  and  his  followers  at  his  own 
table,  in  his  kingdom ;  no  baptism,  as  an  introduction  to  the 
hopes  and  citizenship  of  the  Christian  believer,  but  that  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.  I  heartily  crave  and  pray  that  the  blessed 
principle  in  me  of  light,  and  life,  and  love,  even  the  perceptible, 
operative  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  may  consummate 
its  victory  over  the  native  infirmities  of  my  own  heart. 

Greyheaded  as  I  am,  I  am  at  times  haunted  by  the  shadows 
of  old  corruptions,  and  Satan  still  plays  at  seasons  on  the 
irritability  of  my  nervous  system,  fills  me  with  strange  fears, 
and  bids  words  of  murmuring,  (in  which  I  believe  I  have  no 
part,)  to  dart  like  lightning  though  my  almost  morbidly 
sensitive  mind.  But,  through  all,  I  am  permitted  to  feel  an 
increasing  settlement  in  Christ ;  and  in  the  view  of  eternity, 
I  can,  with  a  degree  of  confidence,  commit   myself  to    the 


^T,   52,  IMPORTAXT    REFLECTIONS.  237 

marvellously  comprehensive  mercies  of  mj  God,  in  him — my 
Redeemer.  T  rejoice  in  the  belief  that  I  have  redemption 
through  his  blood,  even  the  forgiveness  of  sins.  I  am  most 
happy  that  I  have  never  been  seduced  into  any  unworthy, 
heterodox  notions  of  the  person  and  character  of  my  blessed 
Saviour.  It  hath,  indeed,  pleased  the  Father,  that  in  him 
sliould  all  fulness  dwell.  Truly,  he  is  my  all  in  all.  Next  to 
this  view  of  Christ,  as  the  Foundation  of  all  my  hopes, 
and  inseparably  connected  "with  it,  is  the  experience,  most 
graciously  permitted  me,  (especially  in  connexion  with  the 
American  mission,)  of  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  I 
mean  the  developments  of  truth  itself,  in  my  own  mind,  in 
reference  to  my  own  course  of  duty,  which  I  have  wonder- 
fully found  to  be  also  the  course  of  safety, — the  arrangements 
of  Divine  Providence  having  so  far  memorably  coincided  with 
the  internal  pointing  of  his  holy  hand.  With  these  views, 
and  with  this  experience,  what  can  I  do  but  go  boldly  and 
Avash,  from  day  to  day,  in  the  fountain  of  the  atoning  blood 
of  Jesus,  reverently  depending  on  his  all-availing  intercession, 
and  commit  myself,  without  reserve,  to  that  unseen,  but  not 
unfelt  government,  under  which  I  may  yet  "  make  all  things 
according  to  the  pattern  showed"  me  "in  the  mount."  0 
Lord  God,  omnipotent,  omnipresent,  omniscient,  infinitely 
abounding  in  wisdom  and  grace,  sanctify  me  wholly  in  body, 
soul,  and  spirit ;  stamp  thine  own  image  upon  me ;  and 
prepare  me  for  a  glorious  eternity ! 

The  second  branch  of  the  subject,  now  in  deep  seriousness 
before  me,  is  usefulness  to  others.  Had  I  been  placed  in  any 
other  religious  society,  I  must  have  been  either  a  layman ;  or, 
in  the  milder  sense  of  the  word,  a  priest.  I  am  satisfied  that, 
in  neither  capacity,  could  I  have  enjoyed  the  same  scope  for 
usefulness  as  I  now  do  under  an  administration  which  levels 
this  distinction,  and  allows  the  liberty  of  the  Spirit  in  its  full 
and  just  action.  So  it  is  enjoyed  in  my  case.  I  do  not  con- 
sider it  to  be  so,  sufficiently,  by  some  of  my  brethren  and 
sisters.  I  think  the  fault  of  our  society,  in  its  present  con- 
dition, is  the  predominance  of  fear,  prejudice,  and  system, 
over  this  blessed  liberty  ;  a  remark  which  I  apply  with  a  fuF. 


238  VOYAGE    HOME.  1840. 

feeling  of  the  value  of  a  well-ordered  Cliristian  government 
and  discipline  in  the  church.  But  loe  ivant  more  faith  in  thai 
anointing  for  which  we  plead.  God  grant  that  it  may  spread, 
abound,  and  prosper  !  xVs  it  is,  while  my  secularities  afford 
me  many  large  opportunities  of  helping  others,  I  am  free  to 
go  forth  and  labour,  wherever  and  whenever  the  Lord  is 
pleased  to  send  me,  for  the  instruction  of  believers  and  the 
salvation  of  sinners.  I  humbly  trust  that  He  who  sent  me 
forth  has  blessed,  and  will  bless,  my  ministry.  He  only  pan 
give  the  increase.  I  pray  thee,  0  most  gracious  Lord,  to 
give  me  the  hundred-fold  on  both  sides  the  Atlantic  ;  and 
may  all  end,  to  thy  honour  and  glory,  in  the  perfect  and 
eternal  peace  of  one  of  the  poorest  and  most  unworthy  of 
thy  servants  ! 

d)th  mo.,  lith.  In  the  afternoon  of  first  day  we  had  a 
comforting  meeting  with  the  steerage  passengers  ;  and  in  the 
evening  I  held  one,  by  invitation,  in  the  ladies'  cabin.  It 
was,  indeed,  a  favoui'ed  day.  Since  then  we  have  spent 
two  prosperous  days ;  the  wind  favourable,  driving  us  on 
ten  knots  in  the  hour ;  the  scene  delightful  ;  the  weather 
fresh,  but  growing  cold  ;  sweet  hope  of  meeting  my  beloved 
ones  in  England  increasing  as  I  draw  nearer  my  native 
shores ;  my  comfortable  state-room  continues  to  be  a  place  of 
waiting  and  prayer. 

8th  mo.,  15th.  We  have  had  a  fine  sail  since  I  last  wrote ; 
continued  prosperity  in  this  remarkably  favoured  voyage  has 
been  our  portion,  in  the  loving-kindness  of  our  Heavenly 
Father ;  though  yesterday  and  last  night  were  attended  by 
some  anxiety,  as  we  failed  to  make  Cape  Clear,  finding  our- 
selves, by  an  observation  at  noon,  much  to  the  southward  of 
it.  Thus  we  had  to  run  up  the  Channel  without  our  land- 
marks, though  the  captain  thought  he  caught  a  sight  of  land. 
I  had  retired  to  rest  when  the  pleasant  tidings  were  brought 
that  the  Tuscar  light  was  in  sight.  A  good  night  followed, 
and  this  morning  we  have  been  enjoying  a  delightful  sail — 
the  Irish  and  Welsh  coast  both  in  sight.  We  are  now  about 
forty  miles  from  Liverpool,  and  have  just  taken  in  a  pilot. 
No  account  of  the  arrival  of  any  of  the  steam-boats.     Ho^v^ 


ffiT.  53.  ARRIVAL    IN    ENGLAND.  239 

remarkably  has  my  course  been  ordered  for  me,  as  it  relates 
to  sailing  in  this  vessel !  How  abundant  has  been  the  kind- 
ness with  which  the  Lord  has  dealt  with  the  very  weakest 
and  most  unworthy  of  his  servants !  I  hope  I  am,  in  a  good 
degree,  bowed  in  humble  gratitude  before  Him  who  made 
heaven  and  earth.  The  newspapers  brought  in  by  the  pilot 
mention  the  death  of  Lord  Durham,  which  I  trul}^  feel. 

At  length  arrived  at  Earlham,  he  writes:  — 

My  own  chamber,  8th  mo.,  2Srd.  The  wonders  of  the 
last  week,  the  flowing  in  of  peace  and  pleasure,  are  almost 
past  journalizing.  After  the  last  entry  we  had  to  undergo 
the  mortification  of  being  compelled  to  lay-to  during  the 
night,  as  the  pilot  was  afraid  of  attempting  to  go  over  the  bar 
at  the  midnight  high  tide;  and  it  Avas  not  until  ten  o'clock 
on  first  day  morning,  the  16th,  that  we  again  set  sail.  In 
the  mean  time  no  storm  occurred,  no  difficulty  arose ;  and  we 
sailed  gallantly  along  the  Victoria  channel,  marked  by  buoys 
•and  light  ships ;  weathered  the  Black  Rock ;  and,  w^ith  the 
joint  help  of  a  steam-boat  and  fair  wind,  landed. at  the  Docks 
about  half-past  twelve  last  first  day.  The  very  next  night  an 
nwful  storm  occurred,  which,  being  from  the  west,  might 
have  driven  our  heavy-laden  ship  on  the  bar.  Thus  mercifully 
and  providentially  was  I  ngain  dealt  with.  JMy  dearest 
brother  Samuel  Gurney,  and  William  Forster,  my  long-tried, 
long-loved  friend,  were  waiting  to  receive  us  ;  both  happy, 
both  in  health,  bringing  good  news  of  all  the  circle.  The 
meeting  was  inexpressibly  pleasant.  AYe  were  most  kindly 
received  by  Isaac  and  T.  Hadwen,  at  whose  house  we  had  so 
largely  drunk  of  the  waters  of  life,  on  leaving  England.  In 
the  evening  we  attended  the  usual  meeting,  which  was  large 
and  solemn.  I  was  much  engaged,  both  in  ministry  and 
prayer,  showing  the  practical  nature  of  the  principles  which' 
we  profess.  Samuel  and  I  proceeded  to  London  the  next 
morning  by  the  wondrous  new  railroad.  The  country  looked 
the  picture  of  green  prettiness.  We  arrived  about  seven 
o'clock    in    the    evening,    at    London ;    and,    on    leaving    the 


2-iO  RETURN  home;  1840. 

carriage,  I  had  the  great  happiness  of  meeting  ray  own 
dearest  John  Henry,  with  Samuel  and  Sarah  Gurney. 
Nothing  could  be  more  joyous  than  the  meeting  with  my 
sister  Fry,  and  all  the  Upton  family  and  the  Buxtons,  on  our 
arrival  at  Upton,  Unclouded  serenity  and  perfect  ease  were 
my  happy  lot.  Fourth  day.  Journey  to  Norfolk  in  Samuel's 
coach,  with  Fowell,  Hannah,  and  our  sister  Fry;  read  part  of 
the  West  Indian  hook  to  satisfaction ;  took  the  last  stage 
with  John  Henry  on  the  box ;  arrived  at  Earlham  about  nine 
o'clock,  and  was  permitted  a  return  home  in  unclouded 
peace  and  joy,  meeting  my  tenderly-beloved  Anna  Avell,  and 
most  happy.  Seventh  day.  Pleasant  Norwich  day ;  easy 
and  comforting  development  of  affairs  at  the  Bank.  Not- 
withstanding all  sacrifices,  I  have  been  singularly  blessed 
during  my  absence,  in  temporals,  so  that  I  find  myself  greatly 
at  my  ease. 

To-day  we  have  had  a  large  good  meeting  in  the  Gilden- 
croft,  in  which  the  signs  of  the  work  of  divine  grace  were 
unfolded,-  and  I  am  expecting  a  public  meeting  this  evening;  a 
blessed  absence  of  excitement,  an  unbroken  tranquillity,  are 
my  happy  portion.  The  broad  seal  of  the  Spirit  of  my  God 
seems  conspicuously  to  rest  on  the  labours,  perils,  exercises, 
and  engagements  of  the  last  three  years.  The  Lord  be 
praised !  The  Lord  alone  be  praised !  "  Make  a  joyful 
noise  unto  the  Lord,  all  ye  lands  ;  serve  the  Lord  with  gladness ; 
come  before  his  presence  with  singing.  Know  ye  that  the 
Lord  he  is  God ;  it  is  he  that  made  us,  and  not  we  ourselves  ; 
we  are  his  people  and  the  sheep  of  his  pasture.  Enter  into 
his  gates  with  thanksgiving,  and  into  his  courts  with  praise. 
Be  thankful  unto  him,  and  bless  his  name.  For  the  Lord  is 
good.  His  mercy  is  everlasting,  and  his  truth  endureth  unto 
all  senerations."  , 


MT.  53.  HOME   OCCUPATION.  241 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

1840—41.     ^T.  53. 

PLBLICATION  OF  THE  WINTER  IN  THE  WEST  INDIES;  AFRICAN 
CIVILIZATION  society;  letters;  EXTRACTS  PROM  JOURNAL; 
ADDRESS  ON  PEACE;  YEARLY  MEETING;  ENGAGEMENT  IN 
marriage;     VISIT     TO    PARIS. 

The  passing  through  the  press  of  the  English 
edition  of  his  Winter  in  the  West  Indies  afforded 
an  agreeable  occupation  for  some  of  Joseph  John 
Gurney's  leisure  hours  on  his  return  home.  Another 
object  which  soon  engaged  his  attention  was  the 
African  Civilization  Society,  established  principally 
through  the  instrumentality  of  his  brother-in-law,  Sir 
Thomas  Fowell  Buxton,  with  a  view  of  promoting 
the  welfare  of  the  African  race.  In  consequence  of 
the  co-operation  of  this  Society  with  the  expedition 
for  the  Niger,  then  fitting  out  by  Government  for 
purposes  of  commerce  and  discovery,  but  composed 
of  armed  vessels,  many  sincere  friends  of  the  cause, 
disapproving  of  the  employment,  under  any  circum- 
stances, of  the  apparatus  of  war,  were  prevented 
from  lending  it  their  aid.  Strongly  as  Joseph  John 
Gurney  was  opposed,  uj)on  principle,  to  all  war,  he 
thought  himself  justified  in  giving  the  Society  his 
active  co-operation,  relying  upon  their  express 
words,    as    stated,    in     the    prospectus,    "that     its 

Vol.  II.  — 16 


242  JOURNAL.  1840. 

objects    are    and     must     be    exdasivelij  pacific   and 
henevolentr  ''' 

The  following  are  from  liis  Journal:  — 

10('/i  mo.,  2nd.  *  *  *  My  mind  has  been  quite  enough 
occupied  with  the  subject  of  the  new  African  Society. 
The  question,  in  connexion  with  our  Christian  testimony 
against  bearing  arms,  has  brought  me  into  deep  and  serious 
consideration  before  the  Lord,  with  a  single  eye,  I  hope,  to 
liis  will  in  the  matter.  On  a  fair  view  of  the  case,  I  think  the 
way  is  clear  for  my  joining  and  supporting  the  institution ; 
but  on  one  point  I  am  expecting  further  information.  May 
I  be  preserved  near  the  Fountain  of  light  and  life,  in  all  my 
movements  ! 

IQth  mo.,  21st.  I  have  received  delightful  accounts  of  the 
general  reception  and  influence  in  America  of  my  book  on  the 
West  Indies  ;  and  cheering  testimonies  at  home  from  Knibb, 
Sir  William  Colebrooke,  and  others  ;  so  that  I  have  cause,  on 
the  whole,  for  encouragement,  and  for  the  belief  that,  through 
all,  the  Lord  is  blessing  the  work  of  my  hands.  Without  his 
blessing,  what  am  I  ? 

lltli  mo.,  l^th.  Two  weeks  have  elapsed,  and  I  find  myself 
still  in  health  and  peace  with  my  children  in  the  deep  quietude 
of  Earlham.  The  first  edition  of  the  West  Indies  sold  oS"; 
and  the  numerous  revievrs,  &c.,  private  and  public,  so  far  as  I 
have  seen,  entirely  favourable ;  which  I  can  ascribe  only  to  the 
sparing  mercies  of  the  Lord. 

Xlth  mo.,  21st.  On  fourth  day  was  our  county  meeting  in 
the  African  cause  ;  the  best  materials  for  a  good  meeting  I 
ever  saw  in  Norfolk;  an  admirable  platform;  but  the  Chartists 
were  noisy  and  turbulent  beyond  description,  and  spoiled  every 
thing.     The  Bishopf  and  myself  were  the  principal  objects  of 

*  See  the  Letter  to  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  prefixed  to  the  English 
edition  of  the  Winter  in  the  West  Indies. 

j"  It  will  be  recollected  that  the  late  Bishop  Stanley  had,  at  this 
time,  succeeded  his  venerable  predecessor,  Bishop  Bathurst,  in  the 
see  of  Norwich. 


Ml.  53.  TO    SIR   T.  F.  BUXTON.  •  243 

their  violent  opposition  and  abuse.  The  disappointment  was 
great  to  very  many.  After  a  fashion,  we  passed  our  resolu- 
tions, and  established  the  Society. 

I  have  thought  it  best  publicly  to  promote  the  trial*  of  this 
great  experiment  on  Africa,  and  have  given  a  large  sura  to 
Buxton  in  furtherance  of  the  object.  I  have  done  my  best 
to  hold  up  his  hands,  and  my  judgment  is  confirmed  as  to  the 
course  I  have  taken,  on  the  ground  of  the  vast  importance  of 
the  object ;  the  armed  protection,  by  which  it  is  accompanied, 
being  solely  the  affair  of  Government,  and  in  no  way  paid  for 
or  promoted  by  me.  After  the  meeting,  the  Bishop  and  many 
others  dined  with  us  at  Earlham ;  a  Christian  party,  which 
passed  off  well.  I  am  thankful  in  feeling  this  morning 
peaceful  and  quiet.  The  Lord  grant  that  the  ensuing  winter 
may  be  spent  consistently  with  his  holy  will ;  and  that  the  year 
so  marked  with  changes,  begun  in  the  West  Indies,  carried  on 
in  America,  and  now  winding  up  at  Earlham,  may  terminate 
in  peace.  May  "  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing, keep  our  hearts  and  minds  through  Jesus  Christ !" 

TO   SIR   THOMAS   FOWELL   BUXTON. 

Darlington,  12th  mo.,  18th,  1840. 

Truly  sorry  am  I  to  hear  of  thy  indisposition  ; 
I  fear  we  may  rather  call  it  illness.  Early  as  well  as 
auspicious  be  the  sailing  of  the  expedition,  that  the  leader  of 
our  African  cause  may,  without  further  delay,  consign  himself 
for  many  a  long  month  to  that  which  he  chiefly  wants, — 
absolute  intellectual  slumber.  The  utmost  stretch  of  thy 
mental  powers  must  henceforth  be  directed  to  the  planting  of 
Runton.  Learn  to  consider  thyself  of  no  importance,  and  be 
an  infant  once  more  until  Captain  Trotter  returns.  *  *  *  *  j 

am  well  satisfied  with  the  part  which  S.  G has  so  kindly 

and  nobly  taken  in  the  agricultural  business.  Though  I  have 
too  many  irons  in  the  fire  to  allow  of  my  being  a  partner  in 
this  farming  company,  I  have  entire  satisfaction  in  placing  my 
£1000  to  thy  account,  according  to  my  promise.     It  is  not  an 


^44*  TO    SIR    T.  F.  BUXTON.  1840. 

investment,  but  a  gift  to  thee,  to  be  used  ad  libitum  on  thy 
own  responsibility,  for  the  benefit  of  Africa. 

We  tave  general  principles,  plainly  laid  down  in  Scripture, 
and  many  particular  precepts  also ;  but  in  the  application  of 
these  to  the  innumerable  turns  and  occasions  of  life,  we  have 
perpetual  need  to  consult  the  witness  for  God  in  our  own 
hearts,  the  voice  of  his  Spirit  heard  in  the  secret  of  the  soul. 
It  is  the  high  privilege  of  the  Christian,  as  thou  well  knowest 
from  long  experience,  to  be  thus  guided.  "  The  anointing 
which  ye  have  received  of  him  abideth  in  you,  and  ye  need 
not  that  any  man  teach  you,  but  as  the  same  anointing 
teach eth  you  of  all  things,  and  is  truth  and  no  lie,  and  even 
as  it  hatli  taught  you,  ye  shall  abide  in  him."  Were  I  asked 
what  has  been  the  main  secret  of  thy  success  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  thy  great  public  objects,  I  should  say,  "A  life  of  prayer, 
dependence  on  the  providence  of  God,  and  childlike  faith  in 
the  influence  and  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit."  And,  in  the 
view  of  thy  deeply  important  objects ;  in  the  view  also  of  thy 
whole  frame  and  constitution  of  mind ;  not  to  mention  the 
rough  hits  and  difficulties  to  which  thou  art  often  exposed  ; 
I  can  commend  thee  to  nothing  better  than  the  calming, 
guiding,  qualifying    touches  of  the  power  of  God.   *  *  * 

As  thou  art  enabled  to  move  under  this  sacred  influence, 
continually  to  seek  for  it  with  all  diligence,  and  patiently  to 
wait  from  day  to  day  for  the  renewal  of  it,  it  will,  I  believe, 
continue  to  work  out  for  thee,  most  happy  eifects.  It  will 
clothe  thee  with  the  very  mantle  of  gentleness  and  love 
towards  all  who  may  oppose  or  thwart  thee  in  thy  schemes  of 
mercy.  It  will  enable  thee,  at  frequently  recurring  seasons,  to 
cease  from  thy  labours  of  mind,  from  the  whole  interior  eflbrt 
of  thy  philanthropy,  and  to  find  thy  rest  in  God.  And  it  will 
so  direct  thy  counsels  for  the  benefit  of  mankind,  that  they 
will  live  through  every  difficulty,  and  finally  triumph  over  all 
obstructions.  The  Lord  will  establish  the  work  of  thy  hands ; 
"  thy  enemies  shall  see  it  and  be  ashamed ;"  and  thy  friends 
shall  unite  with  thee  in  praising  "  the  Lord  for  his  goo\lness 
and  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men." 


/ST.  53.  LETTERS.  245 


TO    SIR    CULLING    EARDLEY    SMITH. 

[In  reply,  as  is  believed,  to  a  letter  requesting  Joseph  John  Gurney's  co-operation 
in  the  "Evangelical  Alliance."]  • 

Earlham,  near  Norwich, 

9th  mo.,  25th,  1840. 

Dear  Friend, 

The  pressure  of  several  engagements,  mostly 
of  a  public  nature,  has  prevented  my  giving  earlier  attention 
to  thy  letter  of  the  18th. 

Heartily  do  I  approve  the  spirit  of  thy  letter,  and  of  the 
article  in  the  newspaper,  but  I  am  not  yet  a  convert  to  the 
idea  of  attempting  a  Church  union  among  Christians  of 
different  denominations.  I  mean  a  union  in  congrea'atiou 
or  ecclesid,  under  a  given  form  or  system  of  Church 
government. 

I  am  a  thorough  friend  to  the  Bible  Society/  union,  in  which 
the  members  of  all  the  churches  can  join  in  the  furtherance  of 
a  common  object,  without  individual  compromise  ;  but  I  have 
always  objected  to  the  notion  of  turning  the  Bible  Society 
into  a  church,  by  applying  a  doctrinal  test,  and  making  the 
meetings  occasions  of  public  worship.  Having  precisely  the 
same  object  in  view  as  thyself,  I  should  aim  at  it,  rather  on 
the  principle  that  all  who  love  and  serve  God,  and  believe  in 
Jesus  Christ,  (though  under  different  administrations,  and 
varying  from  each  other  on  minor  points,)  are  members  of 
one  true,  living,  and  catholic  church,  being  baptized  by  one 
Spirit  into  one  body. 

On  this  ground,  love  and  fellow^ship  ought  to  abound 
amongst  them,  notwithstanding  their  different  positions  in 
the  Camp  of  Israel.  As  this  is  the  case,  though  there  may 
be  distinct  parts,  there  will  be  no  rents  in^  the  seamless 
garment  of  Christ. 

TO    THE    BAPTIST    MISSIONARIES    IN   JAMAICA. 

Earlham,  Norwich,  10th  mo.,  22nd,  1840. 

My  Dear  Friends, 

I  avail  myself  of  the  kindness  of  our  friend 
William  Knibb,  to  send  you  a  brotherly  epistle  on  the  preseaS; 


246         .  LETTER    TO    THE    BAPTIST  1840. 

state  of  affairs  in  Jamaica,  -R^itli  especial  reference  to  your 
peculiar  position.  I  have  long  been  wishing  thus  to  address 
YOU,  having,  from  what  I  myself  witnessed,  a  high  sense  of  your 
services,  and  being  very  anxious  that  they  should  not  bo 
marred  or  weakened  under  the  temptations,  diiBculties,  and 
misunderstandings,  so  prevalent  at  the  present  time.  Having 
borne  a  very  decided  public  testimony  to  your  character  and 
usefulness,  in  the  work  which  I  have  just  published,  I  feel  the 
more  at  liberty  to  express  my  mind  to  you,  in  private,  with 
all  candour  and  freedom. 

I  will  begin  with  a  subject  which,  secular  as  it  may  appear, 
has  an  obvious  and  important  bearing  on  the  cause  o^  freedom 
versus  slavery.  I  mean  the  continued  and  increased  produc- 
tion in  Jamaica,  of  the  staple  articles  of  sugar  and  coffee. 
Multitudes  of  persons  are  impressed  with  a  notion,  that 
although  emancipation  has  answered  well,  as  it  relates  to  the 
temporal  and  moral  condition  of  the  negro,  it  is  already 
proved  to  be  a  failure,  as  it  regards  the  production  of  these 
articles,  the  prosperity  of  the  planters,  and  the  exports  of  the 
West  India  colonies.   *  *   * 

In  my  work,  I  have  endeavoured  to  show  that  these 
desponding  notions  are  founded  in  mis-apprehension ;  that  the 
diflBculty  is,  in  its  nature,  temporary ;  and  that,  if  freedom  has 
its  fair  operation,  the  increased  growth  of  the  staple  articles, 
beyond  that  of  the  days  of  slavery,  will  be  the  certain 
consequence. 

Allow  me,  my  dear  friends,  to  solicit  your  kind  and  efficient 
help  towards  the  verification  of  this  somewhat  bold  prediction. 
I  beg  of  you  to  endeavour  to  impress  on  the  negroes,  their 
Christian  obligations,  as  cultivators  of  the  soil.  I  mean  the 
giving  of  fair,  full,  and  continuous  work,  in  return  for  fair 
wages.  You* can  easily  make  them  understand  how  much 
their  steady  industry,  in  this  respect,  will  promote  the  cause 
of  freedom  in  other  parts  of  the  world.  I  think  this  subject 
oup-ht  to  be  kept  carefully  in  view,  in  connexion  with  the 
formation  of  free  villages.  And,  even  if  vexatious  laws  are 
still  imposed  and  enforced,  I  believe  it  will  be  found  a  sounder 
practice,  on  your  parts,  to  encovu-age   and   exhort   them   to 


^T.  53.  MISSIONARIES    IN   JAMAICA.   "  247 

patience  anl  long  suffering,  and  to  the  return  of  good  for 
evil,  than  to  open  the  door  for  exchanging  daily  labour  on  the 
estates,  for  a  retreat  to  the  mountains.  It  seems  particularly 
desirable  that  the  free  settlements  (which,  of  course,  I  highly 
approve)  should  be  formed,  as  much  as  possible,  in  the  im- 
mediate neighbourhood  of  sugar  and  coffee  plantations,  which 
would  afford  the  people  ample  scope  for  the  daily  earning  of 
wages.  Much  also  will  depend  on  the  training  of  the  young 
mind  in  your  schools,  to  a  knowledge  and  sense  of  the  obvious 
truth,  that  daily  labour  in  the  fields  is  an  Jionourahle  and 
desirable  occupation ;  an  occupation  which  will  not  only 
promote  the  temporal  welfare  of  young  people,  but  harmonize 
well  with  their  religious  duties. 

The  Baptist  missionaries  in  Jamaica  have  been  often  called 
political ;  the  true  meaning  of  which  I  presume  to  be,  that 
they  have  been  faithful  and  rightly  pertinacious  in  watching 
over,  promoting,  and  protecting  the  civil  rights  of  the  negroes. 
For  my  own  part,  I  hold  this  to  have  hitherto  been,  and  still 
to  be,  (in  subordination  to  higher  objects,)  a  very  important 
branch  of  their  duties.  In  the  prosecution  of  it,  however,  it 
seems  peculiarly  desirable  to  avoid  all  imprudence  and 
violence ;  and  to  seek  after  the  meekness  and  gentleness  which 
are  in  Christ,  as  well  as  to  maintain  an  honest  firmness  and 
plainness.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  Christian  appeals  on 
this  subject  to  the  local  authorities,  from  your  own  respectable 
body,  would  be  a  better  mode  of  action,  than  the  public  discus- 
sion of  it  in  the  presence  of  the  negroes. 

Intelligent  as  they  are,  beyond  what  most  people  imagine, 
they  are,  at  present,  but  children ;  their  welfare  and  happiness 
would  be  little  promoted  by  their  being  introduced,  even  in 
self-defence,  into  the  arena  of  politics.  Their  patient  forbear- 
ance and  willing  forgiveness  of  injuries  have  done  wonders 
for  them,  and  cannot,  as  I  think,  be  too  carefully  promoted 
and  maintained.  In  the  meantime,  Christian  education,  going 
hand  in  hand  with  the  acquisition  of  property,  will  be 
gradually  fitting  them  for  a  larger  share  in  the  duties  and 
privileges  of  citizenship.  *  *  *  * 

I  observed  just  now,  that  "you  have  abundance  ofinjiuence." 


248  TO    THE    BAPTIST    MISSIONARIES.  1840 

And  now  I  hope  you  will  allow  me  to  make  a  few  remarks,  in 
the  freedom  of  Christian  friendship,  on  this  very  point.  The 
mind  of  the  negro  is  prone,  as  you  well  know,  to  a  peculiar 
feeling  of  deference  towards  the  ministers  who  give  up  their 
talents  and  time  to  the  work  of  instructing  him  in  the  truths 
of  Christianity ;  and  especially  towards  those  ministers  of 
religion  who,  at  the  same  time,  protect  and  defend  his  civil 
rights.  This  feeling  of  deference  often  assumes  the  form 
of  childlike  dependence ;  and,  in  the  hands  of  Christian 
pastors,  there  comes  to  be  placed  a  corresponding  paternal 
power. 

Now  you  and  I  are  well  aware  of  the  danger  which  attaches, 
under  any  form,  to  what  may  be  described  as  ecclesiastical 
domination, — the  power  of  the  priesthood.  Thinking,  as  I 
do,  that  something  analogous  to  it  has,  from  the  peculiar 
circumstances  of  the  case,  devolved  upon  yourselves,  I  hope 
you  will  allow  me,  as  a  Christian  brother,  to  beseech  jou,  in 
the  name  of  our  common  Master,  to  watch  and  pray,  that  you 
may  be  preserved  in  reverent  humility  before  the  Lord.  May 
you  be  enabled  to  wean  the  people  from  all  undue  dependence 
on  men ;  to  bring  them  under  the  immediate  teaching  of 
Christ  by  his  Spirit ;  to  impress  upon  them  the  grand  truth,  that 
on  the  mountains,  and  in  the  fields,  as  well  as  in  the  meeting- 
house, He  is  ever  near  to  instruct  them  in  the  way  that  they 
should  go ;  a  swift  witness  in  the  conscience  against  all 
iniquity ;  a  preacher  of  righteousness  "  according  to  the  power 
of  an  endless  life  !" 

On  commencing  another  volume  of  his  Journal 
he  writes  :  - —  . 

\lth  mo.,  2Srd.  The  extensive  and  arduous  pilgrimage  in 
America  by  land  and  by  sea,  has  now  passed  away  as  a  dream. 
I  am  at  sweet,  dear  old  Earlham,  in  health  and  peace ;  my 
beloved  sister,  Rachel  Fowler,  to  whose  care  over  the  estab- 
lishment, during  my  absence,  I  am  so  much  indebted,  gone 
for  a  few  months  to  join  htr  own  family  circle ;    Catherine 


^T.  53.  JOURNAL    AND    LETTER.  249 

living  with  us  in  a  favourable  state  of  liealth  and  spirits  ; 
John  Henry  and  Anna  being  my  daily  comfort,  and  chief 
friends  and  companions.  John  Henry  is  now  partner  in  the 
bank,  to  my  effectual  relief,  and  Anna  mistress  of  the  house- 
hold. Our  meeting,  diminished  as  it  has  been  of  late  years, 
by  some  secessions,  some  disowuments,  and  many  deaths,  is 
still  a  church,  containing,  as  I  believe,  living  and  faithful 
members ;  the  same  remark  applies  to  the  Society  in  Norfolk 
generally,  and  indeed  to  the  whole  body,  as  I  believe,  in  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland ;  small  and  scattered,  but  not  forsaken ; 
and  still  bearing  its  great  testimony  to  the  purity,  peaceable- 
ness,  and  spirituality  of  the  gospel  dispensation.  May  it, 
through  infinite  condescension  and  mercy,  be  yet  preserved  in 
that  unity  wherein  is  strength  ! 

TO    A    FRIEND. 

Upton,  12th  mo.,  7th,  1840. 

Never  was  our  little  chm'ch,  and  never  were  its  distinguish- 
ing principles,  more  dear  to  me  than  they  are  at  present.  I 
wish  for  no  change  in  its  doctrines ;  none  in  its  Christian 
testimonies,  none  in  its  mode  of  worship ;  and  I  crave  that  I 
and  my  children  after  me  may  be  enabled  to  maintain  them 
all,  with  holy  integrity  both  in  word  and  deed.  This  desire 
is  founded  on  the  conviction  that  the  religion  professed  by  our 
forefathers,  and  so  long  cherished  by  ourselves,  is  nothing 
more  or  less  than  the  religion  of  the  New  Testament,  "  with- 
out addition,  without  diminution,  and  without  compromise." 
I  wish  not  to  be  anything  better  than  a  Christian,  and  can 
heartily  subscribe  to  the  lines  : — 

"  Where  names,  and  sects,  and  parties  fall, 
And  Jesus  Christ  is  all  iu  all." 


The  war  which  was  now  raging  in  Syria,  and 
the  threatening  of  hostilities  between  France  and 
England,  in  consequence  of  the  part  which  this 
country  was   taking   in    it,  were    subjects   which    at 


250  ADDRESS   ON   WAR.  1840. 

this  time  painfully  affected  Joseph  John  .Giirnej's 
feelings.  Referring  to  them  in  his  Journal,  he 
writes  :  — 

10th  mo.,  12th.  The  dark  gathering  clouds  of  the  political 
hemisphere,  indicating  approaching  war,  "vvith  a  commence- 
ment of  it  (an  extremity  of  folly  on  our  parts !)  in  the  East, 
have  brought  very  sombre  feelings  over  my  mind ;  but  I 
humbly  trust  that  the  tremendous  evil  of  war  between  France 
and  England  will  yet  be  averted.  "The  remainder  of  wrath 
thou  wilt  restrain." 

Whilst  these  topics  were  thus  agitating  the 
public  mind,  Joseph  John  Gurney  was  induced, 
at  the  request  of  the  Committee  of  the  Peace 
Society,  in  London  —  a  request,  in  full  accordance 
with  his  own  feelings  —  to  write  a  brief  "Address 
to  Ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and  to  all  Professors  of 
Christianity  on  the  subject  of  War  and  Peace," 
which  was  soon  afterwards  published  and  very  ex- 
tensively circulated.  In  the  present  crisis  of  public 
affairs,  when  the  nations  of  Europe  are  unhappily 
once  more  plunging  into  the  horrors  of  war,  the 
following  extracts  from  this  address  may  not  prove 
unseasonable. 

*  *  *  Utterly  opposed  as  warfare  is  to  sound  policy  and 
common  sense,  as  well  as  to  that  increasingly  refined  taste 
and  feeling  which  are  at  once  the  mark  and  the  consequence 
of  diffused  intellectual  cultivation,  we  are  brought  home  to  a 
confirmed  conclusion,  that  the  only  sufficient  remedy  for  the 
evil  is  practical  Christianity.  *  *  *  The  root  of  this  worst 
of  mischiefs  is  to  be  found  in  those  wicked  lusts  and  passions 
which  are  absolutely  natural  to  the  heart  of  man.  Never 
will  it  be  fully  cured  until  that  root  is  uprooted, — until  man 
comes    under    the    remedial    influence  of    that   holy   religion 


^T.  53.  AND    PEACE.  251 

through  whicli  the  old  man,  corrupt  according  to  the  deceitful 
lusts,  is  put  off,  and  the  new  man  is  put  on  —  "  created  after 
God,  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness." 

This  is  a  subject  in  regard  to  which  Christians  of  all  de- 
nominations, and  of  every  country,  ought  surely  to  unite 
their  efforts  ;  thp,t  a  vast  moral  force  may  he  gradually  raised 
in  the  world,  which  shall  overbear  the  opposing  flood  of  wrath, 
malice,  contention,  and  murder.  *  *  * 

There  are  two  views  of  the  subject,  which,  trite  as  they  are, 
can  scarcely  be  too  much  pressed  on  the  attention  of  the 
religious  public  —  First,  the  Christian  law  of  love;  and 
secondly,  the  sacrcdness  of  the  life  of  man. 

Few  stronger  internal  evidences  exist  of  the  divine  origin  of 
the  religion  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  than  its  law  of  love. 
*'  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and 
with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  strength,  and  thou  shalt  love 
thy  neighbour  as  thyself."  *  *  All  Christians  agree  that,  under 
the  gospel  interpretation  of  the  word  neighbour,  is  included 
every  individual  of  every  nation — the  whole  family  of  man.  If, 
then,  we  are  commanded  of  the  Lord  to  love  all  our  fellow-men 
as  we  love  ourselves,  it  certainly  follows  that  it  is  unlawful  for 
us  to  injure  them,  any  more  than  we  would  injure  oui'selves. 

This  comprehensive  law  not  only  includes  our  enemies,  'but 
has  a  marked  and  especial  reference  to  them.  "  If  thine 
enemy  hunger,  feed  him  ;  if  he  thirst,  give  him  drink ;  for 
in  so  doing  thou  shalt  heap  coals  of  fire  upon  his  head,"  (to 
melt  him  down,  as  metals  are  melted  in  the  fire).  "  Be  not 
overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with  good;"  Rom.  xii, 
20,  21.  "  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said.  Thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbour,  and  hate  thine  enemy.  But  I  say  unto 
you.  Love  your  enemies,  bless  them  that  curse  you,  do  good 
to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them  which  despitefully 
use  you  and  persecute  you ;  that  ye  may  be  the  children  of 
your  Father  which  is  in  heaven ;  for  he  maketh  his  sun  to 
rise  on  the  evil  and  on  the  good,  and  sendeth  rain  on  the 
just  and  on  the  unjust :"  Matt,  v,  43 — 45.  The  evil  and 
unjust  amongst  men  are  the  enemies  of  a  perfectly  holy  God ; 


252  ADDRESS    ON   WAR.  1840. 

yet  lie  maketh  his  rain  to  fall,  and  his  sun  to  rise  upon  them, 
as  well  as  upon  his  friends.  So  we,  as  "followers  of  God," 
and  "dear  children,"  are  to  shower  down  the  blessings  of 
kindness,  and  to  lift  up  the  countenance  of  love,  not  only  on 
those  to  whom  we  are  bound  by  the  ties  of  fellowship  or 
friendship,  but  on  those  who  defame,  persecute,  and  shame- 
fully entreat  us.  It  is,  indeed,  a  pure  and  searching  law ;  an 
elevated  principle  of  action ;  but  the  Christian  is  bound  to 
adopt  it  by  the  authority  of  Scripture,  and  is  enabled  to  obey 
it  by  the  grace  of  God. 

Now  I  think  it  must  be  allowed  by  every  sound  moralist, 
that  although  there  are  many  particular  precepts  of  Scripture 
which  have  a  specific  relation  to  certain  classes  of  persons,  viz., 
husbands,  wives,  servants,  children,  &c.,  the  general  principles 
of  the  divine  law,  such  as  justice,  truth,  and  mercy,  are  of  uni- 
versal applicabilitj  to  mankind  —  a  remark  which  obviously 
includes  the  Christian  law  of  love.  These  general  principles, 
and  that  law  in  particular,  comprehend  our  whole  race — every 
individual  human  creature  who  is  capable  of  understanding  it ; 
and  not  merely  every  individual  in  a  separate  capacity,  but 
bodies  of  individuals — communities,  states,  and  nations.  So  far 
as  the  essential  principles  of  morality  extend — and  love  to  God 
and  man  is  one  of  the  first  of  them — they  ought  to  govern  the 
public  acts  of  the  united  multitude,  just  as  certainly,  and  just 
as  strictly,  as  the  private  acts  of  all  the  individuals  of  whom  it 
is  composed.  The  observation  applies  to  all  kinds  of  national 
constitutions  ;  for  every  form  of  government  is  virtually  intended 
to  represent  the  nation  at  large,  and  ought  clearly  to  be  imbued 
with  the  spirit  of  the  nation,  so  far  as  that  spirit  is  virtuous  ;  that 
is,  so  lontj  as  the  national  will  is  conformed  to  the  will  of  God. 

Nations  then  —  under  whatsoever  form  of  Government  — 
are  bound  by  sound  and  unchangeable  obligations,  to  act  on 
the  principles  of  the  divine  law.  Not  only  must  they  observe 
towards  each  other  perfect  integrity  and  justice  ;  but  if  they 
would  enjoy  the  unclouded  favour  of  the  Lord  of  the  universe, 
they  must  seek  the  welfare  and  happiness  one  of  another ; 
each  nation  acting  towards  other  nations  as  she  would  that 


JRT.  53.  AND    PEACE.  253 

other  nations,  under  similar  circumstances,  sliould  act  towards 
herself.  More  especially  ought  they  to  adopt  the  lessons  of 
Christian  forbearance,  and  suffer  the  King  of  kings — the  once 
persecuted  and  lowly,  but  now  reigning  and  glorified  Jesus — 
to  teach  them  to  love  their  enemies,  to  return  good  for  evil, 
to  overcome  evil  with  good. 

To  bring  the  argument  now  in  hand  a  little  more  closely 
home,  let  us  consider  the  case  of  the  duellist.  A  gentleman 
of  high  general  character  and  reputation  is  insulted.  In  the 
eye  of  the  world,  his  honour  is  sullied.  -He  challenges  his 
adversary,  whom  a  similar  false  notion  of  honour  impels  to 
the  bloody  engagement.  One  of  them  falls  in  the  fray.  At 
^in  unexpected  moment,  the  gentleman  of  high  repute,  blindly 
following  the  guidance    of  worldly  honour   in    the    room  of 

Christian  principle,  becomes what    does    he    become?    a 

MURDERER.  Just  SO  it  is  with  nations,  as  represented  by 
governments.  One  nation  considers  herself,  if  not  injured,  at 
least  insulted,  by  another.  Her  honour  is  touched ;  she 
retaliates  with  threats,  and  frowns,  and  armaments ;  and  soon 
the  honour  (as  it  is  called)  of  the  supposed  aggressor,  is 
equally  involved.  Acting  like  the  duellist,  on  the  false 
notions  of  worldly  honour,  in  the  room  of  Christian  principle, 
they  both  fall  to  murder  on  a  large  scale  ;  whole  regions  are 
desolated,  and  blood  flows  in  torrents. 

Let  us  suppose  the  nation  thus  described  as  considering 
herself  to  be  insulted,  to  take  Christian  principle  rather  than 
worldly  honour  as  her  guide — to  return  good  for  evil  —  to 
shoAv  her  good-will  towards  the  aggressor  by  some  singular  act 
of  kindness  and  respect.  Can  any  man  doubt  what  would  be 
the  result  ?  Can  any  man  question  that  the  tendency  of  this 
course  would  be  to  obtain  for  such  a  nation  an  influence  and 
ascendency  for  every  wise  and  worthy  purpose,  which  would 
soon  establish  her  honour  on  ground  infinitely  firmer,  as  well 
as  more  elevated,  than  the  grandest  pinnacle  of  human  glory  ? 

I  shall  not,  on  the  present  occasion,  enter  into  a  discussion 
of   the    question,  how  far    an    individual  or  a  nation  is,  on 


254  ADDRESS   ON   WAR  1840. 

Christian  grounds,  warranted  to  go  in  acts  or  measures  of 
self-defence.  While  love,  forbearance,  and  kindness  to  our 
enemies  are,  under  Providence,  the  main  defence  and  pro- 
tection of  the  Christian,  the'  restraints  both  of  municipal  law 
for  the  protection  of  persons,  and  of  the  laAv  of  nations  for 
that  of  individual  states,  may  still  be  steadily  maintained,  so 
far  as.  their  provisions  consist  with  the  law  of  God.  In  their 
own  nature  they  are  perfectly  consistent  with  the  Saviour's 
golden  rule — "  Do  unto  others  as  ye  would  that  others  (that 
is,  under  like  circumstances,  and  with  a  fair  view  of  the 
subject)  should  do  unto  you."  But  in  all  such  matters,  a 
limit,  as  I  believe,  is  drawn  around  the  Christian  individual, 
and  the  Christian  nation,  by  the  second  grand  principle 
alluded  to  at  the  commencement  of  this  address,  I  mean  the 
sacredness  of  human  life. 

Here  I  have  an  especial  view  to  the  bearing  and  character  of 
the  Gospel  dispensation.  Under  the  prior  dispensation  of  the 
•Law,  the  subjects  of  man's  immortal  destinies,  and  of  the  awful 
realities  of  the  future  world,  though  occasionally  mentioned, 
were  by  no  means  fully  developed.  A  system  of  temporal 
rewards  and  punishments  was  in  force  for  the  regulation  of  the 
Jewish  nation.  The  command,  "  Thou  shalt  not  kill,"  was 
limited  in  its  application  ;  and  was  understood  by  the  Jews  as 
oifering  little  impediment  either  to  the  punishment  of  death,  or 
to  war.  Both  these,  indeed,  under  peculiar  circumstances, 
were,  for  a  season,  permitted  and  even  ordained. 

But  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  "  has  brought  life  and  immor- 
tality to  light  by  the  gospel,"  and  no  one,  who  enjoys  the 
privilege  of  a  knowledge  of  the  New  Testament,  csln  any 
longer  plead  the  slightest  measure  of  doubt  or  obscurity 
respecting  the  true  nature  and  consequences  of  death.  As 
Christians  we  cannot  for  a  moment  conceal  fiom  ourselves 
the  awful  fact,  that  when  we  destroy  our  fellow-man,  we  con- 
sign him  to  a  state  of  never-ending  existence ;  and  that  this 
eternal  existence  must  be  happy  or  miserable,  according  to 
the  actual  moral  condition  of  his  soul  when  he  quits  this  state 
of  being ;  a  condition  respecting  which  God  alone  is  the  judge. 


^T.  53.  AND    PEACE.  2d6 

"What  countless  multituJes  of  persons,  full  of  angry  and  violent 
passions,  persons  whom  we  cannot  reasonably  believe  to  have 
been  prepai-ed  for  death,  have  been  suddenly  consigned  to  judg- 
ment and  eternity,  by  the  "red  right  hand"  of  war  ! 

Amidst  the  numerous  examples  which  crowd  upon  the  memory 
of  the  reader  of  ancient  and  modern  history,  in  illustration  of 
this  remark,  it  is  almost  useless  to  attempt  selection ;  the 
general  fact  is  too  notorious  to  be  for  a  moment  denied.  It 
may  not,  however,  be  useless  to  remind  the  reader,  that  the 
number  of  human  lives  destroyed  in  the  wars  of  Napoleon,  is 
computed,  on  authentic  premises,  to  have  amounted  to  four 
MILLIONS ; — unutterably  awful  sacrifice  to  the  Moloch  of  ambi- 
tion !  An  example  on  a  smaller  scale,  but  peculiarly  calcu- 
lated to  afflict  the  feelings  of  every  humane  and  generous 
mind,  is  furnished  by  the  very  newspaper  of  the  day,  which  is 
now  lying  before  me.  In  the  account  just  received  of  the 
capture  of  St.  Jean  d'Acre,  that  stronghold  of  Syria,  by  the 
allied  fleet,  chiefly  consisting  of  British  men-of-war,  it  is  stated 
that  the  bombardment  lasted  only  three  hours,  and  that  during 
this  short  space  of  time  2500  persons  in  the  town  were  slain ! 
A  great  part  of  this  horrid  work  of  death  was  effected 
through  the  blowing  up  of  a  powder  magazine,  which  event  is 
thus  described  in  the  report : — "  At  about  four  p.  m.  a  sensa- 
tion was  felt  on  board  the  ships  similar  to  that  of  an  earth- 
([uake,  which  was  subsequently  ascertained  to  have  been  a 
tremendous  explosion  (no  doubt  from  one  of  the  steamer's 
shells)  of  a  powder-magazine  ashore,  launching  into  eternity 
no  less  than  1200  of  the  enemy."  Afterwards,  the  writer 
says,  "  the  town  is  one  mass  of  ruins ;  the  batteries  and  most 
of  the  houses  literally  riddled  all  over ;  the  killed  and  wounded 
lying  about  in  all  directions ;  bodies  cut  asunder ;  some  with- 
out heads,  others  without  legs  and  arms ;  hundreds  dying  from 
the  blood  flowing  from  their  wounds,  and  no  one  near  to  help 
them."  And  again,  "  The  scene  presented  to-day  by  the 
town  is  indescribably  horrible,  the  Avhole  neighbourhood  of  the 
explosion  being  a  mass  of  killed  and  wounded,  men  and  beasts, 
tossed  together  indiscriminately." 


256  ADDRESS    ON   WAR.  1840. 

I  feel  that  I  should  have  been  guilty  of  injustice  to  my 
reader,  had  I  omitted  the  recital  of  the  ph^'sical  horrors  of 
this  melancholy  scene  ;  but  the  point  on  which  I  am  now  in- 
sisting is  that  "launching  into  eternity,"  of  which  the  reporter 
speaks  with  so  much  ease  and  familiarity.  Here  is  a  subject 
of  infinite  solemnity.  Here,  on  the  part  of  the  warring  nation, 
is  the  assumption  of  a  responsibility  which  (as  I  believe)  no 
events  can  warrant,  no  politics  justify.  I  apprehend  that  the 
Christian,  on  the  plain  principles  of  the  Gospel  in  which  he 
trusts,  will  find  it  impossible  to  escape  from  the  conclusion, 
that  as  God  alone  bestows  the  natural  life  of  man,  so  God 
alone  can  rightfully  take  it  away. 

*  *  ;i;  * 

I  am  well  aware  that  the  two  principles  which  I  have  at- 
tempted to  advocate  In  this  address,  are  at  present  far  from 
being  generally  received,  in  what  I  believe  to  be  their  legitimate 
extent,  by  the  professors,  or  even  the  ministers,  of  the  Christian 
religion.  For  my  own  plart,  I  believe  they  will  bear  a  close 
scTutiny ;  and  that  as  they  come  to  occupy  the  serious  reflec- 
tion of  sober  persons  of  every  name  and  class,  we  shall  hear 
no  more  from  the  pulpits  of  the  professed,  servants  of  Christ, 
of  the  glories  of  victory,  or  even  of  successful  armed  defence. 
The  songs  which  celebrate  these  carnal  triumphs  will  find  no 
echo  in  any  place  which  is  regarded  as  the  house  of  God ;  no 
longer  will  they  be  the  theme  of  the  solemn  offerings  of  sup- 
plication or  praise.  The  ministers  of  Jesus,  following  the 
example  of  their  divine  Master,  and  influenced  by  his  Holy 
Spirit,  will  plead  for  peace,  without  reserve,  and  without  ex- 
ception. The  whole  Christian  public,  at  home  and  abroad,  will 
be  gradually  imbued  with  "  peace  principles."  The  mind  of 
that  Christian  public  will  act  with  ever-increasing  moral  force 
on  the  mind  of  each  respective  government ;  and  finally,  the 
nations  of  the  earth,  succumbing  to  the  sceptre  of  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  will  repose  together  under  the  banner  of  love.  The 
Avord  of   prophecy  is  express  and  unquestionable — "Nation 

SHALL  NOT  LIFT  UP  A  SWORD  AGAINST  NATION,  NEITHER  SHALL 
THEY  LEARN  WAR  ANY  MORE." 


^T.  53.  JOURNAL.  257 

"Whilst  in  London  for  a  few  days  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  following  year,  (1841,)  Joseph 
John  Gurney  had  the  opportunity  of  an  interview 
with  Lord  John  Russell,  then  Secretary  of  State 
for  the  Colonies.  In  a  letter  which,  at  Lord  John 
Russell's  request,  he  soon  afterwards  addressed  to 
him,  he  entered  into  a  full  explanation  of  the  points 
referred  to  in  the  interview ;  warmly  advocating 
the  protection  of  free  labour,  and  adverting,  at 
some  length,  to  several  other  topics  of  importance 
to  the  welfare  of  the  negroes. 

Srd  mo.,  Ithi  Through  infinite  compassion,  my  way  to 
heaven  seems  much  clearer  than  before  I  left  England  for 
America ;  and  I  am  decidedly  less  tried  in  the  prospect  of 
death.  Probably  I  shall  not  live  to  be  an  old  man.  The 
Lord  make  all  things  straight  and  easy  in  Christ,  for  one  of 
the  most  unworthy  of  his  children  ! 

First  day  evening,  ord  mo.,  28^A.  A  degree  of  quiet 
peacefulness  is,  through  mercy,  experienced  this  evening.  lu 
the  afternoon  meeting,  on  the  bended  knee,  I  blessed  the 
Lord  for  his  goodness,  and,  in  the  morning,  spoke  of  the 
confounding  of  the  wisdom  of  the  wise  in  the  gospel  of  a 
crucified  and  risen  Lord.  I  afterwards  found  that  an 
unbeliever  was  present. 

4^A  mo.,  4:th.  I  have  been  invited  to  go  to  Paris,  in  the 
Anti-Slavery  cause,  which  I  have  declined  in  favour  of  a 
journey  to  Elm  Grove  with  my  children,  which  we  propose 
taking  in  a  few  days.  0  Lord,  thou  knowest  that  I  desire  to 
be  enabled  to  will  and  to  do  of  thy  good  pleasure.  May  it 
please  thee  in  the  riches  of  thy  love  and  mercy,  to  guide  mc 
with  thine  eye,  to  teach  and  instruct  me  in  the  way  that  I 
should  go  ! 

4:th  mo.,  23th.  Our  journey  has  been  performed  greatly  to 
my  satisfaction,  and  Anna  and  I  returned  home  with  my 
sister    Rachel    Fowlei*,    last  evening.     I    am    in    decidedly 

Vol.  IL  — 17 


268  YEARLY    MEETING.  1841. 

improved  licaltli,  and  peaceful  in  mind.  Read  during  the 
journey  my  American  letters,  to  our  mutual  pleasure.  Since, 
(ieriuan  New  Testament,  and  U\o  duodecimo  volumes  of  De 
Toqueville  on  American  Democracy,  in  French;  a  Avell  thought 
out,  reasoned,  and  written  book,  quite  an  amusement  to  me. 
I  am  also  going  through  the  Portable  Evidence,  to  examine 
what  alterations  are  needed,  or  whether  any. 

''>th  mo.,  10th.  Dear  Anna  Gurney  left  us  this  morning, 
after  a  delightful  visit  of  four  days.  She  is  in  great  brightness 
iif  mind.  We  dearly  love  and  prize  her,  and  are  much  united. 
She  read  us  her  Grecian  journal,  greatly  to  our  pleasure,  and 
I  hope,  instruction. 

5th  7770.,  11th.  This  evening  completed  the  correction  of 
the  Portable  Evidence,  with  a  view  to  the  objections  made  to 
the  tendency  of  some  passages.  I  think  the  objections  were, 
in  fact,  nearly  groundless ;  yet  in  my  plea  for  the  divine 
authority  of  Scripture,  I  had  not  alwaj^s  expressed  myself 
quite  so  guardedly,  as  might  have  been  desirable.  The  work, 
as  corrected,  contains  nothing,  as  far  as  I  know,  which  can 
offend  any  sound  Friend. 

N.B. — I  have  not  the  smallest  objection,  but  on  the  contrary,, 
every  wish,  to  alter  or  expunge  any  thing  which  can  be  pointed  out 
to  me,  in  any  of  my  works,  at  variance  from  the  truth  in  its 
primitive  simplicity,  purity,  and  spirituality,  as  it  has  been  always 
held  by  the  Society  of  Friends. 

After  attending  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London, 
lie  writes  :  — 

Upton,  first  day  night,  ijth  mo.,  SOth.  On  fourth  day, 
(the  19th,)  the  Yearly  Meeting  commenced ;  interesting  and; 
edifj^ing  has  the  whole  occasion  been.  Meetings  for  worship 
at  Devonsliire  house  on  sixth  day  ;  at  Plaistow  on  first  day 
last;  and  at  Gracechurch-street,  on  fourth  day;  all  excellent:- 
a  precious  flow  of  the  anointing,  as  I  believe.  The  Yearly 
Meeting  ended  in  much  solemnity  on  sixth  day  evening. 
Yesterday  we  had  our  concluding  meeting  of  ministers  and, 
elders,  at  which  a  very  satisfactory  minute  was  entered  on  the' 
books  respecting  the  return  of  my  certificate.     In  the  after- 


^T.  53.  ENGAGEMENT    IN    MARRIAGE.  259 

noon  a  good  anti-slavery  meeting,  for  the  purpose  of  dis- 
cussing the  sugar  question.  Dr.  Lushington  and  I  both 
made  speeches,  and  I  hope  the  subject  was  pretty  well 
cleared. 

In    allusion    to    a    circumstance    that   M^as    now 
deeply  interesting  his  feelings,  he  continues:: 

.  It  remains  for  me  to  record  a  rich  blessing  which  has  been 
bestowed  upon  me  since  I  have  been  in  this  neighbourhood, 
in  a  most  happy,  good  understanding,  with  my  beloved  friend 
E.  P.  Kirkbride ;  *  our  covenant  being  fully  made  to  the 
pleasure  and  satisfaction  of  our  friends.  This  great  blessing, 
together  with  the  near  and  precious  unity  of  the  Church, 
which  has  received  me  back  into  its  bosom,  (after  my  long 
absence,)  with  all  cordiality  and  affection,  has  filled  my  soul 
with  tranquil  joy,  and  true  heartfelt  gratitude. 

In  the  sixth  month,  in  company  with  his  brother 
Samuel  Gurney,  and  his  friend  Josiah  Forster,  his 
daughter,  and  sister-in-law  Rachel  Fowler,  Joseph 
John  Gurney  spent  a  few  days  in  Paris,  principally 
with  the  view  of  promoting  the  cause  of  emancipation 
in  the  French  West  Indian  colonies.  They  obtained 
interviews  with  the  king,  and  some  of  the  most 
influential  members  of  his  government,  in  most  of 
which  Joseph  John  Gurney  embraced  the  oppor- 
tunity of  stating  the  results  of  his  own  observations 
in  the  West  Indies,  in  connexion  with  the  question. 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  one  of  his  letters 
during  this  visit  to  Paris:  — 

First  day,  6th  mo.,  ISfh.  At  half-past  three,  yesterday,  we 
were  engaged  to  call  on  Guizot,  to  converse  with  him,  and  to 

*  The  daughter  of  Joseph  Kirkbride,  of  Bridesbiu-g,  near  Philadel- 
phia, who  had  been,  for  some  time,  on  a  visit  to  her  frienda  Jonathaa 
and  H.  C.  Backhouse,  at  Darlington. 


260  VISIT  TO  PAPvis.  1841, 

give  him  my  testimony,  as  an  cye-'^itness,  of  the  benefits  of 
emancipation.  Our  aged  friend  Thomas  Clarkson  had  earnestly 
begged  me  to  do  so  in  the  spring,  and  now  I  was  fairly  bound 
to  the  work.  Guizot  is  a  Protestant,  I  doubt  not,  on  convic- 
tion ;  however  he  may  be,  at  times,  carried  by  the  stream  of 
politics  over  some  lines,  which  we  deem  to  be  important.  He 
has  a  highly  intellectual  countenance  and  great  powers  of 
mind;  and  is  evidently  the  soul  of  the  present  French  govern- 
ment. I  felt  the  prospect  of  this  interview,  almost  as  weightily 
;)s  I  did  that  of  the  public  meeting  at  Washington ;  well 
knowing  the  importance  of  the  subject,  and  of  the  consequences 
which  might  arise  from  our  conference.  After  a  little  waiting, 
Ave  were  introduced  to  the  minister,  and  were  received  with 
real  kindness.  We  sat  down  together,  and  nearly  the  whole 
time  was  occupied  by  the  statement  which  I  was  enabled  to 
make,  I  trust  with  some  degree  of  clearness  and  force,  of  the 
results  of  emancipation  in  our  colonies.  He  is  familiar  with 
English,  so  that  I  had  the  advantage  of  explaining  the  subject 
in  my  own  tongue.  Xothing  could  exceed  his  attention.  Wo 
attempted  no  more,  his  time  being  up  ;  but  the  deed  was  done  ; 
and  we  parted  with  the  understanding  that  he  would  read  my 
book,  and  that  we  should  renew  our  conversation  next  third 
day,  when  we  expect  to  dine  with  him.  We  found  the  Baroness 
Pelet  at  the  hotel  waiting  our  return,  and  much  did  we  enjoy 
an  hour's  conversation  with  her.  She  is  all  sympathy  with  us 
in  our  labours. 

The  work  of  the  day  being,  through  mercy,  well  over,  we 
v.ent  a  drive  in  the  evening  to  Napoleon's  magnificent 
Triumphal  Arch,  at  the  Barriere  de  I'Etoile,  which  we  as- 
cended ;  and  amply  were  we  repaid  for  our  fatigue,  by  a  very 
delightful  and  explanatory  view  of  Paris  and  its  environs. 
The  fires  being  of  wood,  no  dingy  smoke  confuses  or  obscures 
the  beauties  of  the  metropolis,  which,  as  so  seen,  are  indeed 
almost  unrivalled  :  but  it  was  affectinj!:  to  think  of  its  more 
than  a  million  inhabitants,  so  many  of  whom  are  given  up 
either  to  superstition,  or  to  vice  and  infidelity,  not  to  mentioa 
nonchalance  and  frivolity. 


^T.  53.  VISIT   TO    PARIS.  2G1 

But  rellgioa  ia  its  purer  forms,  even  here,  is  making  decidoi 
advances,  and  education,  Avith  the  distribution  of  the  Holj 
Scriptures,  is  effecting  much  good.  Altogether  the  deportment 
of  the  people  seems  to  me  to  be  less  lightsome  and  wanton 
than  when  I  was  last  here  about  twenty-four  years  ago. 

One  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  men  are  now  at  work  on 
the  absurd  object  of  fortifying  Paris ;  absurd  in  a  national 
point  of  view,  though  it  is  likely  enough  materially  to  increase 
the  power  of  the  Crown  ;  for,  politically  speaking,  Paris  is 
France,  and  the  lord  of  the  armies  will  henceforth,  we  may 
conclude,  be  the  undisputed  lord  of  Paris.  The  troops 
quartered  in  the  city  alone  amount  to  40,000, — the  standing 
array  of  the  United  States  multiplied  by  six  or  seven.  The 
rage  for  military  glory  is  the  peril  and  curse  of  the  French 
nation,  and  one  is  afraid  to  think  what  may  be  one  day  the 
effect  of  the  bursting  forth  of  the  volcano.  In  the  mean  time 
the  Roman  Catholic  priesthood  is  playing  its  part  with  its  usual 
consummate  policy,  and  is  evidently  both  cementing  and  extend- 
ing its  power.  The  church  plays  into  the  hands  of  the  armed 
power,  and  the  armed  power  into  those  of  the  church. 

Who  shall  say  what  will  be  the  end  of  these  things,  and 
what  the  process  before  the  end  comes  ?  Yet  may  we  not 
entertain  the  sure  hope  that  the  "  stone  cut  out  without 
hands,"  even  the  spiritual  dominion  of  Christ,  will,  in  due 
season,  triumph  over  all,  and  expel  both  superstition  and 
violence  from  the  earth,  which  it  is  destined  to  fill  ? 

FROM    THE    BISHOP    OF   CALCUTTA. 

Bishop's  Palace,  Calcutta,  July  3rd,  1841. 

My  dear  Friend, 

I  perceive  that  yon  have  now  returned  from 
your  long  and  useful  tour  in  America  and  the  West  Indies ; 
and  I  cannot  but  express  to  you  the  very  high  satisfactiop 

hh  which  I  have  just  read  your  Winter  in  the  West  Indie, 
-lit  to  me  by  Sir  Fowell  Buxton, — (never  were  civic  honoun 
better  conferred,) — whose  efforts,  now  that  Wilberforce  is  no 
more,  seem  to  rival  those  even  of  that  distinguished  person, 
though  in  a  different  way.     The  gentle,  the  persuasive,  the 


262  FROM    THE    BISHOP    OF    CALCUTTA.  1841, 

eloquent,  the  fascinating  public  statesman,  the  friend  of  Pitt, 
was  required  to  propose  the  great  question.  Lord  Grenville 
and  Mr.  Fox  were  put  into  office,  I  verily  believe,  to  carry  it. 
Then  Fowell's  energy,  boldness,  practical  habits,  perseverance, 
have  been  raised  up,  to  crown  the  eiforts  of  his  predecessors. 
*  *  *  You  may  judge,  therefore,  my  dear  friend,  with  what 
delight  I  read  the  first  proofs  of  the  success  of  the  Emanci- 
pation in  the  West  Indies,  as  respects  every  point,  moraj, 
religious,  political,  and  commercial.  The  rise  in  the  value  of 
estates  is  alone  conclusive.  Your  account  of  your  interview 
with  Sir  C.  T.  Metcalfe  was  doubly  interesting  from  my 
intimacy  with  him  for  seven  years  in  India.  *  *  * 

I  am  still  in  tolerable  health  for  one  in  his  64th  year,  and 
am  chiefly  labouring  against  those-  Semi-Papists,  the  Oxford 
Tractarians  ;  who  really  seem  a  judicial  infliction,  a  branch  of 
the  Apostacy,  partaking  of  that  strong  delusion  of  which  the 
apostle  speaks.  Things  are  moving  on  here,  though  slowly, 
especially  at  Krishnaghur,  sixty  miles  from  Calcutta.  What 
we  want  is  "  Showers  of  the  Holy  Ghost."     Ezek.  xxxiv,  26. 

Soon  after  his  return  from  Paris,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  believed  himself  called  to  engage  in  a 
much  more  extensive  service  upon  the  continent 
of  Europe. 

"Having  had  an  opportunity,"  he  remarks,  "  of  endeavour- 
ing to  impress  on  the  slave-holding  government  of  France,  the 
practical  advantages  of  emancipation,  as  proved  by  experience 
in  the  British  West  Indian  Colonies,  I  was  anxious  to  lay  the 
same  evidence  before  two  other  governments  similarly  cir- 
cumstanced, though  not  to  so  great  an  extent ;  Holland, 
holding  about  60,000  slaves  as  I  understand,  chiefly  in  Dutch 
Guiana  ;  and  Denmark,  holding  about  40,000  in  her  West 
India  Islands.  But  this  was  far  from  being  the  exclusive,  or 
even  the  principal  object  which  I  had  in  view.  I  had  long 
entertained  the  belief  that  some  directly  religious  service  on 
the  continent  of  Europe  awaited  me,  and  I  was  comforted  to 


^T.  53.  FURTHER    LABOURS    IN    PROSPECT.  2G3 

find  that  my  beloved  sister  Eliziibetli  Fry  was  under  a  siiniliu' 
exercise  of  mind,  and  had  A'ery  much  the  same  places  in 
prospect  as  myself,  in  Holland,  Denmark,  Hanover,  and 
Prussia. 

A  few  days  before  leaving  home,  he  writes  in  his 
Journal :  — 

^th  mo.,  18th.  I  do  not  wish  to  forget  that  life  is  short 
and  uncertain.  It  is  an  inexpressible  mercy  to  be  permitted, 
notwithstanding  all  discouragements,  to  repose,  with  some 
degree  of  tranquil  confidence,  on  the  bosom  of  the  Saviour. 
There  may  I  ever  find  an  availing  rest ! 


264  DEPARTURE    FOR    TUE    CONTINENT.  1841. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

1841.    iET.  53—54. 

DEPARTURE  FOR  THE  CONTINENT  ;  ROTTERDAM  ;  GOUDA  ;  THE  HAGUE  ', 
VISIT  TO  THE  KING  AND  QUEEN  OF  HOLLAND;  AMSTERDAM  J 
BREMEN;    HAMBURGH. 

Having  received  full  certificates  of  the  unity  and 
concurrence  of  their  friends,  Joseph  John  Gurney, 
■with  his  sister  Elizabeth  Frv,  left  London  for 
Eotterdam,  on  the  31st  of  the  7th  mo.,  1841, 
accompanied  by  his  daughter,  and  their  niece, 
Elizabeth  S.  Gurney. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  his  letters  written 
during  this  journey  :  — 

Rotterdam,  first  day,  Stli  mo..  1st. 

We  arrived  at  the  beautiful  quay  of  this  city,  amidst  abun- 
dance of  noble  shipping,  at  six  o'clock  this  morning.  I  had 
been  told  that  Rotterdam  was  a  disagreeable  place,  the  hotels 
bad,  and  the  people  uncivil ;  but  we  find  the  contrary  of  these 
things  to  be  true.  We  have  excellent  apartments  at  the  Hotel 
Pays  Bas,  are  kindly  treated,  and  have  enjoyed  a  quiet  walk 
about  this  handsomely  built  and  orderly  town.  The  lofty, 
well-painted  houses ;  the  canals  every  now  and  then  serving  for 
streets ;  the  rows  of  trees  beside  the  river ;  and  the  crowded 
ships,  boats,  &c.,  wherever  the  river  or  canal  runs,  all  strike 
the  eye  agreeably.  As  we  passed  along,  we  were  glad  to 
observe  no  infraction  of  the  Sabbath,  the  shops  being 
universally  shut.  I  find  from  our  agreeable  elderly  friend, 
John  S.  Mollet,  of  Amsterdam,  who  is  kindly  come  hither  to 


^T.  53.  ROTTERDAM.  265 

meet  us,  that  the  various  places  for  worship  here,  and  in  other 
Dutch  towns,  are  well  attended;  and  he  speaks  of  "many 
serious  people"  who  dwell  here.  There  is  no  political  distinc- 
tion among  the  sects ;  all  are  tolerated,  and  all,  as  in  America, 
are  on  a  level ;  hut  the  Government  pays  the  ministers  of  the 
several  denominations.  The  usual  salary  is  upwards  of 
£200  per  annum,  which  is  increased  by  the  voluntary  con- 
tributions of  the  flock.  The  Dutch,  however,  have  no  taste 
for  spending  their  money ;  they  are  rich  and  parsimonious,  the 
more  sparing,  perhaps,  in  consequence  of  being  more  severely 
taxed  than  any  nation  in  the  world.  Although  only  two  mil- 
lions and  a  half  in  population,  they  raise  a  revenue,  chiefly 
by  direct  taxation  on  property  and  income,  to  the  •amount  of 
six  millions  sterling.  High  qualifications  are  required  for 
electors.  Republicans  as  they  have  been  for  centuries,  they 
have  no  notion  of  a  low  and  generalized  democracy ;  yet  they 
do  not  greatly  admire  having  a  king  bestowed  upon  them — 
ivflicted  on  them,  they  would  say.  *  *  * 

In  our  walk  about  the  city,  this  morning,  we  observed,  on 
one  of  the  bridges,  a  statue  of  Erasmus,  somewhat  larger 
than  life.  He  is  standing,  in  bronze,  on  his  pedestal,  clothed 
in  a  long  gown,  and  turning  over  the  leaves  of  some  ancient 
foHo.  His  countenance  equals  that  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton, 
under  the  hands  of  Houbillac.  However  "\fanting  he  was  in 
moral  courage,  Erasmus  was  far  from  being  destitute  of 
enlargement  of  heart,  as  well  as  intellect,  or  of  nobility  of 
character.  On  the  bridge  at  Rotterdam,  he  looks  like  his 
nobler  self,  when  the  veteran  refused  some  high  honour 
ofiered  to  him  by  Ferdinand  of  Austi'ia ;  declaring,  that 
honours'  conferred  on  him  would  be  but  like  a  burden 
imposed  on  a  falling  horse — sarcma  equo  collahenti  imposita. 
To  complete  my  journal,  I  might  tell  thee  of  the  neat  appear- 
ance of  the  people,  the  starched  caps  of  the  boniietless 
women,  the  broad  brims  and  long  coats  of  the  little  boys,  and 
the  unwieldy  clattering  wooden  shoes,  which  abound  on 
every  side  :  but  on  these  points  I  need  not  expatiate. 

It  is  a  high  privilege  to  be  the  companion  of  my' beloved 


266  ROTTERDAM.  1841. 

sister.  She  has  a  cheering  and  happy  influence  over  oui 
party,  and  over  all  whom  she  approaches.  It  is  curious  and 
instructive  to  observe  the  little  congregations  of  young  and 
old,  which  she  gathers  round  her  on  ship-board  and  else- 
where ;  always  for  some  good  purpose ;  always  with  a  view  to  the 
welfare  of  her  fellow-men,  and  the  glory  of  her  God  and  Saviour. 

Rotterdam,  8th  mo.,  2nd. 

We  were  favoured  with  a  solemn  and  edifying  meeting  last 
evening,  in  company  with  a  considerable  number  of  pious  and 
well-disposed  people,  who  received  our  gospel  message  with 
kindness.  And  now,  at  the  close  of  another  interesting  day,  I 
sit  down  to  continue  my  Journal.  After  an  early  breakfast  this 
morning,  we  walked  through  many  a  street  and  beside  many  a 
canal,  among  quickly  succeeding  scenes  of  evident  commercial 
thrift,  to  the  "boys'  prison."  There  we  found  about  150  crimi- 
nals, all  under  eighteen  years  of  age ;  a  poor  prison,  in  point  oi 
construction  and  accommodation,  for  the  juvenile  offenders  of 
all  Holland ;  but,  in  point  of  discipline  and  management, 
excellent.  The  prisoners  of  the  first  or  worst  class,  are  kept 
in  silence :  those  of  the  second  class  may  converse  a  little  ; 
+hose  of  the  third,  or  best  class,  as  they  please.  We  found 
almost  all  the  boys  in  the  school,  which  is  admirably  con- 
ducted, no  punishment  having  been  given  in  it  for  two  years. 
The  master  exercises  a  powerful  moral  influence,  and  the  lads 
make  great  progress  in  useful  learning.  The  Scriptures  are 
read  to  them  daily ;  and  when  not  in  school,  they  work  as 
carpenters,  shoemakers,  and  tailors,  being  allowed  about  half 
their  earnings.  This  proportion  is  subdivided  into  halves,  one 
of  which  is  reserved  for  thefn  against  their  leaving  prison,  and 
the  other  is  spent  at  the  Canteen,  a  little  shop  within  the  walls, 
where  various  articles  of  food  and  convenience  are  sold. 

This  last  part  of  the  arrangement  we  could  not  approve,  as 
the  daily  allowance  of  food  is  sufficient ;  and  the  extra 
indulgence  thus  afforded  may  be  one  reason  that  many  of 
them,  after  being  dismissed,  return  to  their  evil  habits,  and 
find  their  way  back  again  to  the  prison.  Another  impedi- 
ment   to    their    improvement,    is    their    sleeping    in    large 


iET.  53.  GOUDA.  267 

companies  closely  packed ;  for  solitude  by  night  is  an  almost  es 
sential  point  in  prison  discipline.  After  all,  human  devices  for 
leform  are  in  vain,  unless  God  is  pleased  to  touch  and  change 
the  heart.  This  happily  appears  to  have  been  the  case  "with  a 
considerable  proportion  of  these  youths ;  and  thus  their  re 
formation  springs  from  the  Fountain  of  all  good.  We  ad- 
dressed them  in  English,  and  John  Mollet  interpreted  for  us 
into  Dutch. 

This  duty  performed,  we  hired  a  carriage,  and  drove 
twelve  miles  through  the  country,  northward  to  Gouda. 
We  were  much  interested  by  this  little  journey,  which  gave 
us  the  oppoi-tunity  of  seeing  Holland,  as  it  truly  is,  —  an 
artificial  country,  redeemed  from  ihe  sea,  and  preserved  from 
it  by  vast  mounds,  green,  fertile,  flat,  intersected  by  almost 
innumerable  canals.  These  canals  serve  three  purposes ; 
they  are  at  once  the  channels,  roads,  and  fences  of  Holland. 
We  passed  by  a  large  number  of  country  villas,  every  one 
surrounded  by  small  canals,  and  adorned  with  a  flowery 
Dutch  garden,  and  a  summer-house  for  smoking  and  tea- 
drinking,  at  the  edge  of  the  ditch-water,  which  is  generally 
stagnant  and  green  with  vegetable  corruption ; — no  wonder 
that  fevers  and  agues  abound  !  Yet  the  neat  appearance  of 
these  residences,  the  cmiou?,  parterres,  the  green  shutters,  &c., 
are  quite  attractive  and  -agreeable.  The  country  itself  much 
resembles  our  Marshland,  and  low  Lincolnshire ;  justly  is  it 
called  "  Waterland ;"  for  taking  into  account  the  ponds,  lakes, 
and  rivers,  as  well  as  the  canals  and  ditches,  the  water  is  said 
to  occupy  a  full  half  of  the  Netherlands.  Wind-mills  are 
seen  in  great  profusion,  and  are  used  for  a  variety  of  purposes, 
but  chiefly  for  draining  the  marshes.  The  large  white  water 
lilies,  as  well  as  the  yellow  common  ones,  abound ;  and 
storks  of  a  great  stature  are  often  seen  stalking  over  the 
meadows.  The  natural  soil  of  sand  and  mud  afibrds  no  solid 
foundation  for  houses,  which  are  built  on  piles  driven  into  the 
earth ;  a  remark  which  applies  to  the  cities  of  Rotterdam  and 
Amsterdam,  as  well  as  to  the  country  districts.  The  indus- 
ti'ious  Dutch,  however,  turn  their  mud  into  good  clinkers,  with 
which  their  roads,  in  the  utter  lack  of  stones,  are  neatly  paved. 


2G8  GoxjDA.  18'il. 

Goud;i  is  a  considerable  town,  neatly  built.  Here  there  is 
a  manufactory  of  tobacco-pipes,  which  employs  6000  people. 
Our  object  was  the  famous  women's  prison  for  all  Holland, 
a  very  inadequate  building,  containing  nearly  400  women 
criminals ;  one  class  for  misdemeanors,  and  the  other  for 
greater  crimes.  The  discipline  and  moral  care  are  admirable ; 
they  are  well  employed,  instructed,  fed,  and  clothed ;  their 
costume  singular  enough.  We  were  joyfully  received  by  two 
ladies  who  visit  the  prison,  after  the  example,  and,  I  believe, 
through  the  advice  formerly  given,  of  my  beloved  sister. 
Our  visit  to  the  institution  was  highly  interesting ;  and  some 
religious  service  occurred,  with  the  help  of  interpreters,  with 
each  class  of  prisoners.  Many  tears  were  shed,  and  we  trust 
some  lasting  eflfect  may  have  been  produced.  My  sister's 
visit  here  last  year  has  been  productive  of  important  im- 
provements, especially  the  change  of  men  turnkeys,  for 
suitable  female  oflScers,  "  les  gardiennes."  The  criminal 
women,  like  the  boys  at  Rotterdam,  are  paid  part  of  their 
earnings,  and  re-enter  the  world  accustomed  to  habits  of  order 
and  industry,  and  with  money  in  their  pockets.  Yet  many  of 
them  revert  to  crime,  and  return  to  prison;  such  is  depraved 
human  nature. 

We  returned  home  to  a  late  dinner  ;  and  this  evening  have 
been  holding  a  philanthropic  meeting  with  more  than  100 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  including  the  English  ministers  of  the 
Episcopal,  Independent,  and  Scotch  congregations,  and  many 
of  the  Dutch,  who  could  understand  either  English  or  French. 
I  recited  the  story  of  the  West  Indies  to  a  very  attentive 
audience,  after  which  our  dear  sister  read  a  chapter  in  Isaiah, 
and  addressed  the  company  Avith  much  sweetness.  All  ended 
well ;  books  and  kind  words  were  distributed  in  abundance, 
every  one  seemed  to  get  his  or  her  portion,  and  so  the  day 
ends  in  peace. 

The  Hague,  8th  mo.,  4th. 

We  left  Rotterdam  yesterday  morning  after  an  early  semi- 
breakfast,  and  drove  "two  hours"  distance,  as  they  say 
here,  to  this  beautiful  city.  We  enjoyed  our  family  reading 
in  the  coach  during  the  first  stage,  our  friend  J.  S.  Mollet 


MT.  54.  delft;  the  hague.  269 

beins;  with  us.  We  chano;ed  horses  at  the  handsome  ohl 
town  of  Delft ;  so  -well  known  for  its  polished  earthenware. 
There  we  visited  a  large  "church"  in  which  is  to  be  seen  the 
monument  of  William  I.,  the  Prince  of  Orange,  who  was 
assassinated  in  1584,  by  order  of  Philip,  king  of  Spain,  after 
having  delivered  the  Netherlands  from  the  double  yoke  of 
Spain  and  Popery.  We  afterwards  saw,  in  the  Museum  here, 
the  homely  leathern  garments,  and  broad-brimmed  hat,  in 
which  he  was  attired  at  the  moment  when  the  assassin  shot 
him.  I  suppose  he  may  be  reckoned  among  the  best  of  the 
great  warriors  of  the  earth ;  but  he  was  a  warrior  still, 
untaught  in  the  Christian  lesson  of  suffering  wrong  and 
taking  all  consequences.  In  the  same  building  is  the  tomb  of 
Grotius,  whose  vast  learning  and  ability  in  defending  the 
Christian  religion  is  celebrated  upon  it,  in  doggerel  Latin  verse. 
He  was,  I  believe,  born  at  Delft,  and  died  at  Rostock,  in  1645. 
Anna  and  I  enjoyed  our  drive  on  the  outside  seat,  from 
Delft  to  the  Hague ;  six  miles  ;  chiefly  through  a  long  avenue 
of  elms ;  and  we  arrived  in  time  for  a  second  breakfast  at  the 
Hotel  Bellevue,  which  commands  a  pleasing  view  of  the 
king's  deer-park,  and  the  public  walks. 

The  Hague  is  a  very  agreeable-looking  place,  the .  streets 
dean  and  handsome,  no  appearance  of  commercial  activity, 
the  prosperity  of  the  town  depending  on  its  being  the  seat 
of  government.  The  king  has  one  palace  in  the  city,  and 
another  near  at  hand  in  the  country.  The  city  contains 
50,009  inhabitants,  who  appear  orderly  enough,  not  to  say 
dull ;  but  we  have  already  become  acquainted  with  several 
interesting  people.  While  my  sister  was  arranging  her  papers, 
the  young  people  and  I  visited  a  large  model  of  Peters- 
burg, which  is  said  to  be  of  extreme  exactness.  The  houses, 
streets,  gardens,  palaces,  &c.,  are  well  set  up  in  miniature,  in 
the  proportion  of  an  inch  for  twenty  yards,  I  believe ;  and 
after  some  time  spent  in  examination,  one  seems  to  get  quite 
familiar  with  the  place  itself.  In  the  mean  time,  a  good  many 
persons  had  collected  at  the  hotel ;  the  Groen  Von  Prinsterers ; 
the  widow  of  Baron  Fagel  and  her  daughter ;  Baron  Von 
Capelj    who   had   spent    many  years    in    Java ;    some    warm 


270  THE   HAGUE.  1841. 

Friends  to  the  Anti-Slavery  cause,  and  Capadose,  the  con- 
verted Jew,  whose  truly  remarliable  history  is  before  the 
public.  He  is  a  very  interesting  man,  warm-hearted  in  the 
cause  of  Christ ;  his  humility  and  gentleness  are  striking. 
After  much  conversation,  my  sister  read  the  Scriptures ;  and 
I  afterwards  found  it  to  be  my  duty  to  utter  some  sentences 
in  ministry  not  very  accurately,  I  fear,  as  to  my  French,  but 
I  trust,  under  a  measure  of  that  which  gives  life.  It  was  a 
favour  to  conclude  the  day  with  a  feeling  of  religious 
solemnity. 

Amsterdam,  Sth  mo.,  8th. 

After  writing  my  last  letter,  I  sat  down  with  my  sister, 
John  Mollet,  and  a  sub-secretary  of  the  interior,  to  digest 
a  report  to  the  government  respecting  the  prisons,  many 
of  which  my  sister  had  seen  in  the  course  of  her  former 
tour  in  this  country ;  so  that  she  could  now  draw  a  com- 
parison somewhat  favourable  as  it  regards  their  present  con- 
dition. This  done,  we  drove  to  the  palace  of  the  Prince  of 
Orange,  the  heir  apparent,  whose  wife,  a  daughter  of  the 
King  of  Wurtemberg,  had  summoned  us  to  an  audience. 
We  both  addressed  her,  under  serious  feelings,  respecting  her 
important  responsibilities  as  the  probable  future  queen  of  this 
country. 

In  the  afternoon  we  called  on  that  really  devoted  Christian, 
Dr.  Capadose,  the  converted  Jew,  whose  pious  wife  and  lively 
children,  as  well  as  himself,  interested  us  much.  Afterwards 
we  dined  at  Lady  Desbrowe's,  being  met  by  Sir  Alexander 
and  Lady  Malet,  —  the  former.  Secretary  of  Legation,  the 
latter,  step-daughter  to  Lord  Brougham ;  agreeable  people, 
who  seemed  drawn  to  us  by  a  feeling  of  affection ;  and 
Count  Sanft,  the  Austrian  minister.  Sir  Edward  Desbrowe, 
the  British  minister,  who  had  been  absent  on  a  journey,  re- 
turned home  before  dinner  was  ended.  He  is  a  very  spirited, 
sensible  man,  an  old  diplomatist,  and  much  interested  in  the 
cause  of  education,  freedom,  &c.  It  was  pleasant  to  see  his 
young  children  clinging  round  him  on  his  return.  I  was 
obliged  to  leave  this  agreeable  company,  being  sent  for  by  the 
Prince  of  Orange.     I  drove  to  his  palace,  and  was  soon  intro- 


MT.  54.  THE    HAGUE.  271 

duced  to  his  private  study.  He  received  me  standing,  but 
was  remarkably  kind  and  open  In  his  manner,  probably  about 
twenty-five  years  old.  I  spoke  to  him  on  the  subject  of 
slavery,  and  afterwards  very  freely  on  the  importance  and 
efficacy  of  simple  primitive  Christianity.  I  felt  a  true  Chris- 
tian love  for  him  and  desire  for  his  welfare,  and  have  a  hope 
that  the  interview  may  not  be  entirely  in  vain.  On  my  return 
to  our  ambassador's,  I  found  that  orders  had  been  received  for 
Lady  Desbrowe,  my  sister,  and  myself  to  meet  the  king  and 
queen  at  the  Palais  du  Rol,  the  next  day  at  half-past  one  ;  so 
that  now  the  close  exercise  of  mind  which  I  had  felt  Avith  a 
view  to  this  visit  seemed  likely  at  last  to  have  a  practical  result. 
My  sister  and  I  spent  the  latter  part  of  the  evening  with  our 
friend  Groen  Yon  Prinsterer  and  his  wife,  persons  of  distinc- 
tion in  the  world,  but  of  marked  simplicity  and  piety.  We 
were  mentally  refreshed  in  their  company,  and  after  this  very 
full  day  were  glad  indeed  to  retire  to  rest. 

Yesterday  (seventh  day)  formed  a  peculiarly  interesting 
conclusion  to  our  stay  at  the  Hague.  The  two  dear  girls  and 
I  breakfasted  with  a  widowed  lady,  of  the  name  of  Fagel, 
whose  pleasing  manners  and  unaffected  piety  reminded  us  of 
the  Baroness  Pelet,  at  Paris.  She  has  two  daughters  at  home 
with  her,  and  a  son  twelve  years  old,  full  of  life  and  amlabilit}', 
who  is  the  heir  to  the  Fagel  estate,  being  the  only  male  now 
in  that  family,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  in  Holland. 
We  were  favoured  with  a  very  good  family  sitting  after  break- 
fast. The  ladies  speak  English  well.  I  had  to  minister  to  them 
all,  and  to  pray  earnestly  for  them,  especially  for  the  young 
heir ;  and  it  was,  through  mercy,  a  time  of  great  tenderness. 
Xi  twelve  o'clock,  we  held  a  short  lively  meeting  for  worship  at 
our  hotel.  The  Desbrowes,  Malets,  Groens,  Fagels,  and  many 
other  interesting  people  were  there.  Above  all,  the  Lord 
condescended  to  show  forth  the  sweetness  of  his  power  and 
presence.  The  truth  was,  I  believe,  plainly  spoken.  Sir  E. 
Desbrowe  said  afterwards  that  it  was  "  everything  that  could 
be  desired."     The  time  was  now  come  for  the  royal  interview. 


272  INTERVIEW  WITH    THE    KING.  1841. 

On  our  arrival  at  the  palace,  we  were  uslicrcd  into  a  hand- 
gome  drawing-room,  where  we  were  kindlv  received  by  an 
aide  de  camp  and  two  ladies  of  honour.  After  some  time  of 
waiting,  some  large  folding-doors  opened,  and  the  king  and 
queen  entered  with  the  princess  Sophia,  their  only  daughter, 
aged  eighteen.  The  king,  who  appeared  to  be  verging  towards 
sixty,  is  rather  tall,  thin,  bright-looking,  and  very  gentleman- 
like and  easy  in  his  manners.  The  queen,  grave  but  kind ;  of 
a  majestic  person,  quite  interesting ;  the  young  princess  quiet 
and  pleasing.  Everybody,  as  well  as  themselves,  continued 
standing  during  cur  interview,  which  lasted  considerably  more 
than  half  an  hour.  It  was  to  our  feelings  a  time  of  divine 
favour,  and  we  were  both  enabled  to  speak  very  plainly  to 
them.  They  were  evidently  immediately  attracted  to  my 
sister,  whom  the  king  questioned  very  pleasantly  as  to  the 
first  origin  of  her  prison  visiting,  and  as  to  her  family,  &c. 
She  gave  the  history  Avell,  and  unfolded  the  state  of  the 
prisons  of  Holland  in  a  lucid  manner. 

She  then  mentioned  my  West  Indian  tour ;  on  which  I  gave 
them  my  recital  fully  and  clearly,  yet  as  concisely  as  I 
could,  pressing  upon  him  the  duty  and  safety  of  abolishing 
slavery  in  his  own  dominions.  I  felt  helped  in  the  service,  and 
the  opportunity  of  performing  it  was  a  peculiar  relief  to  my 
feelings.  I  then  gently,  but  pointedlj',  attacked  the  vile  prac- 
tice of  the  Dutch  on  the  gold  coast  of  Western  Africa,  (where 
they  have  a  settlement,)  of  enlisting  negro  soldiers,  by  high 
bounty  money,  to  serve  as  troops  in  Java  and  Surinam,  a  prac- 
tice which  entails  the  same  horrible  anterior  steps  in  the  heart 
of  Africa,  as  the  slave  trade  itself.  I  knew  it  was  some- 
what of  a  risk  to  mention  the  subject,  but  I  felt  it  to  be  my 
bounden  duty  ;  and  to  my  surprise,  though  our  diplomacy  had 
failed  in  the  matter,  the  king  immediately  gave  way,  and 
declared  his  intention  to  put  an  end  to  the  pra'ctice. 

Afterwards  my  sister  spoke  to  the  king  on  the  subject  of 
education,  and  on  the  lamentable  fact,  that  (out  of  a  sort  of 
false  honour  to  the  Roman  Catholics)  the  Bible  is  at  present 


MT.  54.  AND    QUEEX    OF    HOLLAND.  '  273 

entirely  excluded  from  the  public  scliools  of  Holland.  The 
law  of  the  land  itself,  as  the  king  told  us,  excludes  religion 
from  the  scliools,  on  the  ground  of  their  being  equally  for  all 
sects  of  Christians,  and  ^even  Jews.  My  sister  pointed  out 
the  fallacy  of  this  plea,  and  it  was  cheering  to  observe  how 
cordially  he  assented  to  our  doctrine,  that  education,  tvithout 
scriptural  instructioyi,  was  merely  giving  poiver  without  a  right 
direction,  and  that  religious  principle  is  the  only  true  founda- 
tion of  virtue.  My  sister  had  then  a  little  private  chat  with 
the  queen  ;  and,  after  a  reciprocal  and  hearty  exchange  of 
blessings,  we  parted;  the  royal  personages  retiring  through  the 
same  folding-doors,  as  had  given  them  entrance.  We  brought 
with  us  Fowell's  book,  and  the  West  Indies,  for  the  king ;  and 
my  sister's  prison  book,  and  my  Essay  on  Love  to  God,  for  the 
queen.  I  also  presented  to  the  king  an  address  of  the  Anti- 
Slavery  Society.  A  text-book  was  presented  to  the  young 
princess ;  and  the  queen,  soon  after  we  had  left  her,  sent  a 
pressing  despatch  for  another  for  herself.  May  she  imbibe 
many  a  precious  truth  from  it!  She  is  the  youngest  sister  of 
the  Emperor  of  Russia,  and  a  member  of  the  Greek  church  ; 
evidently  a  person  of  benevolence,  and,  I  think,  serious  feeling. 
On  our  way  back  to  our  hotel,  we  pakl  a  fiirewell  visit  to 
Schimmelpennick,  the  minister  of  the  interior,  through  whom 
we  are  to  present  our  report ;  and  about  three  o'clock  drove 
off  from  the  Hague,  in  safety  and  peace. 

On  our  way  we  spent  an  interesting  hour  at  Leyden.  The 
vacation  prevented  our  seeing  either  the  professors  or  the 
students.  We  visited  Temminck's  wondrous  collection  of  birds, 
and  other  animals  at  the  museum,  and  rambled  over  the 
apartments  of  the  college,  but  were  too  late  to  obtain 
admission  into  the  library.  The  drive  of  eighteen  miles  from 
this  interesting  old  town,  to  the  equally  fine  city  of  Haarlem,  is 
through  pleasant  avenues,  green  meadows,  and  handsome  villas, 
on  either  side.  Anna  and  I  rode  outside,  and  enjoyed  it  much. 
Time  forbade  our  attempting  to  stop  at  Haarlem.  We  drove  on 
in  the  dark  to  Amsterdam,  and  took  up  our  comfortable  quarters 
at  the  Target  Hotel,  at  half-past  ten  at  night. 

Vol.  IL  — 18 


274  *  AMSTERDAM.  1841. 

Arasterdiim,  fourth  day  morning,  8th  mo.,  11th,  1841. 

Our  work  In  this  place  seems  now  to  be  terminated,  and 
we  are  about  to  start  for  Bremen,  where  Ave  hope  to  spend  our 
next  Sabbath,  it  being  a  journey  of  four  days.  We  wish  tc 
get  to  Copenhagen  with  the  least  delay  possible.  Amsterdam 
is  a  strikiniii;  city  of  200,000  inhabitants.  The  houses  lofty, 
and  some  of  them  very  -handsome;  large  canals  running 
through  many  of  the  streets,  which,  when  so  watered,  are 
called  Groets.  The  Hemengroet  is  the  residence  of  the 
aristocracy ;  a  wide  canal  with  trees  on  either  side,  and 
a  long  row  of  handsome,  neatly-painted  houses  behind  each 
row  of  trees.  The  grotesque  steeples  are  numerous  and  good- 
looking  ;  the  gable-ends  of  many  of  the  houses  front  the 
street ;  there  is  a  fine  palace,  for  this  is,  in  fact,  the  capital ; 
and  the  whole  place  has  a  "truly  foreign  appearance.  Two 
drawbacks  there  certainly  are  ;  an  almost  perpetually  moist 
atmosphere,  and  the  offensive  odours  of  the  abounding  stag- 
nant water.  The  people  have,  in  general,  the  appearance  of 
neatness  and  comfort,  and  the  streets  are  crowded. 

Our  Sabbath  passed  off  satisfactorily.  We  sat  down  at  one 
o'clock  in  our  own  wieeting-house,  a  neat  little  place  where 
dear  John  S.  Mollet  worships  in  solitude  every  first  day. 
The  meeting  was  attended  by  about  one  hundred  people,  some 
of  whom  came  out  of  mere  curiosity,  and  glided  off  as  soon  as 
they  were  satisfied.  Many  others  were  evidently  gathered 
into  deep  serious  feelings,  and  I  believe  the  ministry  which 
flowed  on  the  occasion  was  attended  with  power.  Some  of  the 
young  people  seemed  much  affected,  and  have  been  frequenting 
our  meetings  since,  which  description,  in  fact,  applies  to  several 
other  persons. 

In  tlie  afternoon,  Elizabeth,  Anna,  and  I,  ventured  on  a 
quiet  walk  along  some  of  the  ''grachts"  and  ^^straets,"  and 
quite  enjoyed  the  handsome  yet  grotesque  appearance  of  the 
place.  All  the  shops  were  shut,  and  everything  betokened 
the  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  In  the  early  morning,  I  had 
noticed  the  ladies  going  to  their  places  of  worship,  with  neat 
Bibles  in  their  hands      In  the  evening  we  met  at  our  hotel 


^.T.  54.  AMSTERDAM.  275 

for  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures.  Some  thirty  or  forty  per- 
sons attended.  My  sister  read  the  seventh  of  Luke,  and 
commented  -on  it  very  sweetly.  I  afterwards  addressed  the 
company  in  unison  with  her  remarks.  It  was,  I  thought,  a 
hallowed  season. 

On  second  day,  I  was  engaged  in  writing  a  long  letter  to 
the  King,  recapitulating  the  various  points  of  our  conversa- 
tion ;  this  I  despatched  to  the  care  of  our  ambassador,  the 
next  morning.  I  felt  it  a  weighty  undertaking,  but  I  believe 
I  w^as  enabled  to  execute  the  task  pretty  well.  At  noon 
my  sister  and  I  partook  of  a  second  breakfast  with  W.  H. 
Suringar,  a  Christian  philanthropist  of  a  very  interesting 
character,  whose  attention  has  been  most  usefully  directed  to 
the  prisons.  He  is  justly  called  the  Howard  of  Holland.  He 
is  a  man  of  genius,  and  has  written  an  excellent  "handbook" 
for  the  use  of  the  prisoners.  At  three  o'clock  he  and  John 
S.  Mollett,  and  J.  M.'s  pious  agreeable  wife,  (not  a  Friend,) 
united  with  us  in  a  visit  to  the  prison.  The  department 
allotted  to  girl  criminals  for  all  Holland,  is  admirably  con- 
ducted under  the  care  of  visiting  ladies,  set  to  work  by  my 
sister  in  her  last  visit,  and  a  good  matron.  We  had  a  satis- 
factory religious  opportunity  with  them".  The  rest  of  the 
prison  is  chiefly  filled  with  prisoners  for  trial.  It  is  crowded 
with  men  and  women,  the  two  sexes  separate,  otherwise  there 
is  a  total  absence  of  classification,  as  well  as  employment,  and 
very  little  religious  care.  It  is  precisely  such  places  as  these 
that  are  the  hotbeds  of  crime. 

On  my  i-eturn  to  our  hotel,  I  held  a  long  and  interesting 
parley  with  a  planter  from  the  Dutch  settlement  of  Surinam 
on  the  north-east  coast  of  South  America ;  and  in  the  evening 
we  had  a  reunion  of  about  100  persons,  consisting  chiefly  of 
merchants  and  men  of  business,  many  of  whom  were  con- 
nected with  the  Dutch  colonies,  and  with  slavery.  I  addressed 
them  for  about  an  hour,  in  order  to  prove  to  them  from  facts 
which  I  had  myself  witnessed,  the  agricultural,  mercantile, 
and  pecuniary  advantages  of  the  abolition  of  slavery.  It  was 
a  thorough  man-of-business  oration,  adapted  to  Dutchmen 
attached  to  their  ledgers,  and  it  is  considered  to  have  had 


276  JOURNE-Y  FROM  AMSTERDAM  1641. 

important  effects,  having  been  attentively  listened  to,  and  well 
rt'ceivcd.  I  wound  up  -with  an  appeal  to  Christian  principle, 
in  -which  I  was  admirably  followed  up  by  my  dear  sister. 

Yesterday  was  spent  by  her  under  the  care  of  John 
S.  Mollett,  in  the  inspection  of  the  workhouses,  hospital, 
lunatic  asylum,  and  a  visit  to  the  ladies  w'ho  manage  a  dis- 
trict society  for  the  poor.  The  best  thmg  she  saw  was  the 
Jews'  hospital,  which  is  well  conducted.  The  psalms  of  David 
are  read  to  the  patients  three  times  a  day,  a  good  example  for 
Christian  institutions  of  the  same  nature.  I  was  too  much 
occupied  by  finishing  my  letter  to  the  King,  and  some  other 
matters  of  necessary  business,  to  allow  of  my  going  with  her. 
At  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  a  final  meeting  took  place 
in  our  large  saloon  at  the  hotel,  which  was  crowded  with  inter- 
esting people.  It  began  with  an  address  from  my  sister  on 
prisons,  lunatic  asylums,  and  schools.  I  followed  ;  and  soon 
the  blessed  tide  of  divine  influence  rose  in  an  extraordinary 
manner,  and  it  became  a  solemn  favoured  meeting,  in  which 
the  glorious  gospel  was  declared  in  a  measure  of  the  poAver  of 
sin  endless  life.  This  meeting  entirely  cleared  us  of  Amster- 
dam. Many  were  the  books  and  tracts  distributed  on  the 
occasion.  We  parted  from  our  numerous  friends,  who  gene- 
rally understood  English,  in  the  Sowings  of  true  love,  and  left 
fhe  place  at  nine  o'clock  this  morning  in  health  and  peace. 

Bremen,  Seventh  day  nigbt,  8th  mo.,  14th. 

I  am  truly  thankful  that,  after  a  journey  of  three  days  and 
H  half  across  the  country,  not  altogether  without  difficulty, 
■we  are  safely  arrived  at  this  singular  and  beautiful  city. 
Our  first  day's  journey  was  in  every  way  agreeable ;  the 
country  from  Amsterdam  to  Deventer  being  through  a  well- 
cultivated  and  pleasant  country,  the  latter  half  being  some- 
what less  flat,  and  much  more  diversified  than  the  lowlands  to 
which  we  had  hitherto  been  accustomed  in  Holland;  the  pro- 
duce of  the  country,  rye  and  potatoes,  besides  hay,  to  which 
luay  be  added  tobacco,  which  seemed  as  flourishing  as  in  the 
^oUthcTO  states  of  America,  but  I  suppose  is  of  an  inferior 
quality.     The  consumption  of  this  fascinating  weed  among  the 


2ET.  54.  TO    BREMBU.  277- 

• 

Dutch  is  enormous,  almost  every  Dutchman  having  his  cigar 
or  long  twisted  pipe  frequently  in  hand.  We  passed  by  a 
number  of  pretty  viiLis,  and  one  of  the  king's  country  palaces, 
and  Anna  and  I  quite  enjoyed  riding  outside  when  the  weather 
permitted.  We  paid  a  very  interesting  visit  in  the  coui-se  of 
the  day  to  a  family  of  sisters,  named  Iddeking,  living  in  a 
handsome  Dutch  villa  near  the  pretty  old  town  of  Amcvspoort. 
There  we  were  entertained  with  a  Dutch  second  breakfast  at 
one  o'clock.  We  were  much  pleased  with  the  genuine  and 
livelv  religion  of  the  elder  sister,  who  has  been  one  of  the 
chief  prison  visitors  in  Amsterdam.  She  is  an  invalid,  con- 
fined upstairs,  and  was  greatly  pleased  by  my  sister's  visit. 
It  is  always  an  advantage,  in  travelling  through  a  country,  to 
see  the  people  in  their  own  houses,  and  in  their  own  way  of 
living.  Into  the  way  of  this  advantage,  our  circumstances 
threw  us  almost  daily,  and  I  suppose  in  an  unusual  degree. 
We  arrived  at  Deventer  at  a  late  hour  in  the  evening.  It  is 
an  old  fortified  town  of  about  15,000  inhabitants,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ysel,  a  wide  river  running  through  green, 
meadows.  One  Colonel  Stanley,  under  Queen  Elizabeth,  pre- 
ferring his  religion  to  his  patriotism,  being  a  Roman  Catholic, 
gave  up  the  place  to  the  Spaniards  near  the  close  of  the  16th 
century.  On  fifth  day  our  journey  lay  through  a  dull  heathy 
country,  and  several  poorish  little  towns.  The  most  attractive 
sight,  which  caught  our  attention,  was  the  large  flocks  of 
black  and  white  sheep,  with  the  shepherds  or  shepherdesses 
always  in  attendance.  I  believe  these  flocks  follow  them,  for 
'■'  they  know  their  voice."  The  Deventer  gingerbread,  which 
is  very  famous,  formed  part  of  our  fare ;  but  I  do  not  think 
an^''  of  us  were  the  better  for  this  luxury.  IS  ordhoorne  was  the 
first  town  we  reached  in  German}^.  It  is  in  the  dominions  of  the 
King  of  Hanover,  which  we  continued  for  some  time  to  traverse. 
A  more  unfruitful  or  desolate  kingdom  I  liave  never  seen.  We 
dined  in  the  afternoon  at  an  old  town  called  Lingen,  vfhere  my 
sist-er  had  been  before,  and  was  recognised  by  the  landlord  with 
no  small  expression  of  pleasure  and  kindiiei?s.  In  the  evening  we 
pursued  our  track  towards  this  place,  a  route  quite  new  to  all  the 


278  JOURNEY    FKOM    AMSTERDAM  "1841. 

• 

party,  and  we  had  heard  enough  to  frighten  us,  of  the  badness 
of  the  road.  It  vas  indeed  an  almost  fearful  sand  that  trc 
passed  through  that  evening  for  many  ttdious  and  difficult 
miles,  in  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Oldenburg ;  until  -we  happily 
arrived  at  Hassburg,  a  pretty  little  town  on  the  banks  of  the 
Ilase. 

We  should  have  managed  fairly  enough,  had  not  my  dear 
sister  become  very  poorly  during  the  night ;  but  she  got  some 
good  sleep  towards  the  morning,  and  we  pursued  our  journey 
to  the  successive  towns  of  Loningen  and  Cloppenburg ;  poorish 
places,  and  a  poor  country  ;  until  we  arrived  at  a  somewhat 
.larger,  biit  equally  desolate-looking  place,  still  in  the  Duchy 
•  of  Oldenburg,  called  Wilderhausen.  In  making  a  detour 
through  a  sandy  country  full  of  holes,  in  order  to  avoid  the 
long-continued  mass  of  new  stones  laid  upon  the  road,  we 
unhappily  broke  the  strongest  iron  fastening  of  one  of  the 
springs  of  our  heavy-laden  carriage ;  so  that  during  most  part 
of  the  day  we  went  on  in  jeopardy,  not  knowing  how  soon  we 
might  be  irretrievably  let  down  in  some  part  of  that  difficult 
country.  All  this  was  rendered  the  less  acceptable  because  of 
my  dear  sister's  evidently  delicate  condition.  However  we 
reached  a  very  poor  inn  at  Wilderhausen  in  safety,  and  were 
relieved  in  the  morning  to  find  our  invalid  somewhat  recruited 
by  a  fair  night.  Here  I  succeeded  in  hiring  a  rough  wagon, 
in  which  we  stowed  our  luggage,  in  order  to  lighten  our 
broken  carriage,  and  in  which,  for  a  similar  purpose,  Anna 
and  I  took  our  seats. 

New  hopes  rise  "with  the  morning ;  and  truly  entertaining 
was  our  journey  of  fifteen  miles,  to  a  place  called  Delmenhorst, 
where  we  found  a  capital  breakfast,  in  a  neat  airy  post-house, 
with  sanded  floors.  In  the  course  of  our  drive,  and  during 
the  day  before,  Ave  frequently  observed  large  boulder-stones  of 
granite  by  the  roadside,  bearing  obvious  marks  of  the  action 
of  water ;  the  country  being  itself  sand,  so  that  these  stones 
must  have  been  driven  thither  from  some  distant  mountain 
by  the  force  of  flood.  Strange  pillars,  and  grotesque  crosses, 
^ere  also  often  visible  on  the  roadside ;  and,  in  one  case,  the 


iET.  54,  TO    BREMEN.  27'. > 

vast  boulder  stones  seemed  to  have  been  arranged  in  thi;  fori!) 
of  a  Druidical  temple,  like  a  miniatiu-e  Stoneheage.  TLc 
country  is  in  parts  Roman  Catholic,  and  in  others,  Lutheran  ; 
but  the  Lutherans  have  suffered  the  images  of  our  Saviour,  by 
the  sides  of  the  road  and  elsewhere,  to  remain  unmolested ; 
one  proof,  among  others,  that  they  did  not  carry  out  the 
Reformation  to  its  fulness. 

We  entered  this  very  interesting  town  [Bremen]  at  noon, 
without  any  further  mischief  to  the  carriage;  passed  the  noble 
Weser ;  drove  through  numerous  neat,  white,  narrow  streets, 
with  lofty  grotesque  houses,  their  sculptured  gable-ends  facing 
the  street  on  each  side ;  and  descended  at  the  Lindenhof,  as 
comfortable  a  resting-place,  and  as  commodious  and  cleanly 
an  hotel,  as  can  easily  be  found.  Our  way  had  been  kindly 
prepared  by  a  letter  from  the  Consul,  William  Oestricks, 
whom  we  met  at  Amsterdam  ;  and  most  kind  and  agreeable 
was  our  welcome.  I  was  thankful  for  such  a  receptacle  for 
my  dear  sister,  so  applicable  to  her  present  need. 

Hamburg,  Sth  mo.,  17th,  1841. 

Remarkably  interesting  and  satisfactory  was  our  visit  at 
Bremen.  Our  Sabbath  there  proved  rather  an  extraordinary 
one.  At  half-past  ten  our  kind  friend,  the  senator  Caesar, 
called  to  conduct  us  to  the  two  remaining  prisons ;  the  first  a 
maison  forte^  or  house  of  correction ;  the  second  a  maison 
cT arret,  or  place  of  detention  for  prisoners  on  trial.  My  sister 
was  only  just  able  to  undergo  the  exertion,  but  she  was  amply 
repaid ;  for  I  have  seldom  seen  a  greater  effect  produced  on 
criminals  than  by  her  address  to  a  considerable  company  of 
poor  women,  interpreted  by  a  lady  of  high  station  in  the  town, 
a  kindred  spirit  to  herself,  one  of  those  sweet,  refined  Christian 
women  of  whom  we  have  already  seen  several.  We  had  also 
a  good  meeting  with  the  men  prisoners.  In  the  maison  d' arret 
■we  found  a  large  number  of  prisoners,  before  their  trial,  in 
solitary  confinement,  —  an  unjust  practice  common  on  the 
Continent.  The  details  of  the  great  principles  of  justice 
and  mercy  are  less  understood  among  foreigners  than  in 
England.       The  excuse  for  this  practice,  is  to  prevent  such 


280  BREMEN.  1841. 

communication  between  the  prisoners  as  luiglit  interfere  with 
their  conviction.  In  the  forn^er  of  these  prisons  I  saw  one  ot 
those  horrid  cells,  of  which  the  floor,  walls,  and  seat,  are  all 
composed  of  sharp-pointed  angular  bars  of  iron,  so  that  the 
prisoner  is  kept  in  a  perpetual  state  of  unrest,  and  even  of 
torture.  They  assured  me  it  was  never  used ;  but  a  few  years 
ago  one  of  our  Minden  Friends,  who  refused  to  serve  in  the 
army,  was  subjected  to  this  barbarous  kind  of  imprisonment. 
It  is  however,  a  great  comfort  to  believe,  that  horrors  of  this 
character  are  very  mucb  gone  out  of  use. 

In  the  course  of  our  drive  to  see  the  prisons,  we  were  much 
pleased  with  the  public  walks  on  the  banks  of  the  Weser.  They 
form  a  vast  pleasure-ground,  of  which  all  the  citizens  of  Bremen 
avail  themselves  as  they  please.  In  connection  with  these 
grounds,  are  the  neat  white  villas  of  the  principa;l  merchants. 
We  visited  one  of  them,  the  summer  retirement  of  our 
friends  the  Lurmans,  and  a  more  entirely  elegant  retreat  I 
never  saw. 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  we  held  our  own  meeting 
with  about  twelve  serious  Germans,  including  Charlier,  who 
was  formerly  with  Friends  of  Stoke  Newington,  and  acted  at 
Bremen  as  interpreter,  with  ability  and  feeling.  It  was  a 
truly  precious  time,  in  which  water  was  drawn  rather 
abundantly,  I  believe,  from  the  wells  of  salvation.  Spiritual 
religion  was  proclaimed  to  a  spiritually-minded  few.  This 
Avas  also  the  case  in  the  large,  and,  in  prospect,  formidable 
meeting,  which  was  held  that  evening  in  a  spacious  room  at 
the  Museum ;  from  300  to  400  people  present,  I  suppose. 
Mv  sister  unfolded  her  pi'ison  concerns  with  peculiar  clearness, 
and  was  enabled  to  give  it  a  religious  turn  in  a  very  effective 
manner.  I  also  gave  some  account  of  the  free  negroes  in  the 
"West  Indies,  and  was  afterwards  enabled  to  proclaim  the  great 
truths  of  the  Gospel  with  distinctness;  there  being  the  evident 
feeling  of  divine  power  over  the  meeting.  At  the  close  of  it 
Ave  were  addressed  in  German  by  the  Pastor  Malet,  in  a 
lively  and  interesting  manner.  Books  were  distributed  in 
abundance,  and  it  would  be  scarcely  possible  for  me  to  describe 
the  flowing  of  love  towards  us,  which  marked  the  expressions 


^T.  54.  HARBUllO.  281 

and  manners  of  the  people  when  the  meeting  broke  up.  Many 
persons  of  influence,  including  the  Pastors  of  the  town,  were 
there. 

Such  meetings  are  forbidden  by  law  ;  but  we  were  so  well 
introduced,  that  we  met  with  no  obstruction.  The  place  has 
been  much  distracted  ;  the  Rationalists  having;  been  waorinjr  a 
polemical  warfare  against  the  more  religious  part  of  the  com- 
munity ;  and  having  nearly  succeeded,  as  we  have  since  been 
told,  in  displacing  three  eminent  evangelical  ministers.  Our 
testimony  on  the  side  of  plain  Christian  truth  seems  to  have 
been  peculiarly  timely  ;  and,  by  a  letter  since  received  from 
one  of  our  friends,  the  effect  has  been  important.  Thus  we 
had'  again  to  acknowledge  the  wisdom  and  kindness  of  that 
guiding  hand  which  brought  us  to  Bremen,  whither  we  had  be- 
fore no  intention  to  go.  It  is  one  of  the  Hanseatic  towns,  united 
with  Hamburg  and  Lubec ;  contains  about  50,000  inhabitants, 
and  is  governed  by  a  senate  and  burgomaster.  The  inhabitants 
seem  happy  and  prosperous.  It  was  pleasant  to  observe  the 
numerous  famihes  of  the  bourgeois  class,  drinking  tea  out  of 
doors,  in  their  little  gardens,  on  first  day  evenini^.  The 
commerce  of  the  town  is  thriving;  arid  the  Exchange,  on 
seventh  day,  presented  a  crowded  scene  of  busy  traffickers. 

We  left  Bremen,  with  minds  greatly  relieved,  on  second 
day  morning,  several  of  our  friends  coming  to  the  Lindenhof, 
our  comfortable  hotel,  to  witness  our  departure ;  and  there 
was  quite  a  crowd  at  the  door  to  bid  us  an  affectionate 
German  farevrell.  We  were  favoured  with  a  prosperous  jour- 
ney, to  Harburg,  on  the  Elbe,  about  sixty  miles  through  the 
Hanoverian  territory,  which  somewhat  improved  upon  us.  I 
observed  patches  of  wheat  and  oats,  as  well  as  fields  of  rye  and 
potatoes ;  and  it  was  amusing  to  watch  the  storks,  and  occa- 
sional large  flocks  of  sheep,  partly  white  ones  and  partly  black. 

We  found  the  little  town  of  Harburg  crowded ;  it  was  the 
market-day,  and  the  costumes  of  the  people  were  very 
showy;  the  girls  in  neat  caps,  gilt  or  silvered  all  over. 
There  we  dined,  and  at  half-past  six  took  the  steamer,  for  an 
hour's  voyage   down  the   beautiful  Elbe  to  Hamburg.     The 


282  HAMBURa.  1841. 

approach  to  that  city  and  Altona,  which  joins  it,  is  very 
striking ;  and,  as  we  neared  the  pier,  I  could  have  almost  ima- 
gined that  I  was  once  more  about  to  land  from  the  Delaware, 
at  Philadelphia ;  but  the  numerous  spires  of  Ham  Durg  did  not  aid 
the  delusion.  Crowds  of  people  in  the  steam-boat  surrounded 
my  sister,  Avho  had  tracts  ta  distribute,  their  eagerness  for  a 
supply  being  extreme  ;  but  we  soon  found  our  stores  exhausted. 

We  were  conveyed  in  our  carriage,  after  leaving  the  boat, 
to  the  Hotel  de  Russie,  and  in  the  evening  received  a  call 
from  Amelia  Sieveking,  an  unmarried  lady  of  a  good  family, 
who  is  devoted  to  the  welfare  of  the  people,  a  most  industrious 
and  effective  philanthropist.  She  is  Christian  instructress  to 
a  number  of  young  ladies,  who  spend  the  morning  with  her ; 
and  she  manages  a  District  Society  for  the  poor.  It  is 
pleasant  to  meet  with  such  people, — sound  and  sober  faith, 
manifested  in  works  of  love  and  mercy.  Her  reputation  is 
far  sprea:d  in  these  parts ;  but  she  seems  a  simple,  humble 
person,  as  well  as  very  sensible. 

Our  way  here  seems  remarkably  opening,  so  that  we  are 
again  furnished  with- evidence  that  the  hand  of  a  good  and 
kind  Providence  is  near  to  guide  and  help.  Yesterday  we 
were  visited  in  the  morning  by  the  Syndic  Sieveking,  minis- 
ter for  Foreign  Affairs  in  this  httle  Republic.  The  "four 
Syndics "  are  the  ministers  of  the  sovereign  body,  which 
consists  of  24  senators  and  400  liverymen.  The  Common- 
wealth, thus  governed,  has  a  mixture  of  good  and  bad  in  its 
constitution.  They  contribute  1500  soldiers  to  the  force, 
ordered  by  the  diet  of  Germany ;  and  for  this  and  other 
expenses  are  taxed  considerably,  the  annual  outgoings  being 
eight  millions  of  marcs  banco,  which  amounts,  as  I  understand, 
to  ,£200,000.  Capital  punishment  is  almost  unknown,  it 
being  twenty-iive  years  since  an  execution  took  place.  Yet 
we  have  seen  in  the  jails  several  murderers.  These  are 
confined  at  labour  for  long  terms  of  years.  There  is  a  great 
want  of  free  toleration,  no  new  sect  being  allowed  to  hold 
meetings  for  worship  in  the  place.  The  English  Baptists  who 
did  so,  some  time  since,  were  for  a  time  much  disturbed  and 


JET.  54.  HAMBURG.  28o 

persecuted.  Now  they  hold  their  meetings  in  private  houses, 
and  consider  their  cause  to  be  prospering. 

The  Syndic  Sieveking  is  a  first-rate  man,  and  kindly  un- 
dertakes to  arrange  our  proceedings.  We  were  visited 
yesterday  by  the  Senator  Iludtwalker,  Avho  is  a  man  of  piety 
and  great  influence.  In  the  afternoon  we.called  on  the  once 
persecuted  Baptists,  vrho  have  an  excellent  shop  for  tracts, 
Bibles,  &c.  We  are  to  receive  them  for  a  private  interview  at 
our  hotel  this  evening,  as  we  find  their  brethren  are  still 
persecuted  in  Denmark,  whither  we  are  next  going.  After- 
wards we  drove  into  the  country,  along  the  delightful  banks 
of  the  Elbe,  and  called  on  the  Hnnoverian  Consul,  Hanbury, 
to  whom  we  had  a  letter,  at  iiis  tasteful  country-seat  at 
Flotbeck.  In  the  evening  the  Syndic  Sieveking,  and  his 
cousin,  the  philanthropist,  spent  an  agreeable  lively  time 
with  us,  and  I  trust  we  had  the  true  feeling  of  religious 
unity  with  them. 

To-day  we  have  been  fully  engaged  for  some  hours  in 
visiting  the  prisons,  all  of  which  evince  care  and  kindness, 
but  there  are  many  defects.  Many  of  the  poor  fellows  are 
heavily  chained.  We  shall,  I  believe,  present  our  report  to 
the  Government ;  I  hope  not  in  vain.  Some  of  the  religious 
opportunities  v/ith  the  prisoners  were  truly  affecting.  We 
have  engagements  appointed  for  the  rest  of  the  day ;  also  for 
fifth  and  sixth  days,  and  two  meetings  ;  and  on  seventh  day 
we  intend  going  to  Kiel,  in  order  to  take  the  steam-boat  for 
Copenhagen. 

In  allusion  to  the  remaining  three  days  spent  at 
Hamburg,  he  says  :  — 

It  was  a  memorable  time,  during  which  the  hearts  of  many 
were  remarkably  opened  towards  us,  and  towards  that  cause 
of  truth  and  righteousness,"  which  we  were  earnestly  desirous, 
however  feebly,  to  promote.  We  had  a  large  company  one 
evening  at  our  hotel,  among  whom  was  the  Syndic  Sieveking, 


284  HAMBURG.  1841. 

and  many  others,  who  appeared  abundantly  willing  to  listen 
to  any  suggestions  wliich  we  could  offer  of  a  philanthropic 
nature.  A  morning  was  spent  in  an  interesting  visit  to  the 
Rauhr  Haus,  an  institution,  in  the  country,  a  few  miles  from 
Hamburg,  chiefly  under  the  care  of  the  Syndic,  for  the 
reception  of  young  men  convicted  of  crime,  or  otherwise 
marked  as  disorderly  characters.  Here,  without  the  scourge, 
or  the  fetter,  or  even  the  lock,  I  believe,  they  are  boarded  and 
lodged  in  several  distinct  families,  under  a  kind  of  parental 
superintendence,  and  are  taught  a  variety  of  useful  handicraft 
arts.  They  are  carefully  instructed  and  trained,  under  the 
authority  of  law,  to  regular  moral  and  religious  habits. 
Hymns  are  a  frequent  devotional  exercise  w'ith  them,  if 
exercise  it  may  be  called ;  for  experience  proves  that  it  is  easy 
thus  to  excite  and  arrange  a  service  of  the  lip,  while  the 
heart  is  far  estranged  from  its  Maker.  Most  of  the  care- 
takers of  this  institution  have  been  led  into  the  service  as 
volunteers,  by  a  sense  of  duty  and  the  influence  of  Christian 
love.  Here,  as  I  apprehend,  is  the  great  secret  of  that  con- 
siderable measure  of  success,  in  the  way  of  reformation,  with 
which  the  effort  has  been  blessed. 

After  a  full  inspection  of  the  Rauhr  Haus,  we  met  a  large 
company  at  the  neighbouring  villa  of  the  excellent  Syndic,  who 
is  a  man  remarkably  without  prejudice,  largely  informed,  and, 
on  Christian  grounds,  a  citizen  of  the  world.  In  the  evening, 
we  found  a  crowded  assembly  at  the  house  of  the  truly 
Christian  Senator,  Hudtwalker,  Vvhen,  at  Sieveking's  request, 
I  related  in  English,  without  interpretation,  some  of  the 
lemarkable  circumstances  in  the  life  of  Wilberforce.  After- 
wards, my  beloved  sister  addressed  them,  with  the  admirable 
accompanying  interpretation  of  Amelia  Sievcking,  (a  woman, 
like  herself,  devoted  to  the  welfare  of  mankind,)  on  the  subject 
of  religious  toleration  and  liberty.  This  is  a  sore  subject  at 
Hamburg ;  for  the  little  republic,  the  pattern  of  freedom,  has 
been  fixing  its  tyrant  fangs,  by  way  of  cruel  restraint  at  least, 
into  the  little  Baptist  body.  Never  did  I  hear  a  subject  more 
ably  or  more  boldly  handled,  and  yet  with  that  tact,  gentle- 


/ET.  54.  HAMUURG.  285 

ness  and  grace,  -wliicli  utterly  forbad  tlie  kindling  of  any 
opposing  passion.  The  impression  made  was  evidently  great. 
We  afterwards  presented  a  written  address  on  this  and  other 
practical  subjects  to  the  local  Government;  and  left  the  city 
on  seventh  day  morning,  after  having  been  favoured  to  fi»»d, 
or  make,  many  friends  in  it. 


286  VOYAGE.  1841. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

1841.    ^T.  54. 

PROGRESS  TO  COPENHAGEN ;  ENGAGEMENTS  THERE ;  VISIT  TO  THE 
KING  AND  QUEEN  OF  DENMARK  ;  VISIT  TO  FRIENDS  AT  PYRMONT 
AND  MINDEN  J  HANOVER  ;  BERLIN  ;  JOURNEY  INTO  SILESIA  J  VISIT 
TO   THE   KING   OF   PRUSSIA  J    RETURN    HOME. 

Copenhagen,  8th  mo.,  23rd. 

It  is  strange  to  be  at  last  at  this  place,  which  I  have 
been  so  long  intending  to  visit !  After  leaving  Hamburg, 
with  all  its  rapid  interests  and  engagements,  it  was  a  rest 
and  refreshment  to  travel  quickly  along  an  excellent  mac- 
adamized road,  through  the  pleasing,  cultivated  country  of 
Holstein,  to  Kiel,  a  thriving  town  on  the  sea-coast.  We 
reached  that  place  about  three  o'clock,  and  called  on  Pastor 
Harms,  a  pious  Lutheran  minister,  who  could  not  speak 
a  word  of  French  or  English,  but  whose  spirit.  Christian 
expression  of  countenance,  and  warm  salutations  in  German, 
truly  refreshed  us.  At  seven  o'clock  we  took  our  places  in 
the  "  Christian  VIII,"  an  admirable  steam-boat,  built  at 
Glasgow.  The  weather  had  been  very  fine,  but  exceedingly 
hot  all  the  day ;  and  no  sooner  had  our  voyage  begun,  than 
the  sky  became  overcast,  and  a  violent  thunder-storm,  with 
hail,  &c.,  followed.  After  a  time,  however,  the  sky  cleared, 
and  we  had  a  fine  night,  smooth  sea,  and  prosperous,  though 
somewhat  fatiguing,  voya^ge.  We  had  distant  views,  as  we 
proceeded,  of  Laaland,  Zealand,  and  Sweden ;  and  passed 
close  by  the  headlands  of  Moen,  exceedingly  beautiful ; 
chalk  cliffs,  400  feet  high,  finely  broken  and  crowned  with 
beech    woods.     It    was    a   lovely    scene,  something    like    the 


^T.  54.  TO    COPP^NnAGKN.  2S7 

coasts  of  Ilayti.  The  approach  to  Copenhagen  Is  also  very 
striking ;  and  pleased  enough  were  we  to  arrive  there  about 
one  o'clock,  after  a  voyage  of  only  eighteen  hours.  We  were 
met  on  our  arrival  by  Peter  Browne,  the  British  Secretary  of 
Legation,  a  very  agreeable  Christian  gentleman,  from  Ireland  ; 
who  informed  us  that  the  queen  had  provided  apartments  for 
us  at  the  Hotel  Royal,  considering  us  as  her  guests.  She 
kindly  intended  to  pay  all  our  expenses,  but  we  thought  it 
best  politely  to  claim  our  independence,  and  to  pay  our  own 
bill.  Peter  Browne  and  his  wife,  and  Roerdam,  an  interesting 
young  pastor,  sent  to  us  by  the  queen,  spent  the  evening  with 
us,  and  we  had  a  comfortable  reading  and  religious  opportunity 
at  the  conclusion  of  our  day.  P.  Browne  was  obliged  to 
leave  us  for  Sweden  the  next  day,  after  introducing,  me  to 
George  Ryan,  a  liberal  slave-holder,  of  Santa  Cruz,  (willing 
to  emancipate,)  and  to  Sir  Henry  W.  AV.  Wynn,  the  British 
Minister  Plenipotentiary. 

Peter  Browne's  wife,  who  is  a  decidedly  religious  person, 
and  truly  kind  to  us,  then  took  my  sister  and  me  to  the 
queen,  at  her  private  palace  in  town,  whither,  she  had  come 
ten  miles  from  her  country  residence  on  purpose  to  receive  us. 
We  found  her  with  two  of  her  ladies  and  Rafford,  a  French 
ri'form'e  pasteur,  who  is  her  almoner.  I  have  seldom 
seen  a  more  pleasing  woman — forty-five  years  of  age,  digni- 
fied in  her  appearance,  but  at  the  same  time,  kind  and 
Avarm-heartcd.  It  seemed  a  real  delight  to  her  to  see  my 
sister  again.  We  explained  the  objects  of  our  mission,  and 
arranged  our  plan  of  visiting  the  prisons.  She  took  a  lively 
interest  in  the  whole  affair.  When  this  business  was  gone 
through,  she  conducted  ils,  in  two  of  the  royal  carriages,  to 
her  infant  school,  my  sister  and  one  of  the  ladies  accompany- 
ing the  queen,  whilst  Rafford  and  I  followed  in  the  second 
carriage.  It  was  very  interesting  to  see  the  queen  Avith  her 
multitude  of  poor  infants,  questioning  them  out  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, &c. 

On  third  day  our  prison-visiting  commenced.  Accompanied 
by  our  friend  Katherine  Browne,  Von  listen,  a  leading  man 
of  the  police,  and  Federsen,  a  Government  Inspector,  who 


288  COPENHAGEN.  1841. 

also  proved  one  of  our  best  friends,  avc  proceeded  to  the  Dom 
JIaus,  or  police  prison,  cUiefl}^  for  untried  prisoners.  It  was  a 
long  task  to  go  through  it,  especially  as  it  abounded  in  defects. 
That  of  religious  instruction,  bibles,  &c.,  is  very  grievous;  and 
"vve  were  little  pleased  bv  observina;  a  horrid  dunireon.  and 
some  tremendous  whips. 

We  were  aware  that  Peter  and  Adolpli  Munster,  two 
Baptist  ministers,  were  confined  in  the  better  division  of  this 
prison,  (for  it  consists  of  two  distinct  parts,)  for  their  infraction 
of  the  rules  of  the  state  religion.  Peter  had  already  been 
there  nine  months,  Adolph  for  a  shorter  period.  It  was  a 
subject  which  had  previously  deeply  interested  us,  there  being 
no  toleration  of  sects  in  Denmark,  and  we  hoped  that  our 
seeing  them,  as  a  matter  of  course,  in  our  prison  visit,  would 
open  the  door  for  our  service  in  the  cause  of  religious  liberty. 
We  found  them,  each  alone,  in  pretty  comfortable  apartments, 
and  were  greatly  interested  and  pleased  by  them.  They 
had  all  the  appearance  of  sensible  and  pious  men,  the  elder 
brother,  Peter,  a  very  superior  person.  We  managed  to  con- 
verse a  little  in  German.  After  a  lunch  at  the  hotel,  we 
again  set  off  for  the  Stock-haus,  or  pjlace  of  slaves,  where 
are  the  criminals,  (all  men,)  who  are  condemned  to  hard 
labour  for  many  years  ;  a  large  number  for  life.  They  go 
out  chained  into  the  streets  to  work.  They  are  under  the 
care  of  a  kind  captain  of  the  army,  who  willingly  summoned 
them  from  their  work  to  hear  our  addresses,  which  were 
interpreted  for  us  by  our  friend,  Julius  Schiested,  a  gentleman 
living  near  Copenhagen,  who  has  acted  as  our  faithful  friend 
in  that  important  capacity  ever  since  our  work  there  began  ; 
and  who  is  now  accompanying  us  to  Lubec.  ^  They  were  also 
addressed  by  the  celebrated  pastor,  Grundtwig,  a  truly 
spiritual  man,  who  seems  to  depend  on  a  divine  influence  in 
his  preaching.  It  was  evident  to  us  that  the  unction  accom- 
panied his  words,  though  we  could  not  understand  them. 
Thomas  Shillitoe's  meeting  in  this  prison,  and  visit  to  the 
Court,  seem  to  have  left  a  lively  impression. 

On  fourth  day  we  spent  many  hours  in  examining  the  Zucht- 
haus,  or    House  of   Correction,  a  vast  prison,  ill    built,  and 


^T.  54.  VISIT    TO    THE    KING.  289 

old,  containing  600  or  700  criminals ;  200  women.  Many  of 
the  religious  opportunities  were  highly  interesting  and  affect- 
ing, especially  with  the  latter. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  morning,  we  drove  to  the  citadel, 
where  we  found  about  fifty  prisoners,  for  long  terms ;  a  sad 
abode  indeed,  with  no  counteracting  advantage.  They  looked 
pale  and  unhealthy,  but  received  our  addresses  with  attention 
and  apparent  gratitude.  *  *  * 

Fifth  day  was  appointed  for  our  visit  to  the  king  and  queen 
at  Sorgenfri,  their  pretty  country  residence.  It  was  to  me 
a  weighty  affair ;  indeed  to  us  both,  as  we  had  very 
important  communications  to  make.  Before  we  left  Copen 
hagen,  I  paid  a  private  visit  to  the  prison,  to  Peter 
Munster.  I  was  anxious,  before  I  saw  the  king,  to  know 
exactly  his  state  of  mind,  and  to  what  point  he  could  con- 
scientiously yield.  I  found  him  remarkably  moderate  and 
satisfactory.  After  a  drive  of  ten  miles,  we  arrived  at  the 
palace.  The  queen  was  ready  to  receive  us,  and  gave  us  a 
hearty  welcome.  We  came,  by  agreement,  half  an  hour 
before  the  dinner,  which  was  fixed  at  four  o'clock,  in  order  to 
see  the  gardens.  The  queen  walked  out  with  us,  but  without 
losing  her  dignity,  arm  in  arm  with  my  sister.  The  grounds, 
which  are  beautifully  diversified  with  hill,  dale,  wood,  and 
water,  are  open  to  the  public,  among  whom  she  was  constantly 
met  with  warm  tokens  of  love  and  respect.  She  took  us^at 
last  into  her  private  garden,  and  we  sat  together  in  her  arbour  ; 
the  conversation  very  interesting.  Truly  did  she  excite  our 
affectionate  and  lively  interest  in  her  welfare. 

A  messenger  soon  arrived  to  inform  us  that  the  king 
(Christian  VIII.)  was  in  the  drawing-room.  Thither  we 
repaired,  and  were  received  by  him  with  a  kind  welcome 
and  a  friendly  shake  by  the  hands.  He  is  a  handsome, 
sensible-looking  man,  with  a  benevolent  smile,  the  thorough 
gentleman  in  his  manners;  about  my  own  age,  or  perhaps 
rather  older.  Around  us  were  a  company  of  clergymen  in 
their  gowns,  officers  of  the  household,  ladies  of  honour,  &c. 
The  dinner  passed  off  very  agreeably.  My  sister  sat  between 
the  king  and  queen,  and  we  all  found  ourselves  in  good  company. 

Vol.  IL  — 19 


200  SORGEXFRI.  1841. 

After  diniior  my  sister  and  I  accompanied  tlie  king  and 
queen  into  a  balcony,  fronting  the  pleasure-grounds ;  my 
sister  then  gave  the  king  an  account  of  his  prisons,  and 
endeavoured  to  infuse  her  views  of  a  just  and  reformatory 
prison  discipline.  I  interpreted  in  French,  when  necessary ; 
the  king  talking  no  English.  Before  she  quite  finished,  the 
terrace,  immediately  below  the  balcony,  was  filled  by  a  large 
company  of  orphans  from  the  asylum  in  Copenhagen,  having 
been  conveyed  to  Sorgenfri  in  twenty-five  carts,  to  enjoy  a 
holiday  and  meet  "Madame  Fry."  Below  the  terrace  spreads 
a  green  lawn,  on  which  the  public  was  assembled  to  witness 
the  spectacle.  The  weather  was  delightful ;  and  the  scene 
uncommonly  interesting.  The  orphans  sung  the  usual 
national  songs  in  honour  of  the  king  and  queen,  who  both 
behaved  most  kindly  to  them.  A  sudden  shower  occur- 
ring, the  king  commanded  them  all  to  be  brought  into  the 
saloon,  when  they  were  addressed  by  my  sister,  interpreted 
for  by  Prince  Bentheim,  who  declared,  in  the  midst  of  his 
interpretation,  that  her  speaking  was  "  un  don  de  Dieu, ;" — • 
not  far  from  the  truth,  I  believe. 

During  the  whole  of  this  remarkable  scene,  I  had  some 
anxiety  lest  I  should  lose  the  opportunity  of  speaking  to 
the  king  about  the  "West  Indies,  which  I  had  so  much  and 
so  loner  desired.  But  he  did  not  forget  business,  and  no 
sooner  vrere  the  orphans  withdrawn,  than  he  took  me  into  the 
queen's  boudoir ;  and  there  he  and  I  were  shut  up  alone 
together  for  an  hour  and  upwards.  Most  interesting  to  my- 
self was  our  conversation,  in  which  he  took  a  sensible  and 
earnest  part,  candidly  stating  his  objections,  and  putting  his 
finger  on  wliat  he  deemed  weak  points.  I  was  enabled  to 
speak  French  to  him  with  facility,  and  gave  him  a  full  recital 
of  what  I  had  seen,  both  in  the  British  and  Danish  West 
Indies,  clearly  explaining  to  him  the  whole  of  my  views  and 
wishes  respecting  the  latter.  The  queen  and  my  sister  then 
came  in  ;  and  the  latter  now  spoke  to  him  on  our  last  point — 
the  want  of  religious  toleration  in  his  dominions,  and  the 
persecution  of  the  Baptists.  *  *  In  conclusion  he  requested  uu 
10  come  ?.gain  on  the  following  "  Sunday"  to  dine  with  him. 


2ET.  54.  COPENHAGEN.  *  •  29l 

and  bring  our  proposals  in  writing ;  but  the  queen  excused 
us,  telling  him  that  we  were  to  hold  a  meeting  that  even- 
ing at  our  hotel.  It  was  at  last  fixed  that  we  should  come  to 
him  on  that  day,  about  noon,  to  which  we  could  not  feel  the 
least  objection,  as  the  object  was  only  to  do  good.  After 
having  thus  fully  relieved  our  minds,  we  took  tea  with  them, 
and  accompanied  our  friend  Katherine  Browne  to  her  house 
in  the  country  to  lodge.  In  that  sweet  place  of  large  trees, 
and  entire  quietness,  close  by  the  sea,  called  Roligted,  mean- 
ing peace,  we  ended  the  day  in  the  same ;  and  the  next 
morning  returned  to  Copenhagen.  There  close  business 
awaited  us  :  I  had  to  write  out  the  whole  of  our  prison  speech, 
and  of  my  Anti-Slavery  views,  for  the  king  ;  two  long  and 
carefully-digested  reports,  which  Schiested  translated  for  me 
into  Danish.  This  occupied  most  of  sixth  and  seventh  days 
but  we  were  favoured  to  accomplish  it  well. 

On  sixth  day  evening  several  ladies  and  gentlemen  came  to 
us,  and  we  laid  the  foundation  of  the  Prison  Discipline  Society 
for  Denmark.  On  seventh  day  evening  we  had  a  reunion  of 
nearly  200  people  of  the  elite  of  Danish  society ;  the  large 
assembly-room  at  the  hotel  being  tilled.  My  sister  spoke  well 
on  prisons,  being  interpreted  for  by  Schiested,  and  I  gave 
them  the  West  Indian  story.  Nothing  could  exceed  the 
interest  and  love  of  the  people.  First  day  was  truly 
memorable.  A  precious  meeting  with  the  Baptist  flock,  at 
nine  in  the  morning.  This  done,  we  again  drove  to  Sorgenfri, 
and  enjoyed  a  satisfactory  interview  with  the  king  and  queen. 
We  were  alone  with  tliem  for  nearly  two  hours,  and  while  the 
king  looked  at  the  Danirili  copies,  we  read  to  him  our  respective 
reports  is  English.  Thus  the  whole  of  our  subjects,  including 
toleration,  were  completely  put  into  his  mind.  It  was  a  very 
business-like  interview,  but  ended  in  some  sweet  religious 
intercourse.  I  spoke  fully  on  the  necessity  of  their  supporting 
simple,  sound  Christianity,  in  the  midst  of  the  rationalism 
of  priests  and  people  with  wiiich  they  are  surrounded. 

We  next  called  on  the  Queen  Dowager,  at  Fredericksburg. 
She  is  seventy-four,  an  afflicted  widow,  of  a  pleasing  person, 


292  •-  PYRMONT.  1841. 

and  reminded  us  of  oar  late  dear  aunt,  Jane  Gurney.  She 
"was  greatly  affected  by  the  interview.  In  the  evening  we  had 
a  good  Friends'  meeting  at  the  hotel,  attended  by  many  pious 
people,  chiefly  of  the  upper  class ;  it  was  a  blessed  ending  of 
the  day.  I  cannot  add  more ;  suffice  it  to  say,  that  we  are 
now  safely  at  Lubeck. 

Proceeding  from  Lubeck,  by  way  of  Hanover, 
they  came  to  Pyrraont,  where  there  is  a  small  body 
of  persons  professing  the  principles  of  Friends. 

Pyrmont,  9th  mo.,  5th,  1841. 

*  *  *  We  arrived  Qiere]  at  nine  o'clock  [yesterday 
evening]  and  were  warmly  welcomed  at  the  "  Staat  Bremen  ;" 
with  the  inmates  of  which  my  sister  and  our  niece  were  already 
familiar.  The  people  seemed  delighted  at  their  return.  Our 
friend,  August  Mundhenck,  met  us ;  and  we  arranged  our 
meetings  with  him  for  the  next  day.  He  is  an  interesting, 
religious  young  man,  prospering  in  business,  but  I  hope 
bound  to  a  better  cause ;  to  us  a  great  helper  as  an  in- 
terpreter, as  he  speaks  English  well.  We  attended  the  usual 
meeting  at  ten  o'clock :  about  thirty  Friends,  and  perhaps 
twice  the  number  of  others.  My  sister  spoke  first,  explaining 
our  manner  of  worship  ;  after  which  I  was  much  engaged  in 
pi'eaching  the  everlasting  gospel,  Mundhenck  interpreting  for 
me  sentence  by  sentence.  In  the  afternoon,  the  Friends  held 
their  two  months'  meeting.  We  were  very  glad  of  the  oppor- 
tunity of  attending  it,  singular  as  it  was,  to  have  all  the  pro- 
ceedings in  German.  I  thought  the  business  well  conducted  ; 
men  and  women  sitting  together.  When  it  was  concluded, 
I  spoke,  and  my  sister  folloAved.  I  afterwards  prayed.  The 
little  flock  seemed  much  comforted,  and  their  tears  flowed 
abundantly.  In  the  evening  we  had  a  further  meeting  at  the 
hotel.  I  was  much  engaged  in  ministry,  as  was  my  sister, 
and  the  meeting  again  ended  in  prayer.  It  was  a  blessed 
time ;  the  Lord's  power  being,  as  we  believe,  over  all.  Thus 
we  continue  to  have  abundant  cause  for  thankfulness ;    and 


MT.  54  PYRMONT.  "  293 

certainly  it  is  a  great  comfort  to  be  once  more  with  Friends. 
I  feel  very  quiet ;  my  mind  not  higli,  but  unruffled ;  and,  after 
some  little  perplexity,  our  path  for  the  remainder  of  the 
present  month  seems  opening  before  us  with  a  good  degree  of 
clearness.  We  expect  to  get  through  our  visit  to  the  dear 
Friends  here  by  to-morrow  evening :  and  to  effect  a  similar 
object  at  Minden,  on  third  and  fourth  days,  so  as  to  return  to 
Hanover  on  fourth  day  night.  It  is  our  desire  to  be  preserved 
from  going  out  of  the  way  which  the  Lord  is  pleased  to  cast 
up  before  us;  and  in  no  degree  to  do  "our  own  pleasure," 
except  when  it  falls  in  with  his ;  but  I  never  felt  more  entirely 
unworthy,  except  for  Christ's  sake,  or  more  entirely  unfit, 
except  through  the  direct  influence  of  the  Spirit,  for  the  least 
participation  in  the  work  and  service  of  the  Lord.  It  is  a 
great  satisfaction  to  me  to  have  this  opportunity  of  facilitating 
the  course  of  ray  beloved  sister,  as  from  place  to  place  she  has 
been  eminently  qualified  for  her  work ;  and  many,  very  many, 
are  they  who  rise  up  round  about  her,  and  call  her  blessed  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord. 

Hanover,  Fifth  day,  9tb  mo.,  9th. 

My  last  journal  was  despatched  from  Pyrmont  on  second 
day,  bringing  me  to  the  peaceful  dawn  of  that  morning,  after  a 
good  public  meeting  the  evening  before.  August  Mundhenck 
joined  us  after  breakfast,  and  then  accompanied  my  sister  and 
me  to  the  three  families  of  Friends  residing  in  the  town,  two 
of  them  widows  with  daughters,  the  other  a  widower  with  a 
daughter  and  three  grown-up  sons.  We  also  called  on  Dr. 
Manky,  who  is  a  person  much  interested  in  natural  history, 
and  very  kind  to  the  little  flock  of  Friends.  These  visits  were 
very  pleasant ;  and  I  believe  "  the  word  preached"  was  applicable 
to  the  condition  of  the  parties.  This  duty  performed,  we  drove 
to  Friedensthal,  or  the  valley  of  peace,  one  mile  and  a  half 
fron  the  town,  a  lovely  place,  where  reside  John  Seebohm, 
-; Benjamin  Seebohm's  brother,)  and  his  large  family;  the  late 
Louis  Seebohm's  widow  and  her  daughter,  and  August  Mund- 
henck and  his  little  girl ;  separate  houses,  but  one  community. 


294  pyrmokt;  minden.  1841 

connected  with  a  large  establishment  in  the  wool  trade.  At 
the  distance  of  half  a  mile  is  the  village  of  Lowensen,  where 
the  Parset  family,  and  the  widow  Tellgemann  and  her  daughter 
live.  The  families  mentioned  compose  the  whole  of  the  little 
society;  certainly  a  very  pleasing  and  interesting  company. 
We  dined  at  half-past  one,  at  John  Seebohm's,  the  whole 
family  circle  being  assembled.  It  was  a  very  pleasant  occasion, 
and  was  concluded  by  a  precious  time  of  religious  communi- 
cation. [In  the  eveningj  I  joined  my  sister  and  our  faithful 
interpreter,  Mundhenck,  in  a  visit  to  the  two  families  at  Low- 
en  sen ;  after  which,  we  met  a  large  assembly  of  the  work- 
people of  the  factory,  and  others,  at  Friedensthal.  It  was  a 
good  meeting,  in  which  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  and  its  prac- 
tical application,  were  plainly  set  forth.  We  returned  to 
Pyrmont,  after  an  affectionate  and  touching  leave-taking,  late 
at  night;  and  about  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning,  third  day 
the  8th,  set  off,  with  Mundhenck  for  our  guide,  for  Minden. 

On  our  way  we  visited  one  of  the  great  prisons  of  the  State 
of  Hanover,  at  Hameln,  a  town  which  during  the  French  war 
w^as  laid  waste  by  Napoleon.  My  sister  had  seen  it  last  year, 
when  she  found  the  prisoners,  even  when  at  work,  heavily 
loaded  with  irons.  She  had  represented  the  case  to  the 
Government ;  and  the  late  queen,  who  died  in  the  summer, 
particularly  requested,  during  her  illness,  that  all  my  sister's 
suggestions  might  be  attended  to.  The  happy  consequence 
was  the  removal  of  all  the  chains,  by  which  both  the  comforts 
and  conduct  of  the  prisoners  have  been  much  improved.  It 
was  interesting  to  observe  the  warm  and  joyful  welcome  which 
my  sister  met  with  in  this  prison,  where  she  was  already 
known,  both  by  the  prisoners  and  their  keepers,  and  even  by 
the  old  soldiers  on  guard. 

On  our  way  from  Hameln  to  Minden,  we  passed  through 
the  town  of  Biickeburg,  beautifully  situated  in  the  rich 
valley  of  the  Weser,  surrounded  by  lofty  wooded  hills, 
descending  precipitously  on  one  side ;  the  range  assuming,  in 
consequence,  the  appearance  of  a  stair-case,  laid  horizontally 
on  the  earth      This  is  the  capital  of  the  small  independent 


^T    54>  VI.^ITS    .,Q   FRIENDS.  20") 

principaJiy  ..  ;*  Lippe-Schaumberg.  The  iuliabittints  of  tlie 
district  were  docking  to  the  tov/n.  for  it  ^vas  market-d;'.  j.  I 
never  saAV  so  original  a  costume;  the  women  in  fine  reds,  with 
gay  gilded  caps  descending  in  a  point  over  the  forehead,  and 
large  necklac3S  of  pure  amber.  The  men  in  neat  frocks,  dark 
blue  stockings,  and  broad-brimmed  hats,  with  supporters. 
They  seemed  to  us  an  innocent  and  agreeable  people.  We 
arrived  at  the  strongly-fortified  town  of  Minden,  on  the  Weser, 
about  three  o'clock ;  found  a  good  hotel  ready  for  our  re- 
ception ;  dined,  and  spent  the  afternoon  in  religious  visits  to 
two  families,  the  Peitsmeyers,  and  the  Schelps.  John  Rasche, 
the  principal  Friend  of  the  place,  and  the  widowed  father  of  a 
large  young  family,  was  also  called  upon.  At  seven  o'clock 
in  the  evening,  a  public  meetmg  assembled  in  crowds,  in  a 
large  room  at  the  hotel.  It  was,  I  believe,  a  good  time,  and 
notwithstanding  the  bustle  of  a  crowd  which  we  could  not 
accommodate,  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  appeared 
to  have  free  course  among  the  people. 

The  next  morning,  after  sitting  wdth  the  two  families  of 
Kasche,  we  held  another  large  meeting,  in  a  capacious  public 
room.  It  was  a  time  when  the  true  anointing  was  evidently 
poured  forth ;  and  great  indeed  was  the  attention  of  the 
people.  After  the  meeting  was  over,  the  Friends  retired  into 
their  own  meeting-house,  a  humble  upstairs  room,  which 
would  have  been  utterly  unsafe  for  the  multitude  which  we 
had  just  dismissed.  Including  the  children,  there  were,  I 
suppose,  about  forty  present,  and  a  very  precious  time  we  had 
•with.  them.  Afterwards  the  children,  who  are  numerous,  sat 
down  in  the  school  kept  by  the  honest  and  pious  Schelp  ;  and 
I  was  great '.y  pleased  ooth  with  their  cleanly  and  sober 
appearance,  tnd  the  readmess  with  which  they  answered  my 
Scripture  qu;stions.  On  the  whole,  we  are  cheered  in  the 
belief,  that  tiere  is  true  life  m  the  body,  and  that  the  "can- 
dlestick" will  not  be  removed  "out  of  its  place." 

After  a  short  visit  to  the  prisons,  and  a  little  meeting  in 
one  of  thnm,  (the  prison  for  soldiers,)  we  left  Minden  in  much 
quietness  and  peace.  We  were  anxious  to  reach  Hanover, 
forty-five  miles,  in  good  time  at  night ;  but  were  stayed  on 


"idiS  buckebukg;  hanover.  1841 

•jur  road  at  the  picturesque  Biickeburg,  "where  "vre  found  that 
the  Princess,  (sister  to  the  Prince  of  Pyrmont.)  had  set  her 
mind  on  holding  a  philanthropic  meeting.  A  large  company 
Met  us  at  the  hotel.  My  sister  spoke  to  them  on  her  usual 
subjects,"  "with  remarkable  effect,  after  a  few  introductory 
sentences  from  me ;  and  I  afterwards  concluded  the  meeting, 
with  a  brief  but  expressive  declaration,  as  I  hope,  of  gospel 
truth.  Love  and  good-will  flowed  abundantly.  Among  the 
perspns  present  were  the  Prince  and  Princess,  their  son  and 
two  daughters,  and  the  young  Prince  Hohenlohe.  It, was  a 
oright  and  memorable  occasion.  After  a  hasty  dinner,  we 
repaired  to  the  castle  or  palace,  where  we  took  tea  with  the 
agreeable  reigning  family  of  the  principality,  and  were  met  by 
a  large  party  of  ladies  and  others.  I  enjoyed  an  interesting 
conversation  with  the  Prince  and  his  son  about  the  West 
Indies.  It  is  particularly  satisfactory  thus  to  find  our  way  into 
the  hearts  of  cultivated,  as  well  as  uncultivated  society,  where- 
cver  we  go.  AVe  shall  not  soon  forget  the  pretty  Biickeburg, 
from  which  place  a  drive  of  six  hours  brought  us  at  midnight 
10  Hanover,  fourth  day,  9th  mo.,  8th. 

Berlin,  First  day  night,  9th  mo.,  12th. 

At  Hanover  we  were  desirous  of  an  interview  with  the  king.  ' 
I  called  at  the  palace  to  explain  our  wishes  to  General  During, 
nis  personal  attendant,  with  whom  I  left  the  address  of  the 
Anti-Slavery  Convention  to  the  king,  of  which  I  was  the 
Dearer.  Soon  afterwards  a  letter  to  my  sister  arrived  from 
tiie  king  himself,  expressing  deep  regret  at  not  being  able  to 
•  eceive  us,  and  speaking  of  her  friendship  with  his  late 
"beloved"  wife  in  very  affectionate  terms,  desiring  a  blessing 
on  our  philanthropic  journey.  He  hinted  that  it  was  not 
only  business,  but  his  own  afflicted  state  of  mind,  which 
prevented  his  giving  us  an  audience.  Our  only  course  left, 
was  to  address  a  letter  to  him,  on  the  several  points  in  his 
prisons,  which  required  notice,  with  some  general  remarks 
which  we  wished  to  make.  I  had  the  laborious  task  of 
preparing  this  document,  in  the  midst  of  interruptions  from 
callers,  &c.,  but  happily  accomplished  it  in  time  to  send  it  the 


^T.  54.  ROUTE   TO   BERLIN.  297 

same  evening.  In  the  meantime,  the  prison-visiting  ladies, 
and  the  pastors  and  other  gentlemen  who  were  conducting  a 
new  Patronage  Society  for  the  care  of  criminals  after  they 
leave  their  prisons,  were  thronging  around  us.  The  tide  kept 
flowing  on,  until,  at  the  appointed  hour  in  the  evening,  (seven 
o'clock,)  the  great  salle  a  manger  of  the  hotel  was  crowded 
with  ladies  and  gentlemen.  I  have  seldom  seen  a  more 
attentive  or  intelligent  company.  After  my  sister  had  done 
full  justice  to  her  prison  subject,  I  gave  them  a  short 
chapter  on  slavery  and  the  West  Indies ;  August  Mundhenck 
being  our  interpreter.  The  most  lively  interest  seemed  to  be 
excited ;  and,  when  the  meeting  was  over,  we  gave  tea  and 
distributed  books  in  our  own  apartments.  Nothing  could 
exceed  the  friendly  and  loving  demeanour  of  the  people,  unless 
it  was  their  eagerness  to  obtain  our  books ;  and  it  seemed  as  if 
they  would  not,  or  could  not,  quit  us.  At  length,  however, 
the  rooms  were  cleared,  and  we  retired  to  rest,  at  once  thank- 
ful for  the  evening,  and  very  tired.  *  *  * 

A  cruel  case  of  persecution  had  taken  place  at  Othfresen, 
near  the  Hartz  mountains.  This  place  happened  to  lie  on  our 
way  to  Berlin.  We  sent  Mundhenck  forward  to  ascertain  the 
facts,  and  the  next  morning  in  good  time,  (seven  o'clock,  the 
10th,)  we  left  Hanover  at  a  quick  rate,  journeying  along 
a  pleasant  country,  till  eleven  at  night,  about  110  miles, 
by  Hildesheim  and  Halberstadt,  to  Magdeburg.  On  our  way 
we  stopped  at  the  village  of  Othfresen,  ascertained  the  case  of 
the  little  persecuted  society  of  Baptists,  about  fourteen  in 
number ;  replenished  their  purses  a  little,  (one  man  had  lost 
all  his  furniture  by  legal  seizure  for  holding  a  meeting  in  his 
own  house,)  and  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  our  dear  and 
useful  Mundhenck.  Our  journey  that  day,  though  long,  was 
peaceful,  and  the  Hartz  mountains  in  the  distance,  so  famous 
for  a  variety  of  metallic  productions,  and  teeming  with  the 
lessons  of  geology,  were  an  agreeable  spectacle,  as  we  drove 
along  through  a  well-cultivated,  and  well-peopled  country. 
We  dined  at  the  fine  old  town  of  Halberstadt.  The  weather 
delicious,  and  the  sky  at  sun-set,  like  the  skies  of  New- 
England,     Magdeburg,  with  its  55,000  inhabitants  and  strong 


298  MAGDEBURG;    BERLIN.  "  1841. 

fortifications,  is  a  very  handsome  old  town.  The  principal 
street,  justly  called  Die  hreite,  strasse,  (the  broad  ■\vay,)  is-vcry 
grotesque  and  good-looking,  and  the  cathedral  very  handsome- 

In  the  morning  we  spent  an  hour  or  two  in  viewing  the 
place,  and  in  visiting  the  state  prison.  The  vast  fortifications 
of  this  town  have  been  its  great  misery.  They  have  attracted 
war,  and  this  afflicted  city  has  again  and  again  been  besieged, 
starved,  taken,  and  pillaged.  The  Austrian  General  Tilly,  in 
the  thirty  years'  war,  sacked  it  in  defence  of  Popery,  and  slew 
30,000  of  the  inhabitants !  How  little  can  we  conceive  the 
horrors  of  war,  or  the  extent  of  the  miseries  inflicted  on 
mankind  by  the  alliance  of  ecclesiastical  authority  or  preten- 
sion, with  the  temporal  sword  of  princes ! 

At  eleven  o'clock  yesterday,  the  11th,  we  took  the  railroad 
for  Berlin,  and  spent  many  hours  in  .a  very  circuitous  course. 
For  this  we  were  in  measure  repaid  by  a  good  view  of  Witten- 
berg, the  celebrated  scene  of  many  of  Luther's  exploits ;  his 
home  too ;  and  the  home  of  Melancthon.  We  clearly  saw 
Luther's  monastery,  built  for  him  by  Frederick  the  Wise, 
elector  of  Saxony.  The  whole  scene  was  to  me  peculiarly 
interesting. 

This  very  extensive  and  beautiful  city,  [Berlin,]  of  300,000 
inhabitants,  is  placed  in  the  midst  of  a  vast  plain  of  sand.  Why 
such  a  site  should  have  been  chosen,  it  is  difficult  to  imagine. 
Our  excellent  Hotel  de  Russie  is  situated  in  the  midst  of 
magnificent  palaces,  and  other  such  buildings ;  the  general 
appearance  of  this  part  of  the  city  being  equal  to  the  best 
parts  of  London  or  Pa/is.  A  long  and  interesting  call  from 
General  Thial,  the  President  of  the  Bible  Society,  and  Prime 
Minister  of  Prussia,  has  taken  up  part  of  this  morning.  He 
is  an  old  soldier,  but  his  countenance  beams  with  benevolence 
as  well  as  talent ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  he  is  a  lively- 
minded  Christian.  Such  a  journey  as  this  demolishes  all 
sorts  of  prejudice,  but  it  in  no  degree  shakes  our  belief  in  the 
truth  and  reality  of  our  principles.  Lord  W^illiam  Russell, 
our  Minister,  and  many  others,  have  also  been  calling.  Our 
friend  August  Beyerhaus,  a  Christian  indeed,  is  an  effective 
helper  and  interpreter. 


m,T.  54.  BEHLiN.  299 

I  have  been  busy  writing  to  the  King  of  Hanover,  about 
the  persecuted  Baptists.  This  evening  we  have  been  favoured 
with  a  good  meeting,  after  reading  the  Scriptures,  with  about 
eighty  people  at  the  hotel ;  an  intelligent  and  interesting 
audience.  I  was  led  into  a  train  of  close  argument  in  defence 
of  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  and  was  excellently 
interpreted  for.  All  seemed  attentive,  and  I  believe  I  was 
fully  understood.  My  sister  followed  vrith  great  sweetness 
and  force.  Thus,  at  the  close  of  another  first  day,  we  feel 
that  we  have  cause  for  reverent  gratitude  to  the  Author  of 
all  good. 

Xeii?tadtel,  in  Silesia,  9tli  mo.,  15th. 

Our  visit  to  Berlin  was,  I  believe,  of  some  importance  ; 
though  a  time  of  no  small  pressure  on  our  own  minds.  I 
have  already  described  our  meeting  for  worship  on  first  day 
evening.  I  had  afterwards  reason  to  believe,  that  the  discourse 
was  well  understood,  and  adapted  to  the  unbelieving  condition 
of  many  in  Berlin.  It  is,  however,  cheering  to  find,  that 
neological  views  are  gradually  becoming  less  prevalent,  and 
that  the  younger  class  of  ministers  is  sounder  and  more 
enlightened  than  the  elder.  It  is  said  there  are  about  twenty 
ministers  of  religion  in  Berlin,  (of  all  denominations,)  who 
preach  the  ffospel ;  the  population  300,000.  Their  places  for 
worship  are  well  attended  ;  the  other  churches  neglected  both 
by  pastors  and  flocks.  The  Sabbath  is  very  poorly  observed, 
and  I  fear  immorality  abounds.  Our  morning  on  second  day 
was  closely  occupied.  I  went  with  a  gentleman  named  Lobeck, 
to  visit  a  celebrated  institution  for  the  education  and  reform 
of  young  criminals,  under  the  care  of  Kopff  and  his  wife, 
persons  eminently  gifted  for  their  station.  I  was  delighted 
with  the  order  of  the  establishment,  and  with  the  masterly 
management  of  the  boys,  about  eighty  in  number ;  they  are 
well  taught,  and  employed  in  various  branches  of  industry 
when  out  of  school.  When  I  was  speaking  to  them  of  the 
law  of  God,  written  on  the  heart,  one  of  them  instantly 
quoted  Romans  ii,  14,  "  When  the  Gentiles  who  have  not  the 
law,"  &c.  Afterwards  we  walked  across  a  sandy  plain  to  call 
on  Gossner,  an  evangelical  minister,  who  was  once  a  Roman 


300  BERLIN.  1841. 

Catholic,  preaclied  at  Petersburg  many  years,  and  was  at  last 
ilriven  from  that  place.  For  several  years  past  he  has  exer- 
cised his  ministry  at  Berlin.  He  is  a  person  of  very  extensive 
influence,  sends  out  missionaries,  distributes  vast  numbers  of 
Bibles,  and,  in  his  preaching,  remarkably  falls  in  with  the 
views  of  Friends.  He  is  much  attached  to  Stephen  Grellet, 
whom  he  described  to  me  as  the  most  spiritual  Christian  he 
had  met  with  in  any  denomination.  We  found  the  dear  man, 
now  in  years,  but  still  active,  at  a  comfortable  cottage,  built 
for  him  by  one  of  his  people  ;  and  very  interesting  to  me  was 
our  conversation.  He  gave  me  a  lively  description  of  the 
state  of  religion  in  these  parts ;  my  object  being  to  ascertain 
what  points,  affecting  the  best  welfare  of  the  people,  required 
our  attention  in  our  probable  interview  with  the  king.  He  is 
full  of  life,  intellectually  as  well  as  spiritually,  and  seemed  to 
be  quite  joyous  at  heart — an  example,  I  thought,  for  me,  who 
often  find  myself  bowing  down  the  head  "  like  a  bulrush." 

After  my  sister  had  secured  a  little  rest,  we  went  together 
to  the  Elizabeth  Hospital,  under  the  care  of  Gossner,  contain- 
ing from  eighty  to  a  hundred  sick  women.  The  matron  is  a 
"lady,"  who  devotes  herself  voluntarily  to  the  service;  and 
the  pleasing  young  women  who  perform  the  office  of  nurse, 
receive  no  w^ages,  but  do  it  for  the  "love  of  Christ;"  true 
sisters  of  charity  they  seemed  to  be.  The  spirit  of  Christi- 
anity, in  a  remarkable  manner,  appeared  to  pervade  the  whole 
house.  Gossner  and  some  pious  ladies  accompanied  us  from 
ward  to  ward;  and  my  sister's  gentle  administrations  were 
received  with  the  greatest  avidity. 

On  our  way  home,  we  called  on  Baron  Kottwitz,  a  very 
ao^ed  Christian  nobleman,  who  has  devoted  his  life  to  the 
care  of  a  great  poor-house,  in  part  of  which  he  resides.  He 
.oves  Friends,  and  has  a  lively  recollection  of  Thomas 
Shillitoe.  He  is  himself  a  noble  specimen  of  a  green  old 
age.  Lord  Augustus  Loftus,  a  pleasing  young  man  attached 
to  the  English  embassy,  and  our  friend  Beyerhaus,  dined  with 
us  at  six  o'clock;  and,  soon  after  dinner,  our  evening  meeting 
in  the  great  saloon  began  to  assemble  in  large  numbers.  It 
was   understood    to    be    a   philanthropic    meeting,    and    the 


j;t.  54  SPANDAU.  SOI 

greatest  intef  ?  P3«  jed  to  be  excited  bj  my  account  of 
slavery  and  ll  3  jlave  trade,  and  the  cifejts  of  ^reedoir  is  the 
West  Indies;  and  my  sister  was  Istened  ;o  wi.h  e>.jial 
attention  in  her  concluding  discourse  on  prsons,  edu.;at!on, 
the  daily  use  of  the  Scriptures,  &c.  There  wis  a  good  feeling 
over  the  meeting.  A  large  tea-party  fc/llowed,  and  the 
closing  scene  was  one  of  much  peace  and  lo\e. 

On  third  day  morning  we  found,  to  our  grief,  that  my 
dear  sister  had  been  very  ill  during  the  night.  We  had 
arranged  to  visit  the  great  prison  at  Spandau,  ten  miles  from 
Berlin,  and  had  afterwards  sixty  miles  to  travel.  Happily 
our  faith  did  not  fail  us.  She  got  better,  took  to  the 
carriage  at  nine  o'clock ;  and  Beyerhaus,  she,  and  I,  drove 
oif  to  Spandau.  Lieutenant  Schultz,  who  has  been  perse- 
cuted under  military  law  for  distributing  tracts,  a  great  friend 
of  Peter  Bedford's,  also  accompanied  us.  At  Spandau,  we 
w'ere  kindly  received  by  the  Christian  Governor  of  the  prison  ; 
and  had  some  remarkable  religious  opportunities  with  com- 
panies of  the  prisoners.  It  is  a  well-ordered  prison  ;  and  my 
sister  had  the  comfort  of  finding  that  her  suggestions,  made 
last  year,  had  most  of  them  been  attended  to,  and  her  wishes 
carried  into  execution ;  to  the  great  advantage  of  many 
hundred  criminals,  especially  as  it  regarded  food,  superinten- 
dence, and  religious  instruction.  Thus  a  new  evidence  was 
afforded  her,  that  her  labour  was  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 
Nothing  but  a  little  faith  could  have  enabled  her,  in  her 
apparently  weak  condition,  to  perform  this  visit ;  but  this  was 
not  all,  for  a  letter  was  received  on  behalf  of  a  lady  on  her 
death-bed,  earnestly  requesting  my  sister  to  come  to  her. 
Late  and  tired,  we  felt  best  satisfied  to  go  out  of  our  way  to 
see  this  lady,  but  we  were  rewarded.  She  could  speak 
English,  and  a  sweeter  specimen  of  a  Christian  sufferer  I 
have  very  seldom  seen.  It  was  a  time  of  much  consolation, 
ending  with  solemn  prayer ;  but  death  did  not  to  us  appear 
very  near  at  hand.  Delightful  it  certainly  is,  to  see  the  true 
work  of  grace  going  on  in  so  many  different  places,  and  under 
su3h  a  variety  of  circumstances. 


302  ROUTE.  1841. 

We  now  rested  for  a  short  time ;  and,  after  an  early  repast, 
took  an  affectionate  leave  of  several  persons  wlio  surrounded 
us  on  our  departure,  and  drove  off  on  the  road  towards 
Silesia.  Happily  vre  found  it  macadamized,  and,  by  dint  of 
rapid  travelling,  we  reached  Frankfort  on  the  Oder,  (sixty 
miles,)  about  half-past  nine  o'clock  at  night ;  my  sister  not  the 
worse  for  her  journey. 

Hirschberg,  Silesia,  Sixth  day  morning,  17th. 

Our  journey  yesterday  was  very  rapid,  on  the  beautiful 
high  road  towards  Breslau,  as  far  as  Liiben.  We  then  turned 
off  to  Liegnitz,  which  is  a  handsome  old  city,  fifteen  miles  ; 
and  from  thence  forty  miles  over  a  mountainous  and  highly 
picturesque  country.  In  consequence  of  the  many  hills,  our 
journey  was  slow,  and  we  were  obliged  to  travel  with  six 
horses.  We  arrived  here  at  night ;  it  is  a  picturesque  town, 
of  7000  inhabitants,  supported  by  the  domestic  linen  manu- 
factory, carried  on  in  the  cottages  all  about  the  country;  it 
being  a  land  of  flax.  *  *  * 

9th  mo.,  20th. 

*  *  *  We  are  in  the  midst  of  a  most  delightful  country, 
cultivated  valleys  reposing  in  ampitheatres  of  noble  moun 
tains,  the  Schnee-kopf  (snow-head)  especially  towering  to  the 
height  of  5000  feet,  pretty  little  villages  interspersed  al. 
around,  and  a  few  very  fine  chateaux  adorning  the  scene. 
The  three  principal  of  these  are  royal  residences ;  Erdmans- 
dorf,  that  of  the  King  and  Queen  when  in  their  country 
retirement ;  Fischbach,  that  of  Prince  Wilhelm,  the  King's 
uncle ;  and  Schildau,  that  of  Prince  Frederick,  of  the 
Netherlands,  who  married  the  King's  sister.  Next  to  these 
comes  Buckwald,  the  noble  demesne  of  the  Countess  Reden, 
who  is  here  fulfilling  most  important  duties.  She  has  a  large 
Bible  Society  under  her  care,  consisting  of  261  districts; 
they  have  distributed  54,000  Bibles.  She  is  also  the  patroness 
of  the  Tyrolese,  who  were  banished  four  years  since  from 
their  own  country,  on  account  of  their  religion,  and  were 
placed  under  the  Countess's  care  by  the  late  king ;  a  singular 


^T.  54.  TO    SILESIA.  303 

looking,  grotesque,  but  agreeable  people,  I  hope  many  of 
tliern  Christians  indeed.  Swiss  cottages  have  been  built  for 
them,  and  lands  allotted  to  them  among  these  charming 
mountains.  Above  all,  the  Countess  exercises  an  important 
inlluence,  in  the  riglit  direction,  with  the  royal  family ;  and 
is  the  private  friend  and  adviser  of  the  king  and  queen. 
She  is  very  like  the  late  Hannah  More,  wearing  her  hair  and 
cap  in  the  same  manner,  and,  like  her,  lively  and  productive, 
naturally  and  spiritually.  She  has  moreover  a  maiden  sister 
living  with  her,  comparable  to  Hannah  More's  sister  Patty. 

On  our  arrival  at  Hirschberg,  last  fifth  day,  we  expected  to 
have  been  met  by  a  letter  from  the  Princess  Wilhelm  of 
Fischbach ;  but  were  disappointed,  and  found  that  her 
residence  was  ten  miles  off.  We  generally  find  that  in  every 
})lace  which  we  visit,  our  patience  is  tried  for  a  season.  [In 
the  morning]  a  letter  arrived  from  the  Princess,  requesting 
i^.s  to  come  to  her  schloss  or  castle,  at  three  o'clock,  and 
afterwards  to  dine  with  her,  and  her  husband,  and  family,  at 
four.  Thus  our  way  was  beginning  to  open.  Our  drive  of 
an  hour  and  a  half  lay  through  a  delightful  valley,  mountains 
all  around  us,  and  two  rocky  ones  covered  with  fir,  of  a  fine 
conical  shape,  marking  the  site  of  Fischbach.  The  approach 
to  the  chateau  is  lovely,  and  the  old  mansion  itself  highly 
j)ictur€sque.  We  were  very  kindly  received  by  the  Princess  ; 
hut  I  soon  found  that  the  whole  affair  was  much  more  royal 
than  I  had  imagined.  She  is  a  stately,  queen-like  lady,  with 
a  countenance  full  of  tender  and  kind  expr<3ssion.  Prince 
Wilhelm,  her  husband,  soon  entered  with  his  sons.  Prince 
Adelbert  and  Waldimar,  agreeable  young  men  ;  and  Prince 
Charles  of  Berlin,  who  talks  English  well,  the  younger 
brother  of  the  king.  Our  table  was  well  spread  in  a  long 
gallery,  and  the  dinner  was  quite  an  agreeable  occasioR, 
without  being  at  all  excitincj. 

In  the  evening  the  Queen  joined  the  party,  and  met  my 
dear  sister  with  warm  affection.  She  is  a  delicate-lookinsr 
woman,  of  a  countenance  which  marks  much  feeling ;  the 
daughter  of  the  late  King  of  Bavaria,  once  a  Roman  Cathalic, 
but  now  a  Protestant  ^y  conviction ;  and  I  really  believe,  a 


304:  SILESIA.  1841. 

humble  Christian.  What  higher  praise  for  a  Queen  ?  I  fell 
the  weight  of  this  royal  party,  which  was  attended  by  nume- 
rous aides-de-camp^  dames  dliomieur,  &c. ;  but  there  was  no 
feeling  which  -warranted  an}^  attempt  at  religious  service, 
beyond  free,  and,  I  hope,  not  unedifying  conversation  ;  every 
body  speaking  either  German  or  French.  The  latter  was,  of 
course,  my  allotment ;  and  I  endeavoured  to  vary  a  long 
dinner  hj  some  account  of  the  West  Indies.  Prince  Frederick 
of  the  Netherlands,  and  his  amiable  wife,  also  joined  the  party. 

We  could  not  say  that  the  day  turned  to  any  great  account, 
yet  it  opened  our  door  wide,  and  led  to  some  interesting 
results.  We  were  all  truly  interested  by  the  Princess  Wil- 
helm.  We  were  glad  to  return  at  night  in  peace  and  safety. 
b3''  a  long  evening  drive  to  our  comfortable  hotel.  This  was 
sixth  day.  On  seventh  day  I  began  to  prepare  our  letter  uj 
the  King,  which  we  hoped  to  present  to  him  in  case  of  his 
coming.  The  thing  wanted,  was  a  clear,  full  document,  on 
all  the  points  which  we  wished  to  lay  before  him:  viz. — 
Prisons,  the  state  of  them  in  Prussia,  the  various  points  in 
thera  which  required  amendment,  prison  discipline  associations, 
ladies'  visiting  committees,  the  best  mode  of  constructing  the 
intended  new  prisons,  the  keeping  of  the  Sabbath,  the  pro- 
motion of  evangelical  religion,  the  Christian  education  of  rich 
as  well  as  poor,  neology  in.  the  universities,  the  necessity  of 
counteracting  it,  temperance,  capital  punishment,  that  of  the 
wheel  especially,  the  free  toleration  of  sects,  the  disabilities 
of  our  Friends  ^t  Minden,  and  finally  peace. 

I  cannot  describe  the  sort  of  pressure,  and  the  weight  of 
care  and  feeling  which  the  preparation  of  such  papers  involves, 
especially  as  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  resist  the  rapid  stream, 
which  is  all  the  while,  driving  me  hither  and  thither.  So  ir 
-rt'as  Avith  us  on  seventh  day,  which  was  nevertheless  a  very 
agreeable  one.  We  waited  on  the  Queen,  by  appointment, 
at  the  beautiful  Erdmansdorf,  at  eleven  o'clock ;  and  enjoyed 
about  an  hour's  interesting  and  truly  edifying  private  conver- 
sation with  her,  the  Countess  Reden  only  being  present  with 
us. .  The  Queen  seems  closely  attached  to  our  dear  -sister, 
and  permitted  us  to  arrange  with  her  the  time  for  an  interview 


JET.  54.  SILESIA.  305 

with  the  King,  in  case  of  his  arrival.  From  Erdraansdorf. 
Vie  proceeded  to  Schildau,  the  Scldoss  of  the  Pi'ince  and 
Princess  of  the  Netherlands,  given  to  them  as  a  present,  two 
years  ago,  by  her  father,  the  late  King  of  Prussia.  It  is  a 
fine  new  house,  castellated  in  form,  and  reposing  in  the  midst 
of  a  noble  mountain.  Prince  Frederick  is  remarkably  kind, 
sensible,  and  gentlemanlike ;  and,  since  his  influence  (as  a 
respected  brother)  is  great  in  the  Netherlands,  we  were  glad 
of  the  opportunity  of  explaining  to  him  the  nature  of  our 
several  philanthropic  objects. 

From  the  elegant  Schildau  we  drove  to  Buckwald.  the  seat 
of  the  Countess  Reden,  whose  agreeable  old  chateau  is 
surrounded  by  wood,  lawn,  water,  and  mountains ;  the  grounds, 
about  six  miles  in  circumference,  laid  out  with  a  good  deal  of 
taste,  and  some  spots  in  them  of  exquisite  beauty.  We  dined 
there  about  half-past  two  o'clock,  meeting  the  King's 
Chamberlain,  Count  Stolberg,  a  man  of  very  high  character, 
and  several  others.  Our  little  company  was  composed  of 
Christian  people,  and  our  intercourse  was  refreshing. 

In  the  evening,  the  Princess  Wilhelm,  and  her  daughter 
Marie,  joined  our  party  for  a  time,'  and  several  other 
interesting  people ;  and  the  Countess  interpreted  for  ray  sister, 
while  she  told  her  tale  of  prisons.  Mutual  gratification 
seemed  to  prevail  among  the  strangers,  and  their  kind 
entertainers.  Certainly  we  have  met  with  abundant  kindness. 
I  was  interested  by  a  conversation  with  an  elder  Count 
Stolberg,  the  brother  of  the  Lord  Chamberlain,  who  has  a 
vast  estate  in  these  parts,  a  sensible  and  pious  man.  He  says 
the  poor  people  in  this  beautiful  district  of  valleys  and 
mountains  are  much  distressed.  Flax  is  the  staple  of  the 
country,  and  the  people  are  mostly  engaged  in  the  domestic 
manufacture  of  linen.  We  saw  some  beautiful  specimens  of 
their  table-cloths,  &c. ;  but  they  are  surpassed  by  machinery 
in  other  places,  and  live  on  a  very  scanty  pittance.  Every 
landed  proprietor  is  compelled  to  support   the    poor   on    his 

own  estate  ;  Count  S- has  5000  people  depending  on  him. 

Poor  as  they  are,  however,  they  are  a  pleasing,  well-mannered 

YOL.  II.  — 20 


306  SILESIA.  1841. 

race,  and  when  one  walks  out  in  the  early  part  of  the  day. 
every  passing  peasant,  young  or  old,  male  or  female,  greet? 
one  with  a  bow  and  "^ui  riiorgen."  We  had  now  shifted  ou*' 
quarters  from  Hirschberg  to  Schumiedeberg,  a  beautiful 
village,  near  the  residences  of  our  friends;  and  were  glad  to 
find  our  rest  there,  after  a  pleasant  and  interesting  day. 

The  next  day  was  our  sabbath,  and  a  very  remarkable  one  it 
proved.  I  was  engaged  most  closel}^  the  first  part  of  the  morn- 
ing,  in  writing  our  document  for  the  King,  which  I  had  only 
just  begun  on  seventh  day  ;  at  twelve  we  went  by  appointment- 
to  the  Countess  Reden's,  who  accompanied  us,  with  a  number 
of  Christian  ladies,  to  the  Princess  Wilhelm,  at  Fischbach.  My 
sister's  account  of  the  prisons,  given  to  a  few  the  preceding 
evening,  had  excited  the  curiosity  of  more,  and  the  object  of 
the  reunion  was  to  hear  what  she  had  to  say.  She  gave  the 
subject  a  Christian  turn,  which  I  also  endeavoured  to  do,  when 
speaking  of  the  West  Indies.  The  Countess  had  sent  a  courier 
sixty  miles  to  fetch  two  Moravian  brethren  to  act  as  our  inter- 
preters, and  excellently  did  they  perform  their  task.  Though 
the  subjects  were  not  of  the  highest  order,  it  was,  in  spirit  and 
feeling,  a  sweet  little  meeting,  ending  with  direct  religious 
communication ;  the  Princess  was  deeply  interested. 

On  our  return  to  our  hotel  to  dinner,  we  met  the  king, 
who  passed  us  rapidly  in  his  carriage.  Rejoiced  enough  /va-* 
I  to  see  him  pass ;  as  I  kneAv  that  his  continued  absence 
would  either  have  detained  us,  or  frustrated  our  concern. 
He  bowed  to  us,  but  I  believe  did  not  perceive  who  or 
what  we  were ;  but  how  deeply  interesting  has  been  our 
subsequent  communication  with  him !  It  had  been  fixed 
ever  since  our  arrival,  that  a  meeting  should  be  held  that 
evening  in  the  Countess's  saloon,  at  Buckwald,  with  the  poor 
Tyrolese,  and  all  who  wished  to  attend.  We  went  thither  to 
drink  tea  at  six  o'clock.  Soon  the  rooms  began  to  be 
thronged  with  the  high  gentry  and  ladies  of  the  neighbour- 
hood. The  Princess  Wilhelm  had  engaged  to  come,  but  it 
was  an  agreeable  surprise  to  me  to  see  the  Prince  and  his 
eldest  son  (Prince  Adelbert)  enter  with  her.  Soon  afterwards, 
several  of  the  King's  court  began  to  arrive,  and  the  intelli- 


«T.  54.         .  INTERESTING  OCCASION.  307 

gence  was  brought  that  he  and  the  Queen  were  coming  to  the 
meeting.  His  brother,  Prince  Charles,  and  Prince  and 
Princess  Frederick,  of  the  Netherlands,  were  with  us  before 
him,  and  at  length  came  the  King  and  Queen. 

He  seemed  delighted  to  see  my  sister,  and  most  kindly 
shook  hands  with  me,  having  a  lively  recollection  of  my 
brother  Samuel.  He  is  rather  a  stout  person,  looking  nearly 
fifty  years  old,  his  countenance  intelligent  and  beaming  with 
kindness,  and  his  manners  unaffected.  The  time  for  the 
meeting  was  now  come.  The  Tyrolese,  about  200,  in  their 
grotesque  habiliments,  occupied  the  bottom  of  the  room, 
and  they  being  too  much  crowded,  the  King  began  to  move 
the  seats  of  the  gentry  with  his  own  hands,  to  accommodate 
them  with  more  space,  a  fine  example  for  his  grandee  subjects, 
and  for  us  all.  The  Countess  wished  for  a  hymn  as  soon  as 
the  people  were  seated,  and  before  our  service  should 
commence,  the  hke  after  it  was  ended;  prayer  was  the  burden 
of  the  first  song,  and  praise  of  the  second.  It  was  no  business 
of  ours,  and  I  could  only  enjoy  the  interest  of  the  sight ;  so 
many  of  the  royal  family,  and  a  multitude  of  the  great  in  this 
world,  uniting  with  the  poor  Tyrolese  peasants,  in  what  I 
believe  was  to  many  of  them  an  act  of  worship.  After  the 
hymn  ceased,  I  believed  it  best  to  rise.  My  sister  and  I,  and 
our  two  interpreters,  were  at  the  upper  end  of  the  room ;  on 
our  right,  the  King,  Queen,  Princesses,  the  Countess,  and  a 
few  other  great  ladies ;  on  our  left,  the  Princes  Wilhelm, 
Charles,  Frederick,  and  Adelbert ;  a  crowd  of  ladies  and 
gentlemen  behind  and  before ;  the  Tyrolese  immediately  in 
front  of  us,  but  at  the  other  end  of  the  room ;  the  high 
conical  hats  of  the  women  towering  aloft.  The  men  wear 
similar  hats,  but  were  now  uncovered.  There  was  a  sweet 
tranquillity  and  true  solemnity  over  us.  I  briefly  explained 
the  views  of  Friends  respecting  worship,  the  spirituality  of 
the  gospel  dispensation,  women's  preaching,  &c.  This 
opened  the  way  for  my  beloved  sister,  who  was  powerfully 
engaged  in  ministry  for  a  considerable  time,  speaking  (by 
desire  of  the  King,  who  wished  to  save  her  fatigue)  from  her 
seat.      The  first  part  of  her   address  was  to  the  Tyrolese, 


S'OS  SILESIA.  .  1841 

beautifully  adapted  to  their  condition ;  she  applied  the  words, 
"I  -was  a  stranger,  and  ye  took  me  in,"  to  the  late  king's 
benevolent  reception  of  these  refugees ;  and  spoke  of  him  in  a 
manner  -which  touched  all  hearts.  She  then  turned  to  the  great 
ones,  and  riveted  their  closest  attention.  It  was  her  usual 
strain  of  plain,  Tvholesome  truth,  applied  "with  the  nicest 
touch  of  tenderness.  I  followed  at  some  length,  in  a  decla- 
ration of  the  essential  truths  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  alike 
applicable  to  prince  and  peasant ;  particularly  dwelling  on 
judgment  to  come,  and  the  doctrine  of  our  responsibility,  the 
parable  of  the  talents,  &c.  There  was  a  precious  solemnity 
over  all.  The  interpreters  partook  of  the  unction  poured  forth, 
?specially  a  dear  simple-hearted  young  man  who  interpreted  for 
me.  The  King  and  other  members  of  the  family  seemed  to 
feel  the  occasion.  When  the  meeting  broke  up,  he  gave  me  an 
affectionate  shake  by  the  hand,  and  thanked  me  warmly  for 
what  I  had  been  led  to  say.  With  my  sister  he  was  still  more 
loving.  Truly  all  thanks  for  this  memorable,  precious  meeting, 
were  due  to  the  Author  of  all  good. 

After  a  quiet,  solemn  time  of  prayer  with  the  Countess  and 
a  few  others,  with  whom  we  were  at  last  left,  we  returned, 
tired,  but  very  thankful,  to  our  hotel ;  but  rest  was  not  my 
portion,  as  I  was  obliged  to  sit  up  till  past  midnight  over  the 
ilocument  which  I  had  to  present  to  the  King  on  the  following 
day,  and  rose  again  on  second  day  (yesterday)  morning  at  six 
o'clock,  to  finish  it.  I  got  through  the  great  task  by  eleven 
o'clock ;  read  the  sheets  with  my  sister  and  Countess  Reden, 
who  fully  approved  them  ;  and  we  then  set  off  for  the  Palace 
at  Erdmansdorf,  where  we  were  quickly  ushered  into  the 
Queen's  sitting-room.  The  King  soon  joined  us.  We  four 
were  alone  together  for  more  than  two  hours :  a  most 
interesting  interview  it  was  to  my  feelings.  We  first  went 
through  the  whole  document,  and  freely  conversed  with  them 
on  each  successive  point.  The  King  developed  a  clear,  pene- 
trating mind,  great  knowledge  of  the  several  subjects,  a  heart 
full  of  feeling;  and,  above  all,  decided  and  unquestionable 
Christian  principle.     I  think  it  might  be  said,  with  little  ex- 


£T.  54.  CLOSING    INTEI^VIEW    WITH    THE    KING.  300j 

ception,  tliat  our  views  and  judgments  cdrresponded  with  his 
on  every  particular.  He  seemed  much  interested  with  the 
account  we  gave  him  of  our  Friends  at  Minden,  wlio,  in  con- 
sequence of  not  being  able  to  take  up  arms,  are  deprived  of 
some  of  the  rights  of  citizenship,  and  cannot  buy  land. 

After  we  had  gone  through  all  our  business,  my  sister 
requested  leave  to  read  a  few  texts  which  she  believed  to 
be  applicable  to  their  condition.  First,  a  text  or  two  for  the 
Queen  ;  and  then  for  the  King,  which  led  to  further  serious 
expression.  It  was  a  heart-tendering  time,  and  ended  with 
solemn  prayer  from  her  lips.  Elizabeth  and  Anna  were 
then  called  in  to  speak  to  them,  and  we  parted  in  true 
friendship  and  love.  The  King  paid  us  the  attention  of  coming 
down  stairs  and  seeing  us  off.  A  crowd  of  people  near  the 
door  surrounded  him  and  ourselves  on  the  occasion,  and  we 
drove  off,  amidst  their  kind  tokens  of  affection,  in  very 
sweet  peace.  • 

Their  course  was  now  directed  homeward,  by  way 
of  Dresden,  Leipsic,  Halle,  and  Elberfeld. 

"At  Halle,"  Joseph  John  Gurney  wi-ites,  "our  friend 
Tholuck,  the  celebrated  evangelical  professor,  being  absent, 
we  called  on  Gesenius,  another  far-famed,  learned,  German 
theologian,  who  received  us  kindly,  and  sent  his  son  to  guide 
us — first  to  the  Franke  Orphan  House,  so  calkd  from  its  liberal 
founder,  of  whom  there  is  a  delightfully-expressive  statue  in 
bronze,  by  Rauch,  the  great  living  sculptor  of  Berlin.  The 
statue  is  placed  in  the  vast  Court-yard,  on  either  side  of  which 
are  ranged  the  buildings,  where  500  orphans  are  boarded,  and 
about  3000  children  taught ;  the  poor  gratis — the  rich  for 
pay.  Bibles  are  also  printed  there  to  an  enormous  extent. 
It  is  a  noble  institution.  We  afterwards  visited  the  buildings 
of  the  University,  lately  erected.  They  have  700  or  800  stu- 
dents, whom,  however,  I  did  not  see,  as  it  was  tho  long  vacation 
Great  numbers  are  here  educated  for  the  Christian  ministry  ; 
but  I  fear  that,  among  the  numerous  professors  and  teachers, 
the    number  of  the   evangelical   and   orthodox    is    not    very 


810  ELBERFELD.  1841. 

great.  Gesenius,  "who  is  a  man  of  vast  learning,  visitod  ns, 
with  his  daughters,  in  the  evening.  We  quite  enjoyed  his 
company ;  but  I  do  not  know  exactly  whether  he  ranges 
among  the  more  serious,  or  among  the  speculative  religionists. 
It  is  sad  to  think  of  the  multitudes  of  young  men  in  the 
German  universities,  who  are  in  the  way  of  neological  teach- 
ing;  but  all  acknowledge  that  matters  are  improving." 

9th  mo.,  30th. 

*  *  *  Elberfeld,  is  a  place  of  cutlery,  &c. ;  the  Birmingham, 
or  Pittsburg  of  Germany.  In  coming  to  it,  we  passed  through 
another  large  town  adjoining  it,  called  Barmen,  which  is 
peculiarly  handsome  and  clean  ;  looking  all  thrift ;  the  linen, 
manufactured  in  the  neighbourhood,  lying  in  large  quantities  on 
the  bleach-grounds.  We  had  particularly  wished  to  make 
our  acquaintance  with  the  people  at  Elberfeld,  as  the  place  is 
remarkable  for  pious  persons,  and  the  diffusion  of  evangelical 
truth ;  and  we  were  not  disappointed.  We  arrived  at  four  in 
the  afternoon  ;  and  having  established  ourselves  at  the  hotel, 
(Henninghausenhof,)  where  we  left  my  sister  for  her  needful 
rest,  Elizabeth,  Anna,  and  I,  with  our  friend  Mary  Anne 
Murray,  an  interesting  lady  who  had  come  from  Dusseldorf 
to  meet  us,  went  in  search  of  Pastor  Krummacher,  whose 
writings,  Elijah  the  Tishbite,  &c.,  are  so  justly  admired.  We 
found  him  at  his  house,  with  his  agreeable  wife  and  sister ; 
and  a  charming  person  he  is;  full  of  life  and  vigour,  intel- 
lectually and  spiritually.  We  told  him  of  our  wish  to  receive 
any  persons  who  might  like  to  see  us  at  our  hotel  in  the 
evening  ;  and  although  it  was ,  so  late  in  the  day,  a  large 
company  assembled  at  eight  o'clock.  We  were  favoured  with 
51  very  interesting  evening ;  beginning  with  conversation  on 
philanthropic  subjects,  and  ending  with  what  was  more  serious, 
solemn,  and  reviving.  Christian  love  did  indeed  flow  on  the 
occasion,  and  Krummacher's  address,  at  the  close  of  the 
meeting,  was  peculiarly  striking  and  touching.  I  have  no 
:ioubt  that  he  is  a  valiant  of  no  common  order  in  the  army  of 
the  Lamb,  Another  pastor  of  the  name  of  Kursel  also  inter- 
ested and  pleased  us  much. 


^T.  54.  DUSSELDORF.  311 

On  fourth  day  morning,  (yesterday,)  the  ladies  were  collected 
to  form  a  prison  society.  Afterwards,  Krummaeher  accom- 
panied me  to  the  prison,  my  sister  not  being  well  enough  tt 
go,  and-  we  had  several  good  opportunities  with  different 
companies  of  prisoners ;  in  which  we  were  both  engaged  in 
a  little  true  ministry,  as  I  trust.  We  left  Elberfeld,  thankful 
for  the  help  afforded  us,  and  with  our  minds  much  relieved  ; 
a  rail-road  train  conveyed  us  to  Dusseldorf,  another  large  and 
interesting  place,  which  we  had  particularly  wished  to  visit 
before  we  left  England.  Elizabeth,  Anna,  and  I,  spent  the 
afternoon  in  visiting  Dusselthal  Abbey,  in  the  immediate 
neighbourhood,  where  Count  and  Countess  Von  der  Recke 
keep  their  large  establishment  for  the  support  and  education 
of  the  children  of  the  poor ;  orphans,  and  the  most  destitute 
of  mankind;  The  plan  was  undertaken  after  the  war  with 
France,  as  some  alleviation  of  the  horrors  and  miseries 
occasioned  by  it ;  and  has  been  carried  on  with  great 
success  for  more  than  twenty  years ;  the  object  being  to  teach 
the  children  industry,  agriculture,  sometimes  trades,  and,  above 
all,  religion.  The  Count,  who  is  the  head  of  an  old  noble 
family,  Is  very  talented  and  pious,  full  of  vivacity,  but  speaking 
only  German.  I  held  a  meeting  with  the  various  members  of 
the  establishment,  including  the  children ;  all  being  assembled 
in  the  chapel.  I  was  interpreted  for  by  Meyer,  the  simple- 
hearted  young  chaplain  of  the  place  ;  and  I  believe  it  was  a 
pretty  good  time.  The  Countess  has  seven  children,  and 
conducts  the  whole  domestic  department  with  admirable  skill. 
In  the  evening,  a  large  number  of  our  friends  assembled  at 
our  hotel.  I  felt  disposed  to  give  them  some  account  of  the 
West  Indies,  and  my  sister  had  a  few  sentences  on  prisons, 
but  afterwards  she  was  remarkably  led  into  ministry ;  and  I 
believed  it  right  to  speak  again  on  the  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  My  sister  concluded  the  meeting  with  prayer.  It 
was  indeed  a  solemn  time,  the  intervals  of  silence  being 
peculiarly  touching  and  still ;  and  the  whole  meeting  formed 
a  precious  conclusion  of  our  labours,  leaving  us  nothing  to  do 
but  to  return  home. 


312  RETUKN  TO  ENGLAND.  1841. 

At  Dover,  Joseph  Jolm  Gurney  writes :  — 

lOth  mo.,  3rd. 

*  *  Yesterday  morning,  at  half-past  ten  o'clock,  we  went 
on  board  the  post-office  steamer  [from  Ostend]  to  this  place. 
My  dear  sister  was  soon  much  refreshed  by  the  sea ;  and  we 
were  favoured  with  an  almost  perfect  calm,  which  rendered 
our  voyage  easy  and  agreeable ;  and  our  minds  were  at  rest,  in 
the  feeling  that  the  work  required  of  us  had,  through  divine 
grace  and  mercy,  been  accomplished. 


JET.  54.  MARRIAGE.  313 


CHAPTER  XXXTX. 

1841—1843.     ^T.  54—55. 
marriage;  re-settlement  at  home ;  EXTRACTS  FROM  journal; 

VISIT  TO  FRIENDS  AT  BRISTOL,  &C.  ;  NARROW  ESCAPES  FROM  A 
MAD  DOG  AND  POISON;  RELIGIOUS  ENGAGEMENTS  IN  NORFOLK 
AND  SUFFOLK  J  TOTAL  ABSTINENCE  ]  PUBLICATION  OF  HIS  WORK 
"on  THE  PAPAL  AND  HIERARCHICAL  SYSTEMS;"  COMMENCE- 
MENT OP  LONG  JOURNEY  IN  FRANCE  AND  SWITZERLAND;  BOU- 
LOGNE ;    AMIENS  ;    CLERMONT  ;    PARIS. 

SoOiSr  after  his  return  home,  Joseph  John  Gurney 
accomplished  his  intentions  of  marriage  Avith  Eliza 
P.  Kirkbride.  The  event  took  place  at  Darhngton. 
In  his  Journal,  he  writes:  — 

Fifth  day,  10th  7no.,  21st.  The  solemn,  happy,  favoured 
lnarriage-da3^  I  was  engaged  in  prayer  in  the  early  part  of 
the  meeting,  for  the  manifestation  of  the  Divine  sanction, 
which  was  indeed  fully  gr.anted.  Afterwards  Katharine  Back- 
house in  an  excellent  testimony,  and  H.  C.  Backhouse  in 
fervent  prayer.  After  the  marriage  was  complete,  I  had  a  few 
sentences  to  utter,  on  the  victory  which  is  in  "  the  faith." 
The  dinner  party  cheerful  and  agreeable ;  concluded  by  a 
short  rehgious  opportunity.  My  dearest  wife  and  I  left  them, 
at  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  after  an  affecting  parting  with 
her  dear,  faithful  friends,  J.  and  H.  C.  Backhouse. 

10^/i  mo.,  22nd.  Catterick  Bridge.  Solemn  reading  and 
prayer  ;  precious  commencement  of  our  daily  retirement  before 
the  Lord.     Drive  to   Greta   Bridge.     Delightful  walk  of  two 


314  KE-SETTLEMEXT   AT    EARLHAM.  1841. 

ftours  about  the  gi'oimds  of  Rokeby.  Spent  the  evening  at 
the  inn. 

10th  mo.,  24th.  Drive  to  Aysgarth ;  a  good  meeting  there. 
The  Friends  seemed  much  cheered  by  our  visit.  Moun- 
tainous drive  of  nearly  thirty  miles  farther  to  this  place,  (the 
inn  at  Bolton  bridge,)  which  we  reached  at  half-past  seven 
o'clock,  and  soon  found  a  peaceful  resting-place.  Servants  and 
others  collected  for  a  scripture  reading,  and  a  very  good  time 
it  was. 

lO^A  mo.,  2oth.  To-day  we  have  been  viewing  the  rich 
scenery  of  Bolton  Abbey  and  Park.  The  happiness  which  we 
are  permitted  to  feel  in  each  other's  society  is  more  than  I 
can  express.  We  came  on  to  Ripon,  to  tea ;  and  have  been 
passing  a  quiet  tranquil  evening.  I  scarcely  ever  remember 
a  ipore  calm,  peaceful  day  than  the  present.  ,  May  the  same 
favour  be  continued  to  us  until  we  reach  home ;  and  on  our 
arrrival  there. 

28th.  Reached  Earlham  in  health  and  great  peace,  at  nine 
o'clock  in  the  evening ;  the  place  comfortable  and  honieish ;  the 
reception  from  my  dearest  children  glowing.  Oh !  may  we  be 
kept  perpetually  in  the  hollow  of  the  Lord's  holy  hand ! 

11th  mo.,  6th.  A  quiet,  satisfactory  day,  drawing  to  its 
close  in  peace.  Our  home  circle,  including  my  sister  Cathe- 
rine, is  all  that  heart  can  desire.  We  have  been  reading 
Home,  and  Jonathan  Hutchinson's  letters.  The  last  are  in- 
structive and  reviving ;  treasures  once  more  turning  up  their 
bright  side,  for  my  pleasure  and  comfort.  I  hope  there  is  a 
good  solemnity  over  us  this  evening ;  and  renewed  are  my 
fervent  desires  that  all  may  be  kept  in  sweetness,  even  in  con- 
formity to  the  divine  will.  Here  alone  is  our  rest  and  our 
strength. 

11th  mo.,  26th.  I  do  indeed  desire  to  be  kept  alive  and  watch- 
ful, ready  for  the  Lord's  service  here,  and  for  an  entrance 
into  his  blissful  presence,  v,-henever  it  may  please  him  to  call 
me  home  to  himself.  But  I  do  not  feel  that  the  time  is  yet. 
0  Lord  !  thou  hast  showered  many  rich  favours  and  blessings 
upon  me;  and  now,  in  a  delightful  connexion,  hast  granted  me 


JET.  54.  JOURNAL.  315 

the  very  de&ire  of  my  heart.  Preserve  me,  I  beseech  thee,  from 
in  the  least  degree  abusing  any  of  thy  precious  gifts ;  make 
me  holy,  as  thou  art  holy ;  and  finally  gather  me,  in  Christ, 
to  thy  glory. 

12f7i  mo.,  15th.  "Fear  not,  little  flock;  it  is  your  Father's 
good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom."  Is  that  "good  plea- 
sure" without  conditions?  I  do  not  admire  the  word  con- 
ditions, as  I  am  a  full  believer  in  the  absolute  freedom  of  the 
mercy  of  God ;  and  yet  I  think  that,  practically  speaking, 
conditions  of  the  most  important  character  are  attached  to 
the  act  of  grace.  Nor  do  I  consider  the  "  good  pleasure  "  of 
the  Lord,  in  such  cases,  absolute,  or  destructive  of  human 
choice  or  freedom.  "  God  would  have  all  men  to  be  saved." 
Yet,  alas !  for  the  "  but,"  which  must  be  understood  to  follow. 

12th  mo.,  25th.  This  day  is  one  of  peaceful  seriousness  to 
us.  My  dear  wife  and  I  are  quietly  together  with  our  children. 
A  peep  into  the  long  past  has  been  deeply  interesting  to  me; 
but  I  am  more  inclined  to  rejoice  and  be  thankful  in  the 
present ;  and  after  subsiding  into  my  new  level,  which  this 
day  gives  me  an  opportunity  of  doing,  to  take  a  fresh  start, 
and  press,  with  renewed  diligence,  after  the  mark  for  the  prize. 
What  is  that  mark  but  holiness  ?  even  the  holy  maturity  of 
the  Christian  character.  0  that  this  mart  may  not  only  be 
aimed  at,  but  attained  to  ! 

To-day  we  are  enjoying  a  touch  of  true  sabbatical  rest,  and 
the  company  of  my  children  is  peculiarl}^  pleasant.  My  desires 
are  fervent,  that  as  I  have  faithfully  endeavoured  to  bring  them 
up  in  the  truth  as  held  by  Friends,  so  they  may  persevere  in 
this  course  to  the  end,  and  deepen  in  the  root  more  and  more. 

Is^  mo.,  ord,  1842.  I  have  more  than  usually  felt  the  de- 
parture of  the  old  year  and  the  commencement  of  the  new 
one,  I  have  repeatedly  observed,  that  our  motto  may  be, 
"  Thankful  for  the  past — happy  in  the  present — hopeful  for 
the  future."  May  we  abide  and  move  together  in  the  very 
truth ! 

Third  day.  The  language,  read  with  my  dear  wife  this 
morning,  seems  to  have  been  proclaimed  to, me,  "Put  off  thy 


316  VISIT    TO    BRISTOL.  1842 

ornaments  from  thee,  tliat  I  may  know  what  to  do  unto  thee." 
Lord,  hear  me,  and  help  me  to  be  enth-ely  thy  servant,  and  let 
my  dearest  wife  and  children  be  one  with  me,  and  I  with 
them,  in  the  truth. 

1st  mo.,  dlst.  The  death  of  the  Niger  expedition ;  very 
affecting  and  overcoming  to  Fowell.  I  can  hardly  say  why, 
but  I  do  not  feel  disturbed  by  the  event,  mournful  as  it  is. 
Rather  am  I  disposed  to  say,  "It  is  the  Lord,  let  Him  do 
what  seemeth  Him  good." 

In  the  spring  of  this  year,  he  was  engaged,  in 
company  with  his  wife,  in  a  short  visit  to  Friends 
at  Bristol  and  Gloucester,  and  in  attending,  on  his 
return,  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Friends  in  London. 

TO    HIS    SISTER    ELIZABETH    FRY, 
(then  in  a  feeble  state  of  health,) 

Norwich,  4th  mo.,  4th,  1842. 

My  heart  and  mind  have  been  much  drawn  towards  thee  in 
tender  love  and  sympathy,  since  we  parted.  I  rest  in  the 
sweet  hope  that  thou  wilt  yet  be  strengthened  in  mind  and 
body  to  do  the  Lord's  work,  where  and  when  He  pleases,  and 
be  enabled  to  bear  that  measure  of  searching  and  proving 
Avhich  may  be  permitted  to  fall  to  thy  lot.  It  is  good  for  us 
to  lie  low,  and  patiently  to  wait,  until  we  receive  the  divine 
sanction  for  arising  in  the  Lord's  own  power  for  his  service. 
In  the  meantime  I  hope  that  nothing  will  discourage  thee ;  but 
that  much  peace  and  even  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost  Avill  be  thy 
portion.  I  can  truly  say  that  all  that  I  have  seen  and  known  of 
late  years  confirms  my  sense  of  the  importance  and  excellence 
of  unbiassed,  genuine,  Quaker  views  and  practices.  But  may 
we  be  preserved  from  the  shoals  on  either  side,  for  there  is 
neither  life  nor  safety  to  be  known  in  them  ! 

His  leisure  had  been  of  late  occupied  in  the 
revision,  (in  ponference  with  a  committee  of 
Friends  in  London,)  of  his  work  on  the  Distinguish- 


JET.  54.  SYMPTOMS    OE   ILLNESS.  317 

m<f  Yiews  of  Friends,  with  a  view  to  a  new  and 
stereotyped  edition  soon  afterwards  published.  On 
its  completion,  notwithstanding  some  accession  of 
bodily  infirmity,  his  mind  was  turned  to  other  im- 
portant labours. 

4:th  mo.,  25th.  We  were  favoured  with  a  good  Sabbath 
yesterday.  The  meetings  were  satisfactory,  and  several  young 
men  joined  our  large  reading  party  in  the  evening.  The 
whole  past  week  has  been  one  of  tranquillity,  and  many  a 
daily  blessing  has  been  poured  into  our  cup  ;  yet  I  have  been 
permitted  to  feel  much  of  my  own  nothingness  and  poverty ; 
and  even  the  sweet  and  solemn  meeting  which  we  enjoyed 
last  fifth  day,  left  me,  where  it  found  me,  in  the  dust, 
spiritually.  But  there  is  more  of  a  spring  of  pleasure  this 
morning.     May  all  our  hearts  be  tuned  to  praise  ! 

I  am  regularly  correcting  the  sheets  of  the  Observations 
for  the  stereotyper ;  and  am  writing  something  on  the  con- 
trast between  the  Papal  system  and  the  religion  of  the  New 
Testament. 

6th  mo.,  loth.  (After  noticing  some  symptoms  of  illness.) 
Our  way  seems  mercifully  made  clear — I  humbly  trust  it  has 
been  prepared  of  and  for  the  Lord  —  for  our  attending  the 
Yearly  Meeting. 

The  Lord  preserve  us,  and  keep  us  alive,  and  cause  his  face 
to  shine  upon  us,  and  anoint  us  with  his  holy  oil,  and  give 
free  course  to  the  word  of  his  truth,  in  its  fulness,  purity,  and 
povrer  !  And  may  we  be  permitted  to  return  home  in  health, 
hope,  and  peace  ;  ready  for  the  Lord's  service,  in  whatsoever 
way  he  may  be  pleased  to  direct!  .Great  is  the  uncertainty 
which  we  feel  respecting  the  future ;  but  I  seem  enabled, 
rather  more  than  usual,  quietly  to  leave  all  to  our  gracious 
Lord  and  leader,  fully  believing  that,  in  his  matchless  love  and 
mercy  in  Christ  Jesus,  He  will  provide. 

Qth  mo.,  ISth.  More  than  a  month  has  passed  away  since 
I  last  wrote,  and  here  I  am  at  home  with  my  beloved  wife,  after 
having  passed  a  most  interesting  thirteen  days  with  her  alone; 


318  TWO    NARROW    ESCAPES.  1842. 

five  at  "Walton  on  the  Essex  coast,  one  in  travelling,  and  a 
week  at  liome.  During  this  period  I  have  been  very  poorly, 
though  Walton  seemed  to  recover  me,  and  this  morning  I  am 
better  than  for  many  days  past, 

I  look  back  upon  the  Yearly  Meeting  with  great  comfort. 
It  was  a  time  of  harmony,  and  a  time  of  life,  my  dear 
sister  Fry  taking  her  part  and  place  in  great  brightness. 
H.  C.  Backhouse  had  excellent  meetings  with  the  nobility 
and  the  Jews,  in  two  of  Avhich  I  was  enabled  to  assist. 
On  the  w'hole  it  has  been  an  occasion  for  the  strengthenino; 
of  our  faith  ;  and  I  humbly  trust,  through  infinite  condescen- 
sion on  the  part  of  our  Holy  Head,  we  may  go  on  our  way 
rejoicing,  trusting  in  the  Lord. 

At  our  Monthly  Meeting  on  fifth  day,  I  obtained  a  minute 
for  some  service  with  Friends  and  others,  during  the  next  few 
months,  as  way  may  open,  and  health  permit,  in  Norfolk  and 
Suffolk.  In  this  I  feel  peace,  and  my  dear  wdfe  is  mentioned 
in  the  minute  as  intending  to  accompany  me.  May  we  bow 
under  the  holy  hand  of  our  Lord,  and  stand  open  to  every 
call  of  religious  duty  ! 

Qtli  mo.,  25th.  We  have,  under  the  merciful  providence  of 
our  heavenly  Father,  passed  a  truly  happy  time  since  the  last 
entry,  notwithstanding  two  hair-breadth  escapes ; — one  from 
a  large  mad  dog  which  ran  up  to  our  door,  and,  just  as  my 
dearest  wife  and  I  were  going  to  step  into  the  carriage,  fell 
suddenly  into  convulsions,  and  was  afterwards  shot  in  the 
garden — the  other  from  my  taking  the  liquid  of  potash  instead 
of  ra}^  usual  draught.  This  happened  in  the  early  part  of 
this  week ;  and  it  is  probable  that  my  life  was  saved  by  my 
wife  immediately  giving  me  castor  oil,  which  acted  as  an 
emetic  before  the  liquor  found  its  way  into  the  stomach.  I 
have  suffered  a  good  deal  from  the  soreness  of  the  throat  and 
oesophagus  produced  by  the  burn,  but  am  now^  over  it,  and 
much  as  before  in  health ;  feeble,  but  pretty  well. 

On  First  day,  I  held  public  meetings  at  Swafield  and  Lam- 
mas ;  both  good  times,  I  beheve ;  and  paid  satisfactory  visits  to 
the  afflicted  Nash  family,  and  the  two  families  of  Wright,  at 
Buxton,  where  we  lodged. 


^T.  54.  JOURNAL.  319 

Qth  mo.,  27th.  I  have  had  somewhat  of  a  relapse  the  last 
two  days,  with  a  decided  return  of  some  unfavourable  symp- 
toms; so  that  if  any  thing  like  the  "high  hill"  was  permitted 
last  week,  a  vale  has  come  in  its  turn,  yet  not  to  the  breaking 
of  my  peace.  We  hud  a  good  meeting  yesterday  morning. 
I  had  to  speak  well  of  the  way  in  which  Our  fathers  walked, 
and  their  fathers  before  them. 

As  I  sat  in  meeting,  I  thought  much  of  Addison's  stanza : — 

My  life,  if  thou  preserv'st  my  life, 

Thy  sacrifice  shall  be  ; 
And  death,  if  death  should  be  my  lot, 

Shall  join  my  soul  to  thee. 

I  have  felt  more  than  a  slight  degree  of  hope,  that,  through 
Infinite  mercy,  this  may  represent  my  experience.  Reduced 
as  I  am  to  more  of  a  do-nothing  state  than  almost  ever  before, 
I  can  enjoy  my  leisure,  roam  about  our  sweet  "  paradise  of 
flowers,"  relish  the  delightful  society  of  my  most  endeared 
wife  and  children,  and  repose  on  the  bosom  of  that  Saviour 
who  condescends  to  be  our  perpetual  keeper.  Blessed  be  the 
name  of  our  God  and  Father  through  him. 

1th  mo.,  4th.  A  public  meeting  was  held  at  my  request  at 
the  Gildencroft  last  evening,  which  was  well  attended.  It 
has  been  great  cause  for  thankfulness  to  me,  that,  notwith- 
standing a  depth  of  unAvorthiness  and  infirmity  known  only 
to  the  Omniscient,  I  have  been  again  graciously  called  into 
service,  and  fitted  for  it  of  the  Lord,  both  bodily  and  mentally. 
Truly  our  sufficiency  is  of  the  Lord  alone  ! 

Cromer,  7th  mo.,  9th.  We  reached  this  place  very  com- 
fortably last  third  day  evening,  and  find  our  lodgings  clean, 
spacious,  and  quiet,  close  by  the  sea.  The  Frys  and  my 
sister  Catherine  had  arrived  an  hour  before  us.  My  dearest 
wife  and  I  have  just  been  finishing  a  quiet  reading  of  my 
Thoughts  on  Habit,  which  leaves  a  favourable  impression  on  both 
our  minds,  and  I  have  some  hope  that  I  may  be  able  to  finish  it. 
1  have  also  written  a  little  almost  daily  in  my  other  book.* 

*  See  supra,  p.  317. 


320  ENGAGEMENTS  IN  NORFOLK.  1842. 

Ith  mo.,  24i7i.  We  had  an  excellent  meeting  with  the 
sailors,  in  our  own  parlour,  last  fifth  day;  and  another  the  next 
morning  with  the  Sheringham  fishermen,  in  the  school-room  of 
Robert  Long,  a  lay  teacher  or  preacher,  who  appears  to  have 
been  truly  called  of  the  Lord  to  His  service. 

Sth  mo.,  1-ith.  V»"e  continued  at  Cromer  until  last  second 
day,  the  Sth.  The  week  spent  there,  after  the  last  entry,  was 
very  pleasant  on  the  whole.  Two  large  public  meetings  ;  one 
at  Runton,  in  Johnson's  barn,  on  First  day  afternoon,  7th  mo., 
olst,  a  good  time  I  believe ;  and  the  second  at  Trimmingham, 
in  Brown's  barn,  on  First  day  afternoon,  the  7th.  The  latter 
was  remarkable,  there  was  such  a  thirsty  multitude  !  Much 
sweet  and  uniting  intercourse  with  Anna  Gurney. 

Third  day,  the  2nd,  was  my  birth-day,  fifty-four ;  a  time 
of  some  serious  thought  and  humiliation  before  the  Lord. 
Something  done  in  writing,  and  the  object  now  before  me  in 
this  department,  seems,  on  the  whole,  to  be  interesting,  and 
to  prosper.  —  "Thoughts  on  the  Papal  and  Hierarchical 
System." 

On  second  day,  the  Sth,  after  satisfactorily  winding  up  at 
Cromer,  my  dear  wife  and  I,  with  dear  Anna,  went  to  Holt, 
where  a  solemn  and  pretty  large  public  meeting  was  held  in 
the  evening.  Third  day;  large  and  flowing  public  meeting  at 
\Yells,  in  the  evening.  Fourth  day;  good  week-day  meeting 
at  Wells,  and  calls  on  several  Friends ;  drove  in  the  even- 
ing to  Hunstanton,  where  we  met  a  cordial  welcome  from 
dear  E.  Edwards  and  his  daughter.  Fifth  day;  a  most  pleasant 
and  interesting  day  at  Hunstanton.  The  associations  of  the 
place  sweet  and  affecting  to  my'  feelings ;  the  shore,  sea,  rocks, 
&c.,  delightful,*  Sixth  day;  good  time  of  prayer  in  E.  E.'s 
house,  which  we  left  in  the  flowing  of  mutual  love;  a  happy 
renewal  and  confirmation  of  our  old  friendship.  In  the  after- 
noon to  Downham,  where  a  peculiarly  solemn  public  meeting, 
though  not  very  large,  crowmed  the  day.  Lodged  at  Criraple- 
sham,  where  the  Doyles  gave  us  a  most  hospitable  reception ; 
solemn  reading  there  the  next  morning ;  visit  to  their  school ; 

'^  See  snpra,  vol.  i,  pp.  132  and  228-229. 


ST.  55.  SUFFOLK,    ETC.  321 

and  intei^esting  hour  with  Philip,  Elizabeth,  and  Sarah  Sewell, 
"green  in  old  age,"  at  Wereham.  They  seem  remarkably 
kept  alive  in  the  truth,  without  human  instrumentality,  and 
I  hope  wc  drank  together  of  the  waters  of  life.  Returned  to 
this  dear,  charming  place  in  the  evening ;  great  peace  seemed 
to  rest  on  our  coming  home. 

Similar  engagements,  in  other  parts  of  Norfolk 
and  in  Suffolk,  called  Joseph  John  Gurnej  several 
times  from  home  during  the  autumn  and  winter. 
He  also  paid  a  short  visit  to  his  friends  in  Man- 
chester and  Liverpool.  Besides  attending  to  these 
calls  of  duty,  he  spent  part  of  the  tenth  montli 
at  Darlington,  on  the  occasion  of  the  funeral  of  his 
valued  relative  Jonathan  Backhouse,  and  in  visits 
to  several  other  places  in  the  north  of  England. 
In  allusion  to  the  time  passed  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Ackworth,  he  writes:  — 

Fourth  day,  lOtli  mo.,  26th.  By  railroad  to  Pontefract ; 
attended  the  solemn  and  satisfactory  funeral  of  my  late  dear 
friend,  William  Leatham,  who  closed  his  useful  life  in  greai 
peace,  trusting  in  Christ.  There  ^vas  a  blessed  sense,  that  the 
rich  man  had  passed 'Well  through  "the  needle's  eye;"  but  a 
strong  word  of  warning  was  given  to  others,  who  Avere  of  a 
worldly  mind.  Afterwards  to  Ackworth,  where  we  met  a  cordial 
reception,  and  spent  a  happy  evening  at  the  school.  The  children 
were  collected  in  the  new  reading-room,  and  I  told  them  part 
of  the  story  of  the  West  Indies ;  an  excellent  time  with  the 
Tamily  after  supper.  Some  Scripture  examination,  during  this 
visit  to  Ackworth,  afforded  satisfactory  evidence  that  the 
system  of  Scriptural  instruction,  wdiich  I  was  enabled  to 
institute  about  twenty-five  years  ago,  continues  to  flourish,  as 
is  also  the  case  at  Sidcot,  Croydon,  &c.  I  trust  I  feel  deeply 
thankful  for  this  result. — "Establish  thou  the  work  of  my 
hands  upon  me,  0  Lord  ;  the  work  of  my  hands  establish 
thou  it." 

Vol.  IL  — 21 


0'22  COXTINCKD    INDISPOSITION.  1842. 

Meanwhile  the  state  of  his  health  continued  to 
awaken  anxiety.     Referring  to  it,  he  says  under  date 

11?^  mo.,  Ath.  Dr.  Prout's  verdict  of  my  bodily  state  is  hy 
no  means  favourable.  A  very  strict  regimen  is  ordered,  to 
■which,  coming  as  it  does  from  the  highest  authority,  it  is 
my  full  purpose  to  render  due  obedience.  I  have  been 
a  sad  lover  of  sweet  things  all  my  life  ;  but  now  sugar  in 
every  degree  and  form  is  to  be  avoided.  I  feel  very  quiet 
about  the  case,  rather  strongly  hoping  that  we  may  be 
favoured  to  beat  off  the  enemy,  my  general  health  being 
improved ;  but  if  it  should  be  otherwise,  I  desire  to  be 
enabled  to  say,  '"It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth 
liim  2:ood." 

Through  all,  he  endeavoured  quietly  to  press 
onwards  in  the  path  of  duty.  At  the  suggestion 
of  his  sister  Elizabeth  Frj^,  he  had  been  latelj" 
building  a  large  and  coniinodious  library  and  read- 
ing-room at  Cromer,  for  the  use  of  the  fishermen 
and  sailors,  which  was  opened  in  the  twelfth 
month  of  this  year.  It  w^as  about  this  time  also, 
that,  after  much  anxious  deliberation,  he  became 
convinced  that  it  was  his  dutj^  to^give  up  the  use  of 
all  intoxicating  beverages,  and  to  encourage  his 
household  in  a  similar  line  of  conduct.  Henceforth 
he  save  to  the  cause  of  Total  Abstinence  all  the 
weight  that  could  be  derived  from  his  own  powerful 
example,  and  truly  Christian  advocacy.  In  ari 
address  upon  the  subject,  which  was  subsequently 
published  under  the  title  Water  is  Best,  he  thus 
notices  the  circumstances  which  led  to  this  im- 
portant change  of  opinion  and  practice:  — 

"I  acknowledge,"  lie  says,  "that  I  was  accustomed  till 
within  the  last  eirrhtcen  months,  to  take  a  little  wine  and  beer 


JET.  55.  TOTAL   ABSTINENCE.  323 

"with  my  meals ;  and  while  I  was  most  anxious,  as  a  Christian 
and  a  minister,  to  let  my  '  moderation  be  known  unto  all 
men,'  I  thought  that  the  use  of  these  beverages  was  necessary 
to  the  enjoyment  of  health.  I  was  led,  however,  under  the 
circumstances  which  I  will  relate,  to  abandon  this  practice, 
and  I  have  reason  to  rejoice  that  I  did  so,  for  my  health  has 
very  considerably  improved  in  consequence. 

"  Having  many  inmates  in  my  house,  and  feeling  a  great 
desire  to  promote  their  spiritual  welfare,  I  adopted  those  means 
which  I  hoped,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  would  lead  them  to 
consideration,  and  to  seriousness.  I  found,  however,  that  all 
my  efforts  were  frustrated  by  an  enemy  in  my  oion  house.  We 
were  famous  for  the  excellence  of  our  home-brewed  beer ;  and 
this  was  hospitably  supplied  not  only  to  the  servants  of  the  es-. 
tablishment,  but  also  to  the  labourers  employed  on  the  estate. 
Although  I  cannot  say  that  it  was  extravagantly  used,  I  believe 
it  was  the  source  of  very  considerable  mischief.  It  had  a  ten- 
dency to  blunt  the  moral  feelings,  and  to  incapacitate  the  mind 
to  receive  the  great  truths  which  I  was  so  anxious  to  impart. 
I  was,  at  this  time,  in  an  infirm  state  of  health,  and  found  it 
difficult  to  set  an  example  of  total  abstinence.  But  believing 
with  the  apostle  Paul,  that  I  should  avoid  placing  a  'stumbling 
block  in  the  way  of  my  brother,'  (and,  in  this  sense,  I  claim 
all  mankind,  whether  masters  or  servants,  as  my  brethren,) 
I  felt  it  to'  be  my  duty  to  abstain  from  that  which  was  not 
unlawful  in  itself,  rather  than  be  the  occasion  of  stumblinji 
to  others.  I  called  together  the  members  of  my  establish- 
ment, and  told  them  that  I  felt  it  to  be  my  duty  to  discontinue 
the  supply  ofi  beer  to  which  they  had  been  accustomed;  but 
ordered  a  coffee  tap  to  be  opened  in  the  hall,  and  a  plentiful 
supply  of  hot  coffee  and  bread  to  be  kept  for  all  who  chose  to 
partake.  This,  like  other  similar  changes,  was  attended  with 
pain ;  but  in  the  course  of  a  short  time  matters  settled  down 
as  quietly  and  agreeably  as  ever,  and  I  have  great  cause  to  be 
thankful  to  the  Almighty,  that  I  was  led  to  take  this  decided 
step.  Now  I  can  leave  home  for  two  or  three  months  without 
care  and  anxiety,  knowing  that  one  great  source  of   evil  is 


324  PUBLICATION  OF  WORK  ON  THE         1843. 

stopped.  At  this  time,  as  I  have  already  said,  rny  health  was 
feeble,  but  now  I  am  thankful  to  say  that  it  is  re-established 
to  a  degree  which,  two  or  three  years  ago,  I  should  have 
thought  impossible  without  the  use  of  stimulating  beverages ; 
so  deep  was  the  sense  I  entertained  of  their  necessity. 
I  was  ordered  by  some  of  the  greatest  medical  men  in  the 
country,  to  take  wine  medicinally,  but  I  could  not  do  it  with  an 
easy  conscience ;  and  now,  in  spite  of  all  the  dogmas  that  float 
on  the  tide  of  popular  prejudice,  I  have  found,  and  multitudes 
have  found  by  experience,  that  alcoholic  beverages  are  useless 
to  persons  in  health." 

In  allusion  to  the  same  subject,  he  writes  in  his 
Journal :  — 

1st  mo.,  9th,  1843.  All  is  peace  and  happiness  this 
morning.  What  shall  we  render  unto  thee,  most  gracious 
God  and  Father,  for  all  thy  benefits  ?  My  health  and  spirits 
are  greatly  improved.  Our  household  quiet  and  comfortable 
under  the  reformed  system.     May  the  leaven  spread  ! 

The  work  which  had  of  late  occupied  his  atten- 
tion was  now  published,  at  first  anonymously, 
under  the  title  of  the  Papal  and  Hierarchical 
System  compared  with  the  Religion  of  the  New 
Testament.*  In  this  excellent  treatise  he  boldly, 
but  faithfullj^  sketches  the  principal  corruptions  by 
v,-hich  man  has  defiled  the  purity,  and  (so  far  as  he 
has  been  allowed  the  sway)  weakened  or   destroj-ed 

*  This  -work  was  subsequently  rc-printcd  with  the  author's 
name,  under  the  title  of  Puseyisra  Traced  to  its  Root,  in  a  view  of 
the  Papal  and  Ilieravchical  System,  as  compared  with  the  Pieligion 
of  the  New  Testament.  A. large  edition  was  published,  in  a  cheap 
form,  which  was  widely  circulated.  An  edition  was  also  printed 
uniform  with  the  octavo  edition  of  Joseph  John  Guvney's  works. 


^T.  55.  PAPAL    AND    HIERARCniCAL    SYSTEM.  325 

the  influence  of  primitive  Christianity ;  powerfully 
contrasting  these  corruptions  with  the  noble 
simplicity  of  inspired  truth.  The  whole  volume 
deserves  the  attentive  perusal  of  the  reader,  as 
containing,  in  a  condensed  form,  a  clear,  and, 
(upon  New  Testament  grounds,)  unanswerable 
argument  for  Spiritual  Christianity.  One  passage 
from  the  Chapter  on  the  Spiritual  Power  of  the 
Priesthood  deserves  to  be  quoted :  — 

*'  Where  there  is  no  sacrifice  there  is  no  priest ;  for  sacrifice 
is  the  essential  characteristic  of  the  sacerdotal  office.  The 
continuance  of  that  office  under  the  papal  and  hierarchical 
system,  is  nothing  better  than  a  recurrence  to  the  old  plan  of 
Jewish  worship,  and  is  opposed  to  the  simplicity  of  the  truth 
and  the  spirituality  of  the  gospel  dispensation.  A  Priest 
(lE^O;,  sacerdos)  is  not  only  a  minister  but  a  mediator ;  he 
stands  between  the  people  and  their  God ;  he  offers  up 
sacrifice,  first  for  his  own  sins,  and  afterwards  for  those  of 
the  people.  But  in  this  glorious  gospel  day,  as  we  know 
only  '  one  God,'  so  we  know  only  '  one  Mediator  between 
God  and  man,  the  man  Christ  Jesus,  who  gave  himself  a 
ransom  for  all.'  (1  Tim.  ii,  5.)  In  the  distribution  of 
spiritual  gifts  and  offices,  we  read  that  the  risen  and  glori- 
fied Saviour,  'gave  some  apostles,  and  some  prophets,  and 
some  evangelists,  and  some  pastors  and  teachers,  for  the 
perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  for  the 
edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ;'  we  read  also  of  presbyters  or 
eldei's,  of  bishops  or  overseers,  of  deacons  or  servants ;  but 
amoncj  all  these  we  hear  nothing;  whatsoever  of  the  Priest,  the 
hesbs  or  sacerdos.  We  must  therefore  conclude  that  Jesus 
is  the  ONLY  Priest  of  the  Christian  Church.  In  him  the 
shadows  of  the  law,  and  especially  the  whole  sacrificial 
system,  are  for  ever  fulfilled.  He  has  died,  once  for  all,  for 
the  sins  of  the  whole  world ;  he  is  ever  present  with  his 
people  to  bless  them  in  the  name  of  his  Father;  ho  is  their 


326  WORK    ON    THE    PAPAL  1843. 

never-failing  advocate  and  intercessor  before  the  throne  of 
God ;  he  carries  the  names  of  all  the  tribes  of  the  true  Israel, 
as  on  his  breastplate,  before  the  Lord ;  like  Aaron,  he  bears 
the  iniquity  even  of  their  'holy  things.'  'The  Lord  hath 
sworn  and  will  not  repent,'  saith  the  Father  to  the  Son, '  Thou 
art  a  Priest  for  ever,  after  the  order  of  Melchisedec'  Uniting 
in  himself  the  regal  and  sacerdotal  offices,  he  both  mediates 
and  reigns,  and  supplies,  in  both  respects,  the  whole  need  of 
his  universal  church.  Ecclesiastical  systems,  invented  by 
men,  shall  last  their  season  and  then  vanish.  The  finest 
fabrics  of  human  policy  in  the  things  of  religion,  shall  perish 
before  the  breath  of  the  Lord  Almighty ;  but  Jesus  Christ, 
our  only  High  Priest,  is  '  the  same  yesterday,  and  to-day,  and 
for  ever,'  and  of  the  increase  of  his  government  and  peace 
there  shall  be  no  end." 

The  conclusion  of  the  ^vo^k  is  at  once  forcible  and 
characteristic :  — 

"  Between  the  two  systems  which  have  now  been  developed, 
between  the  fulness  of  the  authority  of  man,  and  the  fulness 
of  the  authority  of  God,  in  matters  of  religion,  there  is,  as  I 
believe,  no  permanent  resting  place.  Mediums  have  been 
tried  in  a  variety  of  forms,  and  on  an  extensive  scale.  But 
the  sentiment  which  has  now  been  expressed  appears  to  be 
confirmed  by  the  fact,  that  a  large  proportion  of  the  clergy  of 
Episcopal  Churches  is  at  this  very  time  notoriously  rushing 
back  into  the  bosom  of  Popery  ;  retrograde  movements  of  the 
same  nature,  (though  diiferent  in  degree,)  may  be  traced  in 
the  decrease  of  original  simplicity,  and  the  increase  of  form 
and  splendour,  in  the  Avorship  of  some  of  the  non-conforming 
bodies.  In  the  mean  time,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that 
spiritual  religion,  in  its  native  vigour,  is  more  and  more 
difi'usincr  itself  amonc;  the  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of 
the  Israel  of  God.  With  these,  under  whatsoever  name,  and 
in  whatsoever  nation,  they  may  be  found,  the  writer  of  the 
Da^es  now  about  to  be  concluded,  desires  to  be  preserved  in 


JET.  55.  AND    HIERARCHICAL    SYSTEM.  327 

living,  heart-felt  unity.  May  the  favour  of  God  bo  upon  h'.-.i 
children  and  followers  all  the  world  over !  May  the  Sun  of 
Righteousness  arise  upon  them  from  day  to  day,  and  the  dews 
of  heaven  rest  all  night  upon  their  branches !  And  finally, 
may  the  law  of  peace,  and  purity,  and  love,  without  any  foul 
admixtures,  overspread  this  earth,  'as  the  waters  cover  the 
sea.'  " 

In  the  spring  and  summer  of  this  year,  he  was 
again  engaged,  in  company  with  his  wife  and  their 
friend  Josiah  Forster,  in  a  lengthened  visit  to  France 
and  some  other  parts  of  the  Continent  of  Europe. 
His  sister  EHzabeth  Fry,  accompanied  by  one  of  her 
daughters,  was  also  associated  with  them  during  the 
earlier  portions  of  this  journey.  In  the  prospect  of 
this  engagement,  he  writes  in  his  Journal :  — 

Srd  mo.,  lltJi.  Deep  searching  of  heart  has  been  much  my 
lot,  in  the  earnest  desire,  that  the  prospect  might  close,  if  not 
truly  of  the  Lord.  I  have,  however,  felt  quiet  at  the  root,  and 
:iu  abiding  feeling  of  the  rectitude  of  the  movement  somewhat 
increases  from  day  to  day.  Happily  I  have  no  other  pressure 
upon  me ;  and,  in  quietness  and  confidence,  find  a  renewal  of 
strength. 

4:th  mo.,  15th.  [At]  the  Morning  Meeting  of  ministers  and 
elders  held  in  London,  last  second  day,  we  were  finally  set  at 
liberty  for  our  mission.  It  was  largely  attended  by  Friends 
of  London  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  several  from  the  country, 
including  Samuel  Tuke,  and  Joseph  and  Junia  Price,  &c.  A 
more  solemn  occasion,  or  a  more  weighty  and  deliberate  con- 
sideration of  a  religious  concern,  I  have  seldom  witnessed. 
A  deep  stream  of  religious  feeling  was  permitted  to  flow 
amongst  us ;  and  through  the  tender  loving-kindness  of  Him 
whom  we  desire  to  serve,  it  all  flowed  in  the  same  direction. 
It  appeared  to  be  the  unanimous  judgment  of  the  meeting, 
after  a  general  expression  of  unity,  that  we  should  be  set  free 
for  the  work  into  which  the  Lord  had  condescended  to  call 


328  JOUENEY    IN   FllAXCE.  1843 

US.  A  certificate  to  this  effect  was  well  drawn  up  on  the 
spot  by  our  dear  friend  Josiah  Forster,  who,  for  the  present, 
is  the  companion  of  our  travels. 

They  left  London  on  the -^tentli  of  the  fourth 
month.  After  describing  their  progress  as  far  as 
Boulogne,  where  they  arrived  on  the  12th,  Joseph 
John   Gurney  continues:  — 

Through  the  kind  exertions  of  our  friend  Turnbull,  a 
Presbyterian  preacher,  who  had  met  us  before  at  Dusseldorf, 
Ave  were  enabled  to  summon  a  company  of  Christian  friends, 
chiefly  Scotch  and  English,  for  the  evening,  at  eight 
o'clock ;  about  thirty  persons.  I  read  John  xvi  to  them  ; 
after  which  we  were  favoured  with  a  comfortable  meeting, 
concluded  by  solemn  prayer.  We  parted  from  our  friends, 
including  the  Episcopalian  minister,  a  pious,  agreeable  man  ; 
the  Scotch  minister,  and  "some  Baptists,  Methodists,  and 
several  members  both  of  the  Scotch  and  English  churches,  in 
love  and  peace ;  retiring  to  rest  with  relieved,  and,  I  hope, 
thankful  minds. 

Amiens,  4th  mo.,  16th. 

The  journey  yesterday  [from  Abbeville]  very  pleasant 
and  entertaining,  through  a  country  divided  into  varied 
strips  of  green  and  brown,  but  without  hedges,  well  cul- 
tivated, plenty  of  wheat  on  the  soil.  We  distributed 
tracts,  and  conversed  with  the  amiable,  easily -entertained 
people  at  Aix  a  la  Cloche,  and  Picquigny.  At  the  latter 
place  are  the  remains  of  an  old  castle,  where  Louis  the 
Eleventh,  and  Edward  the  Fourth,  of  England,  once  met 
in  conference.  We  wandered  about  the  ruins,  which  are  not 
very  picturesque ;  but  the  view  from  this  elevated  spot  of  the 
rich  valley  of  the  Somme,  is  fine.  In  this  valley  we  observed  a 
large,  apparently  new,  convent  of  the  Trappistes.  Thus  popery 
in  all  its  forms,  both  splendid  and  frightful,  is  rising  again  to 
view  with  fresh  vigour  ;  and  nothing  surely  but  the  power  of 
God  can  ever  put  down  a  system,  in  the  maintenance  of  which 


^T.  55.  AMIENS.  329 

human  policy  the  most  reined,  and  human  zeal  the  most 
untiring,  are  for  ever  at  work.  Of  this  renaissance  of  Popery, 
we  had  full  proof  after  arriving  at  this  large  and  beautiful 
city,  as  Ave  surveyed  the  magnificent  cathedral,  a  building  of 
astonishing  beauty.  The  architecture  is  of  the  finest  gothic ; 
and  in  the  interior  simple  enough  to  be  extremely  attractive. 
The  outside  is  too  much  crowded  with  ornament,  yet  very 
striking.  As  to  the  proof  of  Popery  rediviva,  it  is  to  be 
found  in  the  newly-fitted-up  chapels,  gay  with  artificial  roses, 
caudles  all  round,  with  devotees  on  their  knees  before  the 
images,  especially  those  of  the  virgin  ;  also  in  the  superb,  newly 
gilt  pulpit ;  above  all,  in  the  relic  of  John  Baptist's  head,  of 
which  the  red  silk  or  velvet  cap  under  a  glass  is  alone  exposed  to 
view.  We  saw  two  sweet-looking  boys  kiss  it  reverentially,  and 
drop  on  their  knees  beside  it  for  a  short  prayer ;  after  which 
they  turned  to  us  and  innocently  assured  us,  that  the  body  of 
the  Baptist  was  lying  under  a  white-clad  altar,  which  stood  hard 
by,  blazing  with  candles !  We  observed  that  the  street  leading 
to  the  cathedral,  is  called  la  rue  des  corps  nus  sans  tcte,  which 
may  have  reference  to  the  same  part  of  the  Gospel  history  ; 
or  perhaps,  to  martyrs'  legends  of  less  authority.  Two  of  the 
stone  figures  in  the  portico  are  represented  carrjung  their  own 
heads  !  Confession  was  going  on  in  one  of  the  chapels ;  two 
confessionals  being  occupied ;  one  by  a  man,  another  by  a 
female.     Oh  !  the  awful  mummery  of  this  dark  system  ! 

Clermont,  4th  mo.,  17th. 

While  we  were  examining  the  cathedral,  our  indefatigable 
friend,  Josiah  Forster,  was  engaged  in  preparing  our  way  for  the 
ensuing  sabbath,  by  calling  on  the  minister  of  the  small  Protest- 
ant church,  who  willingly  agreed  to  summon  his  flock  to  the 
saloon  where  his  people  usually  meet,  for  six  o'clock  the  next 
evening.  His  agreeable  daughter  undertook  to  go  round  and 
give  the  notice.  In  the  evening,  the  pious  old  man  spent  an 
hour  or  two  with  us.  He  was  once  in  the  navy,  and  a  Papist. 
But  when  at  Havana,  in  the  course  of  his  voyages,  he  attended 
one  of  the  churches  there,  on  the  day  of  a  gresit  fete  in  honour 


330  AMIENS.  1843. 

of  the  Virgin,  when  he  was  suddenly  struck  by  the  extreme 
gaudiness  and  folly  of  the  ceremony,  and  he  cried  out,  "  0 
for  four  walls  to  worship  in  without  all  this  frippery  !"  Some 
time  afterwards  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  English,  and 
stationed  at  Ashburton  ;  where,  being  on  his  parole,  he  acci- 
dentally went  into  a  dissenting  meeting-house,  and  found  his 
prayer  fulfilled ;  four  walls  to  worship  in  without  ceremony, 
without  finery.  He  was  struck  to  the  heart,  though  he  could 
not  understand  the  minister ;  learnt  the  English  language  ;  ' 
attended  the  meeting  for  a  fe'w  months ;  and  became  a  Pro- 
testant and  a  Christian. 

Yesterday  Avas  certainly  an  interesting,  and  I  hope  not  un- 
productive, Sabbath,  spent  in  that  large  city  of  50,000  souls, 
given  up,  with  little  exception,  either  to  superstition  or  prac- 
tical infidelity ;  the  former  among  the  women,  and  the  latt^* 
among  the  men ;  a  grievously  common  case  in  France  !  Our 
little  meeting  (the  four  servants  present)  was  held  at  eleven 
o'clock,  and  proved  a  season  of  true  refreshment.  The  day 
was  beautiful ;  and  after  the  meeting  my  wife  and  I  took  a 
long  walk  about  the  allees  and  boulevards ;  and  another  long 
shaded  walk,  called  the  Hotore.  This  part  of  the  town,  with 
the  rows  of  good  houses  and  pleasant  promenades,  is  decidedly 
handsome.  So,  indeed,  are  the  streets  generall}^  It  is  a 
place  of  busy  manufacture  and  commerce,  though  just  now  in 
a  state  of  depression. 

In  the  evening,  at  the  appointed  hour,  we  repaired  to  the 
humble  dwelling  of  our  friend  the  pasteur,  who  conducted  us 
to  the  Meeting.  It  was  a  congregation  of  about  80  people ; 
perhaps  at  last  some  10  or  20  more;  and  a  very  solemn, 
favoured  meeting  it  proved.  Josiah  Forster  began  by  briefly 
explaining  our  mode  of  worship.  Soon  afterwards  I  rose,^  and 
was  enabled  to  preach  for  about  half  an  hour  in  French,  with  far 
greater  facility  than  I  could  have  ventured  to  expect.  It  was 
truly  given  to  me  of  the  Lord,  and  very  thankful  ought  I  to 
be  for  such  a  renewed  token  of  his  unmerited  loving-kindness. 
My  subject  was,  the  internal  hearing  for  ourselves  of  the  life- 
giving  voice  of  Jesus,  beginning  with  the  words  of  the  Sama- 


ffiT.  55.  CLERMONT.  331 

ritans,  "Now  we  believe,  not  because  of  tby  saying,  but  we 
have  heard  him  ourselves,"  &c.  ;  the  spiritual  resurrection 
as  a  preparation  for  the  last  day ;  (John  v ;)  the  new 
birth  and  living  faith  in  the  blood  of  Christ.  Our  be- 
loved sister  followed  in  a  lively,  fervent  exhortation,  well 
interpreted  by  our  friend  Josiah  Forster.  Afterwards  I 
Avas  enabled  to  conclude  the  Meeting  in  prayer,  and  we  re- 
turned to  our  hotel  Avith  relieved  and  thankful  minds.  Such 
was  our  jBrst  French  Public  Meeting.  May  we  be  helped  by 
this  token  for  good,  and  may  we  give  all  the  praise  where 
alone  it  is  due.  About  twenty  of  the  people  at  the  meeting 
were  Roman  Catholics. 

This  morning  Cadoret  and  liis  daughter,  and  Yorneaux,  a 
colporteur  of  the  Bible  Society,  wlio,  since  the  eleventh  month, 
has  sold  600  copies  of  the  New  Testament  in  the  neighbour- 
liood,  breakfasted  with  us,  and  our  reading  was  solemn  and 
refreshing ;  my  sister  beautifully  engaged  in  prayer.  After 
breakfast,  she  being  but  poorly,  Josiah  Forster,  my  wife,  and 
I,  visited  the  Bicetre,  being  the  House  of  Correction  for  the 
department  of  the  Somme,  containing  about  260  prisoners. 
We  had  but  little  satisfaction  in  our  visit. 

Chantilly,  4th  mo.,  19th. 

We  spent  a  pleasant  day,  yesterday,  in  a  very  pleasant 
country.  Clermont  is  beautifully  situated  on  the  brow  of  a 
hill ;  and  the  views  of  it  which  we  enjoyed  in  a  quiet  stroll 
along  a  lovely  lane,  through  orchards  of  apple  trees,  well 
cultivated  in  strips,  and  near  a  fine  wood,  where  we  heard 
a  chorus  of  thrushes  and  a  nightingale  or  two,  were  lovely 
indeed ;  the  air  being  dry,  clear,  and  stimulant.  We  then 
ascended  the  hill  on  which  the  town  is  built,  to  the 
Prison  Centrale  pour  les  Femmes,  a  vast,  good-looking  build- 
ing, which  stands  on  the  summit.  It  is  for  the  whole  of 
the  north  of  France,  and  contains  900  prisoners.  These 
prisoners  are  cared  for  by  the  Sceurs  de  la  Sagesse,  under  a 
superior,  40  in  number,  who  are  allowed  800  francs  per  annum 
each,  but  support  themselves.     There  is  a  sshool  in  the  prison 


332  CLERMONT.  1843. 

for  the  Ignorant ;  and  religious  instruction,  after  the  manner 
of  the  Koman  Catholics,  seems  to  be  communicated  by  a 
chaplain,  and  the  nuns.  The  latter  lodge  in  the  prison,  and 
serve  the  whole  purpose  of  officers ;  no  others  being  admitted 
except  a  few  inferior  servants.  Perpetual  silence  reigns  among 
the  women ;  or,  at  least,  this  is  the  law.  A  more  effective 
superintendence  is  required  at  night.  My  sister  was  greatly 
pleased  with  the  order,  cleanliness,  and  comfort  of  this  prison. 
The  females  are  employed  in  lace-making  and  other  kinds  of 
needle-work,  &c.  One-third  of  the  earnings  go  towards  the 
expenses  of  the  establishment;  one-third  for  indulgences  in  the 
way  of  food,  &c. ;  and  one-third  is  reserved  for  them  when  they 
leave  the  prison ;  but  this  portion  is  sent  for  their  use  to  the 
mayor  of  the  place  to  -which  they  belong,  their  travelling  ex- 
penses being  first  paid  out  of  it.  An  Englishwoman,  who  had 
been  confined  here,  went  out  with  a  purse  of  about  200  francs. 
There  is  an  institution  called  the  Bon  Pasteur,  at  Amiens, 
which  affords  a  refuge  for  these  females  when  they  leave  the 
prison.  Many  go  thither  of  their  own  free  will,  and  support 
themselves,  when  there,  by  their  work,  being  again  under  the 
superintendence  of  a  sisterhood  of  nuns.  These  Bons  Pasteurs 
are  established,  we  are  told,  in  many  other  places  besides 
Amiens.  The  system  of  the  Romanists  puts  many  instru- 
ments into  their  hands — large  sisterhoods  of  nuns  for  example 
— which  may  be  often  used  for  good  purposes.  The  Scaurs  de 
Oharite,  who  tend  the  prisons  and  the  hospitals,  paid  though 
they  be  for  their  work,  and  incited  by  the  false  notion  of  merit 
in  their  own  performances,  must  nevertheless  be  reckoned 
among  the  alleviators,  both  physically  and  morally,  of  the 
miseries  and  evils  which  oppress  mankind.  Thus  God  conducts 
his  great  designs,  through  a  machinery  of  Providence,  of 
Avhic'h  the  intricacies  are  not  to  be  unravelled  by  human 
wisdom ;  and  often  is  he  pleased  to  overrule  erroneous  systems 
for  good  and  desirable  purposes.  We  are  not,  on  this  account, 
to  give  up  our  principles,  which  rest  on  his  own  unchanging 
law  and  attributes.  Yet  we  may  well  exclaim  with  Paul — 
"0  the  depth  of  the  riches,  both  of  the  wisdom  and  of  the 


^T.  55.  chantilly;  paris.  833 

knowledge    of   God  !     IIow  unsearchaMe  are  his  judgments, 
and  his  ways  past  finding  out !" 

The  drive  to  Chantilly  in  the  afternoon,  fifteen  miles,  was 
swift  and  agreeable,  through  a  beautiful  champaign  country, 
and  over  the  Oise,  a  fine  river  at  Creil. 

Paris,  4tli  mo.,  19th. 

'  After  driving  through  a  succession  of  little  towns,  many 
vineyards,  and  a  gay,  fruitful  country,  we  arrived  here  in  safety 
about  two  o'clock.  We  felt  the  weight  of  our  position  and 
prospects ;  and  fervent  are  our  desires  that  we  may  be  guided, 
from  day  to  day,  in  the  way  of  our  duties,  and  be  graciously 
qualified  for  the  fulfilment  of  them. 

4:tli  mo.,  21st.  Yesterday  we  all  went,  at  eleven  o'clock,  to 
our  little  week-day  meeting,  in  the  Faubourg  du  Roule ;  and 
were  favoured  with  a  solemn,  refreshing  time,  in  which  our 
hopes  and  strength  were  renewed,  in  the  remembrance  of  that 
gi-acious  promise,  "  I  will  lead  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they 
know  not,"  &c. 

At  three  o'clock  my  dear  wife  and  I  walked  to  the  Pelets, 
whore  I  had  the  pleasure  of  introducing  her  to  our  kind 
friend  the  countess,  who  was  recumbent  on  her  couch, 
being  very  infirm.  I  remember  when  I  was  last  in  Paris, 
being  engaged  in  solemn  prayer  with  her,  on  behalf  of 
her  husband's  father,  who  was  then  very  ill.  He  died  last 
year  in  the  triumphant  faith  of  the  Christian.  He  said  in 
dying,  that  he  could  not  express  the  beauty  and  glory  of  the 
scene  which  lay  before  him,  and  on  which  he  was  about  to 
enter.  From  thence  to  a  bazaar,  for  the  benefit  of  certain 
schools,  where  we  were  much  pleased  with  a  number  of  simple, 
vet  sprightly  young  women,  who  were  engaged  in  selling.  I 
talked  Avith  Mark  Wilks'  wife,  respecting  the  present  extra- 
ordinary inroad  on  Protestant  religious  liberty.  It  appears, 
that  in  a  certain  village,  the  inhabitants,  of  their  own  accord, 
forsook  Popery,  and  built  a  place  of  worship  for  themselves, 
applying  to  the  Societe  Evangelique,  of  Paris,  for  a  minister. 
They  could  not  obtain  one;  but  a  Protestant  minister,  Roussel, 
went  of  his  own  accord,  and  ministered  to  them ;  was  warned 
off  by  the  police,  persevered,  and  was  at  last  forced  away  by 


334  PARIS.  1843. 

the  military.  K  proces  verbal  "was  commenced  against  him, 
and  a  fine  inflicted  by  the  inferior  district  court.  lie  appealed 
to  the  superior  court  next  in  order,  when  his  cause  was  pleaded 
by  Odillon  Barrot,  but  in  vain.  He  has  now  appealed  to  the 
Court  of  Cassation,  which  is  supreme;  and  Josiah  Forster 
and  I  hope  to  attend  the  trial  to-morrow.  The  ground  of 
this  infliction  is  a  law  introduced  by  Guizot,  since  the  forma- 
tion of  the  present  ministry,  forbidding  more  than  twenty 
persons  to  assemble  without  leave  of  the  maire  of  the  district ; 
a  law  occasioned  by  some  of  the  plots  against  the  government 
which  had  previously  transpired.  It  was,  at  the  time, 
expressly  stated  by  the  government,  through  Guizot,  that  the 
law  was  intended  to  have  no  bearing  whatsoever  on  religious 
meetings;  the  charter  confirmed  by  the  last  revolution,  having 
granted  full  and  entire  religious  liberty  to  persons  of  all 
creeds.  Nevertheless,  it  is  now  construed  to  apply  to  any 
attempt  to  form  a  new  society  of  Protestants,  or  open  any 
place  of  Protestant  worship  where  one  had  not  previously 
existed ;  in  fact,  as  a  complete  prevention  of  the  further 
development  of  the  Protestant  principle.  It  is  evidently 
a  step  towards  the  old  plan  of  uniformity,  restriction,  and 
persecution ;  and  is  considered  by  the  Protestant  party  to  bo 
hisrhlv  alarmincr.  The  fact  seems  to  be,  that  the  executive 
power,  backed  by  immense  military  force,  is  virtually  entering 
into  such  a  league  with  the  priesthood,  as  will  secure  their 
support  of  the  present  dynasty.  Thus  a  new  force  and  spring 
arc  given  to  Popery  in  its  renaissance ;  and  the  thunder-clouds 
which  are  gradually  overspreading  the  heavens,  grow  darker 
and  thicker.  May  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  arise  and  disperse 
them ! 

4fA  mo.,  24:th.  On  seventh  day,  Josiah  Forster  and  I  had 
pleasant  interviews  soon  after  breakfast  with  the  wife  of  the 
Chevalier  Eynard,  who  received  us  with  much  cordiality ;  with 
the  Greek  ambassador  whom  we  met  when  last  at  Paris  ;  and 
with  Guizot,  preparatory  to  the  intercourse  mutually  wished  for 
between  us.  He  received  us  aflectionately,  and  we  are  engaged 
to  dine  with  him  on  fifth  day.  We  then  called  on  Isambert, 
our  zealous  and  steady  Anti-Slavery  friend  and  advocate.     He 


ST.  55.  RELIGIOUS    LIBERTY.  335 

is  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Cassation,  the  Supreme 
Court  of  France,  and  was  kind  enough  to  introduce  us,  that 
we  might  hear  the  cause  of  Christian  liberty  pleaded,  in  the 
case  already  mentioned.  The  court  is  held  in  the  old  chamber 
of  justice,  as  I  understood,  of  the  Kings  of  France,  a  fine  old 
apartment,  with  a  jncture  of  the  present  king  in  front ;  four- 
teen of  the  judges  assembled ;  and  a  large  body  of  Protestants 
were  there  to  hear;  looking,  as  well  they  might,  low  and 
serious,  under  the  present  grievous  infraction  of  the  liberty  of 
conscience,  proclaimed  to  them  in  the  fifth  article  of  the 
Charter  of  1830.  After  the  report  had  been  read  of  the 
preceding  trials  in  the  case,  Count  Delaborde  rose,  the 
advocate  of  religious  freedom,  and  pleaded  the  cause,  in  a 
speech  of  nearly  two  hours,  with  great  clearness,  zeal,  heart, 
and  force ;  though  the  rapidity  of  his  pronunciation  sometimes 
concealed  his  meaning  from  me.  To  his  argument  he  added 
a  good  deal  of  general  impressive  remark  on  the  subject  of 
the  rights  of  conscience.  He  quoted  an  admirable  declaration 
made  by  Napoleon  on  the  subject ;  but  concluded  with  a  still 
more  forcible  reference  to  Scripture,  and  to  the  paramount 
authority  of  him,  who  is  the  Way,  the  Truth,  and  the  Life. 
The  judges  seemed  to  me  to  listen  to  him  with  great  indiffer- 
ence ;  touching  and  interesting  as  was  the  appeal.  After  a 
dry  and  feeble  answer  from  some  one  who  represented  the 
Procureur  de  Roi,  (the  Attorney-Generaly)  the  judges  retired, 
and  we  afterv.'ards  learned,  that,  by  a  majority  of  ten  against 
four,  they  confirmed  the  decision  of  the  inferior  court  of 
Versailles,  and  thus  gave  to  the  dying  hopes  of  the  Protestants, 
a  cold-blooded  coup  de  grace.  I  conversed  a  little  with  the 
eloquent  Count  Delaborde,  who  had  himself  been  a  Roman 
Catholic,  and  has  become  a  pious  Protestant ;  also  with 
Roussel,  the  minister,  who  had  opened  the  chapel  of  Senneville, 
and  had  been  fined  in  consequence.  He  says,  the  chapel 
continues  closed  and  useless,  a  mere  monument  of  the 
increasing  power  of  Popery,  and  that  the  poor,  pious  people 
are  cared  for  by  an  instituteur,  or  schoolmaster.  I  was 
also  introduced  to  Odillon  Barrot,  who  had  pleaded  the  cause 
before   the   court   of  the  district   of  Versailles.     He   is   an 


336  .         PARIS.  1843. 

interesting,  warra-liearted    man,  witli  a  powerful  eye,  and  a 
forehead  finely  developed. 

Yesterday  was  our  first  Parisian  Sabbath.  Our  meeting 
at  the  Faubourg  du  Roule  was  held  at  twelve  o'clock,  and  was 
attended  by  a  considerable  number  of  people,  generally 
English.  At  six  o'clock  w^e  repaired  to  "William  Toase's 
Wesleyan  meeting-house,  by  appointment.  After  a  time,  it 
was  quite  crowded,  more  so,  they  said,  than  ever  before ;  and 
certainly  it  was  a  truly  solemn  meeting.  My  dear  sister  was 
first  engaged,  at  some  length,  in  exhorting  to  vital  and 
practical  religion,  and  was  well  interpreted  for  by  our 
friend  Lucas,  a  minister  among  the  French  Methodists.  I 
afterwards  followed  on  part  of  John  xiv  : — "  Je  suis  le  chemiv, 
la  vcrite,  et  la  vie,"  &c.  I  trust  help  was  given.  The 
congregation  separated  in  the  feeling  of  much  love  and 
sweetness. 


^T.  55.  PARIS.  S37 


CHAPTER  XL. 

1843.     Ml.  55. 

ENGAGEMENTS  AT  PARIS  CONTINUED;  DUG  DE  BROGLM ;  GUIZOT; 
DE  TOQUEVILLE;  PROTESTANT  MEETING;  FRENCH  BIBLE  SOCIETY; 
VISIT  TO  THE  KING  AND  QUEEN  AT  NEUILLY;  JOURNEY  TO  THE 
SOUTH  OP  FRANCE;  MACON;  LYONS;  AVIGNON;  NISMES  ;  CO.N- 
GENIES;    VISIT    TO    THE    FRIENDS;    ILLNESS    AT    CONGENIES. 

Paris,  4th  mo.,  25th,  IS^:! 

I  WISH  most  sincerely  that  we  may  all  be  preserved  from  the 
feeling  of  dissipation,  in  the  midst  of  the  interesting  and 
ever-shifting  scenes  "which  befal  us  in  this  place.  It  requires 
watchfulness  and  care,  and  I  do  not  feel  that  we  are  without 
our  difficulties;  yet  I  humbly  trust,  indeed  I  fully  believe, 
that  the  Lord  is  near  to  help. 

Yesterday  morning,  (24th,)  Josiah  Forster  and  I  made  a 
few  calls  together.  Our  first  was  on  Baron  Rothschild,  to 
establish  my  pecuniary  credit.  He  was  abundantly  civil. 
He  seemed  to  me  to  have  the  same  kind  of  acuteness  and 
intelligence  as  his  late  brother  Nathan,  and  to  be  pursuin" 
the  same  career.  I  ought  to  be  thankful  for  the  convenience 
of  moneyed  facility  in  this  temporal  world  ;  one  feels  it  par- 
ticularly v/hen  abroad.  May  all  that  I  have  and  am  be 
rightly  devoted  to  the  Author  of  all  my  blessings  ! 

We  then  paid  our  respects  to  Lord  Cowley,  the  British 
Ambassador,  younger  brother  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  a 
sensible,  elderly  gentleman,  who,  though  very  busy,  received 
us  kindly.  We  talked  to  him  about  the  case  of  Tahiti  and 
the  Sandwich  Islands.  He  said  he  had  received  official 
assurances  from  the  French  Government,  that  the  Protestant 

Vol.  IL  —  22 


338  PAKis.  1843. 

missionaries  in  Tahiti  shall  be  fully  protected,  and  the  In- 
dependent Sovereignty  of  the  Sandwich  Islands  acknowledged. 
At  a  later  hour  we  called  on  the  Due  de  Brocrlie,  of  whom  I 
liad  so  often  heard,  and  whom  I  was  really  glad  to  see.  He 
received  us  in  a  very  friendly  manner.  His  late  Duchess,  the 
daughter  of  La  Baronne  de  Stael,  was  a  woman  of  decided 
l^iety,  a  Protestant,  and  died  the  death  of  the  Christian.  She 
was  well  known  to  our  sister  Fry.  The  Duke  is  a  liberal  Roman 
(.^atholic,  and  is  the  author  of  the  projet  de  hi,  on  the  subject 
of  emancipation,  Avhich  has  just  been  published.  It  is  said  to 
contain  a  vast  mass  of  well-arranged  evidence  ;  and,  though,  far 
from  fully  satisfactory  in  its  provisions,  is  probably  as  good  as 
the  Duke  coiild  make  it.  Neither  he  nor  Guizot  can  be  re- 
garded as  their  own  masters  in  this  important  matter. 

In  the  evening  our  rooms  were  opened  to  the  coloured 
people,  besides  several  of  our  own  friends.  It  was  a  highly 
interesting  occasion.  There  were  perhaps  forty  of  them, 
chiefly  young  men — lively,  intelligent,  polite  ;  affording  abun- 
dant proofs  that  "black  blood"  has  no  tendency  to  destroy 
the  powers  of  the  mind.  I  told  them  a  little  about  the  West 
Indies,  in  a  French  address ;  then  Josiah  Forster  and  I 
(questioned  them  respecting  the  condition  of  the  respective 
islands,  &c.,  with  Avhich  they  were  connected.  We  had  repre- 
sentatives from  Bourbon,  Cayenne,  Guadaloupe,  Martinique, 
and  Ilayti ;  and  they  gave  us,  in  a  truly  vivacious  way,  much 
information.  Slavery  everywhere  seems  to  wear  the  same 
characteristics  of  ignorance  and  brutality.  The  slaves  appear 
to  get  no  education  in  any  of  the  French  colonies,  and  are 
liable  to  much  cruel  treatment.  In  Hayti,  too,  education  is 
at  a  low  ebb.  It  appears  that  the  late  revolution  there  has 
been  bloodless,  and  that  President  Boyer  has  made  his  escape 
to  Jamaica.  We  ended  Avith  a  psalm  and  a  solemn  pause.  I 
trust  the  impression  made  upon  our  guests  was  useful,  and 
that  the  evening's  service  would  not  be  in  vain.  Yet,  had  we 
been  a  little  more  watchful  and  faithful,  the  end  might  more 
completely  have  crowned  all. 

This  morning  Josiah  Forster  and  I  made  agreeable  calls  on 


MH.  55.  PARIS.  335 

Yicomte  dc  Tracy,  and  Passy,  Anti-Slavery  deputies,  of  great 
talent  and  influence.  We  were  anxious  to  recommend  such  a 
declaration,  on  the  part  of  the  Chamber  of  Deputies,  as 
would  pledge  them  to  the  consideration  of  the  new  projet  dc 
loi  at  the  opening  of  the  next  session.  But  this,  it  appears,  is 
not  according  to  the  forms  of  the  French  Chamber.  Some 
one  in  the  house  will  address  the  needful  questions  to  the 
ministers,  as  to  their  intentions  on  the  point ;  and  it  is  hoped 
that  their  answer  will  be  favourable.  We  learned,  in  one 
quarter,  that  even  the  printing  of  the  Rapport  de  la  Com- 
mission or  projet  was  carried  in  the  Cabinet,  by  Guizot, 
with  difficulty.  We  must,  therefore,  reckon  him  a  faithful 
abolitionist,  and  conclude  that  he  cannot  do  all  that  he  would. 

We  also  visited  a  large  school  of  boys,  girls,  and  infants, 
under  the  care  of  Pressense  and  the  Protestants ;  about  800 
children.  They  were  at  play  and  at  dinner  in  the  yard.  We 
asked  the  boys  many  questions  from  the  New  Testament,  to 
which  they  gave  ready  answers,  showing  a  considerable  degree 
of  knowledge.  Nothing  could  exceed  their  pleasure  and 
liveliness  on  •  the  occasion.  Fx'om  thence  to  the  Normal 
School  under  La  Soeiete  Evangelique,  where  we  found  fifteen 
young  men  under  careful  Christian  training  for  the  office  of 
schoolmasters.  The  establishment  is  intended  to  be  much 
enlarged,  and  is  likely  to  operate  very  favourably  on  the  com- 
munity. A  short  interview  with  Loi'd  B ,  is  another  in- 
cident of  the  present  morning.  He  is  somewhat  aged,  and 
looks  pale ;  but  not  out  of  health.  Oh,  if  he  had  followed  the 
Star  of  Bethlehem  in  its  course,  and  discovered  the  Prince  of 
Life  and  Immortality  for  himself,  how  trnly  great  he  might 
now  have  been ! 

4^A  mo.,  27th.     In  the  evening  of  the  third  day  we  had  the 

company  of  several  ladies  and  young  women,  including 

who  has  passed  through  many  deep  afflictions,  and  has  a  great 
attraction  towards  Friends.  Her  son,  a  modest  young  man 
of  twenty-three,  has  lost  his  all  by  disappointing  the  wishes 
of  his  father  and  Uncle,  in  absolutely  refusing  to  go  into  the 
army,  or  take  any  part  in  military  affairs.  This  is  a  remark- 
able  instance,  and  I  believe    not  a  solitary  one    in    France. 


340  PARIS.  1843 

Wc  liad  also  the  company  of  Kohl,  the  German  traveller, 
whose  -works  are  known  in  Enghmcl,  and  of  his  brother  and 
.sister,  all  of  Bremen.  Rigaud,  the  deputy  of  the  Peace 
Society,  read  vis  a  short  lecture,  and  several  of  us  added  a 
few  remarks.  After  a  comfortable  reading  of  1  Cor.  xiii,  in 
French,  and  a  short  pause,  the  company  separated. 

Yesterday  morning,  having  obtained  the  authorization  of 
the  Prefect  of  Police,  Gabriel  Dellessere,  a  man  of  talent 
and  energy,  and  very  kind  to  us,  Josiah  Forster  and  I  visited 
the  now  prison,  des  jeunes  detenus,  now  complete ;  about  500 
boys  in  the  establishment,  the  number  made  up  of  all  the 
little  vagabonds  and  thieves,  which  France,  and  principally 
Paris,  happen  to  furnish,  who  are  shut  up  here  by  a  kind  of 
summary  process,  according  to  the  will  of  the  magistrates ; 
not  so  much  because  deserving  their  terms  of  imprisonment, 
(some  of  which  are  for  three,  four,  five,  or  six  years,)  as  under 
the  consideration,  that  they  will  be  themselves  benefited  by 
the  system  of  care  and  discipline.  Many  are  sent  to  the 
establishment  by  their  own  parents.  The  w-hole  is  arranged 
on  the  systeme  cellulaire.  It  is  solitary  confinement,  as 
it  regards  their  fellows  in  bondage,  but  alleviated  by  the 
frequent  visits  of  their  teachers  and  keepers,  &c.,  also  by  a 
very  fairly  comfortable  diet,  meat  four  times  a  week,  and 
plenty  of  bread  ;  constant  employment,  school  learning,  and 
some  handicraft  business,  filling  up  the  day  in  succession. 
There  are  a  large  number  of  corridors,  all  well  warmed  ;  each 
corridor  under  the  care  of  a  superintending  officer,  who  acts 
l)Oth  as  schoolmaster  and  maitre  de  metier  to  tlie  boys  inhabit- 
ing it.  The  boys  are  taught  in  matters  of  religion,  by  two 
monies,  twentj^-tliree  at  a  time,  in  a  room  divided  into  little 
departments,  so  as  not  to  see  each  other,  with  a  desk  in  the 
centre.  They  kneel  before  the  Host  (without  seeing  it) 
at  the  sound  of  a  bell,  every  Sabbath  day.  Each  boy  is 
allowed  half  an  hour's  run  during  the  day,  in  one  of  the  four 
airy  court-yards.  Each  cell  is  provided  with  a  comfortable 
bed,  and  suitable  provision  for  reading,  writing,  and  cypher- 
mg,  besides  the  implements  of  the  work  on  which  the  inmate 
is  engaged.     I  observed  no  want  of  neatness,  air,  or  comfort 


^T.  55.  DE  toqueville;  guizot.  341 

iu  the  cells.  The  books  for  religious  instruction  consisted 
chief!  J  of  extracts  from  the  New  Testament,  which  the  boy  a 
get  by  heart,  and  Romish  Catechisms.  We  visited  many  of 
the  boys  in  their  cells,  some  of  them  very  young,  ranging 
from  twelve  to  eighteen  years.  It  may  appear  somewhat 
strange,  but  it  is  no  more  than  the  truth,  that  as  far  as  we 
could  judge,  they  seemed,  without  exception,  healthy  and 
happy.  I  must  say  it  is  an  excellent  specimen  of  the  separate 
sj'stem,  however  tyrannical  so  long  an  imprisonment  may  be. 

In  the  evening  we  dined  with  our  kind  friends  the  Pelets, 
meeting  the  old  Countess,  Charles  Malet  and  his  mother, 
General  Meynadier,  and  Admiral  Baudin,  Directeur  des 
JBagnes  (galleys,)  at  Toulon  —  a  man  of  high  station,  who 
was  converted  from  Popery  and  has  become  quite  serious. 

After  dinner,  several  persons  joined  the  company,  the 
most  interesting  of  whom  were  De  Toqueville,  the  American 
traveller,  a  small,  intelligent,  benevolent,  lively  Frenchman, 
and  his  friend  Beaumont,  a  fine-looking,  energetic  young  man, 
much  disposed  to  be  useful  to  his  fellow-men.  They  are  both 
deputies,  of  high  reputation,  much  interested  in  the  cause  of 
prison  reform  and  anti-slavery.  Beaumont  informed  me  that 
the  Parliamentary  Commission  had  made  much  use  of  my 
Winter  in  the  West  Indies.  The  evening  was  an  interest- 
ing one,  and  I  hope  was  productive  of  some  good.  It  seems 
to  have  left  a  good  impression  on  our  friends.  Yet  it  would 
have  been  satisfs^ctory,  could  we  have  arrived  at  somewhat 
more  of  quietness  and  solemnity.  These  blessings  we  have 
enjoyed,  through  mercy,  rather  richly,  at  our  meeting  this 
morning;  some  twenty  or  thirt;y  persons  present;  many  greatly 
affected.     We  vvere  all  three  engaged  in  ministry. 

4:th  mo.,  SOth.  On  fifth  day  (the  27th)  we  went  to  dine 
with  Guizot,  who  received  us  with  great  politeness  and  kind- 
ness. His  mother  and  children  were  of  the  party,  also 
llosine  Chabaud,  Direefeur  de  la  Bibliotheque  Royah,  and 
our  kind  friend  the  Due  de  Broglie. 

We  stayed  rather  more  than  two  hours,  during  which 
we  had  a  good  deal  of  free  conversation  with  him.  Our  main 
topics    were  —  first,    the    Abolition    of  Slavery;    second,  the 


342  PARIS.  1843 

Preservation  of  Peace ;  and  third,  Religious  Liberty.  We 
did  not  learn  from  him  that  it  M'as  the  intention  of  Govern- 
ment to  act  fully  on  the  projet  de  hi  proposed  by  the  Cora- 
mission  ;  but  he  assured  us,  that  the  subject  of  abolition 
would  be  duly  brought  forward  at  the  commencement  of  the 
next  session,  and  that  the  children  under  seven  years  of  age 
would  be  set  free.  It  seemed  as  if  he  could  not  encourage 
much  hope  beyond  this,  except  in  the  way  of  amelioration. 
We  thought  he  spoke  with  sincerity,  on  the  subject,  and  that 
he  truly  feels  with  us ;  but  there  can  be  little  doubt  he  has 
difficulties  both  in  the  cabinet  and  from  the  throne.  On  the 
subject  of  peace  he  spoke  decidedly;  saying,  that  there  was 
far  less  danger  of  any  interruption  of  it,  than  was  the  case 
when  Ave  were  here  two  years  ago.  He  also  spoke  decidedly 
on  the  point  of  religious  liberty,  declaring  his  own  opinion, 
in  opposition  to  the  general  sentiment  of  the  Protestants, 
that  it  is  making  progress,  and  will  advance  more  and  more. 
He  seemed  fully  to  agree  in  our  view  of  the  advantages  de- 
rived to  a  nation,  from  freedom  of  thought  and  action  on  the 
subject,  and  from  dissent.  This  stirring  of  the  waters  is  the 
means  of  driving  people  to  a  deeper  consideration  and  feeling 
of  those  main  principles  of  religion,  on  which  the  welfare  of 
the  community  essentially  depends.  Josiah  Forster  spoke  in 
the  plainest  manner  on  the  Tahiti  case  and  its  radical  in- 
justice ;  which  Guizot  did  not  attempt  to  deny,  but  adverted 
to  parallel  instances  in  the  conduct  of  Great  Britain.  He  said, 
however,  that  the  facts  had  been  exaggerated ;  that  the 
forcible  interference  of  the  French  had  been  without  the 
authority  of  the  Government ;  and  that  the  Protestant 
missionaries  will  be  left  at  their  full  liberty ;  that  we  need  not 
alarm  ourselves  on  the  subject.  For  my  own  part,  I  fully 
believe  it  is  a  bad  case.  The  very  fact  of  Tahiti's  becoming  a 
station  for  French  troops,  together  with  the  probability  that 
this  military  force  will  play  into  the  hands  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  priesthood  there  established,  seem  to  leave  but  little 
Iiope  for  the  Protestant  mission,  or  for  the  true  moral  and 
religious  welfare  of  the  aborigines. 

I  had  much  agreeable  conversation  with  Guizot's  mother, 


^T.  55.  PAKis.  S43 

who  is  evidently  a  mature  and  lively  Christian.  There  was  a 
hright  glow  diffused  over  the  occasion,  and  we  parted  under 
the  feelings  of  friendship. 

Sixth  day  was  one  of  great  interest,  and  I  think  I  may  add, 
of  some  importance.  A  company  of  our  friends,  interested  in 
prisons,  assembled  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  breakfast, 
some  of  them  very  interesting  persons.  They  were  Moreau 
Christophe  and  Bluet,  inspectors,  the  latter  an  architect,  and 
oceupe  des  bdtiments;  De  Toqueville,  Beaumont,  and  Remusat, 
deputies,  and  active  and  interested  members  of  the  prison  com- 
mittee of  the  house ;  Remusat,  late  Minister  of  the  Interior, 
also  an  active  agent  of  the  government  in  these  matters. 
These  gentlemen  were  joined  by  Le  Chevalier,  Direetrice 
Gr^nirale  des  Prisons  de  France  pour  les  Femmes,  who  came 
with  our  friend  E.  Malet.  They  were  all  present  at  our  usual 
reading  of  the  Scriptures.  After  breakfast  we  had  a  good 
open  discussion  on  prisons,  and  on  the  new  p>^'ojet  de  loi, 
Mhich  proposes  to  enact  the  cellular  or  separate  system  for 
all  the  prisons  in  France.  The  idea  is  to  isolate  the  criminals 
from  each  other,  but  not  from  those  who  can  help  and  do 
them  good  ;  solitude  with  a  variety  of  helps  and  alleviations, 
of  which  the  youths  in  the  prison  of  La  Roquette  already 
afford  a  specimen.  I  have  digested  our  own  views  on  the 
subject,  specifying  the  various  alleviations  and  accompani- 
ments of  the  system  which  we  deem  necessary,  in  a  paper 
addressed  to  our  friend  De  Toqueville.  With  him,  Beaumont, 
and  Remusat,  I  was  greatly  pleased ;  they  may  truly  be  said 
to  be  fine  men,  intellectual,  liberal,  ardent,  highly  talented. 
0  that  pure  religion  might  master  them  all !  Moreau 
Christophe  is  also  an  interesting  man.  As  far  as  we  know 
they  are  all  Roman  Catholics.  In  the  evening  we  had  a 
large  and  highly  interesting,  company  at  our  hotel,  including 
the  Greek  Ambassador,  Colletti,  and  about  thirty  young 
Greeks,  students,  and  others.  It  was  a  truly  animating 
occasion.  After  the  party  w^as  seated  I  made  a  short  speech 
in  French,  with  a  view  of  stimulating  them  in  the  pui'suit  of 
literature,  virtue,  and  religion.  My  sister  then  addressed 
them  by  the  help  of  the  Due  de  Broglie's  kind  interpretation  ; 


344  PARIS.  1843. 

also  Josiali  Forster ;  and  some  of  the  Greelcs  themselves  spoke 
in  answer  to  our  inquiries  on  the  state  of  education,  books, 
&c. ;  highly  pleased  and  animated  they  seemed  to  be ;  many  of 
them  Avere  from  Greece  proper;  others  from  the  Turkish 
dominions.  We  concluded  by  reading  Acts  xvii,  the  visit  ol 
Paul  to  Athens,  &c.  ;  after  -which,  I  had  a  little  to  express  in 
ministry.  Numerous  little  books  were  then  distributed,  and 
our  intelligent,  ardent,  and  apparently  high-minded  guests, 
expressed  their  hearty  pleasure  and  gratitude  on  leaving  us. 
I  trust  this  labour  of  love  was  not  in  vain. 

4:th  mo.,  SOth.  I  may  record  ■with  humble  gratitude  the 
privileges  of  the  Sabbath  day  -which  is  just  past.  It  ^\'as 
certainly  a  day  of  much  favour.  [After  our  meeting  in  the 
morning  at  the  Faubourg  du  Roule,]  "we  repaired  at  four 
o'clock,  p.  M.,  to  the  exceilent  locale,  Rue  du  Phot,  No.  X,  for 
the  temporary  use  of  -which,  as  a  place  of  -worship,  v>e  have 
obtained  a  regular  authorization  from  the  Prefect  of  Police. 
About  100  persons  assembled,  among  them  about  fifteen 
young  Greeks.  It  -was,  through  mercy,  a  solemn,  favoured 
meeting.  I  knelt  down  soon  after  its  commencement,  and 
poured  forth  a  prayer  in  French ;  after  -which  my  sister 
addressed  the  company  in  a  very  lively  and  po-werful  manner ; 
first  the  serious,  and  next  the  worldly.  She  "was  -well  in- 
terpreted by  our  friend  Lucas.  I  was  afterwards  enabled  to 
preuch  with  some  degree,  I  trust,  of  life  and  clearness,  on  the 
divinity  of  Christ,  and  the  evidences  of  it  in  Scripture ;  and 
on  the  2;rand  doctrines  of  the  atonement,  and  the  work  of  the 
Spirit.  The  word  preached  seemed  to  be  well  understood, 
and  gladly  received.  A  few  observations  on  the  daily  reading 
of  Scripture  concluded  the  meeting,  which  was  accompanied  by 
a  blessed  feeling  of  solemnity  and  comfort.  Books  and  tracts 
were  distributed  in  the  ante-room. 

In  the  evening  we  had  a  large  company  of  the  English 
visitors  now  in  the  hotel,  with  whom  we  were  favoured  with 
a  solemn  reading  in  the  Epistle  to  the  Philippians,  and  my 
sister  was  engaged  in  prayer.  The  Coimtess  Pelet  dined  with 
MS  alone,  and  her  husband  afterwards  joined  the  circle.  We 
are  much  bound  to  them,  and  they  to  us,  in  Christian  love. 


♦ET.  55.  FRENCH    BIELE    SOCIETY.  845 

Third  day,  GtJi  mo.,  Ind.  At  noon,  Josiah  Forster  and  I 
repaired  to  the  Rue  du  Phot,  where  we  attended  a  crowded 
meeting  of  the  Society,  '•'' jpour  Us  interets  generaux  du 
Protesta7itisvie,"  Admiral  Verhueil  ia  the  chair.  The  report 
was  read  by  the  young  Count  Gasparin,  and  the  meeting  was 
afterwards  addressed  by  Frossard,  Monod,  Vermeil,  and  other 
pastors.  The  society  embraces  a  variety  of  objects ;  a  house 
of  study  and  protection  for  young  Protestant  students,  at  the 
Paris  culleges ;  the  formation  of  a  place  of  confinement  for 
young  Protestant  criminals,  and  the  condition  of  the  question 
of  religious  liberty.  I  was  happily  able  to  understand  the 
chief  part  of  what  was  spoken,  and  was  greatly  interested, 
especially  by  F.  Monod's  speech,  in  Avhich  the  subject  of 
leligious  liberty,  and  the  right  conduct  of  Christians  under 
persecution",  was  admirably  handled.  Josiah  Forster  concluded 
the  meeting  with  a  few  timely  sentences,  which  were  cordially 
received. 

In  the  evening  we  had  a  large  company  of  Greeks.  Our 
object  was  to  form  an  association  for  the  translation,  printing, 
and  diffusion  of  useful  little  books,  moral,  religious,  and 
literary,  for  the  use  of  Greece.  I  hope  the  seed  of  such 
a  society  was  sown,  but  the  speaking  was  rather  rapid  and 
confusing ;  a  sweet  solemnity  was  afterwards  felt  in  the  read- 
ing of  Psalm  xc. 

Fourth  day,  5th  7no.,  Srd.  Attended  the  meeting  of  the 
Protestant  Bible  Society,  at  the  Oratoire.  It  was  a  large 
meeting,  but  by  no  means  equalling  that  of  the  day  before  in 
interest.  Both  Josiah  Forster  and  I  spoke.  I  told  tliem  of 
our  experience  in  Norfolk,  (their  distribution  was  only  5000 
for  the  year  in  all  France,)  and  recommended  the  plan  of 
Bible  associations. 

5th  mo.,  5th.  The  meeting  of  the  French  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society.  It  was  well  attended;  Colonel  Tronchiu^ 
in  the  chair.  Count  Delaborde  read  the  report.  I  spoke 
third,  after  a  good  enlightening  speech  from  Pressense, 
and  dwelt  on  the  two  great  points  in  the  Bible  Society, 
iSimplieit^'  de  but — the  whole  Bible  and  the  Bible  only,  and 
Catholicity  in   principle — so  that  all  the  friends  of  genuine 


346  PARIS.  1843 

Christianity  can  cordially  unite  in  it.  I  also  spoke  of 
the  most  successful  means  —  Bible  Associations.  On  this 
subject  I  was  followed  by  Chevalier  Eynard,  who  proposed  a 
definite  plan,  which  was  cordially  adopted  by  the  meeting,  of 
small  weekly  subscriptions.  In  the  evening  we  met  a  large 
company,  of  Protestants  chiefly,  at  the  house  of  my  sister's 
friend  Andrd,  the  wife  of  a  wealthy  banker ;  one  of  the  leading 
Protestant  families,  of  old  standing.  It  was  an  interesting 
scene,  and  gave  a  good  idea  of  the  texture  of  the  most 
respectable  French  society.  An  opportunity  was  kindly  given 
us  of  a  short  religious  communication  before  the  part}' 
separated.  I  expressed  a  few  sentences  in  French,  against 
conformity  to  the  world,  and  by  way  of  encouragement  in  the 
Christian  course  to  all  present,  and  on  the  preservation  of  unity. 
My  sister  followed  very  sweetly,  through  the  interpretation  of 
our  friend  Frossard,  and  the  people  seemed  full  of  love  towards 
us  on  our  departure. 

l)th  mo.^  Sth.  *  *  *  *  The  'pasteurs  from  town  and 
country  assembled  for  the  late  meetings,  came  to  a  dejuner  a 
la  fourchette,  32  or  33  in  number.  We  had  a  very  solemn 
reading  before  breakfast,  in  Ephesians  iv  and  vi.  After  which 
my  sister  spoke  well ;  and,  under  a  sweetly  constraining  influ- 
ence, I  was  led  to  pour  forth  my  prayers  for  them.  The 
cUjuner  was  orderly  and  agreeable.  At  the  suggestion  of  our 
dear  sister,  loved  and  honoured  as  she  is  amongst  them  all, 
the  2)a8teurs  from  various  parts  gave  us  an  account,  in  turn, 
of  four  points;  first  the  state  of  religion  in  their  own  flocks  ; 
second,  the  state  of  the  Roman  Catholics  in  the  neighbour- 
hood ;  third,  the  condition  of  the  schools ;  fourth,  the  state 
of  the  population  both  Protestant  and  Roman  Catholic,  as  it 
regards  the  distribution  of  the  Scriptures.  The  reports  were  in 
general,  though  with  some  decided  exceptions,  very  favourable 
as  to  the  revival  and  spread  of  vital  religion  among  the  Pro- 
testants. Some  spirituality  in  the  midst  of  forms  was  acknow- 
ledged as  having  been  observed  among  the  Romanists,  but 
the  general  account,  as  it  relates  to  them,  confirmed  the  idea 
of  the  increasing  influence  and  activity  of  th&  more  objection- 
able parts  of  the  system.     As  to  schools,  it  was  evident  that 


JET.  55.  MEETING    WITH    PROTESTANT    PASTORS.  347 

the  Roman  Catliolics  have  the  better  of  the  Protestants, 
making  a  great  point  of  having  able  masters,  and  other  ad- 
vantages which  superior  wealth  and  power  command.  Yet 
education  in  many  places  is  carefully  attended  to  by  the  Pro- 
testants, and  a  pious  minister  from  Orleans  described  a 
remarkable  visitation  of  the  Spirit  with  which  his  schools  had 
lately  been  favoured.  A  general  testimony  was  given,  that 
the  Protestant  population  is  well  supplied  with  the  Scriptures, 
and  a  door  for  the  reception  of  them  among  the  Roman 
Catholics  is  remarkably  kept  open  by  the  colporteurs.  Tasteur 
Vermeil,  of  Paris,  a  very  superior  man,  complained  much 
of  the  practice  prevailing  amon'jfst  decided  Protestants,  of 
attending  the  best  Roman  Catliolic  preaching,  which  is  so 
managed  as  to  attract  them  ;  the  gospel  being,  as  it  were, 
thrown  out  to  them  from  Romish  pulpits  as  a  bait.  In  the 
meantime  the  most  absurd  notions  are  in  some  places  circu- 
lated respecting  the  faith  of  the  Protestants.  An  excellent 
'•'  elder,"  an  advocate  from  Normandy,  I  believe,  spoke  of  the 
desirableness  of  spreading  pamphlets  declarative  of  their 
orthodox  faith,  in  those  truths  which  the  Roman  Catholics 
themselves  acknoAvledge,  but  without  controversy.  A  pastor 
present  expressed  his  anxiety  at  the  fact,  that  many  English, 
travelling  or  residing  in  France,  fall  under  Roman  Catholic 
influence,  and  become  converts  to  Popery.  My  sister  made 
yome  excellent  remarks  on  the  necessity  of  unity  amongst 
themselves,  and  charity  towards  all,  making  honourable  men- 
tion of  the  Methodists.  This  exhortation  to  love  and  unity 
was  well  confirmed  by  Josiah  Forster ;  who  supplied  the  com- 
pany abundantly  with  books,  particularly  my  works  on  the 
West  Indies,  Love  to  God,  and  on  the  Principles  of  Friends. 
I  made  some  observations  on  the  danger  and  disgrace  of  neology, 
and  the  necessity  of  a  firm  holding  of  the  fundamental  doctrine 
of  our  Lord's  divinity.  All  seemed  pleased,  satisfied,  and 
grateful.  Indeed  it  was  an  eminently  favoured  occasion,  one 
I  believe  which  will  long  be  held  in  remembrance. 

In  the  evening  Guizot  dined  with  us  alone.  We  had  much 
pleasant  and  useful  conversation  ivith  him  at  dinner  and  after- 
wards.    The  introdi^ction  of  the  New  Testament  into  prisons 


348  PARIS.  1843. 

was  one  topic  well  discussed,  ir)  whicii  he  promised  well,  and 
was  thoroughly  one  Avith  us  in  the  sentiment,  that  every  cell  in 
the  prisons  should  be  furnished  with  an  entire  copy,  ;ind  not 
merely  with  extracts.  We  had  much  convei'sation  on  religious 
liberty,  &c.  He  spoke  on  all  points  with  great  candour  and 
kindness,  and  as  far  as  I  could  judge  in  the  character  of  a 
Christian  statesman.  It  is  impossible  not  to  feel  a  warm  and 
hearty  regard  for  him. 

In  the  evening  of  sixth  day,  the  12th,  our  anti-slavery 
friends  assembled  at  the  hotel.  We  had  previously  spent  a 
morning  half  hour,  very  agreeably,  with  the  Due  de  Broglie, 
who  came  in  the  evening,  and  took  the  chair.  It  was  a  highly 
interesting  occasion,  present,  (besides  the  Due  de  B — ,)  de  Tracy, 
Lafayette,  (son  of  the  General,)  Carnot,  Thayer,  de  Toqueville, 
Isambert,  Odillou  Barrot,  Due  de  Harcourt,  St.  Antoine,  Passy, 
de  Pusy,  Lacrosse,  Hain,  Boger,  &c.,  in  all  eighteen.  After 
the  reading  of  a  communication  from  the  London  committee, 
I  addressed  them  on  the  Christian  fundamental  principles 
of  the  Anti-Slavery  Society,  and  on  the  subject  in  an  eco- 
nomic point  of  view,  endeavouring  to  correct  mistakes,  &c. 
Several  of  the  company  spoke.  The  Government  is  tO'  be 
questioned  in  the  Chamber  as  to  their*  intentions  respecting 
the  projet  de  hi,  and  when  they  will  bring  it  forward.  The 
first  step  has  certainly  been  taken  in  the  publication  of  the 
■projet,  and,  on  the  whole,  hope  prevails.  The  evening  was 
highly  animating  and  interesting.  I  was  particularly  pleased 
with  Odillon  Barrot,  whose  fine  noble  face  is  just  of  a  piece 
with  his  large  and  liberal  sentiments. 

bth  mo.,  13f7t.  We  were  refreshed  this  morning  with  tlie 
happy  intelligence,  that  dearest  J.  H.  and  Anna  were  safely 
arrived.     They  are  well,  and  it  is  a  great  joy  to  meet  again. 

An  interesting  call  from  L'abbe ,  who  openly  confessed  to 

rae  his  disbelief  in  many  of  the  absurdities  of  Popery,  pointing 
out,  in  plain  terms,  the  moral  dangers  both  of  celibacy  and  con- 
fession. He  wished,  however,  to  know  how  we  were  to  come 
at  unity  without  the  authoritative  dicta  of  the  church.  I  told 
liira  that,  on  all  essential  points,  the  Scriptures  are  sufficient 
as  an  exterior  standard ;  that,  on  minor  points,  difierences  are 


2ET.  55.  RELIGIOUS    ENGAGEMENTS.  349 

not  hurtfal,  rather  the  contrary;  and  that  as  to  true  unity,  it 
was  the  simple  result  of  our  being  baptized  by  one  Spirit  into 
one  body.  I  also  explained  to  him  the  grounds  on  which  we 
admit  the  preaching  of  women,  with  which  he  seemed  satisfied. 
I  felt  very  unequal  to  our  evening  party,  but  we  were 
mercifully  helped.  It  vv'as  very  large,  about  100  I  believe, 
including  Count  and  Countess  Pelet,  Baron  and  Baroness 
Mallet  and  family,  Charles  and  Louisa  Mallet,  Lafarclle  and 
his  wife.  General  Menaisier,  Vermeil,  Countess  Laystere,  (La- 
fayette's daughter,)  Lady  Isabella  Chabot  and  her  daughter, 
(ladies  to  the  Queen,)  and  Monod  our  interpreter.  It  was 
understood  to  be  a,  7-eimion  religieuse.  I  read  most  of  John  iii, 
and  afterwards  spoke  in  French  on  the  new  birth  and  on  faith 
in  Christ,  to  a  quiet  and  attentive  audience.  After  a  solemn 
pause,  my  dear  wife  addressed  the  assembly  with  great  clear- 
ness and  force,  on  the  words  of  Daniel  to  Belshazzar,  &c.,  then 
my  sister,  in  excellent  counsel  and  exhortation.  In  conclusion, 
prayer  devolved  on  me.  This  opportunity  has  afforded  us  great 
relief.  Many  Roman  Catholics  as  well  as  Protestants  were 
present,  and  it  was  a  solid  meeting.  My  wife's  faithful  address 
appeared  to  produce  a  great  impression. 

First  day,  bth  mo.,  l^th.  The  day  has  passed  off  to  our 
sati.sfaction.  The  Morning  Meeting  was  a  time  of  favour, 
but  not  quite  on  the  same  level  as  our  meeting  at  four  o'clock 
at  the  Rue  du  Phot,  which  was  largely  attended,  amongst 
others  by  De  Toqueville,  Moreau  Christophe,  Baron  Raget, 
the  Eynards,  many  of  the  Greeks,  &c.,  &:c.  I  spoke  at  length 
on  the  subject  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ;  the  means  of  entrance, 
the  baptism  of  the  Spirit ;  the  means  of  being  sustained  as 
members  of  this  kingdom,  "eating  the  flesh  and  drinking  the 
blood  of  Christ  spiritually.  A  full  answer  was  given  to  the 
question,  wdio  is  the  King  who  governs  this  kingdom,  and  how 
does  he  conduct  his  reign  ?  I  was  enabled  to  speak  with  much 
greater  facility  in  French,  than  on  any  former  occasion,  and 
was  afterwards  engaged  in  prayer  for  the  people  of  this  city 
and  country,  the  King  and  his  family,  &c.  My  sister  followed 
me  in  ministry  with  good  effect.  It  was,  on  the  whole,  a  time 
of  remarkable  relief.      Count  and  Countess  Pelet  dined  with 


350  PARIS.  1843. 

us.  In  the  evening  we  had  the  English  and  Americans  now  nt 
the  hotel,  a  large  company ;  and  a  truly  solemn  meeting  after 
the  reading  of  Matthew  x  and  xi.  A  gentleman  from  Liver- 
pool expressed  his  gratitude  in  a  very  touching  manner.  Thus 
the  visit  to  this  place  ends,  through  the  tender  mercy  of  our 
God,  with  the  best  wine. 

5fA  mo.,  IGtJi.  Our  intended  departure  for  Fontainbleau 
was  prevented  by  a  note  from  Guizot,  informing  us  of^the 
King's  intention  to  receive  us  the  next  morning.  Beranger, 
Peer  of  France,  a  pious  Roman  Catholic,  much  interested  in 
prisons,  called,  and  some  others.  In  the  evening  we  had  Count 
and  Countess  Pelet,  De  Toqueville  and  his  wife,  Moreau  Chris- 
tophe,  Yicomte  Dessonviile,  Lafarelle,  and  Monod  to  interpret. 
My  sister  wished  to  lay  before  them  her  view  of  the  evils  still 
prevalent  in  the  French  prisons.  It  was,  I  trust,  a  time  of 
useful  remark  and  discussion.  We  concluded,  with  reading 
a'  few  verses  in  John  xv,  after  which  I  preached  a  plain 
English  sermon  to  three  important  men — Pelet,  Christophe, 
and  de  Toqueville — -reminding  them  of  the  importance  of  their 
responsibilities  as  public  men,  and  of  the  only  principle  by 
which  they  could  be  enabled  to  perform  them  aright.  My 
sister  afterwards  presented  each  of  them  with  a  copy  of  the 
English  Bible  with  references.  Thus  our  staying  another  day 
at  Paris  did  not  seem  to  be  quite  in  vain. 

Fontainbleau,  5th  rao.,  17th. 

[This  morning^  we  went  in  our  carriage  with  post-horses  to 
Neuilly,  and  arrived  at  the  chateau  at  eleven  o'clock.  After  a 
short  waiting,  we  were  ushered  into  the  drawing-room,  where 
we  found  the  Queen  and  Princess  Adelaide  at  work  with  their 
ladies  ;  three  gentlemen  standing  in  attendance.  The  Queen 
looked  a  little  thinned  by  grief*  and  age  since  I  saw  her 
before,  but  was  very  kind  and  interesting.  Princess  Adelaide 
very  plain  and  simple  in  her  appearance,  with  all  the  air  of  a 
.tiuly  good  person.  The  King  soon  came  in,  and  gave  us  a 
gentlemanlike  welcome,  desiring  us  to  resume  our  seats,  and 

*  It  will  be  recollected  that  the  death  of  her  eldest  son,  the  Duke 
of  Orleans,  Lad  then  but  recently  occurred. 


MT.   55.    INTERVIEW  WITH  THE  KING  AND  QUEEN.       351 

sitting  by  us  in  a  sociable  way.  My  sister  spoke  to  bim  a 
little  on  tbe  state  of  bis  prisons,  of  tbe  dangers  of  tbe  proposed 
cellular  system,  and  on  tbe  necessity  of  its  alleviations.  I 
added  a  little,  describing  tbe  system  as  practised  at  Pbila- 
delpbia.  I  tben  spoke  of  tbe  West  Indies ;  referred  to  the 
diminution  of  produce  of  late  years,  explained  tbe  cause,  men- 
tioned tbe  favourable  cbangc  in  tbe  practice  of  tbe  planters, 
and  tbe  consequently  improved  state  of  things,  and  increasing 
production  of  sugar ;  also  tbe  good  behaviour  of  the  free  blacks 
in  Antigua,  who  bad  agreed  not  to  ask  higher  wages,  they 
being  paid  at  a  low  figure,  notwithstanding  the  increased  de- 
mand for  their  labour  arising  from  the  late  earthquake.  I 
told  tbe  King,  that,  since  I  bad  seen  bim  last,  I  had  conversed 
with  tbe  Kings  of  Holland  and  of  Denmark,  who  were  looking 
to  France  for  an  example,  and  pressed  on  him  tbe  great  duty  of 
abolition  as  far  as  I  could.  He  seemed  to  me  to  be  devoid  of 
prejudice  against  tbe  measure,  but  pleaded  tbe  usual  difficulty, 
'■'C'est  Vargent.''  I  hope,  however,  that  some  impression  was 
made.  My  dear  wife  tben  asked  for  silence.  This  was  readily 
granted,  and  she  was  enabled  with  great  clearness  and  force 
to  address  them ;  expressing  her  desire,  that  the  best  of 
blessings  might  descend  upon  tbe  King  and  Queen,  and 
upon  all  the  royal  fiimily ;  assuring  them  that  her  heart 
liad  been  touched  by  the  remcmbrarice,  that  even  Kings  and 
Princes  are  not  exempt  from  tbe  common  lot  of  humanity ; 
and,  adverting  to  the  bitter  draught  of  adversity,  of  which 
they  had  so  largely  partaken,  she  reminded  them  of  tbe  de- 
claration of  Scripture,  that  the  Lord  doth  not  willingly  afflict, 
nor  grieve  the  children  of  men,  but  that  his  mercy  is  "  from 
everlasting  to  everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  him,  and  his 
righteousness  unto  children's  children,  to  such  as  keep  his 
covenant,  and  to  those  that  remember  his  commandments  to 
do  them." 

Tbe  impression  made  was  great ;  and  all  tbe  three  royal 
personages  warmly  expressed  their  gratitude  for  this  "prayer," 
as  the  King  called  it.  My  sister  Fry  followed  shortly  in  sweet 
expressions  of  her  sympathy';  and  of  her  desire  that  these  light 
afflictions,  which  are  but  for  a  moment,  might  be  so  received 


352  JOURNEY  FROM  PARIS.  1843. 

on  their  parts,  as  to  work  out  for  them  a  far  more  exceeding 
and  eternal  "weight  of  glorv.  I  then  tohl  them  that  in  our  last 
meeting  in  Paris  I  had  been  led  to  pray  publicly  for  the  King 
and  Queen  of  the  French,  that  they  might  be  permitted,  in  due 
season  to  exchange  their  temporal  crown  for  one  eternal,  un- 
fadinjr,  and  full  of  glorv.  This  seemed  to  touch  them.  "Ah  ! 
that  is  the  only  crown,"  said  the  Queen.  Before  we  separated, 
I  spoke  to  the  King  on  the  subject  of  peace,  and  told  him  how 
much  he  lived  in  the  hearts  of  Englishmen,  in  his  known 
character  of  the  patron  of  peace.  He  cordially  responded  to 
this  view,  adding,  that  when  he  Avas  resident  in  America,  his 
f;xvourite  toast  was  "a  speedy  and  general  peace."  He  well  re- 
membered attending  a  Friends'  meeting  in  Philadelphia,  "some 
fifty  years  ago,  before  you  were  born,"  said  he,  addressing  my 
wife.  He  shook  hands  warmly  with  us  on  onr  departure,  and 
Ave  returned  to  our  hotel,  with  very  pleasing  impressions  re- 
specting those  Tr'hom  we  had  just  visited,  and  in  much  peace. 

Joseph  John  Giirney,  with  his  wife  and  daughter, 
now  pursued  their  journey  towards  the  south  of 
France  and  Svritzerland,  leaving  Elizabeth  Fry  and 
her  daughter  still  engaged  in  Paris. 

bth  mo.,  Idth.  Comfortable  journey  through  Burgundy,  &c., 
from  .Fontainbleau  to  Auxerre ;  the  country  abounding  in 
vineyards,  and  divided  into  innumerable  small  strips,  the 
eifect,  as  I  suppose,  of  the  law  of  division  of  property.  It  seems 
very  doubtful  whether  this  laAV  tends  to  the  moral  and  social 
improvement  of  the  community.  It  is  not  exactly  natural, 
and  impedes  the  course  of  human  industry,  talent,  and  zeal. 
Yet  it  must  be  owned,  that  the  people  seem  to  be  very  much 
at  their  ease. 

5th  mo.,  22nd.  [From  Chalons  sur  Saone]  an  agreeable 
journey  by  the  banks  of  the  beautiful  Saone  brought  us  first 
to  Tournus,  Avbere  an  instituteur  (Thierry)  performs  the  part 
of  pasteiw  to  a  flock  of  Protestants,  (about  1.^0.)  chiefly  poor 
converted  Roman  Catholics,  in  the  town  and  neighbourhood. 
His  school  was  pretty  fair,  and  I  have  no  doubt  he  is  doing 


JET.  56.  TO    LYONS.  '  353 

much  good  izi  a  very  simple  way.  I  hesitated  whether 
I  ought  not  to  stop  for  a  meeting,  hut  felt  impelled  to  go  on, 
though  there  seemed  little  prohahility  of  obtaining  a  meeting 
at  Macon,  two  stages  further,  to  which  I  had  been  looking. 
There,  however,  we  arrived  about  five  o'clock,  at  the  comfort- 
able Hotel  de  I'Europe,  and  soon  obtained  an  interview  with 
Zipperlin,  a  German  by  birth,  the  pasfeur  of  a  flock  of  about 
300  Protestants  here,  chiefly  gathered  from  among  the  Roman 
Catholics.  He  is  a  man  in  early  middle  life,  of  warm  heart, 
sound  principles,  and  good  talents.  He  agreed  to  summon  his 
flock  for  the  evening  at  eight  o'clock,  or  such  of  them  as  could 
be  obtained;  promising  some  twenty  or  thirty.  But  on  our 
arrival  at  the  truly  simple  and  unadorned  chapel,  we  found 
about  100  decent  persons  assembled;  the  men  as  numerous  as 
the  women:  Zipperlin  went  through  his  own  service  (simple 
and  lively  in  its  way)  of  a  short  hymn,  short  prayer,  chapter 
in  Scripture — 1  John,  iii,  and  a  few  remarks,  in  which  he  kindly 
introduced  us,  speaking  in  the  true  spirit  of  a  Christian  brother. 
We  kept  our  seats  quietly  the  while.  He  then  requested 
silence  on  our  behalf.  After  a  comfortable  pause,  I  rose,  and 
was  enabled  to  address  the  congregation,  in  French,  under  some 
precious  feeling  of  the  unction  which  qualifies ;  showing  the 
characteristics  of  the  true  church ;  the  necessary  means  of 
entrance  into  it ;  the  nature  and  operation  of  saving  faith  in 
Christ ;  the  sanctifying  influence  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  necessity 
of  walking  worthy  of  our  vocation ;  the  race  here,  the  prize 
hereafter.  My  dear  wife  spoke  afterwards  with  much  sweet- 
ness, and  I  felt  true  peace  in  interpreting  for  her.  The  meet- 
ing concluded  with  prayer. 

Lyons,  5tli  mo.,  27tli. 

Our  way  has  gradually  opened  here,  I  hope,  to  useful  and 
important  service ;  but  it  has  been  a  time  of  some  bodily 
indisposition,  and  of  much  weight  of  religious  exei-cise ; 
perhaps,  I  might  say,  secret  depression  and  conflict  of  mind. 
The  state  of  things  in  this  place,  in  a  religious  point  of  view,  is 
decidedly  interesting.    The  Roman  Catholics  are  in  great  force, 

Vol.  II.  — 23 


Sol  •  LYONS.  1843. 

and  very  zealous  and  determined.  The  Jesuits  have  the  sway 
:imongst  thera,  and  Lyons  is  the  eentre  of  the  vast  penny-a- 
weck  subscription  which  is  now  regularly  raised  by  the  Romish 
population  of  France  for  the  propagation  of  their  faith.  So 
much  greater  is  the  zeal  of  Lyons  than  of  Paris,  that  whereas 
the  latter,  with  her  million  of  inhabitants,  raised  80,000  francs 
last  year,  Lyons,  vfith.  230,000  inhabitants,  raised  140,000 
francs.  We  are  told  that  there  is  a  great  deal  of  sincere  piety 
amongst  them  ;  that  many  are  seeking  rest  for  their  souls  ;  and 
several  hundreds  have  been  converted  by  evangelical  preaching 
who  novr  regularly  attend  the  evangelical  chapel.  The  Pro- 
testants, about  10,000  in  number,  are,  for  the  most  part,  dead 
and  negligent  in  religion,  attentling  no  place  of  worship,  and 
buried  in  the  world.  There  is  a  considerable  congregation,  of 
the  more  respectable  classes,  who  meet  at  the  "  Temple,"  under 
the  care  of  the  Consistory  and  pasteur  Buisson,  and  his  col- 
leagues, who  are  opposed  to  evangelical  religion.  Adolphe  Monod, 
who,  after  his  conversion,  boldly  preached  the  gospel  among  them, 
was  finally  excluded.  This  led  to  the  formation  of  the  little 
evangelical  church,  which  has  been  gradually  increasing  ever 
since ;  and  now  they  have  an  excellent  chapel,  which  will  hold 
nearly  1000  people.  These  are  chiefly  converts  from  the  lower 
classes  of  the  Roman  Catholics  ;  simple-hearted,  and  well  affect- 
ed ;  many  of  them,  it  is  hoped.  Christians  indeed.  The  minis- 
try of  this  chapel  is  conducted  by  three  pasteurs,  Cordes,  Fische, 
and  Laught ;  Adolphe  Monod  having  removed  several  years 
since  to  ]\Iontauban,  where  he  is  one  of  the  professors. 

On  fourth  day,  (the  24th)  j^^^steur  Cordes,  who  has  been 
long  in  England,  called  upon  us,  and  gave  us  heartily  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship.  The  widow  Evesque,  to  whom  we 
had  brought  a  letter,  and  who  lives  at  a  beautiful  place  in  the 
country,  came  to  us  soon  afterwards.  We  were  much  pleased 
with  them  both.  In  the  eA^ening,  pasteur  Cordes  accompanied 
us  to  the  chapel,  it  being  their  regular  night  of  service ;  but 
in  consequence  of  violent  rain,  only  about  sixty  people  were 
present.  After  the  usual  service — short  and  simple — Fische, 
who  presided,  introduced  me  to  the  people,  and,  after  a  short 
silence,  I  addressed  them  for  more  than  half  an  hour,  on  the 


^T.  55.  LYONS.  355 

true  scope,  freedom,  and  spirituality  of  the  gospel.  I  was 
afterwards  eiiga,ged  in  prayer.  The  people  seemed  very  loving, 
and  we  retired  to  rest  with  a  measure  of  peace  and  joy  in 
the  Lord. 

On  fifth  day,  (the  25th,)  we  drove  to  the  widow  Evesque's 
country  house,  and  dined  with  her  at  three  o'clock ;  the 
garden  and  views  of  Lyons,  from  the  hill  on  which  the 
house  stands,  are  lovely.  We  met  Cordes  and  his  wife,  and 
enjoyed  ourselves  at  a  thorough  French  dinner,  as  much  as 
the  prospect  of  another  meeting  in  the  evening  would  permit ; 
a  short  religious  opportunity  after  dinner.  At  the  chapel,  in 
the  evening,  we  found  a  much  larger  congregation ;  from  300 
to  400  people,  perhaps.  I  first  clearly  explained  our  view  of 
the  ministry,  and  how  impossible  it  was  for  me  to  preach 
without  the  right  qualification.  After  a  solemn  silence,  I 
poured  forth  prayer  under  some  enlivening  touches  of  a 
divine  unction ;  and  was  afterwards  much  engaged  in  preaching 
the  gospel,  for  which  strength  and  clearness  were  given.  I 
was  led  particularly  to  dwell  on  the  true  character  of  the  One 
church  of  God,  and  of  the  importance  of  neither  adding  to 
the  simple  religion  of  the  New  Testament,  nor  taking  any 
thing  from  it.  Love  and  peace  seemed  to  flow  abundantly  at 
the  close  of  the  meeting.  The  people  were  very  cordial,  and, 
once  again,  we  retired  to  rest  with  peaceful  and  thankful 
hearts. 

On  sixth  day,  (the  21st,)  we  took  two  interesting  walks  in 
the  course  of  the  morning;  one  to  the  Rhone,  a  splendid  river, 
seen,  even  here,  with  a  frame-work  of  mountains ;  the  other, 
to  the  chapel  of  the  Yirgiu  Mary,  at  the  top  of  a  neighbouring 
hill,  which  innumerable  pilgrims  visit,  and  there  deposit  their 
absurd  little  pictures,  and  waxen  images  of  the  parts  of  their 
bodies  for  which  they  require  healing.  The  whole  chapel  is 
hung  with  these  offerings,  and  with  idolatrous  inscriptions  in 
verse  and  prose  to  the  Virgin.  Nothing  can  be  more  distinctly 
Pagan  than  the  whole  aff'air.  Yet  there  was. an  appearance  of 
unmoved  and  statue-like  devotion  in  some  of  the  people  who 
were  kneeling  on  the  floor.  Over  the  door-way  is  an  inscrip- 
tion, in  which   the   people    of  Lyons   publicly   ascribe   their 


Z56  LYONS.  1843. 

preservation  from  cholera,  on  two  occasions,  to  the  intercession 
of  Marj.  From  the  top  of  the  observatoiy,  hard  by  this 
temple  of  Diana,  we  enjoyed  a  splendid  view  of  this  great 
city ;  of  the  course  of  the  Saone  and  Rhone,  and  of  their 
junction ;  of  a  vast  tract  of  fertile  country,  clad  in  the  green- 
ness of  the  early  summer ;  and  of  the  snow-clad  Alps  in  the 
distance,  our  first,  and  not  to  be  forgotten,  sight  of  these 
glorious  mountains.  Through  the  telescope  we  minutely 
examined  some  Roman  remains  at  a  distance — two  aqueducts, 
and  a  small  temple  built  in  honour  of  Augustus. 

First  day,  5th  mo.,  28tJi.  A  memorable  day,  for  which  we 
have  reason  to  be  very  thankful.  The  services  of  it  flowed  on 
in  tlieir  own  course,  under  what,  I  humbly  believe,  was  divine 
guidance.  First  our  own  little,  quiet,  solemn  meeting  at  ten 
o'clock.  I  then  went,  somewhat  refreshed,  to  the  Evangelical 
chapel,  where  I  found  a  very  considerable  congregation.  I 
took  and  kept  my  seat  quietly ;  Laught  was  preaching.  After 
he  had  ended,  an  opportunity  was  kindly  given  me  of  taking 
my  farewell,  which  I  was  enabled  to  do  under  a  sweet 
solemnity — "  Finally,  brethren,  farewell,  be  perfect,"  &c.  I 
visited  the  library  attached  to  the  chapel ;  attended  and 
stirred  up  a  little  committee  for  distributing  the  Bible;  and 
then,  under  the  friendly  guidance  of  one  of  the  brethren, 
found  my  way  to  the  neat  apartment  of  Gezler,  a  sick  man. 
I  had  a  precious  sitting  in  that  family ;  they  seemed  to  be 
truly  spiritually-minded  people.  After  a  good  rest  at  the 
hotel,  I  again  went  to  the  chapel  to  be  present  at  the  end  of 
the  English  Church  service  :  about  ten  persons  present. 
Collins,  sent  by  the  Colonial  Society,  the  clergyman.  He 
kindly  allowed  me  to  address  his  tiny  flock,  which  I  did, 
calling  them  to  a  watchful  walk  before  men.  I  afterwards 
mvited  them  to  our  evening  meeting  at  the  hotel.  This  waa 
lield  at  seven  o'clock,  and  proved  a  highly  satisfactory  occasion. 
Buisson  had  given  notice  of  it  in  the  "Temple."  Both  our 
large  rooms  were,  crowded.  I  first  addressed  them  shortly  on 
the  slave  trade  and  slavery,  and  on  the  right  management  of 
prisoners.  I  then  read  Psalm  ciii,  after  which  we  fell  into 
silence.     This  .was  broken  by  my  dear  wife,  who  spoke  with 


^T.  55.  ,  PROGRESS   TO   AVIGNON'.  357 

great  clearness  and  effect,  pleading  foi*  sound,  simple,  practical 
religion ;  interpreted  for  by  our  young  friend  Perrin.  After 
slie  had  concluded,  and  a  short  silence  had  intervened,  I  was 
enabled  to  preach  the  gospel  at  some  length,  unfolding  the 
subject  of  Christianity,  as  calculated,  in  its  several  parts,  to 
excite  the  strongest  motives  of  the  human  mind — fear,  hope, 
love — showing  that  the  grand  peculiarities  of  the  truth  as  it 
is  in  Jesus,  were  absolutely  essential.  The  meeting  closed  in 
much  solemnity.  A  few  of  our  friends  stayed  with  us  after- 
wards, and  very  sweet  was  the  love  which  bound  us  together. 
The  day  ended  in  much  peace,  and  in  the  feeling  that  our  work 
at  Lyons  was  finished. 

Avignon,  5th  mo.,  31st. 

We  took  the  boat  from  Lyons  about  nine  o'clock,  and 
enjoyed  a  delightful  voyage  to  this  place ;  the  river  magnifi- 
cent, the  weather  delightful,  and  the  scenery  pleasing,  but  not 
so  picturesque  as  north  of  Valence.  Our  readings  and  con- 
versations in  the  steamer  were  satisfactory,  with  some  distribu- 
tion of  tracts  ;  the  people,  as  usual,  amiable  and  easy  to  please. 
On  board,  amongst  others,  were  Gerandi,  late  member  of  the 
chamber  of  deputies,  and  superintendent  of  the  king's  private 
demesnes  ;  Senateur  Harrier,  of  Frankfort,  much  occupied 
about  prisons,  and  bent,  like  others  on  the  continent,  on  the 
cellular  system  ;  also  Vahhe  Cocquereau,  v/ho  went  to  St.  Helena 
to  fetch  the  remains  of  Napoleon  ;  a  very  lively  personage.  He 
assured  me,  that  when  they  opened  the  colEn  of  Napoleon,  his 
countenance  and  person  were  in  perfect  preservation,  exactly 
like  those  portraits  of  him  to  which  one  is  accustomed.  I  asked 
him  if  it  was  true,  that  the  Emperor  became  religious  before  he 
died.  This  he  fully  confirmed,  having,  as  he  said,  received  from 
those  who  were  with  him  full  evidence  of  it.  The  Emperor  de- 
clared he  v/as  of  the  Apostolic  Roman  Catholic  Church  ;  order- 
ed an  altar  to  be  prepared  {dt-essc)  for  him  in  spite  of  Bertrand's 
unwillingness  ;  confessed  to  a  priest,  who  spent  many  hours 
in  private  with  hira  shortly  before  he  died  ;  received  the  com- 
munion, extreme  unction,  and  other  forms  of  that  church.  1 
inquired  whether  all  this  was  matter  of  form,  or  whether  he 


358  AVIGNON.  1843. 

really  confessed  his  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  as  the  Saviour  of  the 
•world.  The  Abbe  declared  that  he  did  so  fully  and  clearly. 
What  amount  of  satisfaction  one  ought  to  feel  in  such  a  case,  I 
know  not.  The  most  satisfactory  feature  would  have  been  deep 
repentance  for  his  many  sins,  and  especially  for  the  unmeasured 
and  unmeasurable  shedding  of  blood.  The  old  palace  of  the 
Popes  has  an  imposing  appearance  as  we  approach  this  interest- 
ing old  city  by  the  Rhone.  The  warmth  and  pleasantness  of 
the  air,  and  beautiful  verdure  of  elms,  planes,  &c.,  give  a  new- 
feeling  of  life  to  us.  It  was  here  and  in  this  hotel,  (the  Hotel 
de  I'Europe,)  that  my  beloved  young  brother-in-law,  Robert 
Fowler,  died  of  a  violent  fever,  which  he  appears  to  have  caught 
in  Spain.  In  the  evening,  we  drove  to  the  Cemetery,  and  saw 
the  peaceful  spot,  marked  by  a  simple  stone  bearing  his  name, 
and  shadowed  by  four  young  cypress  trees,  where  his  remains 
are  deposited.  It  was  to  me  a  touching  spectacle,  full  of 
remembrances,  at  once  happy  and  melancholy.  *  *  * 

^th  mo.,  2>lst.  Pierron  the  landlord,  and  his  wife,  gave  us 
an  interesting  account  of  dear  Robert's  illness  and  death. 
Pierron  read  the  Scriptures  to  him,  which  appears  to  have  been 
very  satisfactory.  He  was  remarkably  patient  and  resigned; 
but  did  not  give  up  the  hope  of  recovery  until  the  last  day. 
Almost  always  in  the  attitude  of  contemplation  and  mental 
prayer.  Poor  fellow  I  he  seems  to  have  been  most  kindly 
attended  to  by  these  dear  people ;  and  there  is  a  sweet  feeling 
over  my  mind  that  his  soul  rests  in  Jesus. 

AVe  have  been  visiting  the  old  palace  of  the  Popes,  where  w« 
had  some  serious  conversation  with  a  few  of  the  soldiers,  for 
it  is  now  the  barracks.  An  old  lady  showed  us  the  dungeons. 
salle  de  jugemens,  and  places  of  torture,  used  under  the 
Popes,  in  the  Inquisition.  On  the  wall  of  one  of  the  dun- 
geons were  several  inscriptions  graven  by  the  poor  sufferers. 
One  was  "the  truth  of  God  shall  endure  for  ever  and  ever," 
in  Latin.  The  place  where  they  were  burned  was  also  shown 
to  us ;  the  station  of  the  wheel ;  the  furnace  for  branding ; 
the  stone  vessel  in  which  they  were  plunged  into  boiling 
water,  &;c.     Also  the  chamber  in  which  eightv-four  aristocrats 


MT.  55.  AVIGNON.  359 

were  decapitated  under  Robespierre;  the  traces  of  their  Ijlood 
pointed  out,  &;c.  How  far  these  scenes  of  honoi-  vici\' 
exaggerated  to  us,  I  know  not;  but,  I  fear,  there  is  much  of 
truth  in  the  awful  recitah  The  chateau  was  partl}^  demolished 
at  the  time  of  the  Revolution.  A  pleasant  visit  to  the  Hotel 
des  Invalides,  where  we  found  Bonaparte's  old  soldiers,  enjoy- 
ing themselves  under  the  deli<rhtful  shade  of  the  avenues  of 
the  gardens.  We  declared  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  to 
several  little  companies  of  them,  and  appeared  to  be  pretty 
well  understood.  Afterwards,  I  called  on  a  lady  named  Imer, 
the  aunt,  by  marriage,  of  Frank  Courtois,  of  Toulouse, 
evidently  an  enlightened  and  pious  woman. 

It  was  nearly  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  when  the  Pasteur 
Frossard  accompanied  us  to  his  school-room,  where  we  found 
about  fifty  people  assembled,  as  many  as  the  room  would 
contain ;  numbers,  both  Roman  Catholics  and  Protestants, 
had  been  sent  away  for  want  of  room.  We  sat  together  for  a 
time  in  solemn  silence  ;  after  which  I  rose  with  the  words, 
"  Fear  not,  little  flock;  for  it  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure 
to  give  you  the  kingdom."  It  was  a  solemn  occasion,  ending 
iu  fervent  prayer.  Several  there  seemed  truly  grateful,  and 
all  of  them  warm  and  hearty. 

Nismes,  6tli  mo.,  1st. 

[Before  leaving  Avignon  this  morning]  we  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  religious  intercourse  with  our  truly  kind  and  piou!^ 
host  and  hostess  of  the  Hotel  de  I'Europe.  They  are  full  of 
tender  recollections  of  my  dear  brother,  whose  grave  we  have 
now  left,  cleared  of  weeds  and  covered  with  turf,  under  the 
pleasant  shade  of  the  four  young  cypress  trees.  We  parted 
from  these  kind  friends  in  Christian  love.  Afterwards  a  little 
party  of  Protestants  called  upon  us  ;  Frossard,  Gebhard  and 
his  wife,  our  friend  Imer,  and  others;  with  whom  we  read 
Gal.  v,  and  after  the  subsequent  silence,  we  were  both  led 
into  ministry.  A  real  solemnity  was  over  us ;  and  love  and 
peace  seemed  to  flow  sweetly  at  the  close  of  this  affecting 
and  interesting  visit  to  Avignon.  On  our  way  to  Nismes,  wc 
visited  that  splendid  relic  of  Roman  architecture,  the  Pont 
du  Gard,  a  ruined  aqueduct.       The  ruin  is  striking  and  iu- 


360  NisMES.  1843. 

teresting,  and  the  surrounding  scenery  very  picturesque.  It 
is  quite  a  privilege  to  behold  such  things,  and  is  far  indeed 
from  interrupting  the  flow  of  better  and  holier  things.  I  lovo 
true  Christian  liberty  in  such  matters. 

Our  kind  friend  Lydia,  and  afterwards  Christine,  Majolier, 
called  upon  us  ;  the  latter,  our  dear  and  affectionate  friend 
and  helper,  dined  with  us,  and  then  accompanied  us  to  their 
^veek-day  meeting,  which  is  held  in  the  girls'  school-room  on  a 
iifth  day  evening.  The  v.hole  flock  Avas  assembled,  including 
the  children,  about  forty;  and  the  dear  aged  widow  of  Louis 
Majolier,  who  now  lives  here  with  her  daughters.  It  was  a 
solemn,  encouraging  time,  in  wdiich  consolation  was  given  to 
the  mourners ;  prayer  at  the  conclusion.  My  dear  wife  spoke 
sweetly  on  the  benefit  of  silence.  Tears  floAved  abundantly. 
After  the  meeting  was  concluded,  the  girls  despoiled  their 
pretty  garden,  in  their  zeal  to  load  us  with  flowers;  and  we 
returned  to  our  hotel,  well  satisfied  with  the  first  step  in  the 
visit  to  Friends  of  the  south  of  France. 

QtJi  mo.,  2.nd.  A  very  interesting  visit  to  the  school  in  the 
morning.  It  was  a  gratification  to  give  so  much  pleasure  to 
the  children,  and  to  receive  the  tokens  of  their  affection  and 
gratitude.  They  are  evidently  well  taught  and  trained.  On  our 
Avay  home  we  visited  La  Fontaine  ;  fine  public  Avalks,  with  old 
Homan  baths;  also  the  Amphitheatre,  Avhich  presents  a  wonder- 
ful proof  of  the  splendour,  wealth,  and  skill,  as  well  as  barbarity 
of  ancient  times.  Seldom  have  I  looked  on  a  more  im|)Osing 
spectacle.  In  the  afternoon  we  drove  a  few  miles  into  the 
country,  with  Christine,  to  visit  some  friends  of  hers,  named 
Sagnier,  who  amuse  themselves  with  an  establishment  of  silk- 
worms. It  is  just  the  height  of  the  season ;  and  we  were  much 
interested  by  the  examination  of  those  800,000  worms  ;  some 
feeding;  some  busily  spinning;  others  already  buried  in  their 
cocoons.  About  thirty  of  the  principal  Protestants  met  us  in 
the  evening,  to  whom  I  gave  an  account  of  our  visit  to  Silesia, 
Tind  of  the  two  systems  of  prison  discipline  practised  in 
America.  Some  serious  remarks  concluded  the  evening.  I 
endeavoured,  in  the  best  sense,  to  feel  my  way,  and  to  go  as 
far  as  circumstances  admitted.      Christine,  who  is  a  private 


All.  55.  NISMES.  361 

teacher  here,  has  no  small  place  iu  the  regard  and  affection  of 
the  people. 

First  da}^,  (6th  mo.,)  4th,  wiis  one  of  peculiar  favour.  The 
meetings  were  held  at  the  school ;  morning,  ten  o'clock ; 
evening,  six  o'clock.  Many,  besides  Friends,  attended  in  the 
morning ;  it  was  a  very  weighty,  anointed  meeting,  in  which 
true  solemnity  was  felt,  and  the  freedom  and  spirituality  of  the 
gospel  dispensation  fully  unfolded.  Anna  went  afterwards  to 
the  Protestant  first-day  school.  Otherwise  we  were  quiet  till  the 
evening,  when  a  large  assembly  were  well  accommodated  in  the 
three  adjoining  apartments  at  the  school.  I  was  enabled  to 
preach  at  large,  and  with  clearness,  on  Christ's  being  made  unto 
as  of  God,  -wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemp- 
tion.    It  was  a  great  favour  to  be  helped  through  this  service. 

After  detailing  various  other  religious  engage- 
ments at  Nismes,  and  in  its  neiglibourliood,  Joseph 
John  Gurnej  continues  : — 

Fifth  day.  A  most  Interesting  morning.  Our  last  meeting 
for  worship  with  the  Friends  and  the  children  of  the  school 
was  truly  memorable.  I  was  led  to  unfold  the  nature  and 
effects  of  our  distinguishing  principles,  also  the  history  of  the 
first  rise  of  the  Society;  and  very  solemn  was  the  efi'usioii  of 
prayer  at  the  close.  This  meeting  leaves  me  without  a  burden 
as  it  regards  this  place.  Since  the  meeting,  we  have  been 
rambling  over  that  astonishing  relic  of  antiquity,  the  iloman 
xVmphitheatre,  with  E.  Frossard,  who  has  been  kindly  explain- 
ing to  us  its  several  parts.  What  strange  scenes  have  been 
enacted  there  !  Sham  sea-fights ;  gladiatorship ;  fights  with 
wild  beasts;  cruel  martyrdoms.  What  multitudes  of  the  three 
classes,  patricians,  eqiiites,  plebeians,  whose  respective  '•'•loca' 
are  still  marked,  as  well  as  those  in  front  for  the  familise  in- 
signes,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  while  the  common  people,  both 
male  and  female,  thronged  the  galleries,  and  crowded  the  seats 
of  stone.  Twenty-three  thousand  could  be  seated  at  once  ; 
and  the  building  is  so  constructed  as  to  allow  of  their  disper- 
ginw  in  a  few  minutes. 


362  CONGENIES.  1843. 

During  our  drive  to  Congenies  our  driver  lost  the  control  of 
his  horses,  as  we  were  going  down  a  hill,  and  we  were  in 
considerable  danger  for  a  few  minutes,  but  preservation  was 
round  about  us,  and  no  harm  occurred,  either  to  ourselves  or 
our  carriage.  Surely  we  have  abundant  cause  for  thankful- 
ness I  We  arrived  at  Congenies  in  the  evening,  in  time  for 
meeting.  It  was  large,  attended  by  the  Friends  generally, 
and  many  others,  some  of  whom  were  disturbing  enough  ;  but 
we  had,  nevertheless,  a  good  meeting,  in  v/hich  we  v.-ere  both 
engaged  in  ministry.  I  was  led  to  unfold  the  teaching  of  the 
Lord  ;  by  the  Scriptures  ;  by  afflictions ;  by  his  Spirit.  •  The 
simple-hearted  Friends  crowded  round  us,  and  seemed  de- 
lighted to  see  us,  and  we  found  ample,  though  humble,  accom- 
modation at  the  house  of  the  Majolier  family,  where  we  are 
most  kindly  entertained.  Much  peace  rested  on  our  settlement 
here. 

Sixth  day.  A  day  of  quiet  repose  at  Congenies,  without 
an  attempt  at  any  exertion  beyond  reading,,  writing,  drawing, 
walking,  and  talking  with  the.  Friends.  The  weather  was 
delightful ;  and  it  is  interesting  to  find  ourselves  in  the  midst 
of  the  vine,  the  olive,  the  fig,  the  pomegi*anate,  and  the  almond 
tree.  The  wine  produced  here  is  inferior,  and  is  used  almost 
entirely  in  the  distilleries,  for  brapdy.  The  vineyards  at 
present  pay  badly,  and  I  have  been  thinking  that  the  soil 
might  be  turned,  with  advantage,  to  a  better  use.  It  produces 
wheat,  barley,  and  oats,  without  difficulty.  We  enjoyed  a  fine 
view  of  the  village,  the  surrounding  country,  and  the  distant 
mountains  of  the  Cevennes,  from  the  top  of  a  rocky  hill, 
which  we  climbed  in  the  evening.  On  the  whole,  it  was  a  day 
of  inward  peace,  not  devoid  of  its  twin  sister  on  earth, 
deep  inward  poverty!  To  this,  some  of  us  are  surely  no 
strangers. 

Seventh  day.  We  have  begun  our  family  visit  in  good 
earnest.  Seven  sittings  this  morning.  I  believe  they  were 
not  entered  upon  by  either  of  us  without  some  preparatory 
baptism  of  secret  depression ;  but  so  far  we  can  acknowledge 
that  the  Lord  has  been  graciously  with  us,  on  each  successive 
occasion,  not  withholding  a  measure   of   his    own    anointing. 


2ET.  55.  ILLNESS    AT    CONGENIES.  363 

There  are  several  simple-hearted  Friends  here ;  but  it  was  in 
a  family  of  Mctliodists,  father,  mother,  and  six  sons,  (the  aged 
grandmother,  sister  of  the  widow  Majolier,  being  the  only 
Friend  of  the  party,)  that  there  was  the  most  remarkable  flow 
of  the  heavenly  oil.  The  eldest  son  was  on  his  bed  of  sickness; 
once  a  soldier,  now  evidently  a  child  of  the  Lord. 

Whilst  thus  engaged  at  Congenies,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  was  attacked  with  fever,  which,  for  a  time, 
awakened  considerable  uneasiness.  The  symptoms, 
Iiowever,  gradually  subsided  ;  and,  after  an  interval  of 
rest,  he  was  enabled  to  coiirlnde  his  labours  in  this 
part  of  France. 

Second  clay,  Qth  nio.,  2i)th.  We  are  now  at  j^ismes.  The 
complaint  gradually  subsided  on  fifth  and  sixth  days,  and 
yesterday  the  way  openetl  unexpectedly,  for  attending  the 
meeting  of  Friends  of  Congenies,  which  Avas  a  time  of  much 
([uiet  and  satisfactory  feeling.  Notwithstanding  my  weakness, 
I  felt  constrained  to  appoint  a  public  meeting  at  Calvisson,  a 
neighbouring  town,  for  the  evening ;  a  concern  in  which  my 
wife  was  evidently  a  deeply-feeling  partner ;  hundreds  of  people 
met ;  many  of  them  rough  and  ungodly  in  a  high  degree.  But 
strength  was  given  me  to  deliver  the  gospel  message,  and  my 
dear  wife  was  afterwards  memorably  engaged,  partly  in  the 
language  of  awful  warning.  Christine  performed  her  part  well 
as  interpreter,  and  we  returned  to  Congenies,  unhurt,  and  in 
peace. 

We  came  forward  to  Nismes,  with  little  fatigue,  yet  I  am 
but  very  feeble.  Sweet  and  solemn  was  the  stamp  of  divine 
love  and  peace  which  rested  on  our  departure  from  Congenies, 
where  we  have  been  most  kindly  and  generously  treated,  and 
where  I  feel  that  our  work  is  done.  The  Lord  keep  our  dear 
Friends  of  that  meeting  under  the  shadow  of  his  wings.  The 
Lord  lift  up  the  light  of  his  countenance  upon  them,  and  give 
them  peace ! 


SOi  VALLEY    OF   THE    ISERE.  184^ 


CHAPTER  XLT. 

1843.     ^T.  55—56. 

JOURNEY     THROUGH      SAVOY     INTO      SWITZERLAND;      CHAMBERRY ; 
ANNECI;     geneva;     countess    DE     SELLON;     LAUSANNE;     NEUi- 

chatel;    ZURICH;    basle ;    strasburg;    stutgard;    visit  to 

THE    KING   AND    QUEEN    OF    WURTEMBERG  ;    BRUSSELS;    CALAIS. 

Proceeding  by  easy  stages,  Joseph  John  Gurney 
pursued  his  journey  by  way  of  Savoy  towards 
Switzerhiud. 

Grenoble,  7th  mo.,  1st. 

We  have  been  travelling  through  a  lovely  country  and  have 
enjoyed  a  sense  of  true  peace.  In  the  afternoon  of  fifth  day, 
we  drove  about  thirty  miles  through  the  valley  of  the  Isere,  ;v 
beautiful  river,  now  very  full  from  the  late  rains,  to  St.  Marcel- 
lin  ;  distributing  on  our  way  numerous  tracts  and  little  books. 
Our  drive  yesterday  morning,  of  four  stages,  through  a  still 
more  picturesque  i^avt  of  this  lovely  valley,  was  really  charm- 
ing. The  richness  of  the  valley,  the  occasional  catches  of 
the  broad  silver  stream  of  the  Isere,  and  the  noble  mountains 
on  either  side,  not  to  mention  the  neat  houses,  and  pleasant, 
prosperous-looking  population,  gave  us  real  pleasure.  We 
conversed  at  TuUins  with  one  of  about  thirty  converts  from 
Popery,  who  have  lately  been  brought,  with  little  of  human 
instrumentality,  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth, — iMartinez, 
a  flax-dresser,  and  were  pleased  with  his  spirit  and  appearance. 
We  arrived  at  this  beautiful  place  in  time  for  dinner.  In  the 
evening  we  walked  out  to  the  qua!,  where  a  splendid,  and 
not-to-be-forgotten  view  of  the  sno»-y  Alps,  their  tops  illu- 
minated   by    the    sun,    burst    unexpectedly   upon   us.      This 


;p,T.  55.  GRENOBLE.  365 

morning  ray  dear  wife  and  I  have  been  again  feasting  on 
these  delicious  views.  This  apparently  thriving  town  on  the 
Isere,  of  nearly  30,000  inhabitants,  is  environed  with  moun- 
tains. Some  of  these  are  always  snow-capped  ;  but  after  a 
wet  and  cold  spring,  this  is  more  than  usually  the  case  at 
]u-esent ;  and  glorious  in  the  view  of  those  who  can  say,  "My 
Father  made  them  all,"  is  the  aspect  v/liich  they  present. 

Chamberry,  7th  mo.,  3rd. 

Soon  after  the  last  entry  Pasteur  Bonifas  called  ;  a  man  of 
somewhat  advanced  years ;  very  kind  and  agreeable,  and 
devoted  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  His  wife  is  a  cousin  of 
Guizot's,  and  they  have  the  care  of  nine  young  ladies,  with 
the  assistance  of  an  English  governess.  It  Avas  finally 
agreed,  that  he  should  give  notice  at  the  close  of  his  morning 
worship,  of  a  meeting  to  be  held  by  me,  after  the  manner  of 
Friends,  in  the  afternoon.  Yesterday  morning,  first  day,  we 
sat  down  to  our  little  private  meeting,  which  was  a  time  of 
true  refreshment.  I  was  much  engaged  in  prayer.  About 
tvv'O  o'clock  we  went  to  the  "Temple."  Somewhat  more 
than  one  hundred  persons  present,  including  about  twenty 
soldiers,  perhaps  more.  The  pulpit  was  delivered  up  to 
me :  and  I  believe  a  meeting  was  truly  held,  after  the  manner 
of  Friends.  I  explained  our  views  of  worship ;  and, 
after  a  solemn  silence,  rose  with  the  words,  the  "  Sceptre 
shall  not  depart  from  Judah,"  &c. ;  on  which  I  was  enabled 
to  preach  fully,  declaring  tlie  glorious  gospel  at  considerable 
length.  Afterwards  solemn  prayer  ensued.  At  the  close  I 
ventured  to  give  notice  of  a  meetinjT  to  be  held  in  the  evening, 
at  our  hotel ;  half-past  seven.  We  returned  home  in  a 
good  degree  of  peace.  To  our  comfort,  a  large  and  most 
desirable  assembly  met  in  the  evening,  a  larger  miceting  in  a 
private  house  than  had  ever  before  been  known  at  Grenoble. 
We  read  part  of  Romans  viii ;  explaining  that  Scripture 
reading  was  oui  constant  practice  on  a  First  day  evening. 
After  a  solemn  silence,  my  dear  wife  addressed  the  assembly 
in  a  close,  searching,  but  truly  evangelical  discourse.  The 
lady  who  kindly  undertook  to  interpret  failed  in  her  attempt, 


366  SAVOY.  1848. 

and  the  oiEce  devolved  on  me.  There  was  a  sweet  and  pre- 
cious solemnity  over  us,  and  I  was  enabled  to  do  it  with  ease 
to  myself,  and  comfort  to  us  both.  /Vfter  she  had  finished,  I 
was  much  enlarged  in  ministry.  It  was  a  remarkably  solid 
and  satisfactory  meeting.  Thus  after  deep  humiliation, 
poverty,  and  weakness,  the  Lord  was  again  pleased  to  open 
the  way  for  service  among  many  who  are  evidently  hungeriug 
and  thirsting  after  righteousness.  The  result  was  great  peace. 
This  morning  we  paid  a  highly  interesting  visit  to  the 
pasteur  and  his  family,  including  the  school.  We  have  since 
travelled  about  40  miles  to-  this  place,  through  such  scenery 
as  I  had  never  met  with  before.  The  rich  valley  of  the  Isere, 
adorned  with  trellissed  vines,  walnut,  chesnut,  and  other 
trees,  and  ripening  corn ;  and  the  silver  stream  ever  and  anon 
extending  the  whole  way  through  a  glorious  defile  of  movui- 
tains ;  those  on  our  right  lofty  and  regularly  stratified  lime- 
stone rocks,  many  of  them  covered  with  brushwood  to  a  great 
height ;  and  those  on  the  left,  the  Alps  of  the  Mont-Cenis 
range,  covered  with  snow.  The  population  appeared  healthy, 
well-clad,  industrious,  and  at  their  ease ;  many  haymaking,  in 
picturesque  groups.  After  passing  the  Savoy  Douane  with 
much  ease,  we  arrived  at  the  comfortable  Hotel  de  la  Poste  ; 
and,  though  somewhat  fatigued  and  feeble,  have  much  cause 
for  thankfulness  in  being  quietly  here. 

Anneci,  7th  mo.,  4tli. 

After  a  day  of  considerable  feebleness,  and  a  drive  of  four 
stages  through  a  very  fertile  country,  without  very  much  to 
interest,  except  the  magnificent  view  of  the  valley  of  Cham- 
berry  on  leaving  it,  we  came  to  this  lovely  spot  in  time  for  an 
hour's  rest  before  a  five  o'clock  dinner.  My  wife  and  I  en- 
joyed our  quiet  Scripture  reading,  &c.,  as  we  came  along.  It 
is,  however,  affecting  to  be  passing  through  a  country  in  which 
the  people  are  wholly  in  the  hands  of  a  useless  military  force 
on  the  one  hand,  and  of  numberless  ecclesiastics  on  tlie  other. 
It  is  surely  a  land  of  darkness ;  and  so  strict  is  the  Govern- 
ment of  Savoy,  that  not  a  religious  tract  can  be  distributed  by 
the  Christian  traveller  with  impunity.     We  have  heard  of  an 


JET.  55.  GENEVA.  3GT 

Englisli  gentleman  being  thrown  into  prison  for  some  months 
for  this  offence !  0  that  the  light  of  the  gospel  may,  in 
some  unexpected  manner,  and  in  despite  of  all  human  or 
diabolical  powers,  break  forth  amongst  them  ! 

Anneci  is  a  pretty  town  of  12,000  inhabitants,  the  second  in 
Savoy,  after  Chanibcry,  situated  on  the  borders  of  a  lovely 
mountain-girt  Jake,  four  leagues  in  length.  AVe  have  greatly 
enjoyed  a  row  of  an  hour  or  two  on  these  waters  this  evening, 
and  seem  to  be  now  concluding  our  day,  in  a  measure  of  true 
peace. 

Geneva,  7th  mo.,  5tli. 

The  Hotel  dcs  Bergues,  where  we  have  taken  up  our  quar- 
ters, promises  to  be  a  delightful  temporary  home.  It  is  on 
the  borders  of  the  lake,  which  our  apartments  face  ;  and  before 
us.  at  the  distance  of  60  miles,  the  summit  and  shoulder  of 
Mont  Blanc,  white  with  snow,  are  distincily  visible  above  the 
long  slope  of  a  dark  mountain  in  front  of  them.  The  atmo- 
sphere is  clear,  and  the  town  looks  clean  and  bright.  We  are 
well  pleased,  I  trust  thankful,  to  be  hei-e ;  a  place  I  have  long 
thought  about  and  looked  towards.  1  have  felt  but  feeble  this 
evening,  and  we  may  probably  pass  a  day  or  two  in  surveying 
ilie  lake,  before  we  attempt  a  beginning  of  service. 

1th  7710.,  10th.  Our  excursion  to  the  other  end  of  the  lake 
answered  well.  The  Aveather  continued  delightful ;  and  nothing 
could  be  more  lovely  than  the  lake  and  the  surrounding 
scenery  as  we  passed  along,  especially  towards  the  upper  end, 
Avhere  the  mountains,  overhanging  the  south  coast,  are  truly 
sublime.  Not  much  less  beautiful  are  the  green  cultivated 
slopes  of  the  northern  shore,  adorned  with  pretty  villages  and 
towns,  and  backed  by  the  range  of  the  Jura.  We  reached 
Yevay  in  the  evening.  There  we  found  just  such  a  resting- 
place  as  I  wanted,  facing  the  end  of  the  lake,  and  mountain 
scenery  of  the  noblest  character.  The  Dent  du  Midi,  covered 
with  snow,  was  full  in  sight.  We  greatly  enjoyed  our  quiet 
evening  there  on  fifth  day.  *  "''  Our  voyage  back  to 
Geneva  was  very  pleasant.  In  the  course  of  it  we  made  an 
interesting  acquaintance  with  the  Princess  Mary,  of  Wurtem- 
berg,  a  very  pleasing  personage,  who  recognized  me  from  the 


368  GENEVA.  1S43.; 

description  -which  hor  sister,  the  Pi-inccss  of  Orange,  had  giver, 
her  of  our  visit  at  the  Hague.  Princess  Mai-y  is  travelling  with 
her  husl)antl,  Count  Niepberg,  the  son  of  the  geutlenian  who 
married  the  Empres?,  Marie  Louise.  On  our  arrival  at  Geneva, 
on  sixth  day  evening,  we  wei-e  met  by  my  old  friend  the  Pas- 
icur  Gaussen,  who  is  full  of  recollections  of  his  visit  to  Earl- 
liam,  of  ni}"  brotlier  and  sister  Cunningham,  anil  others  of  the 
family.  lie  is,  indeed,  a  warm-hearted  Christian  friend.  lie 
warmly  invited  me  to  "preach"  at  the  Oratoire  on  First  day 
eveninir,  but  so  I  was  not  led. 

On  seventh  day  we  received  an  early  visit  from  the  Countess 
de  Seilon,  and  her  two  unmarried  daughters,  very  agreeable 
people.  The  Countess  took  me  to  Pasteur  Barde,  an  evan- 
jrelical  clergyman  of  the  National  Church,  with  v/hom  I  was 
much  pleased,  and  at  whose  house  I  met  another  pasteur,  the 
brother-in-law  of  Cordes,  of  Lyons.  Vv' e  concluded  to  hold  our 
first  meeting  at  the  hotel,  and  I  afterwards  went  to  Gaussen 
to  inform  him  of  our  conclusion.  He  was  a  little  disappointed 
I  think,  but  kindly  agreed  to  give  notice  of  it,  in  the  Oratoire 
after  the  morning  service. 

In  the  afternoon  we  drove  to  La  Fenefre,  the  delightful 
country  residence  of  the  Countess  de  Seilon,  where  there  is  a 
fine  view  of  the  lake,  and,  when  the  sky  is  clear,  of  Mont  Blanc. 
"We  had  a  good  religious  opportunity  in  her  family.  Her  late 
husband  was  a  man  of  high  character  and  great  philanthropy, 
tiie  founder  of  the  Peace  Society  here;  and  I  humbly  trust, 
died  the  death  of  the  Christian.  I  believed  .myself  led  to 
quote  the  passage,  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the 
Lord,  &c.,"  and  afterwards  found  that  these  words  are 
inscribed  on  his  monument.  We  then  repaired  to  Gaussen 's 
very  pretty  retreat,  close  to  Geneva,  where  we  met  a  pleasant 
coujpany ;  Sir  Culling  Eardley  Smith,  Hope,  Hare,  the  English 
clergyman,  Perrot,  an  old  friend  of  the  Cunninghams,  very 
liearty,  and  several  ladies,  chiefly  Swiss.  After  tea  I  told 
them  about  Silesia,  America,  &c.,  in  French,  and  we  ende<l 
with  Psalm  xxiii.  I  think  it  might  be  said  that  true  Chrisiian 
love  flowed  amongst  us.  We  spent  First  day  quietly  in  our 
hotel.     In  the  morning  we  received  a  very  pleasant  call  from 


JE'T.  55.  •         GENEVA.  369 

tho  Princess  Mary  and  her  companion.  Our  little  quiet  meet- 
ing after^Yards,  Avas  truly  refreshing  and  settling,  my  dear  wife 
being  sweetly  engaged  in  prayer. 

At  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  many  assembled  in  our  large 
apartment ;  including  the  Scllons,  Gaussen's .  daughter  and 
sister,  himself  prevented  by  over-fatigue,  Hare,  the  clergy- 
man, and  others ;  so  as  pretty  much  to  fill  the  room,  notwith- 
standing the  rough  weather.  It  was,  I  trust,  a  favoured 
meeting.  After  a  long  pause,  I  first  explained  our  views  of 
worship,  and  spoke  a  little  of  the  true  baptism.  My  dear 
wife  followed  in  a  flow  of  encouragement  towards  the  true 
Christians  then  assembled.  I  had  great  comfort  in  interpret- 
ing for  her.  Afterwards  it  was  given  to  me  to  enlarge  on  tho 
true  nature  of  the  Christian  church ;  the  mode  of  entrance 
into  it ;  the  faith  of  its  living  members  in  all  the  essential 
truths  of  Christianity;  the  nourishment  and  refreshment 
given  to  them  on  their  journey,  the  body  and  blood  of 
Christ,  and  the  waters  of  life;  the  government  and  priest- 
hood ef  Christ  over  this  universal  spiritual  body ;  and  the 
glorious  termination,  the  day  of  judgment,  and  the  final 
victory  of  the  saints.  The  immediate  influence  and  guidance 
of  the  Spirit  were  much  enlarged  upon  ;  and  I  trust  many 
hearts  responded  to  the  doctrine.  Solemn  prayer  concluded 
the  meeting. 

Having  been  again  joined  at  Geneva  by  tlioir 
friend  Josiali  Forster,  Joseph  John  Guniey  -writes  :  — 

1th  vio.,  19th.  Our  sabbath  was  a  peaceful  and  solemn 
one.  Pasteur  Cordes,  from  Lyons,  came  in  the  middle  of  our 
morning  meeting.  Afterwards  a  kind  call,  with  hearty 
invitations  from  the  Saladins  and  Perrots.  The  evening- 
meeting,  at  six  o'clock,  was  respectably  attended,  and  I  was 
enabled  to  declare  the  truth  to  an  attentive  audience.  It 
As-as,  I  believe,  a  good  meeting,  of  which  we  received  various 
testimonies  afterwards.  Pasteur  Barde  and  his  wife  of  the 
company.     After    the   meeting   a    quiet    and   truly    pleasant 

Vol.  II.  — 24 


CTO  GENEVA;    LAUS.'iNNE.  1843. 

evening.  Josiali  Forster  read  to  us  the  excellent  epistle  of  the 
last  Year!}'-  Meeting,  and  other  documents ;  the  day  closing 
M  ith  a  sweet  solemnity.  Second  day  evening  pleasantly  spent 
with  our  friend  Perrot,  at  his  beautiful  place,  surveying  the 
lake.  There  we  met  an  agreeable  Christian  party,  and  the 
evening  concluded  with  Scripture  reading,  and  a  very  touching 
religious  opportunity.  There  is  much  that  is  valuable  as  well 
as  spiritual  in  the  Genevese  ;  the  prevailing  character  more 
analogous  to  that  of  the  English  than  that  of  the  French. 
Yesterday  evening  we  repaired  to  the  Casino,  where  500  or  600 
])cople  collected,  including  nine  pastors,  many  young  men,  but 
a  majority  of  ladies.  Much  facility  was  afforded  me  in  giving 
the  account  of  the  West  Indies,  and  in  arguing  the  whole  case 
of  emancipation,  showing  the  working  of  Christian  principle 
both  in  causing  it,  and  in  its  results.  When  that  subject  was 
finished,  I  spoke  shortly,  but,  I  believe,  strongly,  on  the  slavery 
under  which  we  all  are  by  nature ;  of  its  miserable  conse- 
quences ;  and  of  the  only  deliverance,  through  the  great  Eman- 
cipator of  the  human  race.  There  was  a  very  solemn  feeling 
over  the  meeting  at  its  close.  Josiah  Forster  spoke  at  the 
beginning  and  the  end  shortly.  A  true  friend  and  helper  ho 
is  to  me. 

1th  mo.,  2o/yZ.  We  were  favoured  with  an  excellent  meet- 
ing at'Lausanric.  Our  friend  SchoU,  who  came  to  us  before 
the  meeting,  had  done  his  work  well  in  preparing  our  way. 
The  Oratoire  was  well  filled,  several  fasteurs  and  other 
respectable  people  present.  It  was  a  solemn  time,  and  I  was 
enabled  to  feel  the  flowing  of  the  holy  oil,  in  the  simple 
preaching  of  the  gospel.  The  next  morning  Charles  Cook 
came  to  breakfast,  the  apostle  of  the  Methodists  on  the 
continent,  who,  I  believe,  has  been  very  useful ;  also  a  very 
clever  man,  Gauthiez,  who  has  the  care  of  the  Normal  school 
(which  he  conducts  on  Christian  principles)  for  the  instruction 
of  the  schoolmasters  of  the  wdiole  Canton  de  Vaud.  This 
f.'anton  contains  180,000  inhabitants,  its  government  strictly 
democratic ;  radicalism  is  found  here,  as  elsewhere,  to  be 
much  opposed  to  evangelical  truth.  Yet  true  liberty  and  the 
gospel  are  surely  near  allies  I     Before  our  departure  by  the 


^T.  55.  GENEVA.  S71 

boat,  the  Professor  Vinet  came  to  us,  a  man  of  great  wortli 
and  talent,  who  has  written  very  ably  on  religious  liberty,  the 
separation  of  Church  from  state,  &c.  lie  is  a  modest,  retiring 
person,  his  countenance  bespeaking  his  power.  He  liked  the 
meeting,  and  gave  us  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  We 
were  glad  to  return  to  the  delightful  A'^evay,  and  its 
sublime  lake  and  mountain  scenery.  There  also  we  held  a 
good  meeting  in  the  Oratoire,  but  not  numerous,  as  the  notice 
was  short.  Matter  flowed,  and  much  solemnity  and  sweet- 
ness were  to  be  felt.  The  pastcur  Grenier,  (whom  dearest 
Priscilla  had  known  and  helped  at  Nice,  when  his  wife  was 
ill,)  Baup  and  Dol  were  present,  and  we  afterwards  drank  t&i 
at  Quonod's,  a  pious  lawyer  and  magistrate,  married  to  a 
ward  of  Lord  Melbourne's.  The  evening  was  pleasant,  and 
ended  in  religious  solemnity.  Baup,  a  truly  pleasing  young 
man,  once  minister  of  the  French  church  in  London,  break- 
fasted with  us  in  the  morning ;  I  addressed  him  shortly. 
Several  of  our  kind  friends  accompanied  us,  with  some 
difficulty,  on  account  of  the  W'aves,  to  the  steamer.  Our 
voyage  home  was  to  me  refreshing  and  agreeable,  though  I 
had  passed  a  poor  night,  not  without  mental  plunges  which 
sometimes  beset  me. 

7th  mo.,  25th.  The  dejeuner  with  the  pastors  and  others  at 
Geneva,  yesterday,  was  certainly  a  highly  interesting  and 
satisfactory  occasion.  All  prejudices  seemed  melted  away, 
and  hearty  brotherly  love  was  the  general  feeling.  During 
the  remainder  of  the  d;iv,  until  the  eveninsr,  a  feelino;  of 
fatigue  was  prevalent  with  me ;  but  we  had  some  intimate 
conversation  with  the  Baroness  de  Stael,  who  made  us  a  kind 
call.  In  the  evening,  to  Colonel  Tronchin's,  at  Besanges, 
where  we  met  about  fifty  people,  including  Merle  D'Aubigne. 
We  walked  to  the  Chalet,  which  the  Colonel  has  built  as  a 
refuge  for  convalescent  invalids,  presided  over  by  a  Protestant 
^rBitr  de  Charite.  It  is  a  lovely  spot,  and  every  thing  in  truly 
Christian  order ;  nineteen  female  patients.  Colonel  Tronchin 
is  a  man  of  large  property,  who  seems  abundantly  willing  to 
spend  and  be  spent  for  the  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of 
Christ. 


?7^  GEXETA.  1843: 

After  our  return  from  tlie  Chalet,  Dr.  II ,  of  Glasgow, 

related  the  particulars  of  the  late  "wondrous  secession  froni  the 
Church  of  Scotland,  in  which  480  evangelical  ministers, 
Dr.  Chalmers  at  their  head,  have  left  the  church,  on  two 
grounds:  —  first,  the  non-intrusion  principle,  which  the 
Church  in  Synod  had  decreed  before  the  secession ;  to  the 
effect  that  no  minister  should  be  forced  on  any  parish, 
by  patrons,  ■whether  the  Crown,  or  individuals,  without  the 
consent  of  the  communicant  parishioners,  or  against  their 
veto.  The  evangelical  ministers,  who  had,  of  late,  gradually 
increased  to  a  decided  majority  in  the  Synod,  adopted  this 
resolution,  with  a  view  of  so  far  popularising  the  Church, 
as  might  satisfy  the  doubts,  and  check  the  course  of  those 
Avho  were  inclined  to  join  the  former  dissenting  secession ; 
which  had  arisen  out  of  the  vain  efforts  of  the  late  Dr.  Andrew 
Thompson,  and  others,  to  get  the  system  of  patronage  abolished 
by  Act  of  Parliament.  In  forming  this  decision,  the  Synod 
went  in  direct  opposition  to  the  law  of  the  land.*  Afterwards 
a  number  of  ministers  who  supported  the  law,  in  opposition 
to  the  decree  of  the  Synod,  were  unfrocked  by  the  ecclesiastical 
power. — Secondly,  the  principle  of  spiritual  independence, 
namely,  that  the  church  is  a  spiritual  body,  and  is  capable  in 

*  This  may,  perhaps,  be  thought  to  be  too  strongly  stated.  The 
law  of  the  land  can  hardly  be  said  to  have  been  distinctly  defined 
upon  the  question,  until  the  decision  of  the  House  of  Lords,  in  the 
Auchtcrarder  ease,  in  1839,  (five  years  after  the  "  Veto  Act"  passed 
the  Genei-al  Assembly,)  and  the  great  difference  of  opinion  amongst 
the  Scotch  judges,  (where  the  judgment  against  the  right  of  veto 
passed  only  by  a  majority  of  eight  to  five,)  would  seem  almost  to  justify 
Dr.  Chalmers  and  bis  friends  in  their  previous  belief,  that  the 
(leneral  Assembly  had  not  exceeded  its  jurisdiction,  in  passing  the 
Veto  Act.  The  Act  appe:ir5  to  have  received  the  sanetion  of  some 
of  the  leading  Scotch  lawyers  of  the  day,  if  not  of  Lord  Ilrougham 
himself  See  Dr.  Chalmers'  Life,  vol.  iii,  p.  S62,  n.  The  judgment 
of  the  House  of  Lords,  however,  set  at  rest  the  question  of  law. 
The  subject  is  discussed  with  great  clearness  and  force  by  both  Lonl 
lirouf'ham,  and  Lord  Cottenham.  See  6  Clark  and  Finnelly'sReporta 
in  the  House  of  Lords,  pp.  64G — 756. 


^T.  55.  GENEVA.  373 

inalienable  right,  and  bound  in  Christian  duty,  to  arrange  its 
own  affairs,  as  it  pleases.  Finding  it  impossible  to  carry  out 
these  two  principles  in  the  face  of  the  law,  the  whole  parry 
seceded,  our  dear  friend  Dr.  Chalmers  at  their  head,  stoutly 
maintaining,  at  the  same  time,  both  the  doctrines  and  disciplin'i 
of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  as  stoutly  declaring  that  they 
were  still  opposed  to  the  voluntary  system,  and  held  it  to  ha 
the  bounden  duty  of  the  State  to  support  the  Church,  and  s<. 
to  provide  the  means  of  religious  instruction  for  the  people. 
In  point  of  fact,  however,  it  is  perfectly  clear  that  the  ne\v 

bod}^  as  Dr.  H observed,  is,  like  the  former  seeeders  from 

the  same  chmxh,  fairly  driven  into  dissent.  It  is  surely  an 
idea,  without  the  smallest  practical  foundation,  that  the  State 
is  to  support  the  church,  without  ever  meddling  in  its  alTairs. 
The  world  chooses  to  be  paid  for  such  patronage.  There 
seems  to  be  no  alternative  between  the  subjection  of  tlie 
church  to  the  civil  power,  and  absolute  liberty  and  indepen- 
dence ;  in  other  words,  a  clear  divorce  between  the  two  parties. 
These  are  evidently  the  views  of  Merle  D'Aubigne,  Gaussen, 
and  other  evangelical  men  in  Switzerland,  especially  our  friend 
Vinet,  of  Lausanne ;  whose  writings  on  the  subject  display 
great  power  of  intellect,  a  lively  fancy  for  illustration,  and  a 
nice  sense  of  truth. 

After  Dr.  H had  finished,  my  wife  and  I  were  invited 

to  speak.  I  read  the  first  few  verses  of  Romans  viii,  and,  after 
a  little  pause,  spoke  freely  on  the  blessed  privileges  of  true 
Christians,  and.  of  the  faithfulness  of  our  God  and  Saviour;  at. 
the  same  time  calling  to  watchfulness,  humility,  and  prayer, 
)-eminding  the  compan}''  of  the  exhortation  — '•  Let  him  that 
thiiaketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  falL"  My  wife  ad- 
dressed them,  with  much  solemn  en^phasis,  in  a  similar  strain ; 
and  great  was  the  love  which  seemed  to  ilo¥/  to.vards  us  at  the 
lireaking  up  of  the  company.  This  morning,  as  we  passed  by 
Colonel  Saladin's,  we  found  a  flock  of  our  kind  friends  waiting 
on  the  road  to  bid  us  their  last  hearty  adieu — a  scene  not  soon 
to  be  forgetten;  and  quite  a  little  ci'own  to  our  visit  at  Geneva. 

7th  mo.,  2Sth.     At  Neufchatcl,  Professor  Petavel  and  hia 
wife  met  us,  invited  us  to  tea,  and  informed  us  that  a  meeting 


S74  NEUFCHATEL.  1843. 

was  appointed  for  the  evening  at  the  Oratoire.  Thej  are  pious 
and  hearty  people,  much  alive  to  the  guidaiice  of  the  Spirit, 
and  attached  to  the  principles  of  Friends,  so  far  as  they  know 
them.  They  are  great  friends  of  our  dear  friends  John 
and  Martha  Yeardley,  who  appear  to"  have  paid  them  a  very 
timely  visit,  when  a  beloved  son  of  the  family  was  at  the  point 
of  death.  We  drank  tea  with  them,  and  after  a  time  of  silence 
and  ministry,  we  all  went  together  to  the  Oratoire.  There 
a  considerable  assembly  was  collected  —  chiefly  women.  It 
Avas  a  solemn  meeting.  In  connection  with  the  35th  of  Isaiah, 
I  was  led  to  unfold  the  spiritual  reign  of  Christ,  and  its  blessed 
oifects  in  changing  the  hearts  and  regulating  the  conduct  of 
men.  We  afterwards  visited  the  professor's  aged  mother  on 
her  bed  of  sickness,  and  ministered  to  her,  as  our  divine  Master 
was  pleased  to  give  us  ability.     Thus  the  day  ended  in  peace. 

After  breakfast  the  next  morning,  we  received  some  interest- 
ing visits  from  several  of  the  persons  who  had  attended  the 
evening  meeting  ;  among  the  rest,  Perrot,  formerly  one  of  the 
most  zealous  pastors  in  the  canton,  but  who  found  himself 
stayed  in  his  course,  called  to  silence,  to  solitude,  to  intro- 
version of  soul.  He  is  now  living  a  life  of  pious  retirement. 
I  reminded  him  of  the  cloud  resting  on  the  tabernacle.  The 
Israelites  were  not  permitted  to  journey  forwards  while  it  was 
so ;  whether  for  a  day,  a  week,  a  month,  or  even  a  year.  Eut 
no  sooner  did  it  rise  and  move  onward,  than  they  were  bound 
to  follow  it  in  the  obedience  of  faith.  I  believed  it  would  be 
so  with  him,  and  that  his  present  inaction  was  but  a  prepara- 
tion for  future  service. 

Yesterday  we  took  our  slow,  but  pleasant,  journey  to  Berne, 
passing  by  the  northern  part  of  the  lake  Neufchatel,  and  in 
sight  of  the  small  lake  Morat.  The  country  pleasant  ;  the 
wild  flowers  delightful ;  the  snowy  Jung-frau  and  neighbouring 
peaks  beautifully  in  sight,  during  the  latter  part  of  the  journey. 
The  approach  to  Berne  through  a  long  avenue  of  limes,  very 
pretty.     Arrived  to  an  eight  o'clock  dinner. 

This  morning,  after  some  necessary  arrangements  for  our 
meeting,  we  started  for  Hofwyl,  about  eight  miles  throiTgh  a 
pleasant    country,  adorned  with    Bernese    cottages,  and  well 


.ET.  55.  BERNE;    HOFWYL.  37  "j 

cultivated  in  corn,  &c.  Our  visit  to  the  pastor  Fcilc-nbin-- 
and  his  family,  of  about  two  hours,  was  highly  inteix'slin-:. 
lie  is  an  old  man  of  seventy,  but  full  of  energy,  talent, 
and  benevolence ;  a  genius  for  the  work  which  engager 
hiui,  and  in  which  he  has  been  occupied  more  than  forty 
years.  He  has  a  fine  expressive  countenance,  and  converses 
well.  It  is  in  vain  to  attempt  the  description  of  his 
system,  but  the  chief  points  are  to  elucidate  and  embody  al! 
theoretical  knowledge  by  facts,  and  so  to  subordinate  all  thing.- 
to  the  moral  nature  of  man,  as  to  regenerate  society  by  the 
mere  force  of  education.  It  is  a  system  which  seems  to  take 
as  its  basis,  a  supposed  native  capacity  in  man  to  become  and 
to  be  good  through  cultu7'e  !  Yet  Christianity  is  by  no  means 
disregarded.  It  is  said  to  be  preached  by  a  Protestant  on; 
Sabbath,  and  by  a  Roman  Catholic  the  next,  in  a  chapel  of 
the  institution ;  the  New  Testament  is  used  in  the  schools, 
and  a  certain  religious  instruction  given;  and  the  whole  moral 
system  of  Fellenburg  passes  under  its  name.  Yet  we  could 
not  think  that  Jesus  Christ,  tlie  crucified  One,  the  propitiation 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  was  the  foundation  on  which 
our  philanthropic  and  devoted  friend  was  building.  He  said 
some  things  Avhich  sadly  evinced  the  contrary.  Y^et  we  could 
not  but  admire  and  esteem  him.  By  nature  he  is  surely 
endowed  in  no  common  degree,  and  his  conduct  is,  by  all  w*,' 
hear,  truly  virtuous.  It  is  for  virtue,  indeed,  that  he  pleads, 
systematizes,  and  acts,  rather  than  for  the  doctrines  of  grace 
and  sanctification. 

The  agriculture  of  Hofwyl  surprised  me.  The  whole  terri- 
tory reminded  me  of  Holkham  in  Norfolk — once  uncultivated, 
now  well  and  productively  farmed.  Fellenburg's  eJeves  are  in 
four  divisions.  The  young  gentlemen  in  his  own  house  ;  forty 
in  number,  or  somewhat  more.  The  children  of  the  middle 
class,  about  sixty-five,  in  a  second  house ;  and  those  of  the 
poor  in  a  third  house,  about  forty.  The  three  schools  united 
in  worship.  The  boys  of  number  one  were  just  about  Xu 
commence  their  vacation  of  four  weeks,  to  be  spent  in  a  walk 
about  Switzerland,  under  the  care,  of  course,  of  suitable 
masters. 


376  BERNE.  1843. 

In  a  time  of  religious  retirement  with  Fellenburg  and  his 
family,  Josiah  Forster  and  I  plainly  stated  our  Christian 
sentiments,  and  were  answered  by  our  aged  friend,  with  great 
kindness.  I  trust  we  parted  from  them  in  Christian  love,  and 
that  this  love  was  mutual. 

Berne,  first  day  afternoon,  7th  mo.,  30tb. 

We  have  found  an  agreeable  resting-place  here.  Our  dear 
friend  Sophia  Wurstemburger  joined  us  yesterday  morning, 
and  after  some  close  consideration,  we  were  favoured  to  arrange 
Dur  plans  satisfactorily  for  the  week.  The  latter  part  of  the 
morning  was  pleasantly  spent  in  a  visit  to  an  institution  in 
the  countr}'-,  for  the  reformation  of  naughty  boys,  who  are 
divided  into  families  after  the  example  of  the  HauJie  haus, 
near  Hamburg.  The  children,  nineteen  in  number,  were 
industriously  at  work,  and  cheerfully  gathered  round  us, 
listening  attentively  to  a  few  sentences  of  Christian  counsel. 
Christian  care  and  instruction,  cleanliness  and  industry,  appear 
to  prevail  in  this  institution.  May  it  be  productive  of  real 
good,  as  we  believe  it  is  !  On  our  way  home,  we  called  at  a 
boarding-school  for  poor  orphan  girls,  under  thorough  Christian 
care.  We  all  fell  into  silence  under  a  feeling  of  good,  and  the 
'jhildren  were  addressed  by  each  of  us. 

The  evening  we  spent  at  the  sequestered  abode  of  Sophia 
Wurstemburger's  parents.  There  we  enjoyed  a  memorable 
view  of  the  Bernese  Alps  covered  with  snow.  Who  can 
ilescribe  their  magnificence  ?  It  is  but  seldom  that  the  clouds 
have  lately  allowed  any  view  of  them.  We  gazed,  and  gazed, 
and  gazed  for  about  an  hour;  receiving  abundant  information, 
geographical  and  historical,  from  our  host. 

The  picture  left  on  the  mind  by  this  mountain  range,  (hke 
that  of  Mont  Blanc  and  his  companions,  and  of  the  lower 
Alps  from  Grenoble,)  is  a  treasure  for  life.  Surely  we  may 
read  of  the  Creator,  for  some  good  purpose,  in  the  book  of 
these  "  everlasting  hills."  We  parted  from  our  kind  friends 
after  satisfactory  religious  communication. 

This  morning,  our  little  private  meeting  was,  to  my  feelings, 
a  time  of  fervent  exercise  of  soul,  and  some  sweet  solemnity 


JET.  55-56.  GRINDELWALD.  377 

I  have  since  visited  tlie  prison,  and  was  kiudlj  favoured  with 
an  opportunity  of  addressing  about  480  prisoners,  all  assembled 
in  their  chapel,  under  the  interpretation  into  German  of  pastor 
Fellenberg.  Thej  seemed  attentive  and  serious  ;  but  alas  !  I 
fear  it  is  a  hard  soil  to  work  upon.  Four  hundred  and  eighty 
criminals  for  a  Canton  containing  400,000  inhabitants,  (1  in 
800,)  is  too  large  a  proportion ;  and  all  this  in  spite  of  schools, 
pastors,  and  a  catechetical,  formal  knowledge  of  religion,  which 
is  general  even  among  the  mountaineers.  The  secret  which 
explains  the  phenomenon,  is  the  prevalence  of  drunkenness. 
So  much  for  even  the  light  wines  of  the  continent !  Re-com- 
mitments, one  quarter.  The  prisoners  work  together  in  com- 
panies, and  are  well  employed. 

They  now  proceeded  to  Zurich  by  way  of  Iiiterhi- 
ken,  from  which  latter  place  they  visited  Grindelwald. 

Grindelwald,  (writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,)  is  charming 
indeed,  beyond  any  thing  in  nature  that  I  ever  saw,  except 
perhaps,  Niagara ;  but  we  had  not  time  to  visit  both  its 
glaciers,  only  the  lower  one,  to  and  from  which  we  walked  and 
scrambled  with  much  true  pleasure.  Its  magnificent  cavern  of 
white  and  blue  ice,  (which  changes  its  shape  daily,  and  which 
when  we  visited  it  was  peculiarly  fine,  say  150  feet  high,  and 
broad  and  deep  in  proportion,)  can  never  be  forgotten  while 
memory  lasts.  This  glacier  is  propelling  itself,  by  degrees, 
more  and  more  into  the  valley,  and  brings  with  it,  and  pushes 
before  it,  large  fragments  of  rock,  so  that  Agassiz's  method  of 
accounting  for  the  boulder-stones,  by  the  action  of  glaciers,  is 
not  without  some  practical  foundation. 

From  the  hotel  at  Grindelwald  we  enjoyed  a  delightful  view 
of  the  two  glaciers,  and  the  Wetterhorn  and  Finsteraarhorn 
towering  above  them,  in  the  perfection  of  snowy  whiteness. 
The  clouds  still  obscured  the  Schreckhorn :  but  sunshine  was 
upon  the  general  picture;  on  the  green  valley;  on  the  pastures 
no  less  vividly  green;  on  the  sides  of  the  mountains,  with 
woods  interspersed,  and  Bernese  chalets  scattered  here  and 
there;  on  the  picturesque  spired  church  and  pretty  village;  oii 


378  GRINDELAYALD  J  LUCERNE.  1843, 

the  glaciers;  on  the  dark-brown  rocks  immediately  below  them, 
and  on  the  almost  magical  masses  of  snow  above  !  0  these 
mountain  horns  in  their  pointedness  and  whiteness  !  who  can 
forget  their  beauty  and  sublimity  ? 

The  great  Eighcr  unveiled  himself  as  we  descended  from 
Grindehvald  towards  Interlaken,  and  when  we  arrived  at  the 
latter  place,  Jung-frau,  in  all  her  beauty,  was  full  in  sight. 

Humbling,  yet  substantially  relieving  to  my  feelings,  waa 
the  "  Quakers'  Meeting"  which  we  held  that  evening  in  the 
Salon  de  Societe  at  the  Belvidere,  with  some  sixteen  or 
eighteen  ladies  and  gentlemen,  mostly,  to  all  appearance,  of 
the  butterflies  of  this  earth ;  but  they  settled  into  quietness, 
and  received  with  kindness  the  plain  doctrine  which  I  was  led 
to  preach  to  them,  on  the  Christian's  stewardship. 

Zurich,  2nd  day  morning,  8tli  mo.,  7th. 

On  sixth  day,  the  5th,  we  journeyed  from  Entlebuch  quietly 
and  pleasantly  enough  to  Lucerne;  where  we  found  a  pleasant 
abode  in  a  house  belonging  to  the  Swan  Inn,  our  balcony 
surveying  the  beautiful  lake  and  admirable  range  of  moun- 
tains, Righi,  Pilatus,  and  their  companions,  with  the  snowy 
Alps  behind.  After  calling  on  Calame,  the  deputy  from 
Neufchatel  to  the  Diet,  which  is  held  here ;  and  after  en- 
deavouring to  arrange  a  meeting  in  the  evening  with  Best,  a 
pious  young  man,  a  shorthand  writer  to  the  deputation 
from  the  Canton  de  Yaud  at  the  Swiss  Diet,  but  preparing 
for  the  ministry,  we  spent  the  early  evening  in  a  delightful 
row  on  the  lovely  lake,  so  far  as  to  give  us  a  view  of  the  four 
arms  which  it  spreads  forth  into  the  respective  Cantons  of  Uri, 
Schwitz,  Unterwald,  and  Lucerne.  Nothing  can  be  more 
charming  than  the  scenery ;  and  when  the  sun  was  setting, 
after  our  return,  the  pink  and  purple  hues  with  which  the 
mountains  were  tinted,  and  the  bright  green  of  the  lake,  gave 
a  transitory  eiiect  of  colouring,  which  I  have  rarely  seen 
equalled.  Bost  and  his  wife  spent  two  hours  with  us  in  the 
evening;  pious,  agreeable  young  people.  Lucerne  is  a  Boman 
Catholic  Canton,  and  the  few  Protestants  are  under  depres- 
sion.    If  any  man  becomes  a  Protestant,  he  is  deprived  of 


MT.  56.  zug;  ZURICH.  379 

liis  citizenship,  and  becomes  an  outlaw,  the  priesthood  so 
bears  sway  in  the  government ;  but  the  Jesuits  are  not  yet 
admitted.  The  Diet  Avas  sitting  here — Lucerne,  Berne,  and 
Zurich  received  it,  each  two  years,  in  succession.  The  Can- 
tons are  sovereign  states  ;  but  certain  points  are  placed,  by 
mutual  compact,  under  the  authority  of  the  Diet.  The  Diet 
has  the  power  to  call  on  the  Cantons  for  proportionate  supplies 
of  soldiers,  in  case  of  national  need.  All  the  male  inhabitants 
are  for  a  time  soldierized  when  young ;  a  foolish  practice, 
which  cannot  fail  to  do  much  harm;  one  cause,  doubtless,  of 
the  low  state  of  morals,  which  is  prevalent  even  in  free, 
mountainous,  picturesque  Switzcrl.md.  Ten  hours' journey  on 
seventh  day,  the  5th,  brought  us  to  Zurich.  We  stopped  two 
hours  at  Zug,  the  minute  and  shabby  capital,  of  3000  inhabi- 
tants, of  the  smallest  state,  entirely  Roman  Catholic.  It  is 
situated  on  the  prett}'-  little  lake  of  the  same  name,  on  one 
side  flat,  on  the  other  crowned  with  the  E.ighi  and  other 
mountains.  Talked  with  a  Capuchin  prior,  of  whom  there 
are  ten  in  the  town  ;  he  was  clothed  in  coarse  garments,  had 
the  air  of  piety,  and  had  been  visiting  an  invalid.  The  road 
from  Zug  to  Zurich  is  over  a  long  hill ;  in  descending  which, 
we  enjoyed  a  delightful  view  of  the  lake  of  Zurich  and  the 
numerous  bright-looking  villages  on  its  bank.  Zurich  itself 
is  a  neat  prosperous  town,  as  pleasant  as  the  "villages"  of 
New  England,  about  18,000  inhabitants,  and  a  thriving 
populous  voismage ;  the  manufactory  of  silk  being  the  chief 
employment.  In  the  evening,  we  received  a  friendly  visit 
from  our  kind  and  eifective  helper  Matilda  Escher,  who  has 
been  translating  into  French  my  work  on  the  Sabbath,  and 
who  had  already  arranged  our. meeting  for  First  day  evening, 
to  be  held  at  her  father's  house.  Thus  we  found  our  work 
prepared,  and  we  ended  the  week  in  health  and  peace. 

In  the  mornjng  of  yesterday,  a  clear  prospect  opened  be- 
fore us  of  seeing  our  beloved  friend  the  Countess  Pelet  and 
her  husband.  For  this  purpose,  my  dear  wife,  Anna,  and  I 
drove  over  to  Eaden,  twelve  miles,  and  spent  an  interesting 
and  satisfactory  hour  with  our  dear  friends,  who  were  delighted 
to  see  us.     Baden  is  a  pretty  Clifton-like  place,  though  by  no 


380  ZURICH.  1843. 

means  equal  to  it,  on  the  Liniat,  in  Argovie.  In  that  Roman 
Catholic  Canton,  the  government,  for  political  ends,  has  lately 
suppressed  all  the  monasteries  and  convents,  -which  has  oc- 
casioned great  excitement  in  these  parts,  and  occupies  the 
chief  attention  of  the  Diet,  being  contrary  to  the  federal 
compact.  The  Protestant  members  are  opposed  to  it,  as  an 
act  contrary  to  religious  liberty.  Y^e  returned  to  Zurich  in 
time  for  dinner  ;  and  at  half-past  six  o'clock,  repaired  to  the 
house  of  the  Escher  f;iraily,  where  we  found  about  sixty  per- 
sons, including  several  pastors  and  many  ladies,  already 
gathered  into  silence.  The  solemnity  of  the  occasion  was  affect- 
ing. I  was  led  to  speak  at  length  on  1  Cor.  i. — "  Ye  see  your 
calling,  brethren,"  &c.,  showing  the  true  wisdom  and  true 
philosophy  which  are  to  be  found  in  Christianity,  its  applica- 
bility to  the  motives  of  the  human  mind,  and  its  results  in 
justification,  sanctification,  full  and  final  redemption.  I  was 
interpreted  for  into  German,  by  our  friend  Keller,  who  keeps 
a  school  here,  knows  English  well,  and  is  a  serious  man.  We 
had  afterwards  much  friendly  conversation  with  the  assembled 
circle,  including  the  Antistes  Fuessli,  the  successor  of  Gessner, 
and  Professor  Lange,  of  theology,  successor  of  Strauss,  the 
neologist,  who  was  excluded  from  the  ofiice  by  a  popular  revo- 
lution in  1839.  The  people,  it  seems,  respect  religion ;  and  we 
trust  the  life  of  it  is  increasingly  known  and  felt. 

Zurich,  second  day  evening. 

We  received  calls  this  morning  from  Professor  Langd  and 
others  of  our  Christian  friends ;  after  which  we  went,  all  four 
together,  guided  by  our  young  friend  Barbara  Usteri,  to  call 
on  Louisa  Lavater,  the  single  daughter  of  the  honoured  writer 
and  preacher  of  that  name.  After  a  life  devoted  to  the  service 
of  his  Redeemer,  he  was  shot  in  1801  by  one  of  Massena's 
soldiers  at  Zurich,  and  died  after  a  year  of  suffering.  Gessner, 
his  son-in-law,  was  Antistes  of  the  clergy  here  for  many  years, 
and  died  in  great  peace,  at  a  very  advanced  age,  only  last 
week.  Louisa  Lavater  is  a  refined  and  interesting  woman, 
but  very  infirm.  She  received  our  visit  and  Gospel  message 
with  joy.     We  then  went  to  her  elder  sister,  the  widow  of 


JET.  56.  BASLE.  381 

Gessner,  whom  we  found  content  and  even  rejoicing  in  tlie 
Lord,  in  her  bereavement,  in  the  belief  of  her  husband's 
happiness.  We  afterwards  called  on  Gessner's  daughter,  the 
wife  of  our  friend  Usteri,  and  the  mother  of  four  pleasing 
daughters  and  three  sons.  She  greatly  feels  her  father's 
death,  and  was  much  affected  by  the  words  of  ministry  which 
we  addressed  to  her.  The  evening  has  been  very  pleasantly 
spent  at  the  cOuntry-house,  by  the  lake,  of  our  friends,  the 
Eschers.  There  Ave  met  two  country  pastors,  evangelical  men', 
and  some  pious  ladies,  friends  of  the  Countess  Pelet.  We 
enjoyed  the  beauty  of  the  place  and  the  company  of  our 
friends,  and  the  evening  concluded  v/ith  the  reading  of 
1  John  ii,  followed  by  silence  and  ministry.  Thus  ends  a 
com.fortablc  <lay.  Lovely  looked  the  lake,  and  bright  the 
dean  white  dwellings  of  the  people,  under  the  moonlight,  on 
our  return  home. 

Basle,  8th  mo.,  11th. 

Yesterday  we  set  off  for  this  place ;  and  after  a  hot,  but  not 
unpleasant  journey,  arpived  here  by  moonlight  at  ten  o'clock. 
The  country  not  very  interesting,  except  that  much  of  the 
road  runs  within  sight  of  the  noble  sweeping  Rhine.  About 
twelve  miles  short  of  Basle  we  stopt  at  Beugen,  where  we 
visited  the  institution  for  the  boarding  and  education  of 
destitute  children,  twenty-five  girls  and  forty-five  boys ;  and 
of  young  schoolmasters,  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  in 
number,  under  the  care  of  the  Pasteur  Zeller,  who,  with  his 
simple  pious  wife,  has  governed  this  institution  twenty-three 
years.  It  has  been  supported  by  voluntary  contributions. 
We  had  a  pleasant  conversation  with  Zeller,  who  is  a  zealous 
interesting  person,  somewhat  aged  and  weakened  in  body  and 
memory,  but  full  of  love  ;  then  two  satisfactory  opportunities 
with  the  young  masters,  and  with  the  children.  The 
Christian  order  of  the  institution  is  striking,  and  many  are 
the  instances  of  the  good  effects  produced  among  those  who 
have  left  the  school. .  Surely  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  rests 
on  this  Christian  undertaking. 

Sth  mo.,  12th.  Yesterday  morning  Josiah  Forster  and  I 
called  on  Hoffman,  at  the  mission-house ;    a   person  eminent 


882  BASLE.  1843. 

both  for  talent  and  piety,  who  is  also  a  professor  or  director 
at  the  university  here  ;  and  on  Spittler,  secretary  of  the  Bible 
Society,  who  is  a  very  pleasing  devoted  person.  In  the 
evening  we  repaired  to  the  mission-house,  where  about 
forty  mot  us.  With  them  we  held  a  quiet  solemn  meeting, 
in  which  I  spoke  for  about  an  hour,  on  the  nature  and 
operation  of  the  New  Covenant.  Prayer  also  was  offered 
in  the  early  part  of  it.  I  trust  the  exercise  of  the  meet- 
ing was  not  in  vain,  yet  I  felt  low  and  discouraged 
afterwards.  This  morning  I  have  been  with  Josiah  Forster, 
Spittler,  and  Dr.  Pinkerton,  (who,  with  his  daughter  Milli- 
cent,  is  here  much  to  our  comfort,)  to  Chrishona,  once  a 
Roman  Catholic  church,  on  the  summit  of  a  wooded  hill, 
about  two  leagues  hence,  on  the  borders  of  the  Black  Forest. 
After  having  been  in  ruins  for  a  long  period,  it  was  placed  by 
the  local  government  here  in  the  hands  of  our  friend  Spittler, 
who,  in  a  small  adjoining  house,  has  nine  young  men  under 
the  care  of  Schlater,  a  pious  pastor.  They  work  for  their 
living,  and  travel  as  colporteurs,  being  carefully  educated  by 
the  pastor,  who  has  mixed  congregations  on  the  Sabbath,  of 
Lutherans,  Reformes,  and  Roman  Catholics.  It  is  a  little 
light  set  on  a  hill ;  yet  the  want  of  any  female  helper  or 
care-taker  is  a  great  defect.  We  found  a  poor  wandering 
Armenian  there,  whom  Spittler  has  taken  in,  and  is  educating. 
Dr.  Pinkerton  addressed  him  beautifully  in  flowing  Russ ; 
and  we  had  a  good  religious  opportunity  with  these  Protestant 
voung  men  and  their  preceptor.  This  Government  comprise«5 
at  present  only  the  town,  with  22,000  inhabitants,  and  three 
villages ;  the  whole  country  district,  containing  seventy  villages, 
having  broken  off  into  independence  by  a  revolution,  which 
cost  200  lives  and  a  battle  in  the  neighbouring  woods,  some  years 
a^o.  This  was  a  Radical  movement,  and  the  new  Government  at 
once  dismissed  the  evangelical  pastors,  thirty  in  number  ;  but 
as  they  left  the  parishes  at  liberty  to  dismiss  the  new  ones, 
and  choose  others,  after  a  certain  time  Christian  men  have 
again  been  gradually  introduced.  Thus  the  Lord  works  out 
his  own  gracious  purposes,  notwithstanding  all  the  rage,  and 
folly,  and  perverseness  of  men.     May  it  be  so  more  and  more  ! 


F,T    56.  BASLE.  .         .         3^3 

Second  day  morning.  AVe  have  great  cause  for  thankful- 
aess  in  the  prospect,  this  morning,  of  leaving  Basle  for  Stras- 
6urg,  and  in  the  retrospect  of  the  labours  of  yesterday. 
These  were  considerable  in  amount,  as  it  regards  myself.  At 
five  o'clock,  accompnnied  by  one  of  the  young  missionaries, 
who  speaks  English,  Josiah  Forster  and  I  Avent  to  the  prison ; 
Dr.  Pinkerton  and  another  gentleman  followed.  It  was  ft 
touching  visit,  seventy  or  eighty  men  and  boys  ;  good  order  ■, 
but  chains  about  the  necks  of  many.  I  read  part  of  Luke  xv, 
in  German,  and  addressed  them  at  some  length.  Josiah 
Forster  also  spoke,  and  there  was  great  attention  and  some 
feeling.  We  sat  with  the  women  separately.  Dr.  Pinker- 
ton  addressed  them  well ;  and  abundant  w^as  their  weeping. 
At  six  o'clock  to  the  Mission  House,  where  we  found  a  very 
respectable  assembly,  much  larger  than  before.  Sweet  and 
solemn  was  our  meeting.  I  spoke  in  French  for  about  an 
hour,  on  baptism  into  the  name  of  the  Fatlier,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  I  trust  the  subject  was  clearly 
unfolded ;  and  a  spiritual  view  of  the  baptism  here  spoken  of 
seemed  to  be  well  received.  The  main  scope  of  my  address, 
however,  w-as  the  virtue  and  excellence  of  the  whole  truth, 
the  folly  of  attempting  to  sever  its  essential  parts,  and  the 
importance  of  holding  them  in  just  and  even  balances. 
Practical  exhortation  followed,  and  earnest  prayer  for  Basle, 
for  Switzerland,  and  for  the  world.  Afterwards  we  partook 
of  the  truly  simple  supper  of  this  large  family  ;  W.  Hoifman 
and  his  wife,  a  few  of  their  friends,  and  thirtv-ei^ht  younc; 
missionaries;  eleven  more  expected.  After  supper  I  addressed 
the  young  men,  under  Hoffman's  interpretation ;  exhorting 
them  to  faithfulness,  diligence,  watchfulness,  devotion;  remind- 
ing them  also  that  nothing  but  the  true  unction  can  rightly 
iirect  into,  and  qualify  for,  the  Lord's  work,  on  the  earth. 
Josiah  Forster  addressed  them  in  German,  and  this  truly 
interesting  occasion  ended  with  solemn  prayer.  The  young 
men  were  deliglited  to  receive  my  sister  Fry's  Text  Book 
before  we  separated.  There  is  much  of  genuine  seriousness 
and  great  simplicity  apparent  in  these  young  Christians. 
They  mostly  come  from  Wurtemburg :    and   it    is  my  belief 


384  STRASBURG.  1843. 

that  tliev  arc  and  avIII  be  blessed  In  tliclr  ■woilc,  and  Avill  be 
found  as  a  dew  from  the  Lord  among  many  nations.  Western 
Africa,  (the  Danish  Gold  Coast,)  and  parts  of  Hindostan,  arc 
the  principal  sphere  of  the  missions  of  this  institution 
Hoffman  is  a  first-rate  man,  learned,  talented,  and  pious. 
He  is  professor  of  theolog}'-  at  the  little  university  here. 
Josiah  Forster  has  been  visiting  a  good  orphan  asylum  this 
morning.  It  is  surprising  how  many  Christian  institutions 
are  maintained  in  this  country.  A  simple  desire  to  spend 
and  be  spent  for  Christ,  and  for  the  advancement  of  his 
kingdom,  seems  to  animate  many.  I  have  desired  to  take 
a  lesson  out  of  such  a  book,  and  to  be  more  divested  of  self- 
indulgence.  I  find  that  the  Essays  in  German,  translated 
])y  the  late  Professor  Blumhardt,  have  been  pretty  largely 
circulated.  There  is  still,  however,  a  stock  in  hand,  and  our 
friend  Hoffman  has  undertaken  to  make  some  arrangement 
for  their  further  distribution. 

Carlsruhe,  8th  mo.,  16th. 

I  trust  we  are  rightly  here  on  our  way  to  Stuto-ard,  though 
it  has  been  somewhat  painful  to  me  to  leave  the  Rhine  this 
afternoon,  which  would  so  easily  have  borne  us  so  far  and  so 
rapidly  homewards.  Left  it,  however,  we  have,  for  a  week's 
detour,  in  the  belief  that  a  visit  to  Stutgard  forms  part  of  our 
duty;  though  we  are  more  than  usually  ignorant  Avhat  service 
may  await  us  there,  or  whether  any.  We  have  endeavoured,  not 
without  fervent  prayer,  to  commit  our  way  to  the  Lord,  so  that 
we  may  humbly  confide  that  He  is  still  condescending  to  guide 
us.  Vv^e  m.ay  reverently  acknowledge  that  He  has  remarkably 
opened  our  way  since  I  last  wrote.  We  left  Basle  about  noon, 
on  second  day,  the  14th,  and  took  the  railroad  at  "St."  Louis. 
Our  journey  was  quiet  and  easy,  though  the  weather  was  very 
liot ;  and  we  arrived  at  the  handsome  old  city  of  Strasburg,  con- 
taining 70,000  inhabitants,  about  five  o'clock.  The  tall,  taper, 
and  elegant  Cathedi'al  was  seen  towering  aloft,  long  before  we 
reached  the  city.  Late  in  the  evening  we  received  kind  calls 
from  the  Pasteur  Haerter,  and  Professor  Cuvior,  of  the 
Acadevik.  They  are  both  pious  men  of  an  excellent  lilis-ral 
fepirit.      Cuvicr  is  a  friend  of  William  Allen's,  and  a  relation 


E.T.  56.  STRASBURG.  385 

of  tlie  late  celebrated  naturalist ;  and  we  felt  much  united  to 
him  in  spirit.  Ilaerter  proposed  to  make  over  to  us  a  meeting 
of  the  Evangelical  Society  to  be  held  the  next  evening,  and  to 
give  notice  of  the  same  in  a  missionary  meeting  to  be  held  in 
the  morning.  We  consented  to  this  kind  proposition,  at  the 
same  time  explaining  to  him  our  views  of  worship  and  method 
of  proceeding.  Josiah  Forster  and  I  drove  out  to  NeuhofF, 
an  establishment  for  the  instruction  and  education,  (the  French 
make  a  vital  distinction  between  the  two  things — the  giving 
of  knowledge  and  the  training  of  character) — of  orphans  and 
other  destitute  children,  about  65,  under  the  care  of  Becker, 
who  Avas  absent ;  but  Ave  were  kindly  received  by  two  young 
men,  and  were  well  pleased  with  the  cleanliness,  civility,  and 
cleverness  of  the  children.  They  are  Avell  clad,  well  fed,  well 
taught,  and,  we  trust,  well  educated ;  and  when  old  enough, 
placed  out  in  trades,  which  they  learn  at  the  school.  The 
pleasant  opportunity  we  had  with  them,  after  dinner,  reminded 
me  of  olden  times  at  Ackworth. 

Afternoon,  called  on  Sir  George  Shee,  our  minister  at 
Stutgard,  then  in  the  hotel ;  who  gave  me  a  kind  reception, 
and  an  excellent  account  of  the  religious  freedom,  the  well 
balanced  monarchy,  well-working  constitution,  good  govern- 
ment, and  generally  happy  condition  of  the  kingdom  of 
"VVurtemburg.  Yet  it  is  small,  (1,700,000  inhabitants,)  with- 
out rivers,  without  much  commerce,  and  the  land  poor. 

In  the  evening  Pasteur  Haerter  conducted  us  to  the 
Oratoire,  which  was  well  filled  with  an  excellent  congre- 
gation, who,  I  found,  expected  an  account  of  the  West 
Indies.  This  corresponded  with  my  original  feeling,  and  I 
had  no  difficulty  in  complying  with  the  wish ;  but  after 
speaking  on  this  subject  about  tAventy  minutes,  I  found  my 
heart  and  soul  turned  to  more  serious  subjects,  and  had  to 
dwell  largely  on  the  character  and  offices  of  the  Great  Liberator 
of  the  human  race — "The  Lord  our  Righteousness."  I  had 
to  unfold  the  wondrous  significance  of  this  name.  His  divine 
as  well  as  human  character.  His  righteousness  imputed  to 
us  through  faith,  and  in  virtue  of  his  obedience  unto  death, 

Vol.  II.  — 25 


386  STUTGARD,  1843. 

even  tlie  death  of  the  cross ;  and  hnpartcd  to  us  by  his  living 
power,  by  the  gift  and  influence  of  Ilis  Holy  Spirit.  Almost 
as  soon  as  I  sat  down,  my  dear  wife  spoke  to  my  great  com- 
fort, showing  that  there  is  no  standing  still  in  religion,  and 
pressing  the  necessity  of  consistency,  devotion,  advancement. 
Josiah  Forster  added  some  sentences  of  lively  exhortation,  and 
I  was  enabled  to  conclude  the  meeting  in  fervent  prayer,  in 
which  France  was  not  forgotten.  Tlius  was  the  way  opened 
without  even  a  day's  delay,  for  very  relieving  service  at  Stras- 
burg :  in  fact,  I  suppose  for  concluding  (for  the  present  year 
at  least)  our  service  in  France. 

Strasburg  is  a  fortified  town,  with  an  arsenal  which  is  said 
to  contain  arms  for  300,000  men.  No  sooner  do  we  enter 
upon  the  German  states,  than  we  find  soldiers,  who,  in  case 
of  a  conflict,  would  doubtless  be  ranged  with  the  forces  of  the 
larger  powers  on  either  side.  Dreadful  would  the  conflict  be, 
should  it  ever  come. 

Stutgard,  Sth  mo.,  19th. 

Yesterday  morning  Josiah  Forster  and  I,  under  an  almost 
burning  sun,  threaded  the  streets  of  this  agreeable  little  me- 
U'opolis,  (40,000  inhabitants,)  and  made  calls  on  the  sister  and 
brother's  wife  of  our  dear  friend  Dr.  SteinkopfF,  and  on  Stoffaker, 
an  agreeable  pastor,  talking  only  German.  Heering,  the  "  Christ- 
liche  Kauff'man,"  to  whom  we  were  strongly  recommended,  is 
absent.  In  the  afternoon  we  drove  (an  hour  and  a  half)  to 
Kornthal,  the  valley  of  corn;  a  well-cultivated  district,  partly 
redeemed  from  the  waste  and  from  the  forest ;  inhabited  by  a 
colony  of  800  people,  under  the  surveillance  of  Hofi'man,  the 
father  of  our  friend  at  Basle,  and  the  father,  truly,  of  the  colony. 
All  the  children  call  him  '■''Grosspapa.'^  This  colony  was  esta- 
blished twenty-four  years  ago,  by  permission  of  the  present  King, 
10  avoid  their  emigrating.  This  they  were  about  to  do  because 
they  could  not  conscientiously  submit  to  a  heterodox  liturgy  which 
had  been  introduced.  This  liturgy  has  again  been  reformed ;  but 
these  Christian  people  adhere  to  their  Kornthal,  and  prosper 
in  it.  They  appeared  to  us  contented,  industrious,  and  happy; 
temperate  in  their  habits,  and  for  the  most  part  religious. 

The  children  of  the  colony  are  well  educated,  and  there  is  a 


MT.  56.  LUDWIGSBURG.  387 

large  seminary  in  the  place  for  120  girls,  from  various  parts ; 
1  well-regulated  Christian  boarding-school;  also  a  refuge  for 
destitute  little  children.  An  excellent  spirit  pervades,  and  has 
long  pervaded,  this  Christian  community.  The  now  aged 
Hoffman,  and  his  simple-hearted  wife,  gave  us  a  cordial  recep- 
tion ;  regaled  us  with  milk,  and  bread  and  butter;  and  sum- 
moned the  people  to  an  evening  meeting  in  the  chapel. 
Including  the  boys  and  girls,  there  were  a  few  hundreds 
present ;  many  labouring  men,  notwithstanding  the  harvest. 
After  successive  failures  on  the  part  of  two  men ;  one  of  the 
girls  (from  India)  interpreted  for  me,  while  I  unfolded  the 
precious  doctrines  contained  in  the  first  few  verses  of  Psa.  ciii. 
Josiah  Forster  addressed  them  well  in  German,  and  prayer 
(still  interpreted  by  the  girl,  who  was  really  helped  for  her 
service)  concluded  the  meeting.  But  0  the  obstructions  of 
a  foreign  tongue  ! 

This  morning,  after  a  pleasant  call  from  Hoffaker  and  other 
Christian  friends,  we  drove  to  Ludwigsburg,  about  three 
leagues,  a  pretty  clean  town,  where  the  king  has  a  second 
palace,  and  where  there  is  a  vast  prison  containing  900  male 
criminals.  These  are  confined  for  terms  not  exceedins:  six 
years.  There  is  now  a  separate  prison  elsewhere  for  women, 
and  another  for  longer  terms  of  imprisonment  and  for  life  ; 
the  latter  seems  to  be  a  common  sentence,  and  one  which,  from 
its  hopelessness,  cannot  fail  to  lead  to  a  deterioration  of  cha- 
racter. Capital  punishment  is  still  executed  for  murder :  one 
or  two  cases  in  the  year.  The  whole  number  of  prisoners  in 
the  state,  1700 ;  one  for  each  1000.  I  suppose  this  to  be 
about  the  usual  proportion.  In  this  country,  which  has  no 
outlets,  no  colonies,  the  only  possible  stowage  of  criminals  is 
in  prisons  ;  of  which  more  are  building ;  for  crime  seems  to  in- 
crease. The  number  of  recommitments  at  Ludwigsburg  is  very 
great.  Klett,  the  truly  Christian  director,  tells  us  that 
they  have  been  almost  all  recommitted,  from  this  or  other 
prisons,  and  some  four  times..  Yet  we  were  pleased  with  the 
order,  cleanliness,  and  Christian  care  to  be  found  at  Ludwigs- 
burg.  We  had  several  rather  comforting  religious  opportuni- 
ties  in  the  different  wards;    Josiah  Forster  well  and  kindly 


3S8  STUTGARD.  1843. 

interpreting  for  us.  The  prisoners  ■were  very  attentive,  an<l 
some  of  them  showed  unaffected  sorrow.  Instances  of  reform- 
ation occasionally  take  place.  Our  sister  Fry's  visit  to  this 
prison  is  gratefully  remembered. 

Sth  1710.,  22nd.  The  time  hitherto  spent  here  has 
been  interesting,  and  we  humbly  hope  not  in  vain.  First 
day  was  a  good  Sabbath,  though  feelings  of  poverty  and  weak- 
ness mentally,  and  some  bodily  indisposition,  were  not  wanting. 
My  mind  was  a  good  deal  occupied  during  the  day  by  the 
subject  of  Christ  dwelling  in  his  people.  In  the  evening  we 
repaired  to  the  place  appointed  for  our  meeting,  the  house  of 
a  respectable  citizen,  where  three  contiguous  rooms  were 
pretty  well  filled,  and  we  were  f\xvoured  with  a  solemn,  good 
meeting.  I  had  several  texts  before  me  in  reference  to  that 
vital  subject,  which  seemed  to  arise  in  the  meeting  with  power, 
and  which  I  believed  it  right  to  quote  in  German,  with  a  few 
remarks,  that  the  foundation  of  the  subject  might  be  clearly 
laid.  Who  is  He  who  thus  dwells  in  us,  who  are  they  in  whom 
He  dwells,  how  does  He  dwell  in  them,  and  what  is  the  effect  ? 
I  was  afterwards  very  fairly  interpreted  for  by  a  kind  elderly 
Christian  friend  who  had  formerly  been  a  missionary  in 
Africa.  Josiah  Forster  further  explained  our  views  and  prin- 
ciples, I  thought,  with  much  life  and  propriety.  The  silence 
which  prevailed  in  the  meeting  was  great ;  and  love  seemed 
to  flow. 

Yesterday  morning,  although  no  news  had  arrived  of  the 
king's  approach,  and  the  meeting  was  well  over,  there  was  to 
be  felt  flatness  and  lowness  in  the  prospect  of  quitting  Stutgard. 
After  breakfast  a  friend  called  with  a  message  from  a  pious 
lady,  (Reilen,)  begging  us  to  hold  another  meeting  at  her 
house  in  the  evening,  to  which  we  thought  it  right  to  assent. 
She  afterwards  called  herself;  she  is  one  of  the  thirsters  and 
seeker-:,  longing  for  the  true  settlement.  We  had  some  minis- 
try for  her  in  private,  as  well  as  for  our  pious  interpreter,  who 
told  us  much  of  the  dying  hours  of  his  late  wife,  who 
appears  to  have  enjoyed,  on  her  departure,  an  almost  cloudless 
view  of  glory.  In  the  afternoon,  one  of  the  servants  of  tho 
palace  called  to  inform  us  that  the  king  was  arrived.     Josiah 


^T.  56.  INTERVIEW   WITH    THE   KING.  389 

Forster  and  I  thereupon  went  to  our  minister's,  and  were 
attended  to  the  palace  by  his  kind  attache.  We  laid  our  wislies 
before  one  of  the  aides-de-camp^  and  have,  with  Koster,  seen 
General  Spitzenburg,  the  other  aide-de-camp  this  morning. 
We  have  now  nothing  to  do  but  to  await  the  answer  quietly. 

At  half-past  seven  to  our  friend  Reilen's,  where  a  much 
larger  assembly  was  awaiting  us  than  before ;  the  rooms 
crowded.  It  was  indeed  a  solemn,  refreshing  meeting.  Aftei 
a  few  preparatory  sentences,  first  from  Josiah  Forster,  and 
then  from  me,  in  German,  we  settled  into  comfortable  silence. 
I  afterwards  rose,  with  the  conversation  between  our  Saviour 
and  Martha  before  me ;  and,  under  the  same  interpretation  as 
before,  unfolded  at  some  length  those  views  of  the  life-giving 
influence  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  which  have  always  been  held 
by  Friends.  There  was,  I  trust,  much  of  true  waiting  upon 
the  Lord  in  this  meeting. 

Tl^is  aftex'noon  our  friend  Koster  called  to  inform  us  that 
<\'e  were  to  visit  the  King  and  Queen  at  the  country  palace  of 
*iosenstein  at  six  o'clock ;  a  remarkable  opening  after  all  our 
lelays  and  doubts.  Afterwards  Josiah  Forster  and  I  called 
on  Archdeacon  Knapp,  an  enlightened  and  pious  clergyman. 

A  pleasant  drive  through  the  beautiful  pleasure-grounds 
brought  us  to  the  palace  of  Rosenstein,  at  six  o'clock  ;  and  we 
were  soon  introduced  into  the  drawing-room,  where  a  glittering 
company  of  courtiers  rather  puzzled  us,  for  we  knew  not  which 
was  the  King.  At  last  we  were  ushered  into  a  balcony  over- 
looking the  garden,  river,  &c.,  where  we  soon  found  that  we 
were  with  the  King,  the  Queen,  the  Crown  Prince,  the  two 
unmarried  Princesses,  &c.  We  spoke  to  them  in  French  and 
English,  on  the  slave  trade,  the  abolition  of  slavery 
in  our  colonies,  and  prison  discipline ;  Ludwigsburg ;  the 
cellular  system;  the  Eastei-n  Penitentiary  at  Philadelphia; 
and  above  all,  the  importance  of  promoting  Christian  instruction 
at  the  University  of  Tubingen  and  in  the  schools.  The  King 
spoke  of  the  late  change  for  the  better  in  Tubingen,  by  the 
introduction  of  orthodox  professors,  and  seemed  much  interested 
in  the    subject.     Jly  dear  wife  then  proposed  to  the  Queen 


\ 


390  BRUSSELS.  1843. 

our  sitting  doAvn  in  silence  with  the  family,  which  svas  imme- 
diately assented  to.  I  was  led  to  address  them  in  French, 
explaining  the  object  of  our  journey,  and  our  lively  interest 
in  their  family,  as  well  as  in  the  people  over  whom  the  King 
reigned ;  dwelling  on  Christianity  as  the  only  true  means  of 
making  man  happy,  and  expressing  our  desire  that  divine  grace, 
even  the  good  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  might  be  bestowed  upon 
them  all,  to  qualify  them  for  the  fulfilment  of  their  great 
responsibilities,  and  to  prepare  them  for  a  blessed  eternity. 
My  dear  wife  afterwards  knelt  down  in  fervent  supplication. 
At  the  conclusion  the  King  rose,  and  shook  hands  warmly 
with  us,  expressing  his  thanks  for  the  visit.  We  also  exchanged 
kind  greetings  with  the  Queen  and  her  son  and  daughters.  I 
left  my  book  on  the  West  Indies  with  the  King,  and  the  Essay 
on  Love  to  God  with  the  Queen.  Thus  ended  our  loag-felfc 
concern  towards  this  royal  family ;  the  interview  was  short, 
but  we  humbly  trust  that  the  impression  left  is  a  good  one,  and 
that  He  who  led  into  the  service  will  bless  it. 

Having  arrived  at  Brussels;  Joseph  Jolni  Gurnej 
Avrites  :  — 

First  day  afternooyi,  Sth  mo.,  27th.  In  the  course  of  seventh 
day,  we  made,  or  renewed,  several  agreeable  acquaintances. 
Amongst  them,  Panchaud,  a  pious  French  Independent  minis- 
ter, who  has  raised  a  little  congregation,  chiefly  from  the  Roman 
Catholics ;  and  Tiddy,  the  agreeable  and  active  agent  of  the 
British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  whose  colporteurs  are  doing 
great  things  in  this  dark,  dark  land.  This  Scriptural  distribu- 
tion has  given  rise  to  an  extraordinary  awakening  among  many, 
including  even  several  priests  ;  and  the  consequence,  or  at  least 
the  accompaniment,  has  been  the  establishment  of  several 
evangelical  missionary  stations,  and  several  hopeful  schools. 
The  work,  by  all  accounts,  continues  to  make  favourable  pro- 
gress ;  and  it  is  greatly  facilitated  by  the  entire  religious 
freedom  which  is  enjoyed,  by  virtue  of  the  charter  gi*anted  on 
the  accession  of  the  present  King. 

In  the  mean  time,  Popery  is  active,  domineering  and  showy. 


JET.  56.  BRUSSELS.  391 

in  a  very  liigli  degree.  A  grand  procession,  in  honour  of  their 
idol  "Mary,"  took  pkice  lately.  The  "Queen  of  Heaven" 
was  crowned  by  the  Archbishop ;  the  Queen  of  the  Belgians 
gave  a  jewel  of  value  for  the  crown ;  and  the  semi-Protestant 
King  added  the  sanction  of  his  attendance.  All  this  is  sad 
and  weak ;  but  will  probably  defeat  'its  own  ends.  In  the 
evening  we  received  a  visit  from  my  old  friend,  Grimshaw. 
(the  author  of  the  life  of  Legh  Richmond,)  and  his  daughters : 
also  from  the  Baron  du  Bois  de  Ferrieres,  a  superior  person 
every  way ;  once  a  Roman  Catholic,  now  a  zealous  Protestant, 
and  President  of  the  Evangelical  Society  here.  He  married 
an  English  lady,  whose  two  female  cousins  live  with  her,  and 
are  eminent  here  for  untiring  good  doing.  Our  evening  was 
very  pleasant ;  and  Brussels  turns  out,  so  far,  a  bright  point 
at  the  conclusion  of  our  mission.  That  the  mission  might 
end  well  was  my  earnest  prayer,  vocally  expressed  this  morning 
in  our  quiet  little  meeting.  A  meeting  is  appointed  to  be  held 
this  evening,  in  the  salh  below.  I  feel  the  weight  of  the 
engagement,  and  write  these  lines  under  that  peculiar  sense 
of  lownesss  which  generally  precedes  such  occasions.  May  the 
Lord  graciously  condescend  to  be  with  us,  with  his  own  holy 
and  blessed  anointing  !  "We  look  hopefully,  and  even  joyfully, 
forward,  to  an  early  flight  homeward  to-morrow  morning. 

Calais,  8th  mo.,  29th. 

The  lowness  and  flatness  which  I  felt  last  First  day  afternoon 
at  Brussels,  proved  to  be  the  preparation  for  a  favoured  meeting. 
In  the  evening,  at  half-past  seven,  or  nearly  eight  o'clock,  the 
large  salle  of  the  hotel  became  completely  filled  with  a  very 
respectable  company;  among  others,  Panchaud  and  his  wife. 
Boucher,  Grimshaw,  Count  Arrivabene,  &c.  After  a  time  of 
silence,  and  a  few  introductory  sentences  from  Josiah  Forster, 
I  preached  the  gospel,  I  trust,  in  its  fulness,  from  Isaiah  Ixi, 
"The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon  me,"  &c. — adverting  to  the 
anointing  of  Christ  after  his  baptism  in  Jordan ;  his  divine 
and  prophetical  character,  and  his  gracious  offices  as  unfolded 
in  this  passage ;  the  binding  up  of  the  broken  heart ; 
the  liberation  of  the  captives,  &c.     I  dwelt  particularly  on 


892  CALAIS.  1843 

liberation  from  the  yoke  of  ceremonies  ;  from  the  condemna- 
tion of  the  law ;  from  the  power  and  influence  of  sin ;  then 
the  consolation  which  is  not  to  be  anticipated  before  a  thorough 
cleansing,  but  which  follows  it ;  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of 
joy  for  mourning,  &c.  I  spoke  in  French  for  the  last  time, 
I  ti'ust  for  the  present,  and  the  gift  of  clearness  and  fluency 
was  graciously  bestowed.  Prayer  also  flowed,  to  my  own 
comfort,  towards  the  close  of  the  meeting,  which  Josiah 
Forster  ended  with  a  Christian  farewell. 

The  feeling  of  relief  after  this  meeting  was  great,  and  the 
next  morning,  yesterday,  I  felt  quite  at  ease  ;  happy  and 
peaceful;  ready  to  go  home  —  an  experience  which  was,  I 
believe,  shared  by  all  our  little  party. 

Here,  in  quietness  and  seclusion  from  the  world,  we  can 
rest  for  a  few  hours ;  take  a  calm  and  thoughtful  retrospect  of 
the  deeply  interesting  journey  which  is  now  brought  so  near 
to  its  close ;  and  hopefully  commit  ourselves  for  the  future,  to 
that  gracious  and  holy  Being,  who  has  hitherto  helped  us,  and 
who  will,  as  we  humbly  trust,  help  us  to  the  end. 


ST.  56.  RETURN   HOME.  393 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

1843—44.     ^T.  56. 

TOTAL  ABSTINENCE  MEETING  AT  NORWICH;  MARRIAGE  OF  HIS 
daughter;  PUBLICATION  OF  HIS  LAST  WORK,  THOUGHTS  ON 
HABIT  AND  DISCIPLINE;  JOURNEY  IN  FRANCE;  BOULOGNE; 
ROUEN  ;  PARIS  ;  ORLEANS  ;  TOURS  ;  METTRAY  ;  SAUMUR  ;  NANTES  ; 
LA   BOCHELLE;    BORDEAUX;    ST.  FOY ;    NERAC;    PAU. 

Once  more  settled  at  Earlliam,  Joseph  John 
Gurney  writes:  — 

9t7i  mo.,  dtli.  Great  peace,  and  even  joy,  are  our  portion  on 
returning  to  our  beloved  home ;  and  I  cannot  describe  tbe 
()[uiet  happiness  which  has  been  permitted  us  this  morning,  as 
Ave  have  roamed  about  the  pleasure-grounds.  Bless  the  Lord, 
0  my  soul !  may,  indeed,  be  the  language  of  each  heart 
amongst  us !  How  can  we  forget  his  benefits,  which  are 
renewed  every  morning  ?  Health  of  body  and  peace  of  mind 
are  the  precious  gifts  now  graciously  bestowed,  and  bestowed 
on  those  who  deserve  them  not ;  at  least,  I  am  sure  that  this 
is  the  case  with  myself. 

9th  mo.,  9th.  On  fifth  day  evening,  my  dear  wife  and  I 
attended  the  Great  "  Teetotal"  Meeting,  held  at  Norwich,  on 
the  arrival  of  "  Father" ^Matthew;  and,  at  the  bishop's  earnest 
request,  I  took  the  chair,  in  the  declared  character  of  a  pledged 
teetotaller.'^     I  spoke  fully,  but  carefully,  on  the  subject ;  and 

^Joseph  John  Gurney  signed  the  total  abstinence  pledge  at 
the  house  of  his  friend  Richard  Dykes  Alexander,  at  Ipswich,  on 
the  8th  of  the  4th  month,  1843. 


394  TOTAL   ABSTINi;NCE   AND    BIBLE   MEETINGS.  1843. 

the  bishop  afterwards,  extremely  well.  "Father"  Matthew  13 
a  very  pleasing,  and,  as  I  fully  believe,  a  very  upright  man ,. 
winning  his  way  by  his  kindness  and  sincerity.  I  cannot 
doubt  his  being  an  instrument,  in  the  divine  hand,  for  exten- 
sive usefulness. 

I  look  back  on  my  own  part  in  this  matter,  with  calmness 
and  content ;  and  for  the  true  freedom  of  total  abstinence,  for 
the  comfortable  health  and  good  animal  spirits  which  go  along 
with  it,  I  am  truly  and  increasingly  thankful. 

10th  mo.,  ord.  Last  week  passed  off  very  satisfactorily. 
The  Bible  Society  Meeting,  on  fourth  day,  was  excellent,  after 
a  very  comfortable  and  uniting  breakfast  party,  at  Earlham. 
Many  pious  men  assembled  there,  notwithstanding  the 
weather.  The  meeting  itself  was  not  large,  the  weather  being 
unfavourable ;  but  much  better  attended  by  the  clergy  than 
that  of  last  year.  I  felt  helped  in  speaking  on  the  state  of 
the  continent ;  dividing  the  population,  not  utterly  careless 
of  such  things,  into  three  great  classes ;  those  who  take  away 
from  Scripture ;  those  who  add  to  it ;  and  those  who  desire  to 
adhere  to  its  contents,  without  either  diminution  or  addition.* 
There  was  much  of  love  and  harmony  prevailing.  In  the 
evening  m'c  had  a  comfortable  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders, 
R.  and  P.  Alsop  being  with  us,  and  returning  with  us  to  Earl- 
ham, which  they  have  since  pleasantly  made  their  home  during 
the  progress  of  their  family  visit  to  our  meeting.  The  Quarterly 
Meeting  was  well  attended,  and  vei'y  satisfactory ;  Robert  Alsop 
was  well  engaged  in  the  meeting  for  worship ;  and  his  wife  in 
prayer.  Afterwards,  at  a  joint  conference,  my  dear  wife  and 
I  made  a  report  of  our  continental  journey,  retaining  our 
certificate.  There  was  a  good  feeling  over  us  all.  At  the 
close  of  a  quiet  meeting  for  business,  I  was  bowed  before 
our  gracious  Lord,  in  vocal  prayer.  , 

lOih  mo.,  9t7i.  *  *  *  On  sixth  day  we  had  about  fifty  of 
our  Norwich  Friends  here,  with  the  Alsops.  It  was  a  scene 
of  quiet,  but  heartfelt  enjoyment.     "We  were  favoured  with  a 

*  Joseph  John  Gurnej's  Speech  on  this  occasion  was  afterwards 
published  in  a  separate  form. 


^T.  56.  MARRIAGE    OF    niS    DAUGHTER.  895 

very  refreshing  religious  opportunity  round  the  table  in  the 
dining-room,  before  the  company  broke  up.  •  Yesterday  even- 
ing, also,  we  had  a  party  of  those  who  had  been  left  out; 
and  we  felt  peace  and  pleasure  in  entertaining  some  humble 
Christians. 

The  approaching  marriage  of  his  beloved  daughter 
was  an  event  to  which  he  now  looked  forward  with 
deep  interest. 

10th  mo.,  IQth.  [After  one  of  his  frequent  affectionate 
allusions  to  his  wife.] — My  other  nearest  earthly  dependencies 
appear  much  in  the  way  of  being  dislocated.  Such  a  term 
seems  to  apply  to  dearest  Anna's  approaching  removal  to  a 
distance,  although  under  such  happy  and  desirable  circum- 
stances ;  and  my  sister  Fry's  prolonged  and  deep  illness  is  to 
me  a  truly  affecting  dispensation.  She  calls  for  our  tenderest 
sympathy.  Yet  can  we  rejoice  in  the  support  and  quietness 
of  soul  so  graciously  bestowed  upon  her. 

10^^  mo.,. 25th.  After  our  comfortable  family  reading  this 
morning,  I  expressed  my  desire  that,  in  the  view  of  the  ap- 
proaching event  so  deeply  interesting  to  us  all,  we  might  be 
enabled  to  dwell  near  to  the  Fountain  of  light  and  life ;  and 
to  move  and  live  under  the  influence  of  that  grace  which  can 
alone  qualify  for  every  duty,  sanctify  all  the  pleasures  of  life, 
and  enable  us  rightly  to  bear  its  pains.  We  are  favoured 
with  the  feeling  of  much  quietness  in  the  prospect ;  somewhat 
of  a  satisfying  sense,  that  all  is  right.   *  *  * 

Dear  Anna's  school  children  have  just  been  crowding  the 
hall  to  receive  new  bonnets,  on  the  occasion  of  her  marriage. 
Her  labours  of  love  for  their  benefit  have  been  great  and 
persevering ;  and  I  think  it  evident,  from  their  demeanour, 
that  she  has  not  laboured  in  vain.  Truly  she  will  carry  the 
blessing  of  many  along  with  her. 

On  the  8th  of  the  11  ih  mo.,  his  daughter  was 
married  to  John  Church  Backhouse,  of  Blackwell, 
near  Darlington. 


396  MARRIAGE    OF   HIS    DAUGHTER.  1843. 

He  afterwards  writes  :  — 

11th  mo.,  ISth.  Surely  we  cannot  review  the  past  week 
■without  a  feeling  of  reverent  gratitude,  adoration,  and  praise ; 
for  the  God  of  all  grace  has  dealt  mercifully  with  us. 

The  marriage  took  place  on  fourth  day  the  8th ;  the  meeting 
house  in  Goat  lane  thronged.  After  our  large  company  was 
seated,  a  good  silence  spread  over  us,  and  supplication  fell  to 
my  lot  under  feelings  of  great  solemnity ;  after  which  the 
pair  spoke  well ;  dear  H.  C.  Backhouse  prayed  for  a  blessing 
on  their  covenant ;  then  William  Forster,  who  has  been  our 
sympathizing  and  able  helper  throughout,  was  excellently 
engaged  on  the  fear  of  God.  We  returned  home  in  peace, 
and  sat  down  to  the  marriage-feast,  about  fifty-five  in  number. 
Before  leaving  the  table,  we  were  favoured  with  a  memorable 
opportunity.  It  was,  indeed,  a  most  happy  day ;  but  I  shed 
some  tears  of  heartfelt  grief,  when  I  had  fairly  lost  my  child. 

11th  mo.,  20th.  Should  the  way  open  for  my  retiring 
entirely  from  the  cares  of  business,  I  should  be  truly 
thankful.  The  prospect  of  such  a  possibility  bi'ings  great 
tranquillity  over  me.  I  do  wish  with  all  simplicity  to  devote 
myself  to  the  service  of  my  Lord ;  and  to  quiet,  heart-search- 
ing preparation  for  an  awful  and  unseen,  yet  I  humbly  trust, 
happy  futurity.  "Gather  up  thy  wares  out  of  the  land,  0  thou 
inhabitant  of  the  fortress !"  We  have  truly  gratifying 
and  satisfying  accounts  of  our  darling  married  child.  This  is 
another  call  for  humble  gratitude. 

12th  mo.,  Gth.  On  third  day  morning,  in  last  week,  my 
dearest  wife  and  I  set  off  for  Upton.  We  continued  there 
until  the  following  second  day  morning ;  and  a  highly  interest- 
ing time  we  had.  Our  principal  object  was  to  visit  our 
dearest  sister  Fry.  With  her  we  had  many  precious  inter- 
views, and  low  as  she  has  been  brought,  and  sometimes  closely 
tried,  we  were  cheered  with  a  pretty  firm  hope  of  her  partial 
recovery. 

On  sixth  day  I  was  much  interested  in  attending  the 
"Meeting  for  Sufferings;"  at  the  close  of  which  I  was  en- 
gaged in  fervent  prayer  for  William  Allen;  whose  life  is,  to  all 


^T.  56.  JOURNAL    AND   LETTERS.  397 

appearance,  gradually,  but  rather  rapidly,  drawing  to  its  close. 
First  day  was  one  of  uncommon  exercise  to  the  relief  of  our 
minds.  A  solemn  meeting  at  Plaistow  in  the  morning. 
In  the  afternoon,  to  Tottenham  meeting,  which  was  sweet 
and  solemn.  My  exercise  of  mind,  that  all  might  truly  come 
by  the  door  into  the  sheepfold,  was  responded  to  by  Maria 
Fox  in  a  truly  touching  prayer.  After  calling  on  Ann 
Hodwtin,  for  whom  we  felt  much  in  the  absence  of  her  de- 
voted  husband,  we  took  tea  with  Josiah  and  Rachel  Forster, 
to  our  mutual  pleasure  and  comfort.  Then  to  the  Barclay's, 
where  we  met  a  large  family  circle  of  young  people,  to  whom 
I  was  led  to  unfold  the  great  principles  which  we  profess  as  a 
Society,  with  some  degree,  I  trust,  of  clearness  and  life ;  we 
returned  late  to  Upton  in  peace,  and  home  on  second  day. 


TO 


Earlham,  12th  mo.,  8th,  1843. 

I  send  thee  by  Post  a  little  tract  on  Baptism,  written  by 
William  Dell;  an  old  Cambridge  divine,  who  lived  shortly 
before  the  rise  of  Friends.  I  have  just  received  a  few  copies, 
and  have  been  so  much  interested  in  the  perusal  of  one  of  them, 
that  I  thought  I  might,  in  the  freedom  of  friendship,  send  it 
to  thee,  marked  as  it  is  by  ray  own  pencil.  It  was  the  means 
of  clearing  the  views  of  a  clergyman  near  Holt,  in  Norfolk, 
and  the  consequence  was  that  he  gave  up  his  preferment,  and 
retired  from  the  Church  of  England.  The  contents  are,  I 
think,  well  Worthy  of  quiet  and  deep  consideration. 

Whilst  on  a  short  visit  to  his  daughter,  at  Black- 
well,  near  Darlington,  he  writes  :  — 

TO    HIS    SISTER    ELIZABETH   FRY. 

Blackwell,  1st  mo.,  5th,  1844. 

I  think  thou  wilt  be  enabled  to  rejoice  with  us  in  the  peace 
and  happiness  VfQ  are  now  enjoying  under  our  dear  son  and 
daughter's  roof.     Their  settlement  is  most  comfortable  and 


398  jouRi^AL.  1844. 

satisfactory,  and  this  is  a  lovely  spot  indeed.  The  views  from 
the  terrace  of  the  Tees  in  its  peaceful  meanderings  are  quite 
charming,  and  the  house  is  very  pleasant  and  convenient.  It 
is  a  favoured  allotment  for  our  dearest  Anna ;  and  we  find  it 
a  delightful  retreat  and  resting-place. 

To  return  to  the  Journal :  — 

On  second  day,  (1st  mo.,  22nd,)  I  concluded  (against 
the  apparent  laws  hoth  of  prudence  and  comfort,)  to  go, 
without  my  dearest  wife,  to  London,  in  order  to  attend  the 
funeral  of  our  late  lamented  friend  Maria  Fox,  of  Tottenham. 
This  act  of  faith  and  obedience  was  rewarded  as  well  as  justified 
by  the  eventstof  the  week.  It  was  indeed  a  memorable  time ; 
the  funeral  large,  and  peculiarly  weighty  and  solemn.  I  found 
a  decidedly  open  door  for  service  in  ministry  at  meeting,  on  the 
"day  of  mourning  for  Jerusalem;"  also  in  prayer  near  the 
grave ;  sweet  visit  to  J.  and  A.  Hodgkin,  and  a  large  company, 
and  truly  solemn  occasion,  at  S.  Fox's  in  the  evening.  *  *  * 

[Returned  home]  on  seventh  day  after  a  very  sweet,  and  to 
me  consoling,  interview  with  my  dearest  sister  Fry. 

2ncZ  mo.^  l^th.  Yesterday,^  in  the  afternoon  meeting, 
Frances  Page  spoke  sweetly  on  the  New  Jerusalem.  The 
same  passages  had  been  previously  on  my  own  mind,  and  I 
added  a  few  sentences.  If  the  inquiry  be  raised  in  any  mind, 
where  that  better  country,  and  that  city  which  hath  foun- 
dations are,  it  is  enough  for  the  Christian  to  know  that  they 

are  where  Christ  is,  and  lives,  and  reigns  in  glory.     The 

family  here  to  tea  and  supper ;  I  was  peacefully  reminded  of 
the  words,  "  They  cannot  recompense  thee,  but  thou  shalt  be 
recompensed  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just." 

My  mind  has  been  somewhat  anxious  on  the  question  — 
whether  I  ought  to  subscribe  to  the  Anti-Corn  Law  League ; 
and  I  do  desire  to  be  brought  to  the  right  conclusion.  The 
principles  of  free  trade  are  certainly  good  Christian  principles ; 
and  if  they  are  promoted  on  Christian  grounds,  and  in  a  right 
manner,  it  seems  to  be  a  branch  of  politics  in  which  it  may 


JET.  56.  THOUGHTS    ON    HABIT   AND   DISCIPLINE.  399 

be  not  only  lawful,  but  right,  to  take  a  reasonable  share- 
Yet  evil  must  not  be  done  that  good  may  come ;  and,  at 
present,  I  doubt  the  working  of  the  machine. 

2nd  mo.,  26th.  Another  week  has  flown  away,  and  finds  us 
in  possession  of  many  rich  blessings.  After  some  indisposi- 
tion, I  am  better  again  ;  the  accounts  of  our  dearest  sister 
have  been  considerably  alleviated ;  and  now  we  are  cheered 
and  comforted  by  the  presence  amongst  us,  once  more,  of  our 
darling  child  and  her  husband,  from  Blackwell,  who  arrival 
safe  and  well  on  seventh  day ;  and  great  is  our  happiness  in 
being  together.  Our  Sabbath  yesterday  has  left  a  peaceful 
and  salutary  impression.  I  was  much  engaged  in  the  morn- 
ing meeting,  in  ministering  on  the  words  —  "  Be  thou  faithful 
unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life,"  Fidelity 
in  rightly  filling  up  our  measure  and  sphere  of  influence,  in 
the  right  direction,  fully  and  perseveringly ;  to  be  efi"ected  only 
by  thorough  submission  to  the  operation  of  divine  power. 

In  the  spring  of  this  year,  was  published  the  last, 
but  not  the  least  useful,  of  Joseph  John  Gurney's 
more  extended  writings  —  Thoughts  on  Habit  and 
Discipline.  The  subject  had  been  long  before  his 
mind.  For  many  years  his  life  had  been  a  con- 
tinued endeavour  after  the  subjection  of  his  own 
mind  and  heart  to  the  highest  moral  and  religious 
discipline;  and  if,  especially  on  such  a  subject, 
example  and  experience  must  ever  give  weight  to 
precept,  the  reader  who  now  turns  to  this  little 
volume,  will  not  peruse  it  with  the  less  interest  or 
instruction,  as  he  marks  the  course  through  which 
Joseph  John  Gurney  became,  by  grace,  what  he  was. 
To  write  a  useful,  rather  than  a  profound  or  learned 
work,  was  his  principal  aim. 

"Amidst  many  more  serious  avocations,"  to  use  his  own 
words  in  the  preface,  "  the  composition  of  the  present  work 
has  been  the  pleasant  occupation  of  occasional  leisure  hours. 


400  THOUGHTS   ON   HABIT   AND   DISCIPLINE.  1844. 

Little  as  it  is  laboured,  and  capable  as  it  is  of  much  improve- 
ment, I  am  induced  to  publish  it,  in  the  hope  that  it  may  be 
of  so7ne  use  to  the  lately  risen,  and  now  rising  generation. 

"  It  consists  of  three  divisions.  The  first  contains  general 
remarks  on  the  nature  and  operation  of  Habit  and  Discipline. 
It  is  the  philosophy  of  the  subject,  though  in  a  low  sense  of 
the  term,  and  in  a  very  familiar  guise.  The  second  relates  to 
BAD  HABIT,  that  grand  instrument  in  the  hand  of  Satan,  for 
enslaving,  enchaining,  and  finally  destroying  mankind.  The 
THIRD  to  GOOD  HABIT,  which  is  the  appointed  means,  under 
the  natural  and  moral  government  of  God,  and  in  connection 
with  a  providential  scheme  of  discipline,  for  our  improvement 
in  ability,  knowledge,  wisdom,  and  virtue. 

"  Good  habit  is  considered  in  its  application,  first,  to  the 
movements  and  uses  of  the  body ;  secondly,  to  art,  that  useful 
result  of  the  joint  exercise  of  body  and  mind ;  thirdly,  to 
intellectual  capacities  and  pursuits ;  FOURTHLY,  to  morals ; 
and  FIFTHLY,  to  religion. 

"  Heartily  do  I  desire  that  those  who  are  now  in  the  early 
vigour  of  their  bodily  and  mental  powers,  may  become  subject 
in  all  things,  to  the  salutary  power  of  GOOD  habit.  Under  the 
influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  can  alone  change  and 
sanctify  the  heart  of  man,  they  will  find  in  the  friendly  sway 
of  this  'magistrate  of  man's  life,'  this  genial  nurse  and  mis- 
tress of  our  faculties,  a  preparation  for  all  that  is  useful  and 
honourable  in  time,  and  for  all  that  is  pure  and  joyous  in 
eternity." 

The  work  has  been  frequently  reprinted  and 
widely  circulated,  and  has  been  introduced,  as  it 
deserves,  into  several  important  educational  estab- 
lishments. May  its  circulation  and  perusal  be  blessed 
more  and  more  ! 

Being  now  desirous  of  completing  his  labours  on 
the  Continent,  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in  the  third 
month  of  this  year,  again  left  England,  in  company 
with  his  wife  and  their  valued  friend,  Josiah  Forster. 


lET.  5G.  FURTHER    LABOURS   IN    FRANCE.  401 

Their  journey  southward  extended  as  far  as  Bordeaux, 
Toulouse,  and  Pau.  They  returned  to  England  in  the 
fifth  month  to  attend  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  after- 
•  wards  concluded  their  engagement  by  a  visit  to  the 
Channel  Islands.  The  particulars  of  this  journey 
are  detailed  in  a  series  of  letters  to  his  daughter, 
from  which  the  following  extracts  are  taken  :  — 

Abbeville,  5th  day  evening,  3rd  mo.,  2]st,  1844. 

My  Dearest  Anna, 

Blustering  was  the  wind,  and  snow-capped  the 
waves,  when  we  got  on  board  the  "  Ramsgate"  steamer,  at  Folk- 
stone,  yesterday  morning,  for  our  voyage  to  Boulogne ;  and 
finely  tossed  were  we  on  the  passage.  The  sea  was  what  the 
sailors  call  lumpy,  the  waves  being  at  times  prodigious,  and 
our  boat  seemed  to  labour  very  hard  to  get  along. 

After  four  hours  and  nearly  a  half,  we  all  felt  it  a  favour,  as 
well  as  a  relief,  to  make  the  quiet  harbour  of  Boulogne  in 
safety.  In  the  evening  we  met  forty  or  fifty  pious  people  in 
the  Wesleyan  chapel ;  and  the  deep  stillness  of  the  meeting 
afforded  a  salutary  and  agreeable  contrast  to  the  bellow- 
ing and  dashing  of  the  ocean,  which  had  half  overpowered 
us  in  the  morning.  Josiah  Forster  said  a  few  words  to  ex- 
plain our  views ;  and,  after  a  period  of  profound  quietness,  I 
was  enabled  to  preach  from  Col.  i. — "  Giving  thanks  unto  the 
Father,  who  hath  made  us  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  in- 
heritance of  the  saints  in  light,"  &c.  The  view  arose  vividly 
before  me  of  the  nature  and  character  of  that  inheritance,  and 
of  that  radical  change  of  heart,  and  sanctifying  work  of  the 
Spirit,  in  which  alone  our  meetness  for  it  can  consist.  The 
meeting  ended  in  much  solemnity,  after  vocal  prayer.  Lyon, 
the  pious,  agreeable  Minister,  afterwards  told  me,  that  he  was 
engaged  in  a  course  of  lectures  on  this  same  Epistle,  and  that 
he  had  intended  on  that  evening  to  address  the  people  on 
the  very  text  which  I  had  preached  from  —  having  come  just 
so  far  in  the  Epistle.  He  seemed  delighted  at  the  coincidence, 
which  I  thought  was  best  explained  by  our  good  old  view  of 

Vol.  II.  — 26 


■lOL'  ROUEN.  1844. 

the  guidance  of  the  Spirit.     He  breakfasted  with  us  this  morn- 
ing, and  we  parted  from  him  in  the  feeling  of  Christian  love. 

We  are  all  well  and  comfortable  to-day.  We  left  Boulogne 
about  ten  o'clock ;  enjoyed  our  journey ;  read  the  Bible, 
French  Testament,  Thomas  Shillitoe's  Journal,  and  Life  of 
Adam  Clark;  and  distributed  many  tracts  en  passant.  *     * 

Rouen,  First  day,  Srd  mo.,  24tb. 

We  arrived  here  in  time  for  a  late  evening  dinner,  and  spent 
most  of  yesterday  in  making  the  needful  arrangements  for  our 
meeting  to-day.  In  the  afternoon,  Josiah  Forster  and  I  drove 
about  two  miles  to  le  petit  Quevilly,  where  a  gentleman  and 
lady  named  Lecointe  have  opened,  on  their  own  beautifully 
situated  and  wooded  estate,  a  refuge  for  young  criminals,  of 
whom  they  have  now  twenty-four  under  their  care,  who  are  sent 
to  them,  instead  of  to  the  prison  of  the  department,  by  order 
uf  the  government.  I  believe  Lecoint'e  purchased  the  estate 
lately,  (about  50  acres,)  for  the  purpose.  He  is  pJiilanthrophe 
pldlosophe  (they  say)  rather  than  Chretien,  but  seems  very 
.•imiable,  and  much  devoted  to  his  object.  There  is  no  barring 
and  bolting  here.  The  gates  are  open  and  the  boys  can  escape 
if  they  choose;  but  they  continue  faithfully  there  for  their 
isppointed  time  on  parole,  and  seem  happily  engaged  in  gar- 
dening, cutting  down  wood,  carpentering,  and  other  healthy 
employments.  A  good  school  is  kept  for  them  every  after- 
noon, where  they  seem  to  be  well  taught.  The}^  looked  truly 
civilized ;  read  well  to  us,  and  listened  to  our  French  addresses 
daring  their  supper  with  much  propriety.  There  is  a  fine  old 
Norman  chapel  on  the  premises,  where  they  meet  for  worship ; 
their  religjious  instruction  being  under  the  care  of  a  Roman 
Catholic  chaplain.  On  the  whole  it  was  to  me  the  most 
agreeable  institution  of  the  kind  I  have  seen  ;  yet  wanting  in 
the. grand  fundamental  article  of  sound  Christian  influence  and 
example.  The  Government  pays  a  considerable  part  of  the 
expense,  the  rest  is  provided  for  by  a  Societe  de  Patronage. 

Paris,  SrJ  ino.,  27th. 

I  wrote  to  thee  last  from  Rouen,  on  first  day,  afrcr  our  quiet 
little   morning   meeting.     At   three   o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 


ST.  56.  ROUEN.  403 

Josiah  Forster  and  I  repaired  to  the  workshops  (connected 
with  the  railroad)  of  Buddicomb,  Allcard,  and  Co.,  at  Char- 
treux,  where,  in  a  large  room,  we  held  a  good  open  meeting, 
with  about  two  hundred  of  the  English  workmen,  wives,  and 
children.  It  was  to  me  a  time  of  close  exercise  and  close 
ministry.  The  habits  which  these  poor  fellows  very  generally 
fall  into,  of  drinking  French  brandy  to  excess,  and  of  other 
dissipation,  have  done  much  to  deteriorate  their  moral  con- 
dition. They  listened  with  much  attention,  and  behaved 
quietly. 

We  returned  to  our  hotel  to  dinner,  and  at  seven  o'clock 
went  to  the  Protestant  "  Temple,"  which  is  a  fine  old 
Gothic  building,  formerly  Roman  Catholic,  and  almost  like  a 
cathedral.  Josiah  Ferster  and  I  looked  singular  enough  there, 
sitting  with  our  hats  on,  on  two  chairs  in  front  of  the  pulpit, 
which  would  not  hold-  us  both.  We  found  ourselves  sur- 
rounded by  a  considerable  congregation,  and  truly  I  deeply 
felt  the  weight  and  responsibility  of  our  circumstances.  Josiah 
Forster's  introductory  sentences  were  much  to  the  point,  and 
after  some  time  of  silence,  I  was  enabled  to  address  them  for 
about  an  hour  in  French,  from  the  1st  of  Hebrews ;  the 
comparative  claims  of  the  law  and  the  gospel ;  the  divinity  of  • 
Him  by  whom  the  latter  is  administered ;  and  the  necessity  of 
looking  to  Him  alone  in  the  course  of  Christian  experience, 
as  the  one  appointed  and  all-sufficient  Mediator.  The  meeting 
closed  peacefully  after  prayer ;  and  much  satisfaction  was 
expressed  by  Paumier,  the  minister,  and  many  others.  Thus 
our  day  ended  well.  The  next  morning  Paumier  breakfasted 
with  us.  We  felt  much  indebted  to  him  for  his  cordial 
help,  and  left  a  subscription  for  his  Protestant  school, 
which  our  donations  in  1817  appear  to  have  been  the 
means  of  founding,  or  at  least  of  greatly  improving.  I 
well  remember  then  visiting  him  with  thy  uncles  Buxton, 
Cunningham,  and  Gurney ;  and  as  far  as  I  could  perceive,  he 
is  much  unaltered,  after  a  lapse  of  27  years. 

We  left  Rouen  by  the  Railroad  on  second  day,  with  the 
impression  that  there  is  a  true  work  of  grace  going  forward  in 
that  city  and  its  vicinity. 


404  PAEis.  1844. 

Here  (at  Paris)  the  way  for  some  important  service  seems 
to  be  opening  upon  us,  and  our  friends  are  as  kind  as  ever.  I 
spent  about  an  hour  yesterday  with  the  Pelets ;  the  two 
Countesses  full  of  warmth  and  love,  and  the  Count  kind  and 
polite  as  usual.  La  Baronne  de  Stael  has  also  called,  and  is 
engaged  to  come  and  see  thy  mother  again  to-day.  We  are  en- 
gaged to  meet  her  at  dinner  at  the  Due  de  Broglie's,  on  seventh 
day,  and  to  dine  at  the  Pelet's  on  second  day  next  week.  John 
Scoble  and  Geo.  W.  Alexander,  from  the  Anti-Slavery  Society, 
are  in  this  Hotel.  The  former  has  been  writing  an  excellent 
hrocJiure  on  the  Mapport  de  la  Commission  Roy  ale  sur 
VEsclavagc,  which  is  to  be  translated  and  published.  We 
have  agreed  to  hold  an  Anti-Slavery  meeting  in  the  great 
salle  H  manger^  on  sixth  day  evening,  ajjd  are  engaged  to-day 
in  arranging  our  invitations.  I  wish  we  may  get  a  full  meeting, 
and  may  be  enabled  to  do  the  great  cause  some  justice. 

To-morrow  we  propose  to  hold  our  week-day  meeting  at 
the  old  place,  and  a  public  one  in  the  evening  at  the  Methodist 
Chapel.  First  day  is  likely  to  be  full  of  similar  engagements. 
The  weight  of  these  concerns  has  been  felt  to  be  heavy, 
especially  during  the  hours  of  infirmity  which  so  often  fall  to 
my  lot  at  night ;  but  there  is  a  feeling  through  all  of  much 
peace,  and  we  may,  I  trust,  say  with  Paul,  "  If  God  be  for  us, 
who  can  be  against  us  ?" 

When  we  were  here  last  year,  the  Protestants  were  much 
alarmed  by  the  obvious  and  close  union  of  the  Government 
with  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Now  the  tables  are  some- 
what turned  ;  for  a  warm  controversy  has  arisen  between  the 
Bishops  and  the  Government,  on  the  subject  of  education  : 
which  is  at  present  under  the  direction  of  the  University  of 
Paris,  subject  to  the  still  higher  authority  of  the  government, 
through  its  Minister  of  Public  Instruction.  The  clergy,  under 
the  pretence  of  liberty,  are  wanting  to  get  the  whole  affair 
into  their  own  hands  ;  and  are  loudly  calling  for  the  abolition 
of  this  authority  in  the  University.  In  this  they  are  joined 
by  many  pious  Protestants,  who  cling  to  the  principle  of  entire 
freedom  of   education.     The    clergy  are    said   to    have    even 


^T.  56.         THE  DUCHESS  OF  ORLEANS.  .  405 

threatened  tlie  Government  with  excommunication,  and  it  is 
difficult  to  conjecture  what  will  be  the  issue. 

Paris,  4th  ino.,  4th,  1844. 

*  *  *  We  had  an  interview  with  the  Duchess  of  Orleans, 
by  appointment,  yesterday  morning.  She  received  us  alone  at 
the  Tuilleries  in  the  kindest  and  most  open  manner,  and 
interested  us  all  very  deeply.  She  is  simple,  refined, 
unaffected,  and  warm  hearted ;  of  a  slender  frame,  and  sweet, 
pleasing  countenance.  She  spoke  very  affectionately  of  thy 
aunt  Fry,  and  after  some  easy  friendly  conversation,  thy 
mother  proposed  silence,  which  was  immediately  complied 
with.  Soon  afterwards,  she  addressed  the  Duchess  (who 
speaks  and  understands  English  well)  with  remarkable  force 
and  clearness ;  expressing  the  deep  and  tender  sympathy  which 
she  had  felt  for  her  before  leavinij  Enf!:;land,  citinji:  various 
passages  of  Scripture  relating  to  those  sudden  and  terrible 
afflictions  which  are  sometimes  permitted,  and  contrasting 
them  with  others  depicting  the  rich  and  abundant  consolations 
of  the  gospel;  declaring  her  belief,  that,  should  further 
troubles  assail  her,  she  would  be  supported  and  comforted, 
quoting  the  20th  Psalm,  "  the  Lord  hear  thee  in  the  day  of 
trouble,"  &c.,  and  that  her  prayers  for  herself  and  her  children 
were  and  would  be  answered.  The  scene  was  truly  touching. 
I  afterwards  intimated  that  I  felt  led  into  prayer,  on  which 
the  Duchess  rose  and  shut  an  open  door,  and  then  quietly 
knelt  down  beside  me,  while  I  poured  forth  a  heartfelt  prayer 
for  herself  and  the  young  Princes.  Josiuh  Forster  afterwards 
exhorted  her  to  faithfulness  in  the  maintenance  of  her  own 
Christian  principles,  and  of  her  covenant  with  her  God.  It 
was  a  precious  meeting,  one  not  soon  to  be  forgotten.  A 
very  different  one,  but  also  memorable,  was  with  Odillon 
Barrot,  whom  Josiah  Forster  and  I  visited  in  his  cabinet. 
lie  has  lost  his  only  daughter,  and  his  noble  countenance 
seemed  marred  with  grief.  I  asked  for  silence,  and  ministered 
to  him  in  some  degree  of  life  I  trust-  He  thanked  me 
heartily.      The    Countess    Felet    had   sent    him    a    letter    of 


406  .  PARIS.  1844. 

sympatliy  and  religious  exhortation,  with  the  Xew  Testament, 
that  very  morning.  What  a  fine  thing  it  would  be,  were  he  to 
become  truly  subject  to  the  yoke  of  Christ ! 

Our  reunions,  public  and  private,  have  been  of  an  interest- 
ing character.  First,  last  fifth  day  evening,  at  the  Wesleyan 
chapel,  with  a  handful  of  English,  solemn  and  sweet. 
Secondly,  the  same  evening,  at  Pressense's,  a  large  religious 
company,  to  whom  both  Josiah  Forster  and  I  had  shortly  to 
minister.  Thirdly,  the  anti-slavery  meeting  in  the  great 
salle  a  manger  of  tliis  hotel,  last  sixth  day,  about  seventy 
people,  including  three  Roman  Catholic  abbes,  two  Protestant 
pastors,  &c.  It  was  a  highly  interesting  evening.  I  spoke 
for  an  hour  in  French  without  difficulty,  on  the  grand 
Christian  principle  which  lies  at  the  foundation  of  the  subject  \ 
on  the  safety  of  immediate  emancipation,  in  its  physical, 
moral,  and  religious  effects  on  the  negroes;  on  the  comparative 
non-importance  of  the  mere  sugar  question ;  and  on  the 
favourable  accounts  lately  received,  even  on  that  subordinate 
point.  Scoble  spoke  well  in  English,  on  indemnity  and  other 
points,  which  I  had  left;  and  we  did  not  conclude  until  near 
eleven.  Lastly,  on  third  day  we  had  a  pretty  large  number 
of  young  students  of  the  University,  from  Greece,  Moldavia, 
Guadaloupe,  Martinique,  Senegal,  &,c.  They  gave  severally 
lively  accounts  of  their  respective  countries.  The  young 
Moldavians  who  came  to  Paris  with  their  slaves,  were 
especially  interesting ;  and  were  well  inoculated  with  anti- 
slavery  principles.  Their  slaves  were  set  free  on  touching 
French  ground. 

Toots,  4th  mo.,  10th,  1844. 

Nearly  a  week  has  elapsed  since  I  despatched  my  last 
Journal,  and  how  am  I  to  record  all  the  events,  great  and 
little,  of  this  interval  ?  I  wish  I  may  not  quite  fail  in  the 
attempt,  for  time  for  writing  is  an  article  not  at  my  command. 
But  to  revert  to  last  week,  I  wrote  to  thee,  on  fifth  day 
morning,  jast   before    our    concluding   little   meeting    at    the 


-3ET.  5Q.  PARIS.  40X 

Fauhourg  du  Roule.  At  five  o'clock,  Josiali  Forster  and  I 
repaired  to  the  oiEce  of  the  minister  of  Foreign  Afluirs,  Avhere 
we  saw  Guizot,  and  conversed  with  him  some  ten  or  fifteen 
minutes.  He  was  very  kind  to  us,  and  detailed  the  particu- 
lars of  the  intended  measure  to  be  introduced  in  the  present 
session,  not /or  but  towards  the  abolition  of  slavery.  It  does 
not.  amount  to  much,  but  may  nevertheless  be  accepted  as  a 
first  step ;  it  being  clearly  understood  that  the  Government 
regards  it  only  in  that  light.  In  the  evening  of  the  day  nov,- 
described,  a  large  company  of  our  serious  friends  assembled 
at  our  hotel ;  the  Count  Pelet  and  his  mother,  the  Baron 
Malet,  Charles  Malet  and  his  sister,  Cuvier  (Lutheran  minister) 
and  his  wife,  La  Baronne  de  Stael  and  her  brother  the  Due  de 
Broglie,  Mark  Vernet,  Pas^^wrs  Vermeil,  Frederick  Monod,  and 
Grandpierre,  with  their  wives,  the  five  young  missionaries,  under 
th.e  care  of  the  last.  General  Menardier,  Mark  Wilks,  and  many 
others,  including  the  Countess  of  Roden  and  her  daughter ; 
about  sixty  in  all,  or  somewhat  more.  It  was  a  happy  evening. 
After  much  conversation,  we  read  Eph.  iv,  "  I  therefore,  the 
prisoner  of  the  Lord,  beseech  you  that  ye  walk  worthy,"  &c. 
After  the  reading,  I  had  to  address  them  'at  some  length  ou 
charity  and  unity,  and  on  some  great  objects  which  Christians 
can  pursue,  and  ought  to  pursue  together,  without  distinction 
of  sect  or  party ;  namely,  the  abolition  of  slavery,  the  distri- 
bution of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  the  promotion  of  peace ; 
observing  also  that  all  would  be  in  vain,  without  the  life  and 
power  of  religion.  Josiah  Forster  afterwards  spoke  of  the 
actual  state  of  Paris,  its  sins  and  its  hopes.  There  seemed  to 
be  a  flow  of  love  and  friendship  towards  and  amongst  us,  when 
the  company  separated. 

The  next  morning  (sixth  day)  we  were  quite  free  in  mind 
and  circumstances  for  leaving  Paris ;  and,  having  taken  our  seats 
in  a  comfortable  carriage,  or  rather  apartment,  were  rolled  off 
at  a  great  rate  on  the  railway  for  Orleans  ;  passing  through  a 
pleasant,  well-cultivated  country,  partly  near  the  banks  of  the 
Seine,  producing  more  of  grass  and  corn,  than  of  the  vine. 
We  arrived  at  Orleans,  a  fine  old  city  of  some  40,000  inhabi- 


408  ORLEANS  ;  TOURNUS.  1844. 

tants,  at  four  o'clock ;  and  were  met  at  tTie  station,  by  our 
warm-hearted  friend,  the  Protestant  Pasteur  Duchemin.  At 
seven  o'clock  in  the  evening  we  repaired  to  the  Oratoire, 
Avhere  a  good  meeting  was  held  with  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  persons.  I  trust  the  unction  which  can  alono 
prepare  for  such  service  was  not  withheld.  The  next  morn- 
ing Josiah  Forster  and  I  breakfasted  with  Duchemin  and  "liis 
wife  and  children,  with  whom  we  had  a  comforting  family 
sitting.  Afterwards,  my  dear  wife  met  us  at  the  Maison  des 
Orphelines,  where  nearly  fifty  orphan  girls  are  boarded  and 
educated  by  the  Protestants.  Rossolloty,  the  other  pasteur, 
his  wife  and  others,  were  present.  We  addressed  the  children, 
and  distributed  little  books  amongst  them  ;  and  lively  indeed 
was  their  reception  of  us  and  ours.  We  were  reminded  of  the 
girls'  school  at  Nismes. 

The  following  first  day  was  a  memorable  one.  Josiah 
Forster  and  I  went  with  Duchemin,  after  breakfast,  about  an 
b.our's  drive  into  the  country,  to  Tournus,  a  little  village, 
finely  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Loire.  The  day  was 
delightfully  fine,  as  the  weather  here  has  generally  been,  and 
the  lovely  river  looted  blue  and  beautiful.  About  100  people, 
simple-hearted  country  folks,  chiefly  little  proprietors,  assem- 
bled by  degrees  in  the  Protestant  "  Temple,"  and  as  it  was  a 
high  "Sacrament  Sunday,"  our  friend  the  pasteur  took  ample 
time  for  the  performance  of  his  own  service.  We  sat  quietly 
near  the  door  until  all  was  over,  when  Duchemin  kindly 
introduced  us  to  the  people,  and  lively  and  relieving,  indeed, 
was  the  short  Friends'  meeting  which  ensued.  I  felt  peculiar 
life  in  preaching  on  "Je  suis  le  vrai  cep,  et  mon  piere  est  le 
vigneron,"  (John.  xv.  1,)  and  the  meeting  ended  with  fervent 
nrayer.  Many  of  the  people  seemed  really  touched,  and  all 
attentive  and  affectionate.  A  kind  charron  (wheelwright)  in- 
vited us  to  dinner.  We  much  liked  the  look  of  the  country- 
people  ;  there  seems  to  be  little  or  no  poverty  either  in  town 
or  country ;  and  Duchemin  thinks  that  the  division  of  land 
among  all  the  children,  which  is  the  law  of  France,  works  well 
in  preventing  pauperism.     No  person  may  leave  more  than  a 


2ST.  56.     .  BLOIS.  409 

small  proportion  to  tlie  "  church,"  and  only  a  fourth  to  any 
public  charity  unless  he  is  childless. 

In  the  evening  we  all  three  repaired  to  the  Protestant 
"Temple,"  at  Orleans,  and  were  soon  seated  in  the  face  of  a 
congregation  of  about  200 ;  with  full  liberty  to  pursue  our  own 
course.  I  preached  for  about  an  hour  on  the  resurrection 
of  Christ ;  and  on  Paul's  doctrine,  that  being  reconciled 
to  God  "by  the  death  of  his  Son,"  much  more  "being 
reconciled,  we  are  saved  by  his  life."  He  lives  to  apply  his 
precious  blood  to  our  heart  and  conscience.  He  is  our 
advocate  with  the  Father.  He  quickens  us  by  his  Spirit. 
The  meeting  ended  in  the  feeling  of  solemnity,  and  in  the 
flowins;  of  love  and  good-will. 

On  second  day,  the  8th,  a  somewhat  dull  and  fatiguing 
journey,  cheered,  however,  by  the  nearly  constant  view  of  the 
Loire,  brought  us  to  Blois,  in  about  six  hours.  Edward 
Yv\kefield  and  his  Avife  were  waiting  for  us  at  the  Hotel 
D'Angleterre,  and  very  kind  they  were  to  us.  We  walked  with 
them  before  dinner  to  view  the  castle,  which  is  the  scene  of 
many  historic  recollections.  Here  Catherine  of  Medicis  held 
her  court.  Here  -the  Duke  of  Guise  was  murdered ;  and  here 
we  saw  the  Oubliettes,  the  deep  places  into  which  the  wretched 
captives  of  olden  times  were  thrown,  from  a  height  of  ninety 
feet,  on  to  knives,  &c.,  that  they  might  perish  in  the  midst  of 
torture.  Such  contrivances  are  to  be  seen  elsewhere  in  the  old 
castles  of  France.     *     *     * 

Angers,  4th  mo.,  12th,  18M. 

In  the  evening  of  second  day,  the  8th,  we  all  went  to 
Edward  Wakefield's  agreeable  residence,  overlooking  the  river, 
where,  in  pursuance  of  our  wish,  a  large  company  of  English 
were  assembled,  many  from  Norfolk,  and  some  French  people. 
I  read  Philippians  ii  and  iii,  and  the  company  were  afterwards 
plainly  addressed,  both  in  French  and  English.  It  was 
a  pretty  good  meeting.  Conformity  to  the  world,  and 
the  necessity  of  the  contrary,  were  subjects  much  before 
us. 

Our  drive  to  Tours,  the  next  morning,  was  of  four  hours ; 


410  TOURS  :  METTRAY.  ^    1844. 

very  pleasant,  excellent  roads,  tlirough  a  fertile  counti-y,  half 
corn  and  half  vines,  and  by  the  side  of  the  Loire,  now  a  grand 
favourite.  As  we  approached  Tours,  we  observed  many  houses, 
Petra-like,  formed  by  excavation  of  the  light  sandstone  rock, 
which  toY»-ers  over  the  river,  though  at  such  a  distance  as  to 
make  room  for  the  road,  and  some  garden  grounds.  Toui*s  is 
a  very  handsome  place,  entered  by  a  noble  bridge  over  the 
Loire ;  which  is,  at  least,  as  broad  as  the  Thames,  at  London. 
The  purity  of  its  waters  has  been  celebrated  by  De  Sevigne. 
The  cathedral  towers  over  one  of  its  banks.  A  long  handsome 
street,  the  Rue  Royale,  intersected  by  others  at  right  angles ; 
and  beautiful  promenades  on  the  side  opposite  to  the  river. 
After  our  arrival,  yesterday,  Josiah  Forster  and  I  spent  the 
evening  with  a  company  chiefly  English.  The  pious  young 
Protestant  minister,  Morache,  met  us,  and  has  kindly  agreed 
to  give  us  the  use  of  his  "  Temple"  for  our  meeting  this  even- 
ing, and  to  give  notice  of  it  to  his  friends. 

Fourth  day,  the  ninth,  was  one  of  lively  interest.  After 
breakfast  Josiah  Forster  and  I  visited  the  Protestant  schools, 
which  were  satisfactory.  Afterwards  we  all  three  went  in  an 
open  barouche,  about  four  miles  to  Mettray,  the  famous 
agi'icultural  colony  for  naughty  boys ;  criminals  who  have 
escaped  conviction,  &c. ;  vagabonds  transferred  from  La 
Requette,  the  prison  for  the  Jeunes  detenus  in  Paris,  and 
others.*  There  we  were  most  kindly  received  by  De  Metz  and 
Brettiniere,  the  two  volunteer  Directors,  who  showed  us  about 
for  some  hours.  The  plan  is  to  substitute  family  arrangement 
for    prison    discipline;    the  vrhole    society  being  divided   into 

*  See  an  interesting  account  of  the  Eeformatory  Institution  at 
Mettray,  published  by  Whittaker,  1853:  —  "The  laws  of  France," 
says  the  writer,  "  permit  the  acquittal  of  children  accused  of  crime, 
on  the  ground  of  their  having  acted  v:itJiout  discernment,  (agi  sans 
disceniement)  but  they  are  retained  under  the  guardianship  of  the 
state  for  a  term  of  years,  until  they  have  been  educated,  trained  in 
moral  habits,  and  placed  in  situations  in  which  they  may  earn  their 
own  livelihood  by  industrial  labor.  For  the  reception  of  children 
of  this  class  M.  de  Metz  devised  and  founded  at  Mettray  the  first 
Agricultural  Colony. 


-iET.  56.  ,  REFORMATORY   INSTITUnO^T.  411 

families  of  about  forty  each,  occupying  distinct,  but  nearly 
contiguous  houses.  Here  they  are  fed,  taught,  lodged,  and 
governed  by  a  Pere  de  famille^  no  women  allowed,  except  the 
Soeurs  de  Charite  in  the  hospital,  (which  I  think  a  defect ;) 
two  sous  chefs,  and  two  freres  aiyies,  or  monitors,  chosen  by 
the  other  boys.  They  work  in  distinct  shops,  according  to 
their  respective  trades ;  tailors,  smiths,  carpenters,  &c.,  and 
in  the  gardens  and  fields.  No  punishments  except  dry 
bread  and  solitary  confinement  for  a  time.  Nothing  can  ex- 
ceed the  happy  order  which  appears  to  prevail.  During 
the  hours  of  recreation  the  peres  de  famille,  sous  chefs, 
monitors,  and  boys,  all  gathered  round  us,  with  the  directors, 
and  several  visitors ;  and  we  were  favored  with  a  solemn  meet- 
ing in  the  open  air. 

Brettiniere  is  a  Roman  Catholic,  somewhat  serious,  and 
reads  and  explains  the  Scriptures  to  the  boys.  It  is  by  far 
the  best  Institution  of  the  kind  I  ever  saw  as  to  external 
order,  comfort,  industry,  and  effect.  Yet  one  deeply  feels  that 
vital,  enlightened  Christianity,  in  the  room  of  masses,  &c.,  &c., 
is  the  thing  wanted. 

In  the  evening  we  went  to  our  meeting ;  a  fine  congregation, 
chiefly  French,  including  several  Roman  Catholics.  "  Les 
jours  viennent,  dit  L'eternel,  quand  je  susciterai  a  David  un 
germe  juste."     I  trust  the  best  of  influences  was  not  withheld. 

Yesterday  moi-ning,  before  we  left  Tours  for  Saumur,  we 
visited  the  new  prison  on  the  cellular  or  solitary  system.  It 
was  to  me  a  highly  interesting  sight ;  very  much  resembling 
the  Eastern  Penitentiary  in  Philadelphia.  I  went  to  it  with 
a  feeling  of  dread,  lest  I  should  find  it  a  scene  of  suff'ering. 
But  this,  with  little  exception,  is  not  the  case.  It  is  admirably 
built  and  arranged,  and  we  found  the  poor  solitary  ones 
generally  comfortable.  Several  who  had  been  in  other  prisons 
expressed  their  preference  for  their  present  isolation.  They 
are  here  only  for  a  year  at  the  furthest ;  so  that  it  is  not  soli- 
tude severe  or  hopeless. 

Forty-five  miles  along  the  beautiful  Loire,  brought  us  to 
Saumur,  a  dehghtful  drive,  campagne  riante.     Saumur   is   a 


412  saumur;    angers.  1844.  . 

fine  old  town,  crowned  by  a  noble  castle.  We  arrived  at  five 
o'clock,  and  tbough  the  Pastor  Duvivier  was  absent,  Aye  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  a  reunion  of  about  thirty  religious  people 
at  the  Hotel  de  Londres,  at  eight  in  the  evening  ;  dear  simple- 
hearted  people,  they  reminded  us  of  our  friends  at  Congenies. 
We  were  favoured  with  a  lively  solemn  meeting ;  no  reading ; 
but  a  time  of  much  tender  feeling  ;  I  trust,  of  that  influence 
which  is  precious  above  all  things.  The  office  and  operation 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  was  the  subject  immediately  before  us.  I 
had  much  pleasure  in  interpreting  for  my  wife.  This  morning 
many  of  them  came  to  bid  us  a  hearty  farewell.  After  a 
comforting,  though  short,  private  week-day  meeting,  we  came 
to  Angers,  an  interesting  old  town  of  40,000  inhabitants. 

Bordeaux,  sixth  day,  4th  ino.,  19th,  1S44. 

Most  interesting  has  been  the  past  week ;  and,  on  the 
■whole,  productive  and  satisfactory.  I  wrote  last  from  Angei's.- 
A  few  scattered  Protestants  there  have  not  zeal  enough  even 
to  meet  for  divine  worship,  and  Popery  is  dominant.  Josiah 
Forster,  in  his  morning  walk,  saw  a  curious  specimen  of 
idolatry.  He  was  talking  to  a  shopw^oman  at  the  door  of  her 
magazine,  when  she  suddenly  knelt  down.  A  priest  was  pass- 
ing by  with  a  box  containing  the  host,  which  he  was  carrying 
to  an  invalid.  "  Q'est  le  hon  i)/gM,"  said  she,  and  our  dear 
friend's  argument  seemed  to  have  but  little  effect  in  convincing 
her  of  the  contrary. 

At  Nantes  (a  large  town  of  about  85,000  inhabitants)  we 
called  on  the  Protestant  Pastor  Rapolet,  whom  we  found  living 
in  a  third  story.  He  is  apparently  pious,  intellectual,  and 
interesting ;  gave  us  a  cordial  reception,  though  Ave  had  no 
introduction  to  him ;  and  at  once  promised  to  lend  his  "temple" 
for  our  meeting,  and  to  give  full  notice  of  it  to  his  flock.  We 
agreed  to  hold  it  on  the  following  afternoon. 

Our  Sabbath  day  Avas  fruitful.  Our  usual  little  meeting 
quiet  and  comfortable  ;  afterwards  a  Avalk  on  the  quay,  which 
is  fine,  though  the  recollections  of  blood  hang  about  this  pare 
of  the  Loire.     It  was  the  scene  of  the  7icvards,  those  Avholesale 


^T.  56.  NANTES.  413 

murders  hy  drowning,  effected  by  the  opening  of  a  trap-door, 
by -strings  from  the  shore,  in  the  boats  which  had  been  filled 
with  the  unhappy  aristocrats,  their  wives  and  children. 
About  6,000  people  are  said  to  have  been  destroyed  here  in 
this  way,  under  the  orders  of  Carriere,  in  1793 ;  probably  the 
largest  horror  of  the  French  revolution. 

On  our  return,  we  received  a  call  from  La  Veuve  Dolsee,  a 
Protestant  lady  of  wealth  and  influence,  much  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  rehgion ;  at  half-past  three  to  the  meeting ;  which, 
after  a  discouraging  appearance  at  first,  soon  became  numer- 
ous, so  that  the  deep  exercise  of  mind,  through  which  I  had 
been  passing,  met  with  a  fully  corresponding  result.  I  had 
to  dwell  on  the  great  contrast  between  the  terrors  of  the 
law,  and  the  blessings  of  the  gospel,  in  Ileb.  xii.  Many 
seemed  affected ;  especially  a  French  lady,  the  mother  of  six 
children,  who  ran  after  us  in  the  street,  to  ask  us  whether 
we  should  hold  any  more  meetings.  In  the  evening,  a 
number  of  English,  with  a  few  French,  resorted  to  the 
hotel,  and  we  had  a  good  reading  and  sitting  with  them. 
Books  were  distributed  as  usual,  and  Christian  love  flowed 
freely.  Rapolet  was  with  us  again  the  next  morning,  and 
interested  us  much ;  he  is  a  spiritually-minded  man,  of  very 
delicate  health. 

Second  day,  the  15th.  Short  and  easy  journey  to  Bourbon 
Vendee,  a  town  built  in  the  centre  of  that  district  by  Napoleon, 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  its  peaceable  conduct.  An  idle 
place ;  erected  by  the  will  of  man,  and  not  in  the  order  of  nature 
and  Providence.  A  few  Protestants,  with  whom  we  conversed, 
seemed  dull  enough ;  not  so  a  battalion  of  soldiers,  who 
were  most  eager  for  our  little  Scripture  extracts.  Tiiese  we 
gave  in  abundance,  and  determined  applicants  they  were.  I 
longed  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  them,  and  to  a  certain  extent 
was  enabled  to  do  so. 

The  journey  to  La  Rochelle,  of  about  40  miles,  was  pleasant 
and  easy.  This  place,  once  the  stronghold  of  Protestantism, 
suffered  intensely  from  the  wars  of  religion,  early  in  the  17th 
century;  the  inhabitants  being  reduced  from  30,000  to  17,000. 
It  is  now  a  trading  port,  and  contains  a  respectable  little  body  of 


414  LA  rochelle;  saintes.  1844. 

Protestants,  under  the  care  of  two  ministers — Dalmes,  Evange- 
lical ;  Fan,  Socinian.  The  former  is  talented  and  warm-hearted, 
and  "sve  found  that  he  had  invited  his  friends  for  a  reuvion  that 
evening  at  his  own  house.  It  was  a  crowded  assembly ;  about 
one  hundred,  I  should  think  ;  very  much  like  our  meetings  at 
Stutgard.  Much  seriousness  and  attention  prevailed.  The 
next  morning  Dalmes  and  his  interesting  wife,  with  a  lady  who 
once  lived  as  French  governess  with  the  Wilberforce  family,  her 
niece,  husband,  and  another  gentleman  breakfasted  with  us.  We 
left  our  books  with  them,  and  parted  from  them  in  tnuch  love. 

On  fourth  day,  the  17th ;  journey  over  a  flat,  marshy 
country, .  in  sight  of  the  sea ;  first  to  Rochefort,  on  the 
beautiful  Charente,  where  there  is  a  great  naval  arsenal  and 
dock  ;  afterwards  to  Saintes,  the  little  capital  of  Saintonges, 
in  the  midst  of  a  fruitful  country,  famous  for  brandy.  Our 
meeting  was  held  at  the  Hotel  de  Ville,  the  "Temple"  being 
under  repair  ;  about  one  hundred  persons  —  one-third  Roman 
Catholics,  chiefly  gentlemen.  It  was  a  deeply  interesting 
occasion.  I  had  felt  a  particular  concern  for  the  place,  and 
spoke  with  more  fluency  than  ever  before,  in  French,  on 
Isaiah  ii.  The  people  were  very  cordial,  both  Protestants  and 
Roman  Catholics.  I  had  a  sad,  coughing  night  afterwards ; 
but  a  poor  preparation  for  a  long  day's  journey,  on  fifth  day, 
from  Saintes  to  Bordeaux,  about  77  miles ;  but  the  road  is 
admirable.  We  stopped  for  an  early  dinner  at  Blaie,  on  the 
Gironde,  where  the  Duchess  of  Berri  was  imprisoned  after 
the  Revolution  of  1830 ;  an  old  chateau  renewed  as  a  modern 
fortress.  The  Dordogne  and  Garonne  unite  within  sight  of 
Blaie,  and  form  the  Gironde.  In  going  from  Blaie  to  Bor- 
deaux, (30  miles,)  we  passed  over  the  Dordogne,  at  Cussac, 
by  a  new  and  magnificent  suspension  bridge ;  and  over  the 
Garonne,  by  the  finest  stone  bridge  in  France,  on  entering 
Bordeaux.  These  several  rivers  are  splendid.  The  Dordogne, 
at  Cussac,  truly  American  ;  and  the  Garonne,  at  Bordeaux, 
magnificent  indeed.  We  have  appointed  a  public  meeting  in 
the  Casino  for  to-morrow  afternoon. 

We  hope  to  have  an  anti-slavery  meeting  in  this  pro- 
slavery  town,  for  second  day  evening ;  and  to  move  on  next 


£T.  56.  BORDEAUX.  415 

third  day  to  "  St."  Foy  and  sther  places,  wliere  meetings  may 
be  held  on  our  way  to  Toulouse.   *  *  * 

Mirande,  Sixth  day  night,  4th  mo.,  26th,  1S44. 

Here  we  are  on  our  route  for  Pau,  within  a  short  day's 
journey  of  it,  and  within  sight  of  the  snowy,  rocky,  peaked 
Pyrenees,  to  our  no  small  satisfaction  and  pleasure.  My  last 
journal  was  despatched  on  seventh  day,  the  20th,  from  Bor- 
deaux, and  very  full  of  interest  has  our  life  been  since. 
After  the  usual  time  of  suspense,  and  apparent  doubt  and 
difficulty,  Bordeaux  flourished  like  a  garden  of  flowers.  Our 
Sabbath  there  was  peculiarly  interesting.  Our  little  meeting 
in  the  morning  was  attended  by  a  young  friend  named 
Rowntree,  at  Bordeaux  for  his  health,  in  evident  decline ; 
also  by  an  English  family,  who  had  received  him  as  their 
inmate.  It  was  a  time  of  deep  seriousness,  and  was,  I  trust, 
blessed  to  his  soul.  In  the  afternoon  we  repaired  to  the 
Casino,  a  large  room  whicR  we  had  hired  for  our  public 
meeting,  having  ventured  to  advertise  it  in  the  journals.  We 
found  a  large  promiscuous  assembly  ready  to  receive  us. 
Peculiarly  critical,  though  after  much  exercise  of  mind  satis- 
factory and  relieving,  was  the  meeting;  many  Roman  Catholics 
present.  I  spoke  on  the  prophecies  respecting  our  Saviour, 
and  the  fulfilment  of  them  as  described  in  the  New  Testament ; 
and  on  the  divine  authority  of  the  whole  Scripture ;  explaining 
and  enforcing  the  necessity  of  a  free  and  diligent  perusal  of  it. 
Then  showing  that  even  this  would  not  do,  except  we  actually 
come  to  Christ,  of  whom  the  Scriptures  testify — "Ye  will  not 
come  unto  me,  that  ye  might  have  life."  The  impression  made 
was  evidently  very  considerable. 

In  the  evening,  after  dinner,  Josiah  Forster  and  I  repaired 
to  the  Protestant  "  Temple,"  and  in  a  salle  adjoining  it,  met 
the  pasteur  Maillard  and  his  flock,  of  about  150,  chiefly 
women.  He  gave  us  a  good  opportunity  of  addressing  them, 
and  they  seemed  not  a  little  warmed  up  on  the  occasion.  The 
pastors  here  are  rather  high  church ;  but  they  gradually 
melted  down,  and  were  all  love  and  unity  towards  us  before 
we  parted.     From  the  "  Temple,"  we  went  to  the  house  of 


416  BORDEAUX.  1844. 

La  Ilarpe,  a  pious  gentleman,  whose  son,  the  brother  of  the 
minister  and  professor  at  Geneva,  is  the  pastor  of  a  small 
Independent  congregation.  The  young  man  married  Dr. 
Malan's  daughter.  We  found  him  surrounded  by  about 
twenty-five  or  thirty  persons,  to  whom  he  was  ministering. 
Here,  also,  I  found  an  open  door  for  service.  On  second  day 
morning  we  had  much  satisfaction  in  visiting  the  Protestant 
schools ;  boys  and  girls ;  about  100  each ;  on  the  British 
system,  and  in  excellent  order.  We  addressed  the  children, 
and  left  our  subscription.  We  were  attended  by  the  Inspector 
of  all  the  schools  of  the  department,  whether  Roman  Catholic 
or  Protestant,  containing  56,000  children ;  himself  a  Pro- 
testant. Under  his  care,  the  New  Testament  is  freely  used  in 
all  these  schools.  It  must  be  allowed  that  the  French  are 
doing  much  in  the  way  of  primary  schools ;  the  government 
insisting  on  them,  and  the  towns,  &c.,  paying  for  them  ;  and  I 
have  not  yet  seen  one  which  was  not  in  good  order.  The 
measure  of  education  is  also  a  little  above  us ;  at  all  events, 
above  our  Norwich  Lancasterian  schools. 

In  the  evening,  we  again  repaired  to  the  Casino,  to 
tell  the  people  my  West  Indian  story.  We  found  a  large 
and  genteel  assembly,  in  the  greatest  order,  about  400 
or  500  people,  apparently.  Nothing  could  exceed  their 
willing  attention.  I  was  enabled  to  get  through  the  ser- 
vice comfortably,  so  as  to  leave  a  strong  impression  against 
slavery,  in  this  notoriously  pro-slavery  place ;  at  the  same 
time  interweaving  a  few  plain  gospel  truths  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Roman  Catholics.  Warm  and  kind  feeling  seemed  to 
follow  this  meeting.  The  pasteur  Maillard  and  his  daughter, 
Avith  some  others,  acoompanied  us  to  the  hotel.  In  the 
morning  of  third  day,  the  23rd,  Ave  received  a  call  from  an 
enlightened  Roman  Catholic,  who  had  been  at  the  meeting ; 
and  who  was  very  full  of  information  on  mendicity,  prison- 
discipline,  colonies  for  the  poor,  and  capital  punishment ; 
taking  a  correct  and  very  philanthropic  view  of  these  sevex'al 
subjects.   *  *  * 

We  were  pleased  enough,  after  all  the  real  baptism  that 
Bordeaux  had  cost  us,  to  move  out  of  the  place  in  peace  and 


JET.  56.  "ST."  FOY.  417 

safety;  and  a  journey  of  about  thirty-five  miles,  brought  us 
along  a  pleasant  garden-like  country  to  "  St."  Foy.  In  looking 
back  on  "  St."  Foy,  I  can  only  say,  that  the  rapid  development 
of  our  affairs  there  was  marvellous.  There  is  a  large  Protestant 
■  College  in  the  town.  The  Director  Pellis  took  up  our  cause, 
Martin  soon  joining  him,  and  by  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
(we  having  not  arrived  until  nearly  four,)  about  500  people 
were  collected  ;  half  of  them  Roman  Catholics.  It  was  an 
excellent  meeting ;  thirsty  the  soil,  abundant  the  watering 
graciously  permitted.  I  was  led  to  a  full  declaration  of  the 
blessed  gospel,  and  the  congregation  was  remarkably  hushed 
into  silence  before  and  after  it.  The  next  morning,  after 
visiting  the  Qolonie  Agricole,  we  crossed  the  beautiful  Dordogne 
in  a  boat,  and  saw  the  normal  school  for  girls,  under  the  care 
of  a  lady  named  Dufruis ;  it  seems  a  valuable  institution. 
Thence  to  the  college,  where  we  found  100  young  Protestants 
under  tuition,  from  childhood  to  manhood.  We  held  a 
favoured  meeting  with  them,  the  Professors,  and  Director. 
I  felt  much  drawn  to  the  young  people  in  the  love  of  the 
gospel,  and  had  much  to  say  to  them  on  the  right  method  of 
studying  the  Scriptures ;  taking  a  view  of  the  history,  prophe- 
cies, doctrine,  and  precepts.  Josiah  Forster  also  addressed 
them  at  some  length.  Afterwards,  I  took  the  opportunity, 
(having  the  flower  of  Protestant  France  before  me,  for  it  is. 
I  believe,  the  only  institution  of  the  kind,)  to  impress  them 
with  sound  Anti-Slavery  principles.  Nothing  could  be  more 
lively  than  their  attention.  After  a  satisfactory  visit  to  a 
large  boys'  school,  and  a  luncheon  at  the  inn,  we  left  the  town, 
a  crowd  of  our  warm-hearted  fi'iends  and  others  surrounding 
us  as  we  took  our  leave.  Certainly  there  seems  to  be  an  open 
door  for  Christian  labours  of  love  at  "St."  Foy,  and  the  popu- 
lation in  the  surrounding  district  is  said  to  be  in  a  very 
awakened  state,  large  numbers  being  .in  the  practice  of  readint); 
the  Scriptures  daily  in  their  families.  This  remark  apphes 
chiefly  to  the  Protestants,  who  are  numerous ;  but  the  Roman 
Catholics  are  also,  many  of  them,  turning  in  a  right  direction. 
A  drive  of  two  hours,  through  a  flat,  but  pleasant  and  fertile 
Vol.  II.  — 27 


'418  NERAC.  1844. 

country,  brought  us  to  Berjerac,  a  town  of  6000  or  7000 
inhabitants,  where  there  are  also  many  Protestants.  The 
pasteur  Strigue  had  appointed  the  meeting  at  his  own  house, 
where  we  met  about  fifty  people  in  the  evening.  No  Friends 
could  have  desired  a  frreater  deji-ree  of  outward  silence  than-' 
prevailed  among  them. 

On  fifth  day  we  made  an  earlier  start  than  usual,  having 
appointed  a  meeting  at  Nerac  for  the  evening  at  a  distance  of 
about  70  miles.  This  was  a  little  de  trap,  but  we  could  not 
very  well  avoid  it,  and  the  road  is  capital,  the  country  hilly  and 
open  ;  the  people  eager  for  tracts. 

The  two  dear  simple-hearted  pastors  were  ready 'to  receive 
us.  When  we  entered  the  meeting  we  found  hundreds  of 
people,  Protestants  and  Roman  Catholics ;  and  a  very  open 
time  it  proved.  We  were  allowed  to  conduct  it  in  our 
own  way.  It  was  given  to  me  to  hold  out  a  full  and  free 
invitation  to  the  Saviour,  without  distinction  of  nation,  name, 
or  class.  The  next  morning  the  two  pastors  breakfasted 
with  us,  and  we  had  afterwards  a  very  relieving  time  with 
them.  I  was  enabled  fully  to  explain  to  them,  in  answer 
to  their  numerous  questions,  the  Scriptural  ground  of  our 
distinguishing  views.  They  seemed  to  be  in  a  teachable  spirit, 
and  ofiered  no  objection  to  our  remarks,  but  expressed  their 
cordial  satisfaction  with  the  visit.  The  points  before  us  were 
the  immediate  and  perceptible  guidance" of  the  Spirit, Baptism 
and  the  Supper,  the  Christian  Ministry,  women's  preaching, 
Friends'  discipline,  &c.  We  left  the  pface  with  easy,  happy 
minds,  and  after  an  agreeable  journey,  passing  through  the 
uld  picturesque  town  of  Auch,  arrived  at  Mirande. 

Pan,  first  day,  4th  mo.,  28th. 

Our  journey  yesterday  from  Mirande  was  very  agreeable, 
the  range  of  the  Pyrenees  being  frequently  in  view,  and  mag- 
nificently so  from  the  tops  of  some  of  the  hills.  My  wife  and 
I  rode  outside  until  driven  in  by  a  thunder  storm.  The  Hotel 
de  France  clean  and  comfortable,  and  the  place  highly  in- 
•  teresting  and  beautiful  from  its  situation.       Here  is  the  old 


J^T.  56.  PATJ.  419 

castle  where  Ilenry  IV.  was  born ;  and  here,  also,  the  humble 
dwelling  where  the  wife  of  a  saddler  gave  birth  to  Bernadottc, 
the  late  king  of  Sweden;  two  kings  of  comparatively  good 
character,  who,  however,  both  changed  their  religion  to  obtain 
or  keep  a  throne.  The  terrace  close  by  the  inn  commands  a 
splendid  view  of  the  range  of  the  Pyrenees,  crowned  with 
snow,  the  Pio  du  3Tidi  being  in  the  middle  of  the  scene. 
Below  the  snow  mountains,  are  green  wooded  hills,  and  at  the 
foot  of  these  a  rich  valley,  with  the  Adour  running  through  it. 
The  public  walks  here  are  called  the  Park,  delightful  indeed 
for  the  scenery.  Seldom,  if  ever,  have  we  seen  a  more-lovely 
spot ;  and  greatly  should  we  enjoy  penetrating  into  the  heart 
of  these  glorious  mountains,  and  visiting  the  Eaux  Bonnes,  the 
JEauz  Ohaudes,  &c.,  &c.,  but  duty  calls  us  in  another  direction. 
A  meeting  in  the  Pi'otestant  temple  is  appointed  for  this 
evening.  A  good  building  has  been  erected  for  the  joint  and 
separate  use  of  French  and  English,  chiefly  through  the 
liberality  of  the  Duchess  of  Gordon.  The  pastor  here  is  of 
the  Genevese  Evangelical  School,  and  very  brotherly  and 
friendly.  I  conceive  it  quite  a  favour  that  we  have  been 
brought  to  this  delightful  spot,  which  will  not  fail  to  leave  a 
charming  picture  on  our  memory. 

Now,  at  the  extreme  point  of  our  journey,  we  have  to  ac- 
knowledge that  our  divine  Lord  and  Master  has  hitherto  dealt 
most  graciously  with  us,  preserving  us  in  body  and  soul,  and 
opening  our  way  before  us.  May  we  all  serve,  worship,  and 
obey  him,  as  his  willing-hearted  yoke-bearerS;  more  and  more! 


420  PAU.  1844. 

• 


CHAPTER  :KLIII. 

1844.     ^T.  56. 

JOURNEY  IN  FRANCE  CONTINUED;  PAU;  TOULOUSE;  SAVERDUN  ; 
MONTAUBAN  ;  ORLEANS  ;  PARIS  ;  ATTENDANCE  OF  YEARLY  MEET- 
ING; VOYAGE  TO  guernsey;  JERSEY;  LABOURSTHERE;  LECTURE 
ON  TOTAL  ABSTINENCE  ;    WATER  IS  BEST  ;   RETURN  HOME. 

Montauban,  5th  mo.,  5th,  1844. 

I  AM  glad  to  ha-v^e  a  quiet  hour  this  morning  to  fetch  up  my 
journal  after  our  heart-searching,  yet  comforting  little  meeting 
in  our  Hotel.  We  have  some  important  engagements  in  pros- 
pect ;  a  public  meeting  for  worship  this  evening,  a  meeting 
with  the  students  to-morrow  at  one  o'clock,  and  one  on  Anti- 
Slavery  and  the  West  Indies  to-morrow  evening.  We  hope  to 
start  on  third  day  morning  for  Orleans,  trusting  that  we  may 
arrive  there  in  time  for  our  next  Sabbath.  Our  last,  as  thou 
wilt  remember,  was  spent  at  that  loveliest  of  all  the  places  we 
have  seen  in  France  —  Pau. 

I  think  I  mentioned  our  morning  walk  in  the  park 
attached  to  the  old  castle,  the  birth-place  of  Henry  IV.,"  and 
the  exquisite  beauty  of  the  scene.  Fine  woods  in  the  fore- 
ground before  ua,  the  river  Adour  winding  through 
extremely  green  meadows  with  pretty  villages,  green  wooded 
hills  beyond,  and  the  jagged  pyramids  of  snow  in  the  fine 
range  of  the  Pyrenees  forming  the  back-ground  and  frame- 
work of  the  picture.  We  repeated  this  walk  on  second  day 
before  our  departure,  in  company  with  the  agreeable  minister 
of  the  English  Church,  who  breakfasted  with  us,  as  did 
Buscarlet,  the  French  Independent  Pastor,  and  Lebrat,  a 
schoolmaster,  who  is  doing  much  among-  a  body  of  Protestants 


^T.  56.  PAU.  421 

of  old  date,  in  the  midst  of  the  Mountains  of  Ossean.  The 
.flock  consists  of  little  cultivators  and  proprietors,  who  have 
subscribed  largely  for  the  erection  of  a  school-house.  We,  of 
course,  cheerfully  contributed  to  help  those  who  were  thus  wil- 
ling to  help  themselves. 

Our  meeting  on  first  day  evening  was  held  in  the  Protestant 
"  Temple,"  used  by  both  English  and  French,  and  was  a  very 
favoured  one.  I  have  seldom  felt  a  greater  relief  of  mind  in 
the  full  declaration «  of  the  gospel  of  our  Holy  Redeemer- 
First,  on  the  divine  character ;  and  secondly,  on  the  ground' 
and  nature  of  the  spiritual  government  of  Christ.  The  unction 
was  graciously  permitted  to  flow  for  our  help  in  the  needful 
hour;  and  this  was  remarkably  the. case  the  next  morning,  in 
our  sitting  with  our  friends. 

We  left  Pau  about  noon,  and  passed  through  a  little  town 
where  they  were  holding  a  cattle  and  sheep  market,  (the  sheep 
mostly  brown  and  black,  with  soft  silky  wool,)  multitudes  of 
the  picturesque-looking  country  people  were  thronging  the 
place,  and  intense  was  their  eagerness  to  obtain  our  tracts. 
No  sooner  had  we  driven  off,  than  I  remembered  that  had  I 
been  more. watchful,  I  might  have  ascended  the  back  seat  or 
box  of  the  carriage,  and  addressed  them  on  subjects  of  vital 
importance ;  and  I  carried  along  with  me  for  many  a  mile,  the 
painful  feeling  6f  irretrievable  omission ;  but  it  was  want  of 
watchfiilness,  not  of  willingness,  I  believe.  It  is  highly  need- 
ful to  be  always  alive  to  the  passing  calls  of  duty,  on  a  journey 
like  this. 

We  again  lodged  at  Mirande,  (the  road  so  far  being  the 
same  as  we  had  travelled  in  going  to  Pau,)  rose  early  next 
morning,  and  after  a  long  and  very'tedious  journey  through'  a 
fertile  and  diversified  country,  arrived  at  Toulouse  to  dinner 
on  third  day.  Our  kind  friends,  the  three  brothers  Courtois, 
had  prepared  accommodation  for  us  at  a  clean,  and  comfort- 
able abode  in  a  narrow  street.  Toulouse  is  composed  of  such, 
its  80,000  inhabitants  being  much  crowded,  and  is  rather 
unusually  destitute  of  outward  charms.  Frank,  Louis,  and 
Armande  Courtois,  are  remarkable  men ;  bankers  in  good 
reputation,  but  devoted,  heart  and  hand,  to  every  good  word. 


122  TOULOUSE.  1844 

and  Avork.  They  have  '  a  book  society,  which  includes 
2000  libraries  in  different  parts  of  France;  they  publish-, 
ing  the  books  at  Toulouse;  all  JFor  edification.  They  have 
also  three  Protestant  schools  (for  boys,  girls,  and  infants) 
under  their  care,  and  hold  two  or  three  meetings  for  worship 
and  instruction,  every  week,  in  a  humble  chapel  attached  to 
their  house ;  they  have  been  engaged  in  public  controversy 
with  the  Bishop  of  Toulouse,  who  had  foolishly  challenged 
the  Protestant  versions  of  Scripture  ;  and  lastly  have  founded 
the  Asylum  at  Saverdun,  for  orphan  and  otherwise  destitute 
Protestant  boys,  about  eighty  in  number.  These  truly- 
Christian  young  men  are  blessed  with  Christian  wives,  and 
they  all  live  together  in  one  large^  house,  occupying  a  whole 
court.  They  have  a  pious  mother  who  is  English;  and  their 
uncles,  who  reside  near  them,  are  of  the  same  mind  and 
purpose  as  themselves.  Thus  this  family,  so  well  known  in 
the  religious  world,  are  the  centre  of  action  for  all  good 
purposes  in  the  south  of  France ;  and  are  aided  by  Chabrand, 
one  of  the  pastors  of  Toulouse,  and  by  Adolphe  Monod  and 
De  Felice,  two  evangelical  professors  at  the  university  at  this 
place.*  It  is  really  a  privilege  to  have  made  an  acquaintance, 
I  might  truly  say,  to  have  formed"  a  friendship,  with  such  a 
family.  They  had  appointed  a  meeting  for  us  in  their  own 
chapel  for  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  -v^hich  was  much 
crowded,  and  ended  well. 

On  fourth .  day  we  drove  to  Saverdun,  due  south,  thirty 
miles ;  dined  with  D'Ounous,  the  President  of  the  Committee 
of  the  Orphan  Institution ;  an  aged  gentleman  of  piety,  formerly 
Toember  of  the  Chamber  of  Deputies  for  the  district,  who  with 
his  wife,  son,  and  son's  wife,  received  us  with  warm  hospitality; 
and  in  the  evening  we  had  a  crowded  and  very  solemn  public 
meeting  in  the  school-room.  One  of  the  poor  boys  had  died 
of  consumption  that  very  morning,  which  suggested  many 
solemn  reflections.  The  different  members  of  the  Committee, 
the  Director  and  his  wife,  (excellent  people,)  and  the  twx 
Schoolmasters,   seemed    all   glad    to   receive    us.     After   the 

*  The  letter^  it  will  be  observed^  is  dated  at  Montauban. 


JET.  56.  T0UL013E.  423 

meeting,  I  told  the  boys  a  little  about  America,  and  greatlr 
were  they  interested.     It  was  a  time  of  much  divine  favour. 

On  fifth  day  morning  we  again  visited,  and  more  thoroughly 
.inspected  the  Institution ;  and  I  explained  to  the  boys  the 
Ackworth  method  of  obtaining  a  knowledge  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, which  seemed  ^e\\  approved  both  by  them  and  their 
teachers,  who  propose  to  adopt  it.  After  taking  leave  of  our 
kind  friends,  we  returned  to  Toulouse  to  dinner,  and  in  the 
evening  held  a  second  meeting  chez  les  Courtois,  no  other  more 
public  place  being  obtainable.  An  expectation  having  been 
given  that  I  would  address  the  people  on  Slavery,  I  felt  most 
easy,  after  a  good  silence,  to  speak  on  the  more  serious  parts 
of  that  subject,  and  then  was  enabled  to  tm-n  to  that  great  work 
of  Redemption,  through  our  Divine  Saviour,  of  which  we  all 
stood  in  need.  Thy  dear  mother  followed  me  in  the  same  strain, 
and  the  meeting  ended  well.  The  Courtois  were  so  pressing 
that  we  should  continue  with  them  the  following  day,  that  we 
thought  it  best  to  consent.  We  accordingly  went  to  breakfast 
with  them,  and  were  favoured  with  an  excellent  family  sitting 
afterwards. 

Just  after  we  sat  down  the  Abbe  Maurette  came  in,  who  has 
lately  renounced  popery,  and  is  now  under  prosecution  at  law 
as  a  libeller,  for  the  spirited  book  which  he  has  since  published 
against  the  clergy.  He  is  a  man  of  high  character,  but  a  little 
too  fiery  in  some  of  his  expressions.  He  was  urged  to  leave 
the  country  for  Canada,  but  refuses,  and  determines  to  take  all 
consequences.  He  seemed  deeply  interested  by  our  little  meet- 
ing ;  and  thy  mother's  ministry,  though  she  knew  not  who  or 
what  he  was,  just  fitted  his  case.  Thus  are  we  graciously 
furnished  from  time  to  time,  with  proofs  of  the  truth  of  that 
precious  doctrine  of  the  immediate  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
which  it  is  our  privilege,  as  a  religious  body,  (may  it  be  always 
so,)  steadily  to  maintain.  We  then  visited  the  three  schools, 
and  after  a  few  quiet  hours  at  the  hotel  returned  to  the  Cour- 
tois to  dinner.  We  were  met  by  the  recteur  of  the  great 
Academy  here,  who  superintends  the  education  of  three  whole 
departments ;  a  liberal  Roman  Catholic  and  agreeable  man. 


424  MONTAUBA-N.  1S44. 

In  the  evening  many  influential  gentlemen  and  some  ladies 
joined  our  circle,  and  at  the  earnest  request  of  the  Courtois,  I 
made  them  an  hour's  speech  or  more  on  Slavery  and  the  West 
Indies.  They  seemed  much  satisfied  and  interested  ;  though, 
for  my  own  part,  I  was  nervous  and  somewhat  confused.  Our 
friends  took  a  most  affectionate  leave  of  us  yesterday  morning, 
when  we  were  glad  to  leave  that  busy  scene  and  close  city,  and 
pursue  our  journey  in  quiet,  (though,  for  a  long  way,  through 
a  violent  thunder  storm,)  to  this  much  more  airy  and  agreeable 
place  on  the  banks  of  the  beautiful  Tarne,  the  "Plateaux"  in 
fine  weather,  commanding  a  distant  view  of  the  Pyrenees. 
Nothing  can  be  more  comfortable  than  our  quarters.  It  is 
]ike  havinof  the  undisturbed  use  of  a  commodious  French  cha- 
teau,  with  everything  needful  at  our  command  ;  the  people  of 
the  house  simple-hearted  and  sociable,  as  well  as  clean.*  We 
soon  came  into  contact  with  A.  Monod,  professor  of  Theology. 
De  Felice,  another  of  the  professors,  and  Marzial,  the  dear  old 
pastor,  who  are  all  thoroughly  willing  to  help  us ;  the  two 
former,  men  of  first-rate  talent,  as  well  as  decided  piety.  May 
we  be  helped  through  our  weighty  engagements  by  the  "  Mighty 
One"  on  whom  help  is  laid. 

Paris,  Hotel  Bedford,  5  th  mo.,  11th,  1S44. 

Here  we  are  once  more,  just  for  this  single  day,  preparing 
for  our  flight  homeward.  W^e  have  many  mercies  to  recount 
in  the  retrospect  of  the  last  week  or  ten  days.  -  No  place  has 
proved  more  interesting  to  us  than  Montauban.  .1  had 
long  felt  a  wish  to  go  there,  and  a  drawing  of  Christian  love 
and  interest  towards  the  young  men  of  the  university,  (all 
studying  for  the  ministry,)  and  the  professors.  Of  the  latter 
there  are  six.  Marzial,  the  evangelical  pastor  of  the  town, 
freely  gave  up  his  evening  meeting  on  first  dq^  to  us.  It  was 
jield  in  a  large  school-room  attached  to  the  "  Temple,"  and 
proved  an  occasion  of  much  interest ;  many  of  the  students 
Avere  there,  and  I  trust  that  some  divine  help  was  graciously 
;ifForded,  as  I  endeavoured  to  develop  the  doctrines  contained 
in  our  Lord's  words  in  the  last  chapterof  the  Revelation — "Be- 
hold I  come  quickly.       I  am  the  root  and  the  offspring  of 


j;t.  56.  MOXTAUBAN.  425 

David,"  &c.  The  dear  old  pastor,  •when  prayer  had  been 
offered,  concluded  the  meeting  -with  a  paternal  blessing,  and 
"we  afterwards  spent,  an  hour  with  a  company  of  Christian 
friends,  at  Monod's. 

The  next  day  was  one  of  peculiar  interest.  Monod  break- 
fasted with  us ;  and  we  had  afterwards  some  intimate 
conversation  with  him.  His  duties  at  the  university  are  very 
much  of  a  paternal  character;  and  the  students  seem  to 
gather  round  him.  They  were  summoned  to  his  house,  to 
meet  us,  at  one    o'clock.     In  the    meantime,  Jbsiah  Forster 

and  I  called  on ,  W"ho  was  very  polite,  and  soon  returned 

our  call,  but  our  grounds  of  unity  with  him  VfCre  small,  and 
he  declined  joining  the  meeting  of  young  inen ;  which  was 
attended  by  nearly  the  whole  of  them,  and  our  three  friendly 
Professors.  I  walked  with  the  students  in  the  shady  garden, 
amidst  the  ceaseless  songs  of  the  nightingales,  and  quite 
enjoyed  myself.  We  then  settled  down  in  a  truly  quiet, 
solemn  meeting.  I  had  much  to  say  to  them,  for  my  mind  and 
heart  were  full  towards  them.  The  danger  of  adding  to  the 
truth,  and  building  on  the  one  foundation  with  wood,  hay, 
and  stubble.  The  still  greater  danger  of  taking  away  from 
the  truth,  and  especially  of  depriving  it  of  its  fundamental 
pillars ;  the  awful  punishment  of  this,  the  taking  away  of  our 
names  from  "the  book  of  life;"  the  true  preparation  for  the 
ministry  of  the  gospel,  even  the  baptism'  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  of  fire;  and  the  necessity  of  a  constant  dependence  on  the 
divine  anointing,  as  the  great  qualification  for  the  work. 
Much  seriousness  and  solemnity  prevailed.*  *  *  I  can  hardly 
describe  the  relief  which  I  felt  when  it  was  over.  We  had  a 
sitting  afterwards  with-  Babut,  a  brother-in-law  of  Monod's, 
living  under  the  £ame  roof,  who  has  long  been  afflicted  by  a 
most  painful  spinal  afiection.  Then  followed  visits  to  an 
excellent  institution  for  thirty -eight  orphan  girls;  well 
managed,  and  extremely  clean ;  also  to  a  Protestant  Eefuge 
for  destitute  old  women.  A  public  Anti-slavery  meeting,  with 
the  approbation  of  the  Mayor,  was  appointed  for  the  evening. 
Many  hundreds  attended  it,  and  there  were  crowds  at  the  door 
unable  to  get  in.     We  had  issued  a  hand-bill  on  the  subject, 


426  .   MONTAUBAN.  1844. 

with  the  aid  .of  our  friend  De  Felice,  and  of  a  pious,  active 
Protestant  gentleman,  Le  Notaire  Borell.  I  spoke  with  much 
ease  on  the  subject ;  comparing  the  several  results  of  slavery 
and  of  emancipation,  as  I  had  myself  witnessed  them,  in  an 
economical,  physical,  moral,  and  religious  point  of  view. 
Nothing  could  exceed  the  attention  of  the  audience ;  all  the 
students,  or  nearly  all,  were  present ;  and  a  great  many  of  the 
respectable  citizens,  both  Roman  Catholic  and  Protestant. 
De  Felice,  who  is  a  man  of  superior  powers,  both  as  a  writer 
and  speaker,  is  remarkably  alive  to  this  great  question,  and  I 
hope  will  become  an  important  helper  in  the  cause.  It  would 
have  been  worth  our  going  to  Montauban  had  it  been  only  to 
make  his  acquaintance,  and  that  of  A.  Monod. 

On  third  day,  we  had  the  three  Professors,  and  some 
Christian  friends  to  breakfast ;  and  parted  with  them  in  a  flow 
of  hearty  good-will,  after  an  Interesting  time  of  Scripture 
reading,  silence,  and  ministry.  Books  were  distributed  in 
abundance,  and  we  left  the  place  at"  noon,  after  visiting  an 
excellent  establishment  for  Protestant  young  ladies,  kept  by  a 
pious  jMoravian.  So  ended  our  deeply  interesting  sejour  at 
Montauban.* 

*  The  following  letter  from  G.  de  Felice  shows  the  impression 
made  by  Joseph  John  Gurney's  visit  to  Montauban. 

Montauban,  le  14  Decembre. 

Jg  m'empresse,  chers  amis,  de  vous  commmuniquer,  autant  que 
me  le  permettent  des  souvenirs  deja  eloignes,  quelques  details  sur  le 
sejour  de  M.  J.  J.  Gurney  k,  Montauban. 

II  arriva  dans  les  premiers  jours  du  mois  de  IMai,  1844,  accom- 
pagne  de  sa  respectable  Spouse  et  de  M.  Josiah  Forster.  8a  haute 
reputation  de  piete,  de  philanthropie,  et  de  liberalite  Chretienne, 
I'avait  precede  dans  notre  ville,  et  nous  fiimes  heureux  de  faire  la 
connaissance  personelle  d'un  homme  qui  avait  rendu  de  si  eminents 
services  a  la  sainte  cause  de  la  religion. 

M.  Gurney  s'etait  propose  deux  objets  pvincipnux  clans  son 
voyage :  Fun  d'annoncer  en  toute  occasion  favorable  les  grandes 
verites  de  la  foi  evangelique;  I'autre  de  plaider  specialemeiit  la 
question  de  I'affranchissement  des  Noirs  dans  les  Colonies  Frangaises. 

Fidele  a  cette  double  mission,  M.  Gurney  s'empressa  d'abord 
de  tenir  plusieurs  assemblees  d'edification.     Le  Dimanchc,  5me  Mai, 


^T.  56.  BRIVES  ;  LIMOGES.  .  427 

On  their  way  to  Paris,  from  Montauban, .  they 
passed  through  Brives,  Limoges,  and  Orleans. 

"At Brives," writes  Joseph  John  Gurney,  "lives  la  Baronne 
le  Clerc,  the  sister  of  Stephen  Grellet,  a  lady-like  elderly  widow, 
surrounded  by  children  and  grandchildren.  She  is  a  Roman 
Catholic,  much  devoted,  and  yet  liberal ;  very  refined  and 
pleasing.  We  called  on  her  before  we  left  the  town,  on  fifth 
clay ;  and,  in  a  comfortable  sitting,  were  brought  to  a  feeling 
of  sympathy  with  her.     *     *     * 

Limoges  is  the  birth-place  of  Stephen  Grellet ;  and  his  elder 
brother  Joseph,  also  a  Friend,  who  once  lived  at  Nottingham, 
now  resides  here  with  his  Roman  Catholic  wife.     They  both 

il  pr&ida  a  la  reunion  du  soir,  qui  a  Heu  dans  une  salle  du  temple 
des  Carmes.  L'auditoire  etait  nombreux,  et  rimpression  produite 
par  les  paroles  de  cet  excellent  ami  fut  profonde.  II  y  apporta  cette 
admirable  simplicite,  ce  caract^re  serieux,  cette  force  de  pensee  et 
d'expression,  qui  etaient  les  traits  distinctifs  de  ses  qualites  oratoires. 
II  observa  quelques  formes  particulieres  a  la  communion  des  Amis, 
entre  autres  les  intervalles  de  st7en.ce  ■  usites  dans  leur  culte;  mais 
ces  particularites,  loin  de  clioquer  I'assemblee,  no  servirent  qu'a  aug- 
menter  le  recueillement  et  I'edification  generale. 

Le  lendemain,  6me  Mai,  eut  lieu  une  aixtre  reunion  dans  la  maison 
d'un  de  nos  amis.  Les  etudiants  de  la  Faculte  de  theologie  y  avaint 
ete  specialement  cohvoques,  et  y  etaient  fort  nombreux.  *  *  * 
.  Outre  ces  deux  assemblees,  M.  et  Madamfe  Gvirney  nous  edifierent 
dans  des  reunions  plus  intimes,  et  firent  d'abondantes  distributions 
de  livres  pieux  a  leurs  amis.  Eu  resume,  leur  sejour  a.  Montauban 
fut  pour  nous  tous  un  moyen  de  reveil  et  de  rafraicbissement. 

J'arrive  au  second  objet  du  voyage  de  M.  J.  J.  Gurney.  Des 
son  arrivee  dans  notre  ville,  il  s'addressa  aux  personnes  qu'il  jugeait 
les  mieux  disposees  h.  s'interesser  au  sort  des  pauvres  esclaves. 
Ddjb,  d'autres  membres  de  H' Anti- Slavery  Society,'  notamment 
M.M.  Alexander  et  Wiffen  avaicnt  appelle  notre  attention  sur  ce 
sujet  et  tenu  des  reunions  particulieres  pour  nous  exhorter  h>  travailler 
en  favour  de  I'emancipation  des  Noirs.  Mais  M.  Gurney  fit  xm 
grand  pas  de  plus ;  il  examina  le  desir  de  soutenir  cette  cause  dans 
une  assemblee  publique. 


428  ORLEANS.  1844. 

spent  the  evening  with  us,  and  he  came  again  to  an  earl_y 
breakfast.  We  felt  much  sympathy  with  this  quiet,  -worthy 
man,  who  is,  I  trust,  (in  the  midst  of  darkness  and  superstition,) 
preserved  steady  to  his  principles.     *     *     * 

Our  kind  friend  Duchemin  came  to  us  at  our  Inn,  at 
Orleans,  on  seventh  day  evening,  and  informed  us  of  his 
arrangement  for  the  Sabbath  day's  work,  then  ensuing; 
fifteen  miles  into  the  country,  to  Villeneuve,  in  the  morning ; 
the  meeting  appointed  at  eleven  o'clock ;  an  afternoon 
■  meeting    at    Tournon,  on    our  way    back,  the    village    where 

I  had  before  held  a  meeting ;  and  a  third  in  the  evening, 
at  Orleans.  I  was  sufficiently  recovered  from  my  cold  and 
fatigue,    to    meet    this    arrangement,    and    thy    dear    mother 

L'execution  d'un  tel  projet  etait  delicate  et  difficile;  car 
ropinion  de  la  plupart  des  Frangais  n'est  pas  favorablement  disposde 
pour  les  Anglais  qui  vicnnent  leur  reeommander  I'emancipation  des 
esclaves.  11  y  a  des. differences  de  religion,  de  uioeurs,  de  nationality, 
qui  sont  des  barrieres  presque  infranchissables.  Mais  M.  Gurney  ne 
se  laissa  point  decourager,  et  nous  avions  pleine  confiance  dans  la 
maniere  dont  il  s'acquitterait  de  sa  tache.  Une  salle  publique  fut 
done  demandte  a,  M.  le  JMaire  de  jMontauban,  et  des  cartes  de  convo- 
cation furent  distribuees  dans  toute  la  ville. 

L'assemblee  eut  lieu  le  Lundi,  6me  Mai,  ii  7  heures  du  soir,  dans 
le  grand  salle  du  Tribunal  de  Commerce.  On  y  reiuarquait  un  grand 
nouibre  de  Catholiques  Romains,  et  parmi  eux  plusieurs  personnes 
notables.  lis  etaient  'venus  par  curiosite  autant  et  peut-etre  plus 
que  par  interet  pour  la  principe  de  I'emancipation. 

II  me  serait  difficile  de  bien  caracteriser  I'excellent  efFet  que 
produisit  le  discours  de  M.  Gurney;  a  peine  avait  il  prononce 
quelques  mots  que  dej^  touts  les  preventions  de  son  auditoire  etaient 
dissipecs.  II  raconta  de  la  maniere  la  plus  simple  et  la  plus  emouv- 
ante  quels  avaient  ete  les  efforts  et  les  succes  des  Cbretiennes 
d'Angleterrc  pour  I'abolltion  de  I'esclavage.  11  parla  do  ce  qu'il 
avait  Yu  lui-meme  dans  la  Jamaique  et  les  autres  isles  Anglaises. 

II  montra  I'homme  de  race  noire  delivre  enfin  du  poids  de  ses 
chaines,  instruit  dans  la  religion  de  Dieu-Sauveur ;  s'accoutumant  a 
la  practique  des  devoirs  doraestiques  et  civils,  devenu  digne  de  la 
liberte  par  la  liborte  meme,  et  s'eltSvant  rapidement  au  niveau  de  la 
civilization    moderne.         Soir,    M.  Gurney    addressa    de   pressantea 


^T.  56.  ORLEANS.  429     . 

went  through  the  whole  of  it  with  me,  as  well  as  Josiah 
Forster.  We  found  a  crowd  of  clean,  simple-hearted  villagers, 
already  gathered  in  their  meeting  house,  on  our  arrival  at 
Villeneuve ;  a  village  among  the  vineyards;  the  men  in  nice 
blue  frocks ;  vignerons,  and  little  proprietors ;  the  women, 
equally  neat,  in  their  white  caps,  &c.  It  was  a  satisfactory 
occasion,  much  interest  and  feeling  being  evinced  by  many ; 
and  evident  marks  of  the  spreading  of  that  leaven  which  can 
alone  purify  the  lump. 

We  afterwards  dined  at  a  clean  little  inn,  where  we  fell  in 
with  a  light-hearted  young  medical  man,  who  had  been 
educated  for  a  priest,  but  had,  through  his  travels,  changed 
his  profession,  and  now  openly  avows  himself  to  be  un  theiste. 

exhortations  h,  ses  auditeurs  pour  les*  engager  a  reclamer  sans  retard 
I'eraancipation  dans  les  Colonies  Frangaises. 

Tout  son  discours  etait  plein  d'interet,  de  justesse,  de  mesure,  et 
raSme  cV esprit  dans  le  meilleur  sens  du  mot.  Les  auditeui'S,  en  se 
retirant,  temoignaient  tous  de  la  vive  satisfaction  qu'ils  en  avaient 
<5prouvee. 

J'ai  sous  les  yeux  le  No.  du  Courier  de  Yarn  et  Garonne,  du  9me 
Mai,  1844,  qui  rend  compte  de  cette  memorable  seance.  II  loue 
beauccup  la  manihre  franche,  naive,  positive,  de  I'orateur  Anglais, 
(ce  sont  ses  propres  termes,^  et  plaide  lui-mgme  avec  chaleur  la  cause 
des  esclaves. 

Un  autre  fait  prouve  combien  I'impression  de  cette  seance  fut 
durable,  car,  quelques  mois  apr^s,  la  Societi  des  Sciences  et  Belles 
Lettres  de  Montauban  proposa  pour  le  concours  du  prix  de  poesie 
I' Abolition  de  V Esclavage.  Depuis  lors,  les  petitions  pour  I'affran- 
cissement  des  Noirs  ont  obtenu  a  Montauban  de  nombreuses 
signatures. 

Yoila  I'oeuvre  d'un  courageux  scrviteur  de  Christ,  et  d'un  phil- 
anthrope devoue  dans  notre  contree.  •  Elle  ne  s'effacera  jamais  de  nos 
souvenirs. 

M.  Gurney  parla  aussi  de  ce  sujet  a  ses  amis  dans  des  entretiena 
plus  particuliers.  II  reveilla  notre  zele,  excita  notre  sympathie,  et 
nous  donna  de  precieuses  informations  sur  la  cause  des  esclaves. 
(Test  lui  qui  h  provoque  la  composition  d'une  brochure  qui  fut  publie 
en  1846,  dans  laquelle  I'auteur  a  soutenu  le  principe  de  V emancipa- 
tion immediate  et  complete. 

G  De  Felice 


430  .ORLEANS.  1844. 

We  had  a  "-ood  deal  of  conversation  with  him.  I  beofo^cd 
him  carefully  to  read  the  New  Testament ;  explained  to  him 
in  what  way  it  bears  its  own  evidence  of  Divine  authority ; 
and  this  being  granted,  it  is  nothing  more  than  la  vraie 
philosophie,  to  accept  all  its  contents  in  simple  faith.  Duchemin 
had  a  pocket  Testament  with  him,  which  he  gave  him ;  and 
we  left  him  a  little  softened,  after  receiving  his  promise  that 
he  would  read  it.  He  interested  us  a  good  deal;  may  the 
interview  have  been  blessed  to  him !  How  good  it  is  to  observe 
and  to  profit  by  the  little  daily  intersections  of  Providence  ! 

Our  afternoon  meeting  at  Tournon  was  comfortable.  I 
spoke  on  Rev.  vii,  in  the  belief  that  some  good  Christians 
from  those  parts  had  been  gathered  to  the  glorious  company 
therein  mentioned.  This  was  afterwards  publicly  confirmed 
by  Duchemin,  who  stated,  that  tvro  pious  couples  belonging  to 
his  congregation  there,  had  lately  died ;  in  each  case,  the  hus- 
band and  wife  within  two  or  three  days  of  each  other. 

"We  found  time  at  Orleans  for  a  cup  of  coffee  and  a  little  rest, 
before  the  evening  meeting  at  eight  o'clock.  Notwithstanding 
the  pouring  rain,  it  was  very  fairly  attended.  Baptism,  in 
the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  was 
the  subject  on  which  I  felt  bound  to  speak ;  openly  giving  the 
spiritual  view  of  Baptism,  and  at  the"  same  time  unfolding  the 
whole  comprehensive  bearing  of  the  Christian  faith.  It  was  a 
very  solemn  time.  Fain  would  we  have  accompanied  Josiah 
Forster  to  Paris  next  morning,  or  followed  him  by  the  next 
train,  especially  as  he  and  I  had  by  letter  offered  to  spend 
half  an  hour  with  Guizot,  in  the  evening ;  but  a  meeting  was 
appointed  for  us  at  Neuville ;  fifteen  or  eighteen  miles  from 
Orleans,  in  an  opposite  direction  from  Villeneuve,  for  second 
day,  at  one  or  two  o'clock  ;  and  neither  my  wife  nor  myself 
felt  easy  to  omit  attending  it.  So  we  gave  up  the  day  in 
faith,  and  it  was  well  we  did  so.  Long  and  tiring  was  our 
drive  to  the  village  of  Ncuville,  over  sad  roads.  The  chapel 
bell  befi^an  to  ring  as  soon  as  our  carriage  came  in  sight. 
Crowds  of  contented,  clean,  happy-looking  country  people 
were  engaged  in  the  weekly  market,  which  abounded  with 
provisions.     Want   seems   unknown    among   them;    the   land 


MT.  56.  PARIS.  481 

being  productive  of  corn  of  various  kinds,  and  saifron,  which 
is  raised  in  great  quantities.  We  secured  a  cup  of  coffee,  and 
a  rough  piece  of  bread  and  butter,  before  we  entered  the  new- 
built  "temple."  When  we  did  enter,  we  found  it  crowded 
with  the  country  people,  Roman  Catholics  as  well  as  Protest- 
ants, and  thankful  w^e  Ure  that  we  had  not  turned  away  from 
this  part  of  our  pilgrimage.  There  was  much  of  heavenly 
goodness  to  be  felt  in  the  meeting.  I  spoke  on  the  new  birth 
unto  righteousness,  illustrating  it  by  the  Gospel  history  of  the 
resurrection  of  Lazarus ;  thy  mother  followed,  Duchemia 
interpreting  for  her.  I  had  afterwards  a  few  sentences  for  a 
group  of  people  in  the  market-place,  and  we  returned  home  in 
peace  by  another  road  through  the  forest  of  Orleans,  and 
passing  by  a  fine  chateau  and  estate  belonging  to  the  Due  de 
Broglie.  Our  late  dinner  at  the  hotel  was  succeeded  by  one 
more  effort ;  a  large  Anti-Slavery  company  at  Duchemin's  at 
eight  o'clock.  I  told  them  my  West  Indian  story ;  and  we 
ended  with  a  truly  solemn  meeting,  thy  mother  addressing  them, 
on  the  slavery  of  the  soul,  and  its  true  remedies.  I  had  after- 
wards to  kneel  in  fervent  prayer  ;  Duchemin  added  a  few  words 
of  brotherly  gratitude  and  kindness  at  the  close  of  the  opportu- 
nity. So.  ended,  in  much  solemnity,  our  religious  services  in 
France. 

On  third  day  morning  we  were  in  the  railway  carriage  by 
seven  o'clock,  and  arrived  safely  in  Paris  at  eleven.  We  were 
glad  to  see  Josiah  Forster  again,  and  scton  found  that  nothinf^ 
had  suffered  by  our  not  being  there  the  day  before,  as  he  had 
been  unable  to  make  any  arrangement  with*Guizot.  Moreover, 
we  found  that,  had  we  come  the  day  before,  the  hotels  were  so 
crowded  we  could  not  have  been  taken  in  anywhere.  How 
good  it  is  to  walk  by  faith  ! 

Finding  that  Guizot  received  company  that  evening,  I  went 
to  his  house  at  eight  o'clock;  and,  before  the  crowd  assembled, 
secured  a  little  conversation  with  him.  I  was  much  pleased 
to  find  that,  in  a  late  debate,  occasioned  by  a  petition  from 
the  Ouvrlers  de  Paris  for  the  abolition  of  slavery,  he  had 
openly  declared,  that  to  abolish  it  is  the  intention  of  Govern- 


432  GUERNSEY.  18-14. 

ment,  and  that  the  'premier  pas  should  be  taken  without  delay. 
He  -told  us,  before  we  left  Paris,  what  it  was  to  be ;  small 
enough  certainly ;  'but  such  as  it  is,  (amounting  only  to  a  few 
preparatory  ameliorations,)  it  wa»  introduced  by  the  Minister 
of  Marine,  in  the  House  of  Peers,  the  very  day  of  my  visit  to 
Guizot.  I  am  satisfied  that  nothing  effectual  will  be  done  until 
public  opinion  is  stirred  up;  and  stirred  up  it  is,  in  some  degree, 
already.  I  expressed  to  Guizot,  before  we  parted,  my  earnest 
desire  that  he  might  be  enabled  to  persevere  in  the  path  of 
Christian  duty.  He  received  it  very  kindly,  and  took  an  affec- 
tionate leave  ©f  me. 

Returning    to   England   by   way   of    Dover,    they 

•  arrived    in    London    in    time    to    attend    the    Yearly 

Meeting ;  after  which  they  proceeded  at  once  to  the 

Channel    Islands.        Having    arrived    at    Guernsey, 

Joseph  John  Gurney  wrote 

TO   HIS    DAUGHTER. 

Guernsey,  6tli  mo.,  Stb,  1844. 

*  *  *  Our  dear  friend  William  Forster  kindly  accom- 
panied us  to  Southampton  last  third  day,  and  we  embarked  in 
the  Atlantic  steamer  under  happy  auspices ;  though  the  wind 
was  ahead,  the  great  waters  were  on  the  whole  smoother  than 
usual.  The  voyage  down  the  Southampton  water,  and  under 
the  shore  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  as  far  as  the  Needles,  is  highly 
beautiful.  After  passing  them,  we  came  to  the  open  sea,  and 
scudded  along  quietly  during  the  night;  until,  at  dawn  the 
next  day,  I  found  we  were  passing  by  the  Caskets,  a  row  of 
dangerous  but  picturesque  rocks,  with  Alderney  in  sight  at 
our  left,  and  Guernsey  itself  visible  ahead  at  a  great  distance. 
This  part  of  the  channel  is  very  full  of  r-ocks,  and  the  navigation 
in  hazy  weather  is  difficult  and  dangerous;  but  at  seven  o'clock 
we  were  under  the  brow  of  Guernsey  Castle,  which  is  built  on 
an  island  rock  near  the  shore,  and  a  boat  soon  brought  us  safely 
to  land.  The  appearance  of  the  green  hills  of  Guernsey,  sur- 
mounting the  picturesque  town  called  "St."  Peter's  Port,  is 


^;r.  56.  guernsey.  432 

very  inviting  as  one  approaches  the  island,  and  reminded  ijie 
of  some  West  Indian  scenes  long  since  admired.  The  small 
islands  of  Herms  and  Jethou  were  seen  to  the  left  hand  as  we 
approached  Guernsey;  with  the  high  land  of  Sark  in  the  same 
direction,  but  farther  in  the  distance.  We  were  well  pleased 
to  land,  unhurt,  and  almost  undisturbed  by  our  voyage,  and 
found  very  comfortable  quarters  at  Marshall's  hotel  near  the 
pier.  A  friend,  named  George  Letissier,  met  us  at  the  land- 
ing, and  conducted  us  to  our  abode.  Charles  Dudley  and 
Wilks,  the  editor  of  the  Christian  Observer,  arrived  this 
morning  as  representatives  of  the  Bible  Society ;  and  I  have 
been  dining  with  them  to-day,  very  agreeably,  at  Thom.as 
Lihon's.  *  *  *  It  was  a  satisfaction  to  me,  that  the 
way  opened  for  my  holding  a  Friends'  Meeting,  in  the  large 
Methodist  meeting-house  on  the  evening  of  our  arrival.  The 
meeting  was  well  attended,  and  was  remarkable  for  quietness 
and  solemnity.  I  returned  home  refreshed  and  comforted. 
Notice  was  given  at  the  close  of  the  meeting,  of  a  second,  to 
be  held  at  the  French  Methodist  meeting-house,  the  next 
evening.  Fifth  day,  like  its  precursor,  proved  satisfactory. 
W^e  had  a  good  week-day  meeting  with  Friends  in  the  morn- 
ing; small  and  poor  as  their  flock  certainly  is.  In  the  evening 
I  repaired  to  the  French  chapel,  a  good  deal  laden  with  reli- 
gious exercise.  Many  hundreds  came  to  the  meeting.  The 
doctrines  of  the  gospel  were  freely  declared,  and  speaking  in 
French  was  once  more  made  easy,  and  even  pleasant  to  me. 
I  am,  I  trust,  thankful  for  this  facility,  which  is  almost  as 
useful  in  these  islands  as  in  France  itself. 

Jersey,  Fourth  Jay  morning,  6th  mo.,  12tb. 

Sixth  day  in  last  week  was  spent  very  agreeably.  In  the 
morning  we  took  a  long  drive,  with  our  friend  William 
Stephens  as  a  guide,  and  greatly  were  we  pleased  with  it. 
Some  of  the  rocky  bays  are  highly  pretty  and  picturesque  ; 
and  one  of  them,  the  Gouffre,  almost  amounting  to  the  sublime. 
•  The  country  itself  is  under  close  cultivation,  and  the  land, 
though  not  first-rate  in  appearance,  is  more  productive  than 

Vol.  II.  — 28 


434  GUERNSEY.     '  1844. 

in  .most  parts  of  England ;  a  good  deal  of  small  timber,  and 
pretty  neat  residences  everywhere  interspersed.  The  island 
is  divided  into  ten  parishes,  each  having  its  steeple ;  the 
little  villages  very  picturesque  and  pleasing.  The  farms  are 
small,  and  occupied  chiefly  by  little  thriving  proprietors ; 
nothing  can  exceed  the  comfortable  look  of  the  peasantry; 
no  begging,  and  I  should  think  but  very  little  poverty. 
(juernsey  and  Jersey  are  a  fief  of  the  Crown,  being  the 
relic  of  the  old  x>[orman  possessions  of  William  the  Con- 
queror ;  they  have  no  taxes  there,  except  a  very  moderate 
property-tax,  raised  for  home  purposes,  and  all  things  desirable 
are  freely  imported  from  France,  &c.  This  is  a  great  privi- 
lege ;  so  that  living  in  these  islands  is  cheap,  and  in  some 
respects  luxux-ious.  I  made  many  rough  sketches  of  the 
scenery ;  and,  after  dinner  and  an  early  tea,  we  went  to  a 
village  two  or  three  miles  from  the  town,  called  "St."  Martin's, 
where  I  had  appointed  a  public  meeting  for  the  French- 
.-■peaking  country  people,  in  the  meeting-house,  for  the  evening. 
The  congregation  was  large,  and  decent  in  appearance,  as  well 
MS  attentive  and  well-behaved.  I  was  enabled  to  speak  plainly 
on  the  concluding  verses  of  1  Peter  iii  —  "  The  baptism  which 
now  savcth  us,"  and  great  was  the  attention  and  quietness 
v.hich  prevailed. 

Seventh  day  was  spent  in  family  visiting.  The  little  scattered 
ilock  of  Friends  is  worth  vi^3iting;  there  is  life  to  be  found  in  it, 
and  some  hope  for  the  future.  Our  Sabbath  was  one  of  much 
interest  and  divine  favour.  AVe  had  a  searching  mornino-  meet- 
ing  with  the  Friends  and  others.  Dinner  with  the  Stephens 
family,  who  were  full  of  hospitality,  and  engaged  our  feelings 
of  sincere  regard  and  friendship.  I  afterwards  went  with  some 
friends  to  "Le  Yalle,"  a  country  district,  about  three  miles, 
where  a  large  assembly  of  the  agreeable  and  respectable-looking 
peasantry  were  awaiting  our  arrival.  We  were  favoured  with 
a  good  meeting.  The  people  seemed  highly  pleased  at  being 
addressed  in  their  own  language,  and  were  very  warm  and 
affectionate.  In  the  evening  we  had  a  large  crowded  meeting 
in  the  Independent  Meeting-house,  and  a   truly  llowing  time 


,ET.  56.  JERSEY.  433 

it  was.  Thus  vre  had,  at  the  close  of  the  day,  much  feeling  of 
peace,  and  cause  for  thankfulness. 

Second  day,  more  family  visits.  In  the  evening,  though 
suflFering  intensely  from  toothache,  I  persevered  in  going  to  the 
Bible  Meeting,  a  very  large  one  indeed,  where  I  spoke  freely 
and  fully;  I  hope  not  in  vain.  I  had  to  show,  from  West 
Indian  experience,  the  connexion  between  the  free  dissemi- 
nation of  Scripture  and  the  just  liberties  of  mankind ;  and 
afterwards  gave  a  pretty  full  account  of  the  Continent,  Silesia — 
France — Belgium.  It  was  a  good  time,  though  I  was  in  great 
paitt ;  yet  we  were  able  to  prosecute  our  labours  the  next  day. 
In  the  evening  we  held  our  concluding  meeting  in  the  Assembly 
Rooms ;  well  attended  by  many  of  the  principal  inhabitants. 
It  Avas  an  occasion  of  much  sweetness  and  solemnity,  a  crown 
to  the  whole  visit ;  leaving  us  without  a  feather's  weight,  ready 
for  our  departure  next  morning.  I  had  to  show  how  Christ  is 
made  unto  us,  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  and,  all 
included  in  the  last, —  redemption.  There  was  peculiar  solem- 
nity in  the  silence.  As  the  sun  broke  through  our  windows 
the  next  morning,  we  were  roused  from  our  slumbers  about 
half-past  four  o'clock,  and  were  on  board  the  Atalanta  soon 
after  six.  Save  a  ground-swell,  the  sea  was  smooth ;  and  very 
beautiful  was  the  view  of  Guernsey  on  leaving  it,  of  Sark  in 
passing,  and  of  Jersey  on  our  approach.        *         *         * 

Fourth  day  morning ;  we  found  good  quarters  at  the  British 
Hotel.  After  making  some  meeting  arrangements,  we  drove 
out  to  the  Prince's  Tower,  about  two  miles  from  the  town, 
which  is  itself  large,  stirring,  commercially  thriving,  with  nearly 
30,000  inhabitants,  but  not  very  agreeable.  The  country  is 
verdant  and  woody,  intersected  by  shady  lanes ;  the  land  much 
divided  and  well  cultivated.  The  view  from  the  tower,  of  the 
great  expanse  below,  Avith  the  bright  blue  sea  around  it,  and  a 
picturesque  coast,  with  a  castle  here  and  there,  and  many 
pretty  little  country  residences,  all  which  we  saw  under  a  bright 
sun,  has  left  a  charming  picture  on  our  minds. 

In  the  evening,  the  little  week-day  meeting  of  Friends  ;  three 
families ;  and  a  good  time  afterwards  with  a  congregation  of 
Methodists. 


4S6  JERSEY,  1844. 

Earlham,  6th  mo.,  2Slh,  1844. 

My  Dearest  Anna, 

It  is  an  inexpressible  favour  that  I  am  able  to  continue 
tlie  thread  of  my  Journal  in  thy  own  peaceful  "  little  parlour," 
with  my  window  open  on  the  garden,  in  its  most  flowery  trim, 
and  all,  within  and  without,  quietness  and  peace.  Surely  this 
is  a  happy  termination  of  our  long  continued  wanderings ! 

I  wrote  my  last  Journal  on  the  day  of  our  arrival  at  Jersey ; 
just  after  we  had  taken  a  survey  of  that  delightsome  island, 
Avith  its  bowery  lanes  and  bright  green  little  fields  and  orchards, 
with  the  fine  rocky  coast,  deep  blue  sea,  and  old  castles,  from 
the  top  of  Prince's  Tower.  That  was  fourth  day,  the  twelfth, 
more  than  a  fortnight  ago ;  but  the  flow  of  engagements  since 
has  left  no  room  for  journalizing. 

That  evening  we  attended  the  little  week-day  meeting  of  the 
few  scattered  Friends,  held  in  a  pleasant  cottage  in  a  garden 
of  roses ;  and  though  the  flock  is  very  small,  we  had  a  time  of 
some  refreshment,  as  well  as  searching  of  heart.  After  our 
meeting  was  over,  I  went  with  a  Friend  to  the  Methodist  meet- 
ing, with  the  leave  of  the  minister  and  his  friends ;  patiently 
heard  a  rapid  sermon,  of  a  lively  character ;  and  then  held  a 
solemn  little  meeting,  with  no  very  large  number  there  assembled. 
The  next  evening  .a  much  larger  meeting  was  held  with  the 
French-speaking  Methodists,  in  another  house  ;  which  was  a 
time  of  peculiar  weight,  and  very  relieving  to  my  own  feelings. 
Perhaps  it  might  be  regarded  as  the  best  French  meeting  I 
have  ever  held.  We  received  a  kind  call  that  morning  from 
General  Touzel ;  and  the  friends  of  the  Bible  Society  called 
to  solicit  my  aid  at  their  approaching  meeting.  On  sixth  day 
I  attended  that  meeting,  which  was  spirited  and  interesting ; 
and  spoke  with  ease  to  myself,  and  I  hope  for  some  good  pur- 
pose. I  came  home  in  time  to  take  a  walk  on  the  shore  of  the 
beautiful  bay  of  "  St."  Aubin's ;  on  one  side  of  which  stands 
the  prosperous  and  increasing  town,  "  St."  Holiers,  now  con- 
taining nearly  30,000  inhabitants,  and  a  very  considerable  port 
in  point  of  commerce,  shipping,  &c. 

Seventh  day  was  agreeable  and  interesting ;  General  Touzel 


£T.  56.  LECTURE    ON    TOTAL    ABSTINENCE.  437 

called  in  his  little  open  carriage,  and  conveyed  us  to  his  beauti- 
ful little  residence,  on  a  green  wood-clad  eminence,  surveying 
the  town  and  bay,  studiously  cultivated,  and  full  of  charm. 
After  breakfast  we  had  a  comforting  Scripture  reading.  Then 
the  General  took  us  a  delightfid  drive  of  several  hours,  as  far  as 
Goree,  and  the  fine  old  castle  on  an  eminence  above  the  rockv 
shore  of  Mont  Orgueil.  The  scenery  is  quite  charmin"-;  and 
the  little  properties  of  the  numerous  petty  land-owners 
appeared  flourishing  with  corn,  fig-trees,  apple-trees,  and  fine 
crops  of  potatoes  and  clover — all  green  and  luxuriant,  notwith- 
standing the  long  drought-  Near  the  castle  is  an  old  Druidical 
temple,  composed  of  large  granite  stones,  upright,  in  juxta- 
position, in  the  form  of  a  circle,  with  a  vast  incumbent  stone 
for  the  roof.  How  the  last  was  raised,  and  placed  on  the  top 
of  the  others  without  machinery,  who  shall  say  ? 

We  returned  to  the  General's  to  dinner ;  and  having 
observed  that  morning  a  placard  about  the  streets,  indicating 
that  "J.  J.  Gurney  was  to  deliver  a  Temperance  Lecture  that 
evening,  at  the  Temperance  Hall,"  which  was  put  forth  without 
my  knowledge,  and  only  in  consequence  of  my  saying  I  was 
willing  to  attend  and  help,  we  were  under  the  necessity  of 
redeeming  the  pledge.  They  have  a  hall  which  holds  some 
300  or  400  people,  or  probably  more-  It  was  filled,  and  really 
we  felt  much  peace  and  satisfaction  in  the  effort.  I  did  lecture 
to  a  very  attentive  audience,  endeavouring  to  place  the  subject 
on  a  clear,  moderate.  Christian  ground-  They  have  1,500 
members  in  Jersey,  which  is  an  excellent  thing,  as  spirits  are 
imported  at  a  very  cheap  rate  from  France  ;  and  brandy  and 
water  is  the  general  beverage  of  male  and  female,  to  the  great 
injury  of  the  population- 
Such  was  the  origin  of  the  well-known  little  tract 
entitled  Water  is  Best,  which  has  been  since  w'idely 
circulated.     Joseph  John  Gurney  thus  continues:  — 

Then  followed  our  Sabbath;  a  very  close,  searching,  exer- 
cising meeting  in  the  morning  with  a  little  flock  of  Friends 


438  JERSEY.  1844. 

and  a  few  others ;  and  familj  sittings  in  the  afternoon.  In  the 
e\ening  we  had  a  large  meeting  in  the  English  Independent 
Meeting-house,  in  which  I  had  to  dwell  on  the  subject  of  the 
Kingdom  of  Christ,  as  unfolded  in"  Scripture,  It  certainly  was 
Slot  a  Jewish,  millenarian  view,  which  is  somewhat  rife  in 
Jersey,  through  the  exertions  of  a  little  hand  of  Plymouth 
brethren.     I  believe  it  was  a  solid,  satisfactory  meeting. 

On  second  day  in  last  week,  we  visited  the  infant  school, 
prison,  and  hospital,  or  rather  workhouse,  and  held  satisfactory 
meetings  in  the  two  latter,  our  friend  Wilks  being  our  compan- 
ion. We  afterwards  dined  at  Colonel  Le  Couteur's,  "St." 
Aubin's,  another  exquisitely  beautiful  spot,  commanding  a 
delightful  view  of  the  bay.  The  Colonel  is  Vicomte  of  the 
Island,  a  crown  officer  of  importance.  He  was  absent,  but  his 
wife  and  aged  mother  entertained  us,  Dudley,  and  Wilks,  most 
kindly. 

In  the  evening  we  attended  the  Bible  meeting  at  "St." 
Aubin's,  and  very  lively,  large,  and  apparently  effective  was  the 
meeting.  The  following  day  was  one  of  considerable  interest 
and  charm.  We  traversed  the  beautiful  island  in  an  open 
carriage,  till  we  came  to  Greve  de  Lecq,  on  the  opposite  coast, 
where  there  are  an  exquisite  bay,  vast  granite  rocks,  marine 
caves,  and  other  picturesque  objects,  with  a  neat  little  hotel. 
Here  we  wandered  by  ourselves  among  the  hills,  and  on  the 
shore ;  and,  after  an  early  dinner,  called  on  an  old  man 
connected  with  Friends,  living  in  one  of  the  true  Jersey 
cottages  ;  a  dark  place,  with  wails  of  great  thickness,  but 
clean,  and  replete  with  all  the  necessaries  of  life.  The 
veteran  of  about  ninety  years  old,  looked  something  like  an 
old  Jacob  or  Abraham ;  with  a  fine  beard,  clean,  and  innocent 
as  a  child ;  and  much  pleased  to  see  us,  but  so  deaf  that  no 
words  could  be  made  to  penetrate.  We  then  proceeded  to  a 
large  Methodist  chapel  at  "  St."  Oaen's,  about  the  centre  of 
the  island,  whither  crowds  pf  country  people  were  seen 
flocking,  and  when  we  took  our  seats,  the  house  soon  became 
very  full.  It  was  a  French  meeting,  and  I  hope  it  was  not 
in  vain  that  I  was  led  to  dwell  on  the  several  points  of  our 


^T.  56.  RETURN    HOME. 


439 


Lord's  conversation  with  the  woman  of  Samaria.  Tlie 
attention  of  the  people,  who  were  as  respectable,  and  as  decent 
i^  appearance  and  demeanour,  as  those  in  Guernsey,  was  very 
great.  It  was  late  at  night  before  we  again  found  ourselves 
at  our  hotel,  in  "  St."  Ileliers.  On  fourth  day  we  breakfasted 
with  tht  widow  of  Thomas  Dumaresq,  in  the  country;  a  pious, 
feeling,  aCecfionate  lady ;  and  we  met  two  or  three  willing- 
hearted  friends  at  her  house.  There  is,  in  Jersey,  a  rema)k- 
ably  open  door  for  all  such  labours  of  love.  We  afterward 
finished  our  family  visits.  In  the  evening  we  had  a  noble 
pubUc  meeting  in  a  fast  room  at  the  Arsenal,  usually  employed 
for  drilling  soldiers ;  c^uite  full,  and  truly  favoured  with  that 
cementing  and  quieting  influence  which  we  most  value.  The 
gospel  was,  I  trust,  fully  preached  to  that  large,  mixed 
assembly. 

We  intended  to  leave  the  next  morning,  but  the  stormy 
winds,  dark  clouds,  and  rain,  clearly  forbad.  And  it  was  well 
we  stayed,  for  it  gave  us  the  opportunity  of  holding  a  highly 
satisfactory  and  animating  anti-slavery  meeting  in  the  evening, 
at  the  Temperance  Hall ;  in  which  I  told  my  stoi'y  of  slavery 
on  the  one  hand,  and  liberty  on  the  other.  Such  a  meeting 
was  greatly  wanted :  as  the  whole  population  of  these  islands, 
about  80,000,  is  now  using  slave-grown  sugar,  chiefly  from 
Porto  Rico,  which  I  know  to  be  a  land  of  deep  abomination!?. 
Great  feeling  was  excited,  and  a  committee  formed.  Thus 
ended  our  work.  The  next  day  (sixth  day,  the  21st)  we  went 
on  board  the  Transit,  Captain  Goodridge ;  and  after  twenty- 
one  hours  of  steaming  in  quiet  weather,  but  with  the  tossing 
of  a  ground  swell,  reached  Southampton  on  seventh  day 
morning,  in  time  for  breakfast ;  tired,  but  thankful,  I  trust,  to 
he  once  more,  and  that  comparatively  for  a  permanence,  in  our 
own  beloved  and  happy  land. 


4-10  JOURNAL.  1844. 


CHAPTER  XLiy. 

1844.     JET.  56—57. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  journal;  ILLNESS  OF  HIS  SlSTjrR  ELIZABETH  FRTJ 
LETTERS  TO  HER ;  LETTER  TO  A  FRIEND ;  ILLNESS  OF  SIR  T.  F. 
BUXTON,    AND   LETTER   TO   HIM. 

Uarlham,  dear  old  UarlJiam,  Ith  mo.,  2nd,  1844.  A  great 
favour,  surely,  to  be  writing  mj  journal  here  once  more,  in 
peace  of  mind,  as  well  as  fair  bodily  health. 

The  sudden  death  of  dear  William  Backhouse,  so  soon  after 
beino-  liberated  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  his  mission  to  I^or- 
■\vay ;  and  the  subsequent  total  Avreclc,  with  all  on  board,  of  the 
steamer  from  Hull  to  Hamburgh,  in  which  their  places  had 
been  enfra^-ed,  have  filled  us  with  serious  feelings,  and  a  mix- 
ture of  grief,  wonder,  and  thankfulness.  What  can  we  say, 
what  ought  we  to  say,  under  such  circumstances,  but  "  Thy 
will,  and  not  ours,  be  done?" 

I  may  gratefully  confess,  that,  notwithstanding  a  great 
degree  of  mental  poverty,  with  the  heartfelt  acknowledgment 
that  unto  me  belong  shame  and  blushing,  we  are  favoured  with 
sweet  tranquillity  and  peace  on  our  return  home.  Earlhara  is 
lovely ;  greener  than  we  might  have  expected  after  the  long 
<lrought,  and  clad  in  flowers ;  an  earthly  paradise  for  one  who 
knows  that  he  deserves  none  of  its  comforts,  and  who  feels  in 
some  degree  willing  to  resign  any  or  all  of  them,  should  it  be 
the  Lord's  will. 

1th  7110.,  8th.  I  have  been  comparing  myself  to  a  vessel 
just  returned  from  a  voyage,  and  sent  into  dock  to  be 
Thoroughly  cleansed  and  re-litted  ;  a  work  of  which,  as  I  am 
very  sensible,  I  stand  much  in  need.  May  I  abide  in  patience 
under  the  holy  hand  of  Him  who  can  alone  truly  qualify  for 


a-c.  56.  JOURNAL.  441 

his  own  service !  My  lips  have  been  sealed  in  the  last  four  of 
our  meetings,  not  without  a  feeling  of  quietness  and  peace  to 
myself.  I  heartily  desire  to  be  preserved  from  giving  to  others 
that  which  is  given  me  only  for  my  own  edification.  In  the 
meantime,  I  am  ready  to  hope  that  our  meeting  is  improving 
in  weight;  and  not  running  down  in  point  of  numbers. 

The  subject  of  the  City  Mission  has  been  closely  before  me ; 
and  on  looking  calmly  at  the  system  of  its  operations,  I  have 
felt  best  satisfied,  on  the  ground  of  our  testimony  to  the 
freedom  and  spirituality  of  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  to 
decline  subscribing  to  it.  I  strongly  feel  the  desirableness  of 
maintaining  a  thorough  consistency  as  a  Friend ;  nor  does 
this  course  contract  our  hearts  towards  our  fellow  Christians ; 
rather  does  it  leave  us  at  liberty  to  rejoice  in  the  blessing 
which  rests  on  their  conscientious  efforts,  even  those  in  which 
we  cannot  partake.  Yet  here  faithfulness  is  not  without 
sufi'ering,  both  from  within  and  from  without.  In  the  mean- 
time, our  own  lawful  territory  is  spacious.  May  we  be 
enabled  to  occupy  it  with  all  diligence,  and  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord! 

This  day  is  appointed  for  the  funeral  of  our  truly  beloved 
and  esteemed  friend,  Elizabeth  Fry,  of  Plashet  Cottage,*  who 
died  in  peace  early  last  week.  The  loss  of  the  Church,  in  her 
removal,  is  far  from  inconsiderable,  but  for  her,  as  we  fully 
believe,  it  is  all  gain.  The  Lord  grant,  reverently  be  it  spoken, 
that  covetousness,  worldliness,  and  selfishness,  may  never  cheat 
us  out  of  our  portion  in  the  everlasting  riches  which  are  in 
Christ ! 

His  sister  Elizabeth  Fry's  enfeebled  state  of 
health,  and  the  remarkable  series  of  bereavements 
which  took  place  at  this  period  in  her  family  circle,f 

*  The  sister  of  Joseph  Fry.  It  will  be  recollected  that  she  accom- 
panied Joseph  John  Gurney  and  his  sister  in  their  visit  to  Ireland. 

f  See  Memoir  of  the  Life  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  by  her  daughters,  vol. 
ii,  445 — i48.     Life  by  S.  Corder,  chap.  xii. 


442  LETTER   TO    ELIZABETH   FRY.  1844, 

could  not  fail  to  excite  Joseph  John  Gurney's  very 
tender  sympathy.  The  follo-wdng  is  one  of  his 
letters  to  her  at  this  time :  — 

Norwich,  7tli  mo.,  11th,  1844. 

My  dearest  Sister, 

Though  I  do  not  like  troubling  thee  to  read 
letters  now  thou  art  so  poorly,  yet  I  wish  to  express  my  very 
tender  sympathy,  and  that  of  my  beloved  wife,  with  thee, 
under  the  bereavements  with  which  thou  and  thy  family  have 
been  lately  afflicted. 

Dear  Elizabeth  Fry  was  at  once  dearly  loved  and  highly 
esteemed  by  many;  and  by  few  more  than  myself;  but  how 
sweet  is  it  to  be  fully  assured  that  she  rests  in  Jesus  ;  that  all 
•  to  her  is  now  rest,  peace,  joy,  and  glory  !  How  satisfactory  is 
the  recollection  of  her  consistent  conduct,  and  faithful,  evan- 
gelical ministry,  so  practical,  and  to  the  point  on  all  occasions  I 
And  how  quietly  and  firmly  was  she  fixed  on  Christ,  the  Rock 
of  Ages ;  who,  in  the  midst  of  all  our  changes  and  sorroWvS,  is 
the  "same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever!" 

I  can  easily  understand  the  depression  which  such  an  event 
must  have  occasioned  thee,  my  dearest  sister ;  but  I  hope 
thou  wilt  be  of  good  cheer;  and  that  the  bright  side  of  the 
picture  will  be  increasingly  pleasant  in  thy  view,  and  present 
to  thy  soul.  That  thou  mayest  be  strengthened  and  comforted 
of  the  Lord,  and  preserved  in  perfect  peace  and  safety,  is  the 
ardent  desire,  and  I  trust,  at  times,  the  heartfelt  prayer,  of  thy 
ever-loving  brother, 

J.  J.  Gurney. 

.Itli  mo.,  2drd.  Continually  do  I  bear  my  precious  sister  on 
my  mind.  How  remarkable  is  the  long-continued  pressure  of 
affliction  upon  her !  It  seems  as  if  she  could  not  rise  out  of 
it  as  in  days  of  old ;  and  the  consideration  of  her  enfeebled 
state,  is  often  very  affecting  to  my  feelings.  And  yet  there  is 
so  much  of  sweetness  and  unbroken  peace  permitted  her,  and 
given  to  all  of  us  respecting  her,  that  mourning  would  be 
"unseemly. 

Sth  mo.,  5th.     I  rose    early,  and   have  been  roaming  over 


iET.  57.  CONSOLATION    IN    AFFLICTION.  443 

this  sweet  earthly  paradise,  for  almost  such  does  it  appear  this 
lovely  morning ;  the  sky  is  clear ;  the  air  fresh ;  the  grass 
sparkling  with  dew ;  the  flowers  radiant.  Well  may  we  be 
called  upon  to  render  to  the  Lord,  "the  calves  of  our  lips;"  or 
may  I  not  rather  say,  the  "melody  of  our  hearts." 

How  delightful  have  the  Scriptures  been  to  me  of  late 
seasons  !  I  have  been  struck  with  the  iruthiness  which  is  so 
evident  in  their  apparent  contradictions.  These  are  generally 
capable  of  being  easily  reconciled ;  but  they  do  indeed  mark 
the  genuineness  and  authenticity  of  the  whole. 

TO    HIS    SISTER    ELIZABETH   FRY. 

Norwich,  9tli  mo.,  24th,  1844. 
My   TENDERLY   BELOVED    SlSTER, 

In  the  uncertainty  about  your  dear  C , 


I  have  been  almost  unable  to  write  to  thee,  but  now  that 
anxiety  respecting  him  seems  to  be  somewhat  lessened,  I 
hasten  to  express  the  deep  interest  which  we  have  felt  in  thy 
returning  to  Upton,  and  the  comfort  which  we  had  in  hearing 
that  the  stormy  waves  which  have  been  permitted  to  beat 
against  tliee  have  not  overwhelmed  thee ;  though  I  am  sure 
they  must  have  been  very  afflicting  and  appalling. 

It  is  evident  that  thy  dear  Master  has  been  eminently 
Avith  thee,  anointing  and  re-anointing  thee  for  his  service,  and 
lifting  up  thy  head  above  the  waters.  Thou  canst  indeed  set 
thy  seal  to  the  declaration  that  "  the  Lord  on  high  is  mightier 
than  the  noise  of  many  waters,  yea, than  the  mighty  waves  of 
the  sea." 

Remarkable  have  been  the  dispensations  allotted  of  late  to 
the  family  circle ;  requiring  on  all  our  parts  deep  resignation 
of  soul,  in  the  full  assurance  that  our  Father  in  heaven  doeth 
all  things  well.  In  our  solemn  meeting,  last  first  day  after- 
noon, I  was  led  (I  may  say  constrained)  to  quote  the  poet 
Coleridge's  last  lines.  How  beautiful  and  expressive  they  are  ! 
As  they  may  afford  thee  some  comfort,  I  will  here  quote  them 
once  more :  — 


444:  LETTER   TO    ELIZABETH    FRY.  1844. 

"  An  heir  of  heaven,  henceforth  I  fear  not  death ; 
In  Christ  I  live ;  in  Christ  I  draw  the  breath 
Of  the  true  life.     Let  earth,  sea,  sky, 
Make  war  against  me.     On  my  breast  I  show 
Their  mighty  Maker's  seal.     They  vainly  try 
To  end  my  life,  who  can  but  end  its  woe. 
Is  that  a  death-bed  where  the  Christian  lies  ? 
Tes,  but  not  his — "Tis  death  itself  there  dies." 

What  peculiar  peace  there  is  in  the  recollection  that  all  the 
five  beloved  ones,  younger  and  elder,  Avho  have  lately  been 
taken,  were,  as  we  may  humbly  vet  fully  believe,  '"'' heirs  of 
heaven^''  so  that  we  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  rejoice  on  their 
account ! 

With  regard  to  those  who  are  left  behind,  we  may  rest 
assured  that  one  thing  is  certain,  "  The  Lord  tvill  provide." 
That  He  will  richly  supply  all  thy  need,  my  dearest  sister,  I 
cannot  for  a  moment  doubt.  Mayest  thou  be  enabled  quietly 
and  joyfully  to  trust  in  Him  I 

9th  mo.,  8th.    — and  his  wife,  and  sweet  children, 

dined  and  lodged  here  on  sixth  day,  and  left  us  next  morning. 
I  had  some  interesting  conversation  with  him  on  the  subject 
of  our  Lord's  second  coming  in  glory ;  which  he  thinks  will 
be,  first,  to  reign  on  earth,  and  next  to  judge  the  world.  I 
think  this  view  of  unfulfilled  prophecy,  and  expectation  of  the 
personal  reign  of  Christ,  is  fraught  with  many  dangers ;  as  I 
plainly  told'  him.  It  diverts  the  attention,  first,  from  Christ 
crucified,  and  secondly,  from  the  spiritual,  unseen,  but  actual, 
and  all-important  government  of  Christ,  by  his  Spirit ;  and  it 
aims  a  blow  at  the  root  of  our  exertions  for  the  spread  of  the 
gospel.  I  think  I  have  marked  these  effects  in  some.  It 
appears  to  me,  that  the  second  visible  coming  of  Christ,  so  often 
declared  in  the  New  Testament,  as  to  be  matter  rather  of 
doctrine,  than  prophecy,  is  ■  emphatically  and  solely  for  the 
final  judgment  of  mankind.  In  the  meantime  his  reign  is  alto- 
gether spiritual ;  and  happy  are  they  who  submit  to  it  now, 
and  know  it  to  be  established  in  and  over  their  own  hearts. 


^T.  0(. 


JOURNAL.  445 


9f7i  mo.,  15th.  I  am  greatly  pleased  with  Dr.  Arnold's 
Life  and  Letters.  His  mind  was  large,  broad,  and  clear. 
His  notion  of  the  required  identity  of  State  and  Church,  ap- 
pears to  me  to  amount  to  nothing  more  than  the  truth  which 
William '  Penn  fully  allowed,  and  acted  on ;  namely,  that 
national  Christian  governments  ought  to  be  conducted  by  true 
Christians,  and  on  truly  Christian  principles.  Dr.  Arnold 
Avould,  perhaps,  go  a  step  further,  and  consider  it  one  duty  of 
a  government  so  acting,  to  provide  the  means  a.nd  opportunity 
for  divine  worship  to  the  whole  population ;  but  then  he  would 
do  this  on  a  comprehensive  plan,  opening  the  appointed  place 
of  worship  to  all  orthodox  sects.  He  was  evidently  an 
ardent  lover  of  Christ. 

dth  mo.,  21st.  Much  engaged  in  the  course  of  this  week 
in  reading  the  wondrous  report  of  the  Bible  Society,  and  in 
preparing  our  own  Auxiliary  Report,  which  I  read  to  the 
Committee  last  evening.  It  is  truly  a  satisfaction  and  consola- 
tion to  -know  that  such  vast  efforts  are  in  progress  in  so  many 
diflFerent  parts  of  the  world.  May  the  Lord  bless  and  prosper 
the  work !     *     *     * 

9th  mo.,  20i7i.  We  have  passed  an  interesting  week.  On 
third  day  evening  the  Temperance  tea-drinking;  many  respect- 
able people  there,  about  1000.  I  took  the  chair  at  the  meet- 
ing, and  was  enabled  to  speak  with  some  comfort  to  myself; 
recommending  charity,  and  adverting  to  the  power  of  the  mind 
over  the  body,  and  of  grace  over  both.  Then  followed  our 
Quarterly  Meeting.  In  the  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  on 
fourth  day  evening,  I  had  a  few  sentences  for  the  consolation 
of  the  solitary,  the  weary,  and  the  sorrowful.  The  meeting  on 
fifth  day  morning  was  rather  large,  and  a  good  time  on.  the 
whole.  I  spoke  at  some  length  in  the  early  part  of  the  meet- 
ing, on  the  Christian's  weapons :  Truth  in  its  fulness,  produ- 
cing in  the  mind  the  fear  of  God,  and  the  love  of  the  Father 
and  the  Son  ;  forbearance,  charity,  exemplary  conduct,  faith ; 
all  to  be  used  in  the  warfare  of  the  Lamb.  I  was  particularly 
led  to  the  subject  of  love  and  charity. 

I  feel   some   encouragement   in  the  apprehension  that  the 


446  JOURNAL.  1844. 

silence  of  our  meetings  is  increasingly  deep  and  solemn. 
May  the  Lord  of  life  be  with  us  for  his  mercy  and  his  truth's 
sake ! 

Fourth  day  morning.  This  is  the  day  of  the  Bible  Society 
[meeting].  May  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  graciously  break 
forth  upon  us,  -with  both  healing  and  cheering  on  his  wings  ! 
Never  was  this  great  cause  more  worthy  of  support,  or  more 
deeply  important,  than  at  the  present  time. 

10th  mo.,  '-Ast.  To-day  the  third  anniversary  of  our  happy 
wedding  day.  A  crowd  of  reflections  rushes  in  on  the  retro- 
spect of  these  three  years.  Our  first  happy  few  months, 
bright  and  glowing,  but  with  its  needful  mixture  of  trial.  Our 
journey  to  the  West  of  England  in  the  spring  of  1842 ;  my 
illness  during  the  latter  part  of  the  spring  and  summer :  public 
meetings  in  Norfolk  and  Suifolk,  &c.  ;  remarkable  journey  to 
the  north  on  the  death  of  Jonathan  Backhouse;  the  publica- 
tion of  my  little  work  on  the  Papal  and  Hierarchical  system  ; 
our  long  journey  in  France,  Switzerland,  &c.,  in  the  spring  and 
summer  of  1843 ;  return  home  in  the  9th  month ;  six  months 
at  home,  including  our  dearest  Anna's  marriage,  and  our 
journeys  to  London  and  Darlington ;  finishing  and  publishing 
of  Habit  and  Discipline ;  second  journey  in  France  in  the 
spring  of  this  year :  visit  to  the  Channel  Islands  ;  peaceful  four 
months  at  home ;  the  dark  L^pton  cloud  now  mercifully  dis- 
persed. Such  is  a  brief  recapitulation  of  our  outward  story. 
The  interior  claims  on  my  part  two  things.  First,  deep 
humiliation  before  the  Lord ;  secondly,  humble  gratitude  for 
all  his  preservation  and  mercy ;  for  the  continued  privilege  of 
our  being  engaged  in  his  service  ;  for  the  recovery  of  my  health 
in  a  great  degree ;  for  the  unspeakably  precious  gift  of  such  a 
partner,  counsellor,  and  supporter  in  life,  as  my  dearest  wife. 
May  it  please  the  Lord  more  and  more  to  deepen  and  enlarge 
that  blessed  spiritual  union  between  us,  which  is  destined,  as 
we  humbly  and  reverently  hope,  to  endure  for  ever ! 

In  a  letter  to  a  Friend,  also  in  the  station  of  minis- 
ter,  written    at   this    period,   Joseph   John   Gurncy 


^T.  57.  LETTER    TO    A    FRIEND.  447 

freely  expresses  himself  on  several  points  of  conside- 
rable practical  interest  and  importance.  Referring  to 
the  commonly  adopted  application  of  the  term  Word 
of  God  to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  he  says :  — 

I  am  sure  thou  art  aware  that  mj  objection  to  such  an  use 
of  the  term  is  not  grounded  on  any  want  of  faith  in  the  grand 
and  highly  important  truth,  that  "  All  Scripture  is  given  by 
inspiration  of  God;"  a  truth  to  which  no  religious  body  has 
borne  a  clearer  or  more  decided  testimony  than  the  Society 
of  Friends.  In  these  days  of  popery  and  semi-popery,  we 
had  need  to  be  faithful  in  upholding  this  testimony,  and  in 
asserting  the  essential  difference,  in  point  of  authority,  between 
the  sacred  books  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament,  and  all  the 
traditions  of  men,  whether  written,  or  only  handed  down  by 
word  of  mouth. 

But  I  object  to  the  common  technical  use  of  the  term 
"the  Word  of  God,"  as  the  name  or  title  of  the  Bible,  because 
such  a  use  of  that  name  has  the  effect  of  excluding,  or,  at 
least,  apijearing  to  exclude,  all  other  communications  to  man- 
kind. Now  it  is  my  firm  conviction  that  God  speaks  to  men, 
that  is,  makes  manifest  his  will,  by  the  immediate  influence 
of  his  Holy  Spirit ;  and  that,  as  the  Word  of  the  Lord  came 
immediately  to  the  prophets  in  the  days  of  old,  so  it  still 
comes  immediately  to  the  soul  of  the  Christian,  to  direct  his 
services,  and  to  lead  him  in  the  path  of  his  duty ;  the  written 
words  of  the  Lord  in  Scripture  being  at  all  times  a  test  and 
safeguard,  because  we  are  sure  that  nothing  which  contravenes 
them  can  possibly  be  "of  the  Lord."  I  also  think  that  this 
use  of  the  term  excludes  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  which, 
in  primitive  times,  was  often  called  the  "Word  of  God,"  and 
which  might  stilj  be  called  so,  were  it  more  immediately  under 
the  influence  and  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Above  all, 
however,  the  habitual  application  of  this  name  or  title  to  the 
Scriptures,  and  to  the  Scriptures  alone,  seems  to  me  to  have 
a  strong  tendency  to  substitute  them,  as  an  object  of  reverence, 
for  the  Saviour,  who  is  himself  emphatically  and  preeminently 


448  LETTER  ON  THE  U^E  OF  1844. 

bj  title,  character,  and  indefeasible  right,  the  Word,  the  Word 
of  God,  the  one  Mediator,  through  whom  God  creates,  redeems, 
and  illuminates  the  children  of  men.  Thus  I  -would  refrain 
from  calling  the  Scriptures  the  Word  of  God,  as  an  emphatic 
and  exclusive  title,  just  as  I  would  from  denominatizig  them 
the  Bread  of  Life  ;  for,  although  they  testify  of  those  truths 
which  nourish  and  feed  the  soul,  we  must  not  forget  that  Christ 
Himself,  and  Christ  alone,  is  '•'■the  Bread  cf  Life." 

Another  term  or  phrase  which  I  do  not  greatly  approve  or 
like,  as  I  sometimes  find  it  applied,  is  "  ChxWs  finished  work." 
True,  indeed,  it  is,  that  when  our  blessed  Saviour  was  about  to 
expire,  he  cried  out,  "It  is  finished."  The  one  all-sufficient 
propitiatory  sacrifice  was  then  c5"ered,  and  was  on  the  very 
point  of  being  completed,  so  that  thenceforth  there  was  to  be 
no  more  sacrifice  for  sin.  But  the  use  often  made  of  this 
expression  seems  to  me  calculated  to  convey  the  idea  that  the 
whole  work  and  office  of  Christ  was  then  finished ;  whereas 
the  vast  process  of  his  resurrection,  ascension,  and  advocacy 
with  the  Father,  and  spiritual  reign  and  government  —  the 
whole  forming  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  Messiah's  work — 
was  yet  to  be  accomplished.  More  especially  his  baptizing, 
sanctifjnng  work,  through  the  immediate  influences  of  his 
Spirit,  is  yet  unfinished,  in  the  church  at  large,  and  in  U3 
individually.  I  think  it  requires  care  not  to  use  the  expression 
in  question  so  as  to  have  such  a  bearing,  and  so  as  to  convey 
the  idea  that  we  can  attain  to  the  heavenly  inheritance  in 
virtue  of  the  one  availing  sacrifice  for  sin,  (a  sacrifice  which  is 
indeed  for  ever  finished,)  without  the  experience  of  that 
cleansinf  operation  of  Christ's  Spirit,  by  which  alone  the  soul 
is  sanctified  and  prepared  for  the  joys  and  services  of  a  better 
and  holier  ivorld. 

In  general,  I  would  observe  that  this  needful  process  of 
sanctific.ition,  and  the  doctrine  of  the  guidance  and  govern- 
ment of  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  a  branch  of  divine  truth,  which, 
in  the  mind  of  the  Christian,  ought  to  be  held  in  even  balances 
with  the  blessed  truth,  that  Christ  is  the  propitiation  for  our 
sins ;  and  that  his  perfect  righteousness  is  imputed  to  those 
who  livingly  believe  in  him ;  so  that,  with  reference  to  their 


.^T.  57.  CERTAIN   MODES    OF    EXPRESSION  449 

past  transgressions,  they  are,  in  the  fulness  and  freeness  of 
the  mercy  of  God,  dealt  with  as  if  they  had  never  sinned. 
The  warmest  and  most  reverential  reception  of  this  funda- 
mental truth  does  not,  as  I  think,  in  the  least  degree,  interfere 
with  the  Christian's  equally  deep  sense  of  the  necessity  of  that 
inward  work  which  the  Saviour  has  graciously  begun  in  our 
souls,  but  Avhich,  as  we  must  with  all  humiliation  acknowledge, 
He  has  not  yet  finished. 

I  had  a  mind  to  make  these  remarks  to  thee,  my  dear  frieml, 
in  the  apprehension,  however,  that  if  there  is  any  difference 
between  us  therein,  it  lies  not  in  sentiment  so  much  as  in  mode 
of  statement.  Yet,  clearly  as  I  see  the  point  in  question,  and 
most  painfully  as  I  sometimes  feel  my  own  deficiencies,  and  sur- 
viving seeds  and  roots  of  evil,  I  rather  shrink  from  the  confusion 
which  may  sometimes  be  observed  in  the  confessions  respecting 
themselves,  and  in  the  addresses  to  their  brethren,  of  evangeli- 
cal teachers.  I  mean  the  confusion  between  an  unfinished 
state  of  sanctification  in  truly  converted  people,  and  the  actual 
sinful  condition  of  the  unregenerate. 

In  point  of  fact,  I  think  the  testimony  which  was  borne  by 
our  early  Friends,  against  the  notion  of  "  Sin  for  term  of  life," 
was  thoroughly  sound  in  principle ;  and  that  it  requires  a 
very  reverent  caution  on  our  parts,  lest,  in  the  vivid  sense 
which  is  sometimes  given  us  of  the  lingering  corruptions -of 
our  depraved  hearts,  we  should  convey  to  others  the  monstrous 
idea,  that  true  Christians  must  and  do  go  on  sinning,  even 
until  death  shall  for  ever  terminate  their  appointed  course  of 
trial  and  probation.  Certainly  I  have  no  liking  for  the  raw 
and  unseemly  statements  of  the  doctrine  of  perfection,  which 
sometimes  fall  from  the  lips  of  persons  who  are  very  far  from 
exemplifying  their  own  sentiments.  Yet  I  think  it  is  our 
duty,  unflinchingly  to  uphold  the  practical  standard  —  even 
the  standard  of  true  perfection  —  which  is  presented  to  us  in 
Scripture  —  "  What  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was  weak 
through  the  flesh,  God  sending  his  own  Son  in  the  likeness  of 
sinful  flesh,  and  for  sin,  condemned  sin  in  the  flesh,  that 
the   righteousness    of    the    law    might    be    fulfilled    in    u.-5 

Vol.  II.  — 29 


450  LETTER    ON   THE    USE   OF  184-4. 

who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  spirit."  When  I 
reflect  on  the  place  which  Friends  have  evidently  been  raised' 
up  to  occupy  in  the  universal  church,  I  consider  it  to  be  one  of 
their  most  marked  and  distinctive,  though  not  peculiar  duties, 
to  uphold  this  standard.  Cause  enough  have  we,  both  individu- 
ally and  collectively,  to  prostrate  ourselves,  in  deep  brokenness 
of  spirit,  before  the  Lord — cause  enough  have  we,  from  day  to 
day,  to  recur  to  the  Fountain  in  which  alone  we  can  be  washed 
from  all  our  stains ;  and  yet  I  believe  it  to  be  for  a  good 
purpose  that  we  are,  as  a  religious  people,  so  much  bound  to 
the  principle  set  forth  by  another  Apostle,  —  "  Whosoever  is 
born  of  God  doth  not  commit  sin  ;  for  his  seed  remaineth  in 
him ;  and  he  cannot  sin,  because  he  is  born  of  God." 

If  I  am  asked  what  I  mean  by  "  the  Fountain  in  which 
alone  we  can  be  washed  from  all  our  stains?"  I  answer, 
without  reserve  and  without  difficulty  —  "the  atoning  blood  of 
Christ."  No  sooner  does  transgression  in  word,  thought, 
or  deed,  leave  a  stain  upon  our  conscieoce,  than  we  are  left 
in  a  hopeless  condition  without  this  remedy.  Never  was  that 
atonement  more  precious  to  my  soul  than  at  the  present 
time ;  and  I  think  it  peculiarly  important  to  fix  it  in  the 
mind,  that  the  blood  of  Christ,  frequently  mentioned  as  it  is 
in  Scripture,  and  which  is  to  be  sprinkled  on  the  heart  by 
faith,  is  never  so  mentioned  as  to  be  capable  of  being  itself 
spiritualized.  It  is  literally  and  truly  the  blood  which  was 
shed  on  Calvary  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  and  which  ia 
precisely  tantamount  to  the  Saviour's  natural  life,  which  was 
offered  up  on  the  cross  as  a  sacrifice,  acceptable,  well-pleasing 
to  God.  According  to  the  view  of  the  Jews  of  old,  the  blood 
of  the  sin-offering  was  the  life  thereof;  and  so  it  was,  naturally 
and  truly,  with  the  Incarnate  Antitype  —  the  man  Christ. 
Jesus.  In  various  passages  of  the  New  Testament  which 
speak  of  this  blood — of  our  drinking  it — of  our  being  sprinkled 
by  it  — of  our  washing  our  robes  in  it,  &c.,  the  metaphor  lies, 
as  I  apprehended,  not  in  the  "blood,"  but  in  the  drinking,. 
sprinklings  washing,  &c.  Thus  it  is  evident,  that  faith  in  the 
blood  of  Jesus  is  equivalent  to  faith  in  the  one  great  offering: 


^T.  57.  CERTAIN   MODES   OF   EXPRESSION.  451 

which  he  has  made  on  the  cross,  for  the  sins  of  all  mankind ; 
and  by  this  faith,  when  it  is  heartfelt,  living,  and  heaven-born, 
the  penitent  sinner  is  justified.  His  sins  are  forgiven,  and  he 
finds  peade  with  God.     *     *     * 

To  pass  on  to  a  subject  of  a  very  different  kind,  but  not 
without  its  measure  of  practical  importance,  I  do  not  think 
it  quite  true,  as  I  have  sometimes  heard  it  stated,  that  an 
adherence  to  our  Christian  testimony,  to  plainness  in  speech, 
behaviour,  and  apparel,  "is  not  to  be  confounded  with  the 
cross  which  we  have  to  bear  as  followers  of  Christ."  Certainly 
it  is  not  the  whole  of  that  cross,  but  that  it  appertains  to  it, 
and  forms  an  important  part  of  its  holy  discipline,  in  our  own 
experience,  and  that  of  Our  young  people,  I  am  fully  persuaded. 
It  is  to  me  a  matter  of  unfeigned  rejoicing  when  any  of  this 
class  are  found  faithful  in  undergoing  these  humiliations,  and 
thus  make  manifest,  by  that  which  is  perceptible  and  audible, 
their  practical  allegiance  to  the  lowly  Saviour.  That  it  is  a 
useful  mental  discipline  to  them,  I  cannot  doubt,  as  well  as  a 
truly  valuable  defence,  so  far  as  it  goes,  from  many  of  the 
temptations  of  a  vain  and  evil  world.  I  am  sure  thou  must 
have  often  observed,  that  obedience  to  the  blessed  teaching  of 
the  Spirit,  in  these  matters,  prepares  the  way  for  sacrifices  and 
services  of  a  more  important  character.  To  me  it  is  equally 
evident,  that  many  individuals  who,  after  having  once,  upon 
principle,  adopted  these  restraints,  have  since  abandoned  them, 
have  thereby  suffered  material  loss ;  and,  notwithstanding  a 
high  profession  of  religion,  are  much  more  conformed  in  various 
respects  to  the  ivorld,  than  they  would  have  been,  had  they 
continued  simple,  consistent  Friends.  But  I  do  not  forget 
that  it  is  not  my  province  to  sit  in  judgment  upon  them.  To 
our  own  Master  we  must  stand  or  fall. 

There  is  one  point  remaining  on  which  I  wish  to  suggest  a 
thought  or  two.  We  have  often  talked  on  the  subject  of 
missions,  and,  I  trust,  have  a  good  understanding  of  each 
other's  views  respecting  them.  Thou  art  so  fully  aware  of 
mine,  that  I  have  nothing  more  to  say  on  the  point  itself, 
except  only,  that  while  I  believe  it  right  for  Friends  faithfully 


452  LETTER  TO  A  FRIEND.  1844. 

to  occupy  tlieir  own  true  ground  in  reference  to  missions,  and 
not  to  pass  over  it,  I  do  heartily  appreciate  the  zeal  and 
usefulness  of  many  of  our  fellow-Christians  in  this  matter, 
and  am  truly  willing  to  aid  them  in  their  efforts,  so  far  as  I 
can  do  it  without  compromise  of  principle.  But  there  is  one 
bearing  of  the  subject  on  which  I  am  inclined  to  make  a  few 
remarks.  It  appears  to  me,  that  the  surrender  of  our  views 
on  the  subject  of  ministry,  which  we  make  when  we  support 
the  system  of  ministration  adopted  by  our  fellow-Christians 
of  other  denominations,  however  tempting  and  plausible  the 
occasions  —  may,  if  we  are  not  careful,  re-act  on  our  own 
functions  as  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and  may  take,  off  the 
edge  of  our  carefulness,  not  to  run  except  we  are  sent,  and 
not  to  speak  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  on  any  one  occasion, 
(whether  in  preaching  or  prayer,)  without  a  sense  of  the 
necessity  laid  upon  us,  and  without  the  qualification  of  the 
Lord's  own  anointing.  These,  I  trust,  may  not  be  useless  or 
unacceptable  watchwords  from  a  weak  yet  loving  friend  and 
brother,  who  desires  to  apply  the  word  of  instruction  to  him- 
self rather  than  others.  My  desire  and  prayer,  on  my  own 
account  and  on  thine,  is  that  we  may  be  enabled  to  fulfil  our 
stewardship  with  all  faithfulness ;  that  in  the  exercise  of  our 
ministry,  we  may  move  on  safely  under  the  guiding,  eon- 
straining,  preserving,  and  sustaining  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit ;  and  that,  being  in  all  things  conformed  to  the  will  of 
our  Father  in  heaven,  we  may  know  the  "  peace  of  God  which 
passeth  all  understanding,"  to  "keep  our  hearts  and  minds 
through  Christ  Jesus." 

Seventh  day,  \\Oth  mo.,  IQth.']  On  fifth  day  morning, 
came  the  right  iovful  intellicrence  of  our  darlina:  Anna's  being 
the  mother  of  a  plump,  healthy  little  boy.  Great  indeed  was 
the  relief  and  pleasure  afforded  by  this  good  news,  and  I 
humbly  trust  a  measure  of  reverent  thankfulness  is  felt  by  us 
all,  towards  our  Father  in  heaven,  for  this  fresh  precious, 
gift.     *     *     * 

Notwithstanding!;  all  the  blessings  with  which  we  are  sur- 


^T.  57.  JOURNAL.  453 

rounded,  deep  lowness  sometimes  eomes  over  me,  especially  in 
the  night  or  early  morning. 

Fourth  day  morning,  10th  mo\,  SOth.  When  I  speak  of 
"deep  lowness,"  I  do  not  wish  to  make  too  much  of  it.  I  do 
not  think,  on  reflection,  that  it  is  quite  a  correct  description, 
as  I  may  gratefully  acknowledge,  that  even  in  hours  of  de- 
pression there  is  some  true  peace  to  be  felt,  and  sometimeas 
that  peace  predominates  and  swells  into  a  calm  joy.  I  heartily 
crave  that  my  Christian  faith  may  be  daily  strengthened ;  that 
I  may  come  boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace,  as  one  who,  through 
infinite  mercy,  has  experienced  reconciliation  with  the  Father 
through  the  Son. 

On  second  day  morning  we  had  a  very  interesting  and  satis- 
factory meeting  of  the  Athenaeum  Society,  for  which  I  was 
enabled  to  lay  the  Christian  foundation  ;  being  fully  persuaded, 
that  an  acknowledgment  of  Christ  is  necessary  as  the  ground, 
whether  more  or  less  openly  expressed,  of  ail  efforts  for  the 
literary  and  intellectual  improvement  of  mankind.  In  this 
case,  the  parties  to  be  served  are  the  young  shopmen  of  Nor- 
wich, whose  new  evening  hours  of  leisure  want  to  be  well 
filled  up.*  May  preservation  and  protection  from  above  be 
with  this  Institution ! 

11th  mo.,  ISth.  I  enjoy  my  daily  practice  of  reading  either 
the  Greek  or  German  Testament,  as  I  pace  about  our  ever- 
charming  garden,  before  the  family  reading.  I  trust  some 
•little  communion  with  the  Lord  is  experienced  on  these 
occasions.  This  morning  I  have  been  reading  Ephesians  i. 
How  wonderful  are  the  depth  and  comprehensiveness  of  that 
chapter !  How  critical  and  unspeakably  important  the  question, 
whether  I  have  the  evidence  in  myself  of  being  a  partaker  in 
that  election  of  grace  which  the  apostle  there  sets  forth  !  Some 
degree  of  peace  and  satisfaction  is  felt  this  morning,  in  the 
good  hope  that  it  may  be  so.  Blessed  be  our  God  and  Father, 
we  have,  weak  and  poor  as  we  are,  an  advocate  with  Him. 

*  It  may  be  explained,  that  the  tradesmen  in  Norwich  had 
recently  come  to  the  resolution  of  closino;  their  shops  at  an  earlier 
hour  than  was  previously  the  &ustom- 


454  JOURNAL.  1844. 

'ilth  mo.,  l^th.  I  sit  down  once  more  to  face  myself,  my 
own  life  and  conversation  as  before  the  Lord 'with  a  degree  of 
peace  and  tranquillity.  This  feeling  is  the  more  precious, 
because  I  was  tp  a  considerable  extent  morbidly  sensitive 
yesterday.  A  variety  of  matters  of  minor  importance  ran 
wrong  with  me,  and  I  acted  hastily  on  one  or  two  occasions, 
without  looking  all  around  before  hand.         *         *         * 

I  have  now  corrected  the  last  sheet  of  the  second  edition  of 
Habit  and  Discipline,  which  must  soon  wend  its  way  into  the 
world.  May  it  be  blessed  to  many,  without  causing  its  poor, 
■weak  author  any  pain  ! 

The  beloved  Buxtons  were  here  for  a  day  and  night,  last 
third  day,  a  truly  uniting  time ;  we.  feel  very  nearly  with  our 
sister  in  the  pain  and  sorrow  of  her  dearest  husband's  weak 
condition ;  yet  the  feeling  is,  that  nothing  can  harm  them. 

Our  Monthly  Meeting  last  week  was  satisfactorily  attended, 
and  very  harmonious.  The  Lord  grant  that  all  of  us  who  are 
united  as  Friends,  in  these  parts,  in  the  profession  of  spiritual 
worship,  may  dwell  near  to  the  Spring  of  truth,  love,  and  life  j 
and  so  experience  the  precious  oneness,  for  which  the  Saviour 
prayed  on  behalf  of  his  church,-  and  which  God  alone  can 
bestow. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  he  spent  a  few 
weeks  in  the  neighbourhoods  of  London  and  Dar- 
lington ;  where,  as  usual,  he  found  many  objects  of 
interest.  Referring  to  a  visit  to  one  of  the  Collieries 
»iear  the  latter  place,  he  writes :  — 

12th  mo.,  Voth.  [We]  held  a  useful,  and,  in  the  end,  a 
solemn  meeting  with  the  people.  Education  ;  a  library  ;  saving 
money  out  of  their  wages ;  total  abstinence  ;  Scripture  reading ; 
and  the  keeping  of  the  Sabbath  ;  [were  the  subjects  before  us.3 
Afterwards  the  gospel  of  Christ  was  plainly  preached.  I 
have  seldom  known  a  day  which  has  been  more  confirming 
to  me,  as  it  regards  the  religious  principles  which  are  dear  to 


;ET.   57.  VISIT    TO    DARLINGTOX.  45/'> 

US ;  both  the  foundation  of  evangelical  truth,  and  the  super- 
structure of  spiritual  worship. 

Polam,*  12th  mo.,  17th.  This  morning  vre  have  had  a 
very  interesting  visit  from  Thomas  Freeman,  the  African 
Missionary,  who  superintends  the  twenty-one  Wesleyan 
Stations  on  the  Gold  Coast,  and  who  has  had  so  much 
personal  communication  with  the  King  of  Ashantee,  and 
some  with  the  Kings  of  Dahomey,  and  Accan ;  the  former  a 
desperate  slave-trader,  the  latter  the  head  of  a  considerable 
nation  in  the  Bight  of  Benin,  much  opposed  to  the  slave-trade, 
and  of  a  city  called  Abbeo  Kuta,  containing  nearly  50,000 
inhabitants,  and  discovered  by  Freeman.  It  is  a  great  work. 
The  Methodists  have  nearly  800  members  in  these  stations, 
and  upwards  of  500  children  in  the  schools.  I  have  pleasure 
in  subscribing  to  these  schools,  but  I  feel  myself  constrained 
to  keep  to  the  simple  Quaker  ground  in  all  these  matters. 
Surely  it  leaves  us  room  enough !  Yet  may  the  Lord  bless  all 
his  servants,  under  every  name  ! 

Fourth  day  morning.  We  are  now  come  to  our  last  day,  as 
far  as  we  know,  in  this  our  pleasant  allotment.  Last  evening 
was  held  a  temperance  meeting  at  Friends'  meeting-house,  in 
which  I  occupied  an  hour  or  more  in  a  speech,  or  lecture,  which 
was  well  received,  and  yielded  me  a  peaceful  feeling.  There 
was  evidently  a  seal  of  divine  love  and  power  over  us  on  the 
occasion ;  a  sure  token,  as  I  believe,  that  we  are  not  out  of 
our  place,  or  engaged  in  a  business  not  acceptable  to  our  Holy 
Head. 

This  morning,  divine  visitation  has  been  with  us,  as  I 
believe.  After  the  usual  morning  reading  of  the  Scriptures, 
I  addressed  the  servants  on  the  law  of  righteousness ;  and 
after  our  own  more  private  reading,  during  a  very  uncommon 
solemnity,  dear  H.  C.  Backhouse  addressed  me  in  the  language 
of  encouragement,  to  go  on  with  all  my  heart,  in  the  Lord's 
service,  as  his  will,  however  strange  and  unaccountable  in  the 
view   of  man,   may   from  time   to    time    be    made   manifest ; 

*  The  residence  of  his  relative,  H.  C  Backhouse,  near  Darlington. 


456  LETTER.  1844 

assuring  me  that  eye  hatli  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard  those  good 
things,  even  that  peace  and  happiness,  which  are  laid  up  in 
store  for  me  (even  for  me !)  on  earth,  and  in  its  fulness,  in 
heaven.  She  afterwards  commended  us  to  the  Lord,  in  a 
brief,  but  expressive  prayer.  Thus,  I  humbly  trust,  our  visit 
to  her  will  be  blessed'  to  our  souls. 

On  his   return  home,  he  wns    deeply  affected    by 

the    intelligence  of    Sir    T.    F.    Buxton's    seriously 

increased  illness.  In  allusion  to  it,  he  writes  in  his 
^Journal :  — 

12tli  mo.,  2^7'd.  Nothing  can  be  more  desirable,  more 
child-like,  in  the  best  sense  of  the  terms,  than  the  state  of  his 
mind.  As  compared  with  many  others,  he  has  indeed  been 
enabled  to  perform  a  noble  day's  work ;  and  now,  living  or 
dying,  he  is,  as  we  fully  believe,  in  safety  and  at  rest  in  Jesus. 
Certainly  my  connection,  and  unfailing  unity  of  purpose  and 
action  with  this  endeared  brother,  have  been  a  leading  joy  and 
happiness,  as  well  as  interest  in  my  life.  I  do  not  remember 
that  any  cloud  has  ever  arisen  to  intercept  our  entire  harmony. 
May  the  Lord,  whom  he  has  so  long  and  so  faithfully  served, 
be  his  portion  for  ever,  saith  my  soul  1 

TO    SIR    THOMAS    FGWELL    BUXTON. 

Earlham,  12th  mo.,  28th,  1844. 

My  dearly  beloved  Brother, 

"  The  Lord  hear  thee  in  the  day  of  trouble, 
the  name  of  the  God  of  Jacob  defend  thee ;  send  thee  help 
from  his  sanctuary,  and  strengthen  thee  out  of  Zion ; 
remember  all  thy  offerings,  and  accept  thy  burnt  sacrifice ; 
grant  thee  aceording  to  thine  own  heart,  and  fulfil  all  thy 
counsel." 

I  Avell  remember  pouring  out  some  of  the  words  of  this 
psalm  to  Wilberforce,  just  as  he  was  about  to  drive  off  from 
Lord  Calthorpe's  door ;  and  I  afterwards  learned  that  they 


^T.  57.  TO    SIR   T.  F.  BUXTON".  457 

Were  words  in  season,  acceptable  to  his  feelings,  and  applicable 
to  his  need. 

The  same  words  sprang  up  in  my  heart  for  thee  this 
morning,  as  I  was  visiting  thee  mentally  on  thy  bed  of  sickness  ; 
and  while  I  feel  an  exquisite  sympathy  with  thee,  and  thy 
precious,  ever-watchful  wife,  on  account  of  thy  illness,  I  do 
rejoice  in  the  persuasion  that  the  Lord  hath  heard  thee  and 
her  in  the  day  of  trouble,  and  that  he  does,  and  will  marvel- 
lously help  you,  even  by  his  ever-sustaining  arm  of  love  and 
power,  and  the  fresh  daily  sending  forth  unto  you  of  his  Holy 
Spirit,  the  Comforter. 

Thou  hast,  my  dearest  Fowell,  been  baptized  again  and 
again  with  the  baptism  of  suffering,  both  in  bodily  infirmity 
and  weakness,  and  anxiety  and  conflict  of  mind,  for  the  sorrows 
of  the  oppressed  ones  of  the  earth ;  but  he  who  knows  the 
heart,  and  who  suffered  for  us,  even  to  the  death  of  the  cross, 
never  has  laid  upon  thee,  and  never  will  lay  upon  thee,  more 
than  thou  art  able  to  bear,  or  more  than  is  needful  for  the  puri- 
fication of  thy  soul,  and  the  preparation  of  it  for  that  unspeak- 
able bliss,  wherewith  no  sorrow  or  sickness  is  mingled. 
Surely  none  of  the  blessed  inhabitants  of  the  glorified  Zion 
sha,ll  ever  say,  "I  am  sick."  In  the  perfection  of  health,  and 
the  fulness  of  peace,  they  are  made  partakers  of  those  joys,  . 
which  eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  nor  the  heart  of  man 
conceived. 

Although  thou  hast  been  enabled  to  do  a  good  and  a  blessed 
day's  work  in  thy  day,  sure  I  am  that  thou  canst  heartily 
acknowledge  thyself  to  be  an  unprofitable  servant,  and,  like 
Wilberforce,  canst  confess  that  thou  hast  no  plea  to  make  but 
that  of  the  publican,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner  !"  And 
truly  the  word  "  merciful"  has  its  meaning  with  thee,  as  it  had 
with  him ;  for  I  well  remember  a  saying  of  his,  that  mercy  is 
more  than  loving-kindness,  it  is  loving-kindness  towards  those 
who  deserve  punishment. 

To  be  thus  humbled  before  the  Lord  is  a  most  blessed 
experience,  needful  for  us  all,  and  one  of  the  conditions  of 
true  peace,  solid  happiness,  and  unclouded  hope.     But  let  not 


458  LETTER   TO    SIR   T.  F.  BUXTON.  1844. 

any  feelings  of  discour<agement  get  the  better  of  either  of  yoit. 
The  Lord  is  on  your  side,  He  will  help  you.  Because  He  is  a-t 
your  right  hand,  you  shall  not  be  moved.  Trust  in  Him  at  all 
times,  pour  out  your  hearts  before  Him.  The  Saviour  who 
bore  the  thorn,  the  nail,  the  cross ;  and  whose  inmost  soul  was 
"exceeding  sorrowful"  when  the  sins  of  the  whole  world  rested 
upon  Him,  does,  and  ever  will  sympathize  with  his  faithful  fol- 
lowers, and  will,  in  his  own  good  time  and  way,  arise  upon 
them  with  "healing  in  his  wings." 

So  fare  thee  well,  my  dearest  Buxton.     Grace,  mercy,  and 
peace,  be  with  thee  and  thine,  now  and  for  ever. 

I  am   thy  nearly  attached  brother, 

J.  J.  Gurnet. 


JST.  57.  JOURNAL.  4S9 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

1845.    ^T.  57—58. 

extracts  from  journal;  death  of  sir  t.  f.  buxton;  public 
meeting  on  the  endowment  of  matnooth ;  letter  to  dr. 
chalmers  on  the  duty  of  christian  churches  in  relation  to 
slavery;  journey  in  Scotland  and  the  north  of  England; 
death  of  elizabeth  fry. 

1st  1710.,  l.s^.,1845.  The  new  year  has  set  in,  and  finds  me 
quietly  at  home,  and  peaceful,  I  trust  on  good  grounds,  for  I 
can  truly  say,  that  my  tranquillity  is  founded  on  the  merits  of 
Jesus  Christ.  .Yet  I  think  that  there  is  also  in  some  measure, 
the  feeling  of,  "If  our  heart  condemn  us  not,  then  have  we 
confidence  toward  God;"  for  I  believe  it  has  been  my  endea- 
vour, during  the  past  year,  though  not  always  successfully  so, 
to  keep  a  conscience  void  of  offence  in  the  sight  of  God  and 
man.  Yet  perhaps  I  am  presumptuous  in  saying  so  much. 
The  Lord  only  knows  the  depth  of  my  infirmities. 

On  recovery  from  a  slight  attack  of  illness,  he 
breathes  forth  his  spirit  in  the  following  prayer:  — 

0  Lord,  thou  knowest  my  poverty,  and  none  of  my  most 
secret  faults  are  hidden  from  thee.  Suffer  not  thy  poor 
servant  to  be  separated  from  thee,  either  by  the  craft  or  the 
power  of  ray  soul's  enemy.  Bring  my  whole  self,  all  that  I 
have  and  am,  into  conformity  with  thy  blessed  will.  Cleanse 
me  from  all  iniquity.  Raise  my  too  often  benumbed  soul 
into  a  nearer,  clearer  view  —  in  faith,  hope,  and  love  —  of  the 


4G0  LETTERS    AXD  1845. 

heavenly  inheritance.  Breathe  into  me  the  spirit  of  prayer. 
Give  me  to  commune  with  thyself,  0  thou  most  glorious 
Fountain  of  light  and  life,  through  our  only  Mediator  and 
Redeemer,  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom,  with  thee,  be  all  praise  and 
thanksgiving,  now  and  for  ever. 

1st  mo.,  27th.  The  meetings  yesterday  were,  to  my  feelings, 
very  solemn  and  edifying.  William  Forster  preached  largely 
in  the  morning  on  the  Law  of  Righteousness:  it  was  a  moving, 
heart-stirring  appeal.  In  the  afternoon  I  was  engaged  in  vocal 
prayer.  After  the  meeting  was  over,  I  retired  alone  into  the 
little  library  room,  and  found  vent  for  the  tears  of  a  broken 
spirit,  to  my  own  relief  and  comfort. 

TO    TWO    FRIENDS 
(In  the  decline  of  life.) 

Earlham,  2nd  mo.,  2nd,  1845. 

My  BELOVED  Friends, 

At  the  close  of  a  quiet  and  solemn  first  day, 
my  heart  turns  towards  you  in  Christian  affection  and  friend- 
ship. I  believe  you  have  both  had  your  deep  tribulations 
since  we  last  met.  *  *  Thus  it  often  happens,  in  the  economy 
of  grace,  that  those  who  have  made  the  most  considerable 
advances  in  the  school  of  Christ,  have  the  hardest  lessons  to 
learn.  But  you  know  already,  and  will  know  more  and  more 
perfectly,  how  to  speak  well  of  his  name ;  even  of  that  blessed 
name  of  Jesus,  than  which  no  other  is  given  among  men, 
whereby  they  may  be  saved  !  0  the  large  and  deep  mean- 
ing of  that  word  saved  !  What  tongue  can  tell  it  ?  Surely 
"  eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  hath  it  entered  into 
the  heart  of  man,  what  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love 
him." 

From  the  peaceful  yet  affecting  account  which  we  have  this 
day  received  of  our  mutually  dear  friend  A.  R.  Barclay,  we 
are  ready  td  conclude  that  if  not  already  a  partaker  of  this 
inconceivable  weight  of  glory,  he  is  on  the  verge  of  it.  Thus 
one  after  another  is  plucked  aAvay  out  of  our  ranks,  and  we 
are  left  to  feel  the  depths  of  our  poverty.     But  0  how  far 


^T.  57.  _  JOURNAL.  461 

better  to  be  removed  from  the  church  militant  by  the  hand  of 
death,  than  to  lose  our  part  in  it  through  unwatchfulness  and 
disobedience  !  I  feel  well  assured  that  this  will  never  be  the 
case  with  either  of  you ;  may  it  never,  never  be  the  case  with 
me  !  Do  we  not  know  assuredly  who  it  is,  that  is  both  able 
and  willing  to  keep  us  from  falling  ?     *     *     * 

Are  there  not  brighter  times  in  prospect  for  our  down- 
trodden religious  Society,  though  some  of  us,  with  silvery 
locks,  may  not  live  to  witness  them  ?  I  believe  there  are  ; 
or  at  any  rate,  that  those  spiritual  views  which  have  long  dis- 
tinguished us  as  a  body,  will  spread  more  and  more  among  the 
children  of  men. 

In  this  sweet  hope  and  expectation,  I  bid  you  farewell.  My 
dearest  wife  unites  with  me  in  very  dear  love  to  you  both. 
Grace,  mercy,  and  peace,  be  with  you  and  your  children,  and 
your  children's  children,  from  God  the  Father,  and  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

In  allusion  to  the  republication,  with  his  name  for 
the  first  time  attached  to  it,  of  his  work  on  the 
Papal  and  Hierarchical  System,  he  says,  under  date 

2nd  mo.,  12th.  The  times  are  certainly  portentous,  marking, 
as  I  think,  very  awfully,  the  increasing  strength  and  volume 
of  the  stream,  which  is  bearing  [many]  back  again  into  the 
vortex' of  Popery.  In  the  meantime,  there  can  be  no  doubt, 
that  pure  and  vital  truth  is  spreading ;  and  although  our  own 
Society,  which  is  the  very  opposite  to  Popery,  is  reduced  and 
somewhat  scattered,  the  great  principles  which  it  professes  are, 
I  hope,  increasingly  appreciated  by  not  a  few.  It  is  in  a 
degree  of  faith,  and  with  the  apprehension  of  its  being  a  sacri- 
fice required  of  me,  yet  not  without  some  fear  of  the  battery 
which  it  may  bring  upon  me,  that  I  now  put  forth  my  testi- 
mony. May  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  God  Almighty  rest  upon 
it,  for  His  truth's  sake,  and  for  His  dear  Son's  sake ! 

Under   the   same   date,    referring   to   some   effortai 


462  NORWICH  POOR.  1845. 

on     behalf    of     the     population     of    Norwich,     he 
continues :  — 

I  have  had  three  committees  to  attend,  of  our  new  society 
for  the  protection  of  young  females ;  some  difficulties  sur- 
mounted, and  some  trouhle  endured.  I  have  a  little  hope 
that  good  may  be  done,  as  I  think  that  we  have  had  somewhat 
of  a  divine  sanction  in  the  preparatory  steps.  Out  of  these 
committees  sprang  several  meetings,  and  a  rendezvous  of  about 
twenty-five  gentlemen  at  breakfast,  last  second  day,  to  discuss 
the  state  of  the  manufacturing  poor  at  Norwich.  It  was  a 
very  interesting  occasion.  At  the  reading  I  selected  many 
passages  respecting  our  duties  to  the  poor,  and  was  afterwards 
engaged  in  prayer.  The  conversation  after  breakfast  lasted 
till  one  o'clock.  The  clear  result  is,  that  our  labour  market  is 
overstocked ;  the  distress  and  imm.orality  thereby  occasioned 
are  terrible.  The  remedy  is  the  lightening  of  that  market,  or 
the  sopping  up  of  the  surplus,  by  fresh  manufacturing  and 
commercial  enterprise ;  (and  I  would  also  work  at  the  other 
end,  by  sending  many  young  men  away :)  a  committee  was 
appointed,  and  I  hope  good  will  be  done  ;  at  any  rate,  many 
minds  have  been  deeply  interested.* 

The  following  are  his  brief  but  touching  memo- 
randa of  his  last  visit  to  his  beloved  brother-in-law. 
Sir  T.  F.  Buxton,  whose  health  had  been,  for  some 
past,  rapidly  declining:  — 

2nd  mo.,  19th.  Last  week  we  were  at  Northrepps,  from 
third  day  to  sixth ;  and  deeply  interesting  was  it  to  be  with 
them,  and  to  unite  for  a  season  in  watching  the  sick,  probably 
the  dying  bed  of  our  beloved  and  honoured  brother.  His 
reduction  of  strength  and  tendency  to  torpor  are  great,  but 
we  witnessed  nothing  which  could  fairly  be  called  bodily  suf- 

*  On  this  occasion  Joseph  John  Gurney  placed  £1000  in  the  hands 
of  the  committee,  to  be  disposed  of,  under  their  superintendence,  for 
the  benefit  of  the  poor,  in  the  way  of  providing  employment,  &c. 


^T,  57.  ILLNESS   OF   SIR   T.  F.  BUXTON.  463 

fering ;  and  as  to  his  mind,  his  sweetness,  amiability,  cheerful- 
ness, and  good  humour,  notwithstanding  much  of  occasional 
wandering,  are  really  delightful;  especially  as  it  is  accompanied 
by  a  lively  sense  of,  and  firm  hold  on,  the  love  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus.  When  his  wife  expressed  her  conviction  that  he  had 
this  firm  hold  even  on  Christ  himself,  he  answered,  "Yes, 
indeed,  I  have,  unto  eternal  life."  Many  delightful  little  peeps 
of  this  kind,  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  through  the  clouds 
of  bodily  infirmity,  have  been  graciously  bestowed.  He  was 
much  himself  on  sixth  day  morning,  when  we  took  our  leave, 
clasping  my  hand,  and  seeming  to  enjoy  my  standing  by  his 
bed-side.  I  reminded  him  of  the  declaration,  that — "eye  hath 
not  seen,  ear  heard,  neither  hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of 
man  to  conceive  the  good  things  the  Lord  hath  in  store  for 
those  that  love  Him,"  expressing  my  firm  belief  that  these  joys 
were  assuredly  laid  up  for  him — even  for  him.  His  whole  soul 
seemed  to  respond  to  me.  This,  probably,  may  be  my  last 
interview  with  one  whom  I  have  greatly  loved,  esteemed,  and 
admired  for  nearly  half  a  century;  and  between  whom  and 
myself  there  has  never,  as  far  as  I  remember,  passed  a  single 
cloud,  and  scarcely  the  shadow  of  one.  I  have  the  satisfaction 
of  knowing  that  I  have  uniformly  encouraged  him,  and  backed 
him  up  in  his  great  objects ;  and  near  and  dear  has  been  our 
affection  for  each  other.  We  feel  a  true  rest  respecting  him, 
being  assured  that  he  is  indeed  safe  in  the  holy  hands  of  his 
Lord,  for  time  and  eternity;  and  many  in  generations  yet  to 
come,  shall  call  him  blessed,  for  his  works'  sake. 

We  were  favoured  with  a  comfortable  Sabbath  last  first  day ; 
but  I  have,  at  times,  during  the  days  which  I  have  now  in  part 
described,  felt  that  I  have  much  cause  for  a  low  view  of  my- 
self ;  shall  I  say  for  self-abhorrence  and  humiliation  before  the 
Lord? 

Thus  every  door  is  shut,  but  one, 

And  that  is  mercy's  door. 

Ind  mo.^  22nd.  Early  on  fifth  day  morning  we  received, 
by  a  special  messenger,  the  tidings  of  the  death  of  our  dearest 
brother.  He  was  seized  with  spasm  on  his  breath,  which 
lasted  for  an  hour  or  two,  during  vfhich  he  was  much  engaged 


464  DEATH    OF    SIR    T.  F.  BUXTOX.  1845. 

in  prayer.  For  a  time  lie  was  happily  relieved,  and  then  fell 
asleep,  to  wake  no  more,  sinking  gradually,  softly,  and  in  the 
end  imperceptibly,  into  death ;  gently  dealt  with  to  the  last — 
a  death  of  perfect  quietness  and  peace.  So  fell  the  forest  oak, 
but  truly  without  a  crash,  never  to  be  replaced  in  this  world ; 
for  men  in  general  are  but  saplings  in  comparison.  "It  is  the 
Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good." 

Our  dear  friend  Josiah  Forster  arrived  by  coach  the  same 
morning,  and  we  all  went  quietly  to  meeting  together.  It  was, 
I  thought,  a  refreshing,  sustaining  time  of  reverent  waiting  on 
the  Lord  and  prayer ;  something  of  that  retirement  of  soul 
which  dearest  Fowell  himself  used  to  call  "divine  silence." 
After  an  early  dinner,  my  dearest  wife  and  I,  and  Anna 
Forster,  (the  only  survivor  of  that  dear,  delightful  family,) 
went  to  Northrepps.  Our  meeting  was  truly  affecting ;  but 
the  grief  into  which  we  came  was  natural,  and  we  spent  a 
comforting  evening  with  them.  In  the  course  of  a  very  pre- 
cious family  sitting,  I  was  much  engaged  in  thanksgiving  and 
prayer,  recounting  the  characteristic  points  in  the  life  and 
experience  of  our  beloved  departed  one. 

We  lodged  at  Northrepps  Cottage ;  and  on  sixth  day  morning 
I  wrote  an  account  of  all  that  we  had  witnessed  in  our  two 
visits,  which  I  read  to  the  assembled  family ;  and  we  left  them 
comforted,  and  returned  home.  Mournfulness  was  much  my 
portion  in  the  night ;  [yet]  surely  I  ought  to  feel,  at  this  time, 
the  force  of  the  precept, — "In  everything  give  thanks."  May 
I  be  enabled  to  do  so,  and  to  commend  my  soul  to  that  gracious 
and  all-wise  Creator,  who  will  not,  as  I  humbly  believe,  cast 
me  away  from  his  presence,  weak  and  unworthy  as  I  am,  or 
take  his  Holy  Spirit  from  me  I 

A  few  days  after  this  event,  Joseph  John  Gurnej^ 
penned  the  warm  and  affectionate  tribute  to  the  me- 
mory of  his  deceased  brother-in-law,  which  was  subse- 
quently published,  and  widely  circulated.*  The  void 
occasioned  by  his  death  was  one  not  to  be  forgotten. 

*  See  the  Brief  Memoir  of  Sir  T.  F.  Buxton. 


^T,  57.  JOLRNAL.  465 

27id  mo.,  24:tJi.  Yesterday  was  to  me  a  low  calm.  In  tlio 
afternoon  meeting,  near  its  close,  I  had  to  remark  how  vain 
were  our  own  attempts  in  affliction  to  comfort  ourselves.  Our 
untutored  efforts  onlj^  leave  us  colder  and  more  sorrowful 
than  before.  But  when  the  Lord  gives  us  a  taste  of  the 
true  rest,  and  a  glimpse  of  the  delightsome  land  where  there 
is  no  more  sorrow,  the  soul  is  stayed  on  Him,  and  finds  a  sure 
shelter.  Somewhat  of  this  blessed  stayedness,  this  sweet 
shelter,  has,  I  hope,  been  experienced ;  but  in  the  night, 
weakness  prevailed.  I  have,  indeed,  lost  a  most  faithful 
friend,  who  has  handed  me  many  a  cup  of  support  and 
encouragement.  May  I  imitate  his  cheerful,  playful  spirit,  so 
far  as  the  truth  leads  into  it ! 

Srd  mo.,  2ith.  My  dear  sister  Fry's  visit  has  been  very 
satisfactory,  and  very  sweet  has  it  been  to  our  feelings  to 
enjoy  her  company.  Her  infirmity  is  indeed  great,  and  her 
memory  a  little  failing.  Yet  at  times  this  infirmity  subside;-, 
and  she  is  much  like  her  own  dear  and  precious  self.  Tht- 
Lord's  anointing  is  still  upon  her,  and  she  has  been  well  en- 
gaged in  our  meeting,  which  is  held  at  eleven  o'clock,  on  her 
account,  and  which  she  has  attended  two  first  day  mornings  in 
succession.  The  preserving,  sustaining  hand  of  the  Lord  is 
evidently  with  her.  Dearest  John  and  Anna's  visit,  with  their 
lovely  boy,  has  been  a  pleasure  and  comfort.  It  is  an  unspeak- 
able favour  that  they  are  so  well,  and  every  way  flourishing. 
The  Lord  bless  and  keep  our  precious  grandchild,  and  sanctify 
him  from  his  earliest  years,  for  His  own  Hse  and  service ! 

Srd  mo.,  Slst.  No  small  weakness  of  mind,  with  languor  of 
body,  hangs  about  me  to-day;  but  I  must  bear  it  quietly. 
The  weather  is  delicious,  and  we  may  repose,  I  trust,  on  the 
bosom  of  divine  love.  May  it  please  Thee,  gracious  Lord,  to 
deliver  me  from  all  corruption,  from  all  the  power  of  my 
soul's  enemy,  from  all  the  remains  and  vestiges  of  the  king- 
dom of  darkness,  and  give  me  grace  to  follow  the  Lord  Jesus, 
in  the  obedience  of  faith,  until  I  at  length  obtain  the  crown 
of  righteousness,  which  shall  never  fade  away ! 

4:th  mo.,  6th.     I  have  been  a  good  d^al  troubled,  in  read 

Vol.  IL  — .30 


46§  JOURNAL.  1845. 

ing  the  greater  part  of  a  work,  lately  published  and  rapidly 
circulated,  called  ''  Vestiges  of  the  Natural  History  of  the 
Creation."  The  author  first  describes  the  Nebular  hypothesis : 
then  the  geological  history  of  the  earth's  crust ;  then  the  pro- 
gressive development  of  organized  creatures,  vegetable  and  ani- 
mal ;  the  latter  series  ending  in  man.  He  then  discusses  the 
phenomena  of  mind,  which  he  ascribes  simply  and  solely  to 
material  organism,  under  the  agency  of  the  electric  fluid.  The 
brain,  a  galvanic  battery ;  thought,  the  mere  effect  of  electri- 
city. The  system  embraces  the  whole  jai-gon  of  phrenology, 
and  utterly  undermines  all  moral  responsibility,  and  all  that  is 
essential  to  the  highest  destinies  of  man.  I  had  not  finished 
it  before  I  discovered  that  there  is  no  fear  of  God  before  the 
eyes  of  the  unknown  author.  I  have  since  been  greatly  pleased 
and  relieved,  by  a  perusal  and  re-perusal  of  an  admirable  letter 
from  Professor  Sedgwick  on  the  subject,  addressed  to  Captain 
Stanley.  It  is  a  masterly  knocking  to  pieces  of  the  whole 
affair.  Sedgwick,  however,  as  well  as  Stanley,  is  a  believer  in 
the  Nebular  Theory,  to  Avhich  I  have  myself  no  particular 
objection.  But  it  does  not  seem  to  flourish,  under  the  grasp 
of  Lord  Rosse's  telescope,  which  has  already  resolved  a  large 
proportion  of  the  nebulse  into'stars. 

I  have  been  writing  an  answer  to  the  question  in  the 
Christian  Observer,  "What  is  Quakerism?"  which  the  editor, 
in  his  last  number,  promises  to  insert  in  his  next.  I  have 
ventured  to  assert  that  the  Society,  in  various  ways  and 
forms,  has  declared  -its  faith  in  all  the  main  doctrines  of 
sound  Christianity  which  I  have  enumerated ;  but  that  one 
of  these  doctrines,  viz.,  the  guidance  and  government  of  the 
Spirit,  is  held  by  us  more  extensively  and  exactly  than  by 
many  others ;  and  that  .on  this  ground  we  have  been  led  to 
abstain  —  First,  from  ceremonies  and  the  notion  of  sacra- 
mental efiicacy  in  forms.  Secondly,  from  a  ministry  ordained 
by  man.  Thirdly,  from  the  pecuniary  remuneration  of 
ministers.  Fourthly,  from  oaths.  Fifthly,  from  war. 
Sixthly,  from  worldly  amusements,  useless  fashions  in  dress 
and    furniture,    and    corruptions    in    speech    and   behaviour. 


^T.  57.  JOURNAL.  467 

Thus  I  take  Quakerism  to  be  the  religion  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, without  addition,  without  diminution,  and  without  com- 
promise. I  hope  the  paper  may  be  accepted  by  others  and  by 
our  own  people,  in  a  friendly  spirit;  .and  that  it  may,  through 
mercy,  have  a  blessing  on  it. 

4:tk  mo.,  lUh.  Our  tenderly  beloved  sister  Fry,  with 
Catherine  and  her  servants,  left  our  door  a  little  before  two 
o'clock,  for  Runcton,  in  the  feeling  of  peace,  and  with  a 
mutually  happy  retrospect  of  her  endearing  visit.  She  came 
back  from  Northrepps  last  sixth  day,  and  was  remarkably  well 
that  evening  and  yesterday  evening,  when  Edward  Edwards 
and  his  daughter  dined  with  us  very  pleasantly.  We  all 
enjoyed  the  renewal  of  our  old  friendship.  E.  Edwards  is 
now  in  his  eightieth  year.  Yesterday  was  really  a  favoured 
sabbath.  My  dear  sister  was  at  the  afternoon  meeting,  and 
took  a  striking  leave  of  us.  I  was  also  engaged  in  speaking 
on  "the  rest  which  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God."  She 
was  very  poorly  on  her  return  home ;  but  attended  our 
evening  reading,  and  ministered  acceptably  to  a  very  large 
company.  May  she  be  brought  on  her  way  with  peace  and 
safety ! 

The  proposition  of  the  late  Sir  Robert  Peel's 
Government,  for  substituting  a  permanent  endow- 
ment for  the  Grant  which  had  been  annually  made  by 
Parliament  for  the  support  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
College  of  Maynooth  in  Ireland,  was  now  claiming  a 
large  share  of  public  attention.  As  a  staunch  advo- 
cate of  civil  and  religious  libertj^,  it  was  with  f)ain 
that  Joseph  John  Gurney  felt  himself  called  upon  to 
take  part  in  the  movement  against  it.  In  his  Journal 
he  thus  explains  his  view  :  — 

Ath  mo.,  V^th.  I  have  accepted  the  chairmanship  of  a 
meeting  to  be  held,  next  week,  of  Protestants  without  dis- 
tinction, to  oppose  the  endowment  of  the  Romish  College  of 
Maynooth  for  educating  the  priesthood.     The  endowment  is 


468  PUBLIC  MEETING  OX  THE  1845: 

"whiggish,  popular,  except  witli  the  religious  public;  and 
apparently  politic  as  a  matter  of  conciliation,  which  the  body 
of  Papists  in  Ireland  seem  ready  to  accept :  it  is  understood 
to  be  the  first  step  to  the  nationa,l  paying  of  their  ministers. 
Cordially  as  I  approve  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  and  of 
the  Roman  Catholics  being  full  partakers  of  it  with  others, 
I  consider  that  the  proposed  measure  goes  far  beyond  this  line; 
and,  in  rendering  it  compulsory  on  Protestants  to  support  an 
ecclesiastical  system  which  they  disapprove,  directly  interferes 
with  their  rights  of  conscience,  and  thus  cramps  and  impairs 
that  fabric  of  freedom  which  it  professes  to  promote.  As  I 
could  not  voluntarily  subscribe  to  such  an  institution,  so  I 
cannot  acquiesce  in  being  taxed  for  the  purpose,  without  an 
open  avowal  that  I  object  to  it  on  principle.  The  subject  is 
to  be  taken  up  simply  on  the  Protestant  ground,  without 
arguing  the  objections  which  Dissenters  entertain  to  all  national 
religious  establishments,  and  which  Friends  entertain  to  all 
seminaries  for  the  purpose  of  educating  the  ministers  of  the 
gospel.  Without  concealing  my  own  sentiments  as  a  Friend, 
I  feel  myself  to  be  at  liberty  to  unite  with  Dissenters  and 
Churchmen  in  opposing  the  compulsory  support  of  a  principle 
which  lies  at  the  root  of  Popery,  and  is  surely  taught  in  all 
her  institutions  for  ecclesiastical  instruction  ;  and  which  is 
now  diffusing  itself  among  many  who  do  not  at  present  call 
themselves  Roman  Catholics.  —  I  mean  the  addition  to  Scrip- 
ture, as  an  authorized  standard  of  doctrine  and  practice,  of 
uninspired  written  and  oral  tradition.  Surely  no  worldly 
policy,  no  complaisance  and  liberality,  can  justify  us  as  a  nation, 
in  taking  an  active  part  in  the  upholding  of  this  principle, 
fraught  as  it  is  with  unutterable  danger  to  the  moral,  and  reli- 
p-ious  v.elfare  of  mankind.  I  think  this  principle  is  finnlv  held 
by  the  most  educated  and  polished,  as  well  as  by  the  more 
ignorant  and  vulgar  of  the  Papists,  and  in  bestowing  a  polished 
education  on  the  Irish  Priests,  we  shall  not  in  any  degree  dis- 
lodge them  from  this,  to  them,  articulus  stantis  aut  cadentis 
occlesise ;  but  only  add  to  the  force  and  influence  by  which 
they  propagate  it  in  the  world. 

A^th  mo.,  21th.     The   meeting,  anti-Maynooth,  last    fourth 


^T.  57.  ENDOWMENT   OF   MAYNOOTH.  40 1) 

day  evening,  was  very  large  ;  about  3000  persons  present,  and 
passed  off  well.  I  endeavoured  to  lay  down  the  true  order 
of  the  meeting  at  the  commencement,  and  all  was  afterwards 
very  fairly  kept  within  its  limits.  We  all  united  on  the  Pro- 
testant ground,  of  the  Bible  and  the  Bible  only, —  not  without 
the  Spirit;  but  without  the  addition  of  human  traditions. 
Much  may  be  said  for  the  measure  on  the  ground  of  policy,  but 
the  religious  objections  must  continue  untouched  and  untangible. 
First,  the  Quaker's  objection  to  all  human  systems  of  education 
for  the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  Secondly,  the  Nonconformist's 
objection  to  all  national  endowments  of  particular  forms  of 
religion.  Thirdly,  the  Protestant's  objection  to  the  addition 
of  tradition  to  Scripture,  as  a  ground  of  doctrine. 

"  Surely,"  says  an  eye-witness,  "  no  one  who  was 
present  can  forget  the  energy  and  earnestness  of  his 
appeal,  or  the  deep  and  absorbing  interest  with  which 
it  was  heard  and  responded  to;  still  less  can  they 
forget  the  marked  solemnity  which  reigned,  as  he 
concluded  with  the  fervent  desire  that  the  banner  of 
the  Lord  might  be  over  them,  even  the  banner  of  Zo^*e, 
impressively  repeating  a  few  sentences  on  Christian 
unity,  from  that  book,  for  whose  unmixed  and  sacred 
records  he  had  just  been  pleading."* 

TO    DR.   CHALMERS, 

(In  reply  to  a  letter  of  inquiry  on  several  points  connected  with  the  question  of 
Slavery  in  the  United  States.) 

Earlham,  *th  mo.,  3flth,  1«45. 

*  *  *  So  much  for  ffimily  histories.  —  Now  for  au 
answer  to  thy  inquiries.  My  mission  to  North  America, 
which  continued  three  years,  (including  a  few  months  spent; 
in  the  West  Indies,)  was  distinctly  of  a  religious  nature  —  a 
visit  in  the  capacity  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  to  our  own 
Society  in    that   ian<i;    with    th«    further   obje^ct   of  holding 

*  The  verses  quoted  were  Psalm  ijxxxiii,  1,  2. 


470  LETTER    ON    THE   DUTY    OF    CHRISTIAN  1845 

meetings  for  divine  worship  with  persons  of  other  denomina- 
tions. This  object  so  absorbed  both  time  and  mind,  that  it 
•\vas  out  of  ray  power  to  attend  meetings  of  a  simply  philan- 
thropic character,  or  to  hold  much  communication  with  the 
friends  of  the  anti-slavery  cause  as  such.  My  intercourse  with 
the  Americans  on  this  subject  was  almost  entirely  confined  to 
friends  ;  except  that,  after  ray  return  from  the  West  Indies, 
I  spent  several  days  at  Washington,  for  the  express  purpose 
of  explaining,  to  the  members  of  the  Government  and  of  Con- 
gress, the  admirable  eifects  of  emancipation  in  the  British 
Colonies.  All  these  communications  were  in  private,  and  were 
well  received,  both  by  slave-holders  and  by  the  citizens  of  the 
Free  States.  Thus,  my  dear  friend,  thou  wilt  perceive  that  I 
was  so  circumstanced  in  America  as  not  to  be  exposed  to  any 
interference  on  the  part  of  the  warm  and  zealous  advocates  of 
abolition ;  and,  with  the  exception  of  an  article  or  two  in  a 
Boston  newspaper,  complaining  of  my  not  taking  a  public  and 
more  active  part  (which  my  circumstances  rendered  impossible), 
I  am  not  aware  that  anything  was  said  or  done  by  the  Aboli- 
tionists to  molest  or  disturb  me. 

All  that  I  could  do  in  the  meetings  of  Friends,  to  promote 
that  great  cause,  I  did — the  subject  being  freq.uently  discussed 
in  their  assemblies  for  discipline — and  I  also  did  my  very  best 
with  the  rulers  and  legislators  of  the  land.  But  further  than 
this,  I  had  no  opportunity  of  going;  and,  had  I  attempted  it, 
it  would  have  interfered  immediately  and  most  seriously  with 
my  Goqjel  mission;  which  was  intended  for  the  benefit  of  all, 
whether  they  did  or  did  not  agree  with  me  on  the  subject  of 
slavery. 

In  the  course  of  my  journey  in  the  Southern  States,  and 
more  particularly  in  the  Danish  West  Indies,  I  certainly  did 
meet  with  some  slave-holders  who  appeared  to  me  to  be  persons 
of  considerable  piety ;  but  these  were  generally  individuals, 
who  would  have  been  extremely  glad  to  escape  from  the  system 
with  w'hich  they  were  connected,  had  they  considered  it  to  be 
within  their  power.  Generally. speaking,  it  was  rery  evident 
that  slavery  operated  most  unfavourably  both  on  religion  and 
morals. 


^T.  57.  CHURCHES    IN    RELATION    TO    SLAVERY.  471 

Friends  in  America  have  long  been  acting  on  the  principle 
that  slave-holding  disqualifies  for  membership  in  religious 
society ;  and  they  have  never  had  cause  to  regret  their 
adoption  of  this  principle.  It  ajjpears  to  me  most  desirable 
that  it  should  he  adopted  by  other  religious  communities 
in  America.  If  it  were  so,  the  evil  would  soon  cease ; 
and  in  that  case  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that 
Christianity,  as  well  as  the  cause  of  liberty  ahd  humanity, 
would  flourish  much  more  abundantly  than  they  do  at 
present. 

I  have  just  thrown  before  thee  the  state  of  the  case  as  it 
regards  myself,  and  the  views  which  I  entertain  of  the  right 
course  for  religious  bodies  in  reference  to  the  subject;  and 
earnestly  desire  that  thou  mayest  be  enabled,  in  thy  own 
church,  to  promote  the  great  cause  of  the  abolition  of  slavery, 
at  the  same  time  that  you  repudiate  the  interference  of 
others. 

5th  mo.,  2nd. 

I  have  retained  my  letter  for  a  day  or  two,  waiting  the 
leisure  for  making  a  small  addition  to  it ;  as  I  wish,  with 
every  feeling  of  deference,  somewhat  further  to  explain  my 
own  views  on.  the  subject  in  question.  I  must  then  confess 
that  I  do  not  think  it  is  out  of  the  right  province  of  the 
Anti-Slavery  Society,  either  in  America  or  in  England,  to 
watch  the  proceedings  of  churches,  any  more  than  those  of 
individuals,  in  reference  to  slavery.  The  progress  of  the  cause 
of  abolition,  which  it  is  tlieir  business  to  do  all  in  their  power 
to  promote,  (consistently  with  the  rule  of  right,  of  course,) 
so  very  much  depends  on  the  conduct  of  Christian  bodies,  as 
well  as  on  that  of  statesmen  and  governments,  that  the  Anti- 
Slavery  Committees  would,  in  my  opinion,  be  wanting  in  their 
duty,  *  did  they  not  appeal  to  such  bodies,  as  occasion  may 
require,  in  favour  of  their  cause. 

On  this  ground  they  have  unceasingly  urged  on  the  several 
denominations  of  Christians,  in  America,  the  propriety  of 
their  adopting  the  principle  on  which  Friends  have  so  long 
acted  —  namely,  that  no    slave-holder  should  be  accepted  or 


472  LETTER  TO  DR.  CHALMERS.  1845. 

retained  as  a  member  of  the  church.  Provided  tLat  they  keep 
■within  the  bounds  of  propriety  and  respect  in  their  way  of 
dbing  it,  I  cannot  think  the  Anti-Slavery  body  is  at  fault  in 
making  their  public  appeal  on  this  point  to  all  the  churches  of 
Christ. 

Most  true  it  is  that  no  Christians  can  be  refjuired  to  "  out- 
run the  light"  of  their  own  minds,  .on  this  or  any  other  topic. 
Light  is  indee'd  progressive,  and  time  was  when  the  Friends  in 
America  held  slaves  like  other  people.  But,  in  the  present 
day,  the  horrid  abuses  inseparable  from  the  system  of  slavery 
arc  so  perfectly  well  known — for  example,  the  cruel  use  of  the 
whip  in  the  place  of  the  wholesome  stimulus  of  wages ;  the 
utter  degradation  of  females ;  the  sale  at  auction  of  human 
beings  as  if  they  had  no  souls,  and  were  mere  chattels,  or  at 
most  cattle  ;  and  the  consequent  arbitrary  separation  of  fami- 
lies, and  tearing  asunder  of  the  nearest  ties  of  life — that  I  can- 
not think  any  Christian  professor  can  be  regarded  as  excusable, 
or  fit  for  the  brotherhood  of  the  church,  who  voluntarily  con- 
tinues to  take  a  part  in  the  maintenance  of  so  nefarious  a 
system. 

To  pursue  the  subject  further  —  it  does  not  appear  to  me 
that  we  are  at  liberty,  as  Christians,  to  receive  the  sub- 
scriptions of  slave-holders  towards  the  maintenance  of  our 
respective  churches ;  or  indeed  for  any  religious  or  philan- 
thropic purpose,  or,  perhaps,  I  might  rightly  say,  for  any 
purpose  whatsoever.  After  much  reflection  I  am  brought  to 
this  conclusion,  on  the  simple  ground  that  the  money  which 
we  receive  from  them  is,  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  almost 
of  necessity,  the  price  of  blood  ;  and  furthermore,  can  hardly 
be  considered  in  the  divine  sight  to  be  their  own,  until  the 
wages,  rightfully  due  to  the  poor  labourers  on  their  estates, 
have  been  fully  discharged. 

I  cannot  doubt,  my  much-esteemed  friend,  that  thou  wilt 
bear  with  me  in  having  thus  thrown  my  whole  view  on  the 
point  at  issue  before  thee.  Shouldest  thou,  on  further  con- 
sideration, be  led  to  adopt  the  same  view,  it  will  be  greatly  to 
the  comfort  of  thy  warm  and  steady  friends,  who  well  know 


^T.  57.  J.OURNAL.  473 

how  to  appreciate  thy  faithfulness  and  zeal  in  every  good  word 
and  work. 

To  return  to  his  Journal :  — 

bth  mo.,  otJi.  My  answer  to  the  inquiry  of  the  Christian 
Observer,  what  is  Quakerism  ?  is  published  in  the  present 
number.  I  trust  it  is  unexceptionable  as  a  statement  of  doc- 
trine ;  but  the  long  article  of  notes  appended  by  the  Editor, 
is  just  about  as  offensive  (not  to  me,  whom  he  flatters,  but  to 
our  cause  and  system)  as  can  be.  Sometimes  the  enemy  spits 
lire  and  mud,  through  the  medium  of  conscientious  persons, 
whose  eyes  he  has  succeeded  in  partially  blinding.  Such 
things  must  be  patiently  and  charitably  borne.  It  is  one  of 
the  crosses  which  we  have  to  take  up  and  carry  after  Jesus. 

Bth  mo.,  9tJi,  [In  allusion  to  a  communication  in  ministry  ;] 
I  wish  to  draw  instruction  from  all  the  ministry  I  hear  —  I  do 
desire  to  be  effectually  searched  and  cleansed ;  and  never  to 
forget  that  gifts,  administrations,  operations,  are  not  only 
various,  but  diverse ;  yet  only  one  Spirit,  one  Lord,  one  God, 
who  worketh  all  in  all.  In  the  mean  time,  may  I  be  graciously 
enabled  to  abide  in  the  truth ;  a  living,  fruitful  branch  in 
Christ  the  Vine,  more  and  more  divested  of  self-love,  self- 
seeking,  and  undue  self-indulgence  !  Lord,  perfect  the  work 
in  me  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake  ! 

N.  B. — Recipe  for  the  ensuing  Yearly  3Ieeting.  A  quiet  patient  mind, 
free  from  all  anxieties;  a  cheerful  spirit;  a  dwelling  in  the  truth, 
near  to  the  fountain  of  tho  waters  of  life;  love  to  God  and  man;  a 
watchful  walking  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord ;  a  constant  guard  over  the 
lips,  and  a  reverent,  uninterrupted  dependence  on  the  great  Head  of 
I  he  Church. 

5th  mo.,  14:tJi.  Yesterday,  John  Henry  and  I  attended  the 
funeral  of  my  long-respected  friend  and  Christian  brother. 
H.  J.  Balls,  our  head  clerk.  My  last  interview  with  him  was 
of  a  very  satisfactory  kind,  as  regarded  his  state  of  mind. 
He  seemed  pei'fectly  happy,  rejoicing  in  the  Lord,  who  had 


474'  YEARLY   MEETING.  1845 

made  with  him  "an  everlasting  covenant,  ordered  in  all  things, 
and  sure."  John  Alexander  conducted  the  "service,"  at  the 
Old  Independent  Meeting-House.  I  went  in  with  my  hat  on  ; 
quietly  kept  my  seat  until  he  had  finished,  and  then  rose  and 
bore  my  testimony  to  his  truly  Christian  character.  The  large 
assembly  of  his  friends  and  neighbours  seemed  much  affected. 
lie  was  buried  in  the  "  Rosary."  There  wrfs  a  precious 
solemnity  to  be  felt  at  the  grave.  I  was  engaged  beside  it  in 
vocal  thanksgiving  and  prayer. 

After  attending  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London,  lie 
writes  :  — 

6th  mo.,  14:tJi.  We  left  home  on  sixth  day,  5th  mo.,  16th, 
and  met  the  usual  warm  welcome  at  Upton.  Seventh  day, 
17th,  Anti-slavery  meeting  at  the  Hall  of  Commerce,  over 
which  I  presided,  and  felt  satisfaction  in  so  doing.  It  was  a 
spirited  occasion.  William  Knibb  gave  a  sad  detail  of  conti- 
nued oppressions  in  Jamaica.  ' 

Second  day,  19th,  large  and  satisfactory  meeting  of  minis- 
ters and  elders.  Vast  and  respectable  Temperance  Meeting 
in  the  evening,  at  Exeter  Hall;  over  which  I  presided,  and  at 
which  I  spoke,  harmlessly,  I  trust. 

Third  day,  5th  mo.,  20th.  Dined  pleasantly  at  Dr.  Lush- 
ington's,  where  we  met  Due  de  Broglie,  Sir  T.  D.  Ackland, 
and  the  Bunsens.  They  seemed  in  good  spirits  about  the 
Anti-slave-trade  Convention,  which  has  since  been  completed 
and  signed ;  the  substance  of  it  being  the  giving  up  of  the 
right  of  search,  not  of  visit,  between  France  and  England ; 
and  the  union  of  the  two  nations  in  blockading  the  western 
coast  of  Africa,  from  Cape  Verd,  north,  to  lat.  16^-  south. 
I  could  not  myself  take  part  in  the  system  of  armed 
cruisers. 

Fourth  day,  5th  mo.,  21st.  Comfortable  commencement  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting;  which  lasted  until  seventh  day,  the  31st; 
and  may,  I  think,  be  described  as  large,  lively,  and  harmonious. 
The  greatest  point  of  interest  was  the  concern  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting  towards  Indiana,  in  reference  to  the  late  Anti-slavery 


^T.  57.  KELIGIOUS    ENGAGEMENTS.  475 

separation  there ;  issuing  in  a  deputation  of  several  of  our 
valued  brethren  to  present  an  expostulator j  address : — William 
and  Josiah  Forster,  George  Stacey,  John  Allen,  and  Joseph 
Bewley.  I  was  on  the  sub-committee,  appointed  to  prepare 
this  address ;  and  I  never  -witnessed  a  more  remarkable  un- 
.  folding  of  religious  exercise,  than  that  by  which  these  our 
friends  were  gradually  brought  into  harness.  It  was  truly  an 
apostolic  proceeding ;  and  deeply  solemn  and  affecting  were  the 
large  sittings  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  in  which  the  concern  was 
fully  settled,  and  the  nomination  accepted  and  confirmed. 
These  beloved  brethren  will  indeed  go  forth  with  the  hands  of 
the  church  upon  them,  and  may  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
bless  them  in  their  work !  The  meetings  for  worship  at 
Devonshire  House  were  much  crowded ;  and  were,  on  the 
whole,  highly-favoured  times.  I  had  some  share  of  the  work 
in  the  latter  meeting ;  I  humbly  believe  in  deepening  waters, 
as  I  went  forward. 

During  the  summer,  he  was  engaged,  in  company 
with  his  wife,  in  an  extended  religious  visit  to  Friends 
and  others  in  Scotland  and.  the  North   of  England,, 
They  left  home  on  the  3rd  of  the  seventh  month.    He 
soon  afterwards  wrote  — 

TO    ELIZABETH    FRY. 

Manchester,  7th  mo.,  13th,  1845. 

My  Beloved  Sister,  4 

I  have  been  much  wishing  to  write  to  thee  to 
tell  thee  of  our  progress,  which  has  been  hitherto  very  satis- 
factory. Our  first  day  at  Liverpool  was  one  of  much  interest 
to  us.  Friends  were  warm  and  kind,  and  the  public  meeting 
was  larger  than  any  known  for  some  years  past.  On  second 
day  we  enjoyed  a  quiet  journey  to  Llangollen,  and  lodged  there 
in  the  midst  of  delightful  scenery,  proceeding  next  day  to 
Colebrookdale.  The  valleys  of  the  Dee  and  Severn  are.  highly 
beautiful.  What  a  delightsome  land  do  we  live  in  !  O  that 
its   inhabitants  were   more    devoted   to   the    service   of  that 


476  JOURNEY    IN    TUE  1845. 

glorious  Creator  who  has  given  so  many  of  them  all  things 
richly  to  enjoy  ! 

Our  two  days  at  the  Dale,  including  the  General  Meeting 
for  Wales,  &c.,  were  also  satisfactory ;  and  we  were  again  gra- 
ciously favoured  with  evidence  that  we  were  in  our  right  place, 
Barnard  Dickenson  was  our  kind  and  hospitahle  entertainer. 
On  our  return  northward  we  held  public  meetings  at  Shrews- 
bury and  Chester  —  small  hut  solemn;  G.  and  M.  Crosfield 
kindly  coming  to  meet  us  at  the  latter  place.  We  are  now  in 
the  midst  of  a  truly  exercising  day  at  Manchester;  and,  after 
a  morning  meeting  of  an  interesting  kind,  are  looking  towards 
a  public  meeting  this  evening.  My  dearest  wife  is  nearly 
associated  with  me  in  the  work,  which  is  a  great  comfort  and 
strength.  I  greatly  feel  the  weight  of  the  engagement,  but 
consider  it  cause  for  much  thankfulness  that  I  am  again  per- 
mitted to  have  a  part  in  it. 

His  Journal,  under  date  9tli  mo.,  12th,  contains  the 
following  rapid  sketch  of  their  subsequent  engage- 
ments :  — 

The  remainder  of  the  week,  [after  the  first  day  at  Man- 
chester,] was  spent  in  holding  meetings  in  Lancashire.  Third 
day  evening  with  the  Egerton  work-people.  At  Bolton,  with 
Friends,  the  next  morning.  A  full  public  meeting  at  the 
theatre  at  Preston,  in  the  evening;  and  with  Friends  again  on 
fifth  day  morning :  a  precious  little  church  in  that  place.  So 
also  at  Lancaster ;  where  we  had  a  peculiarly  solemn  public 
meeting  on  fifth  day  evening,  and  with  Friends  on  sixth  day 
morning. 

Sixth  day  evening,  comforting  public  meeting  at  the 
beautiful  Yealand ;  entertained  by  William  Waithman ; 
called  on  the  widow  Ford,  &c.,  &c.  Seventh  day 
afternoon,  meeting  with  William  Waithman's  work-people ; 
and  in  the  evening  arrived  at  Isaac  Bi'aithwaite's,  Kendal. 
There  Ave  passed  two  interesting  daj^s,  receiving  abundant 
kindness.  The  relic  of  our  church  there  is  larger  than  we 
expected.     The  public  meeting  in  the  evening  not  very  large 


iET.  57.  NORTH    OF    ENGLAND.  .  477 

but  on  the  -vvliolo  satisfactory — The  resurrection  of  Christ,  and 
its  consequences,  much  before  me. 

On  third  day,  (Seventh  mo.,  22nd,)  to  Ulverstone.  Dined 
at  Newby  Bridge ;  delicious  view  from  the  summit  of  a  high 
hill  behind  the  inn.  Windermere  spread  before  us  in  her 
glory.  AVell  attended,  and  to  me  relieving,  public  meeting,  at 
Ulverstone.  Visited  Swarthmore  Hall,  the  residence,  [in  former 
days,]  of  an  eminent  servant  of  the  Lord ;  afterwards  a  good 
meeting  with  Friends  and  others,  in  the  old  Meeting-house, 
endowed  by  George  Fox.  How  wonderfully  are  times  changed  I 
that  once  large  and  persecuted  society  has  left,  in  many  places, 
a  poor,  broken,  and  peeled  remnant,  and  settled  on  its  lees. 
There  are,  however,  a  few  exercised  minds  still  belonging  to 
Swarthmore ;  and  surely  we  have  more  than  a  few  in  many 
other  places.  Everywhere  we  may  say  where  Friends  yet  con- 
gregate, there  is  a  living  remnant.  This  is  a  mercy ;  and  the 
hope  of  better  and  brighter  things  often  arises. 

On  our  way  from  Ulverstone  to  Ambleside,  we  drove  along 
the  banks  of  Coniston  water,  a  charming  lake  indeed  ;  and  at 
Ilawkshead  called  on  Hannah  Bragg,  a  widow  of  ninety-four 
years,  I  believe,  clear  in  her  understanding,  and  very  sweet 
and  tender  in  spirit.  Her  husband,  who  lately  died,  is  said  to 
have  been  the  like;  a  pair  honoured  for  the  truth's  sake.  We 
find  the  Zachariahs,  the  Elizabeths,  and  Annas,  of  Scripture, 
here  and  there  amongst  us,  in  what  engravers  call  the  vera 
effigies.  I  do  not  think  that  a  green  old  age  is  so  conspicuous 
under  any  other  administration.  Kindly  received  at  John 
Orosfield's  lovely  abode,  near  Ambleside,  in  which  picturesque 
village  we  held  a  solemn  public  meeting  that  evening. 
Fifth  day,  happily  spent  amidst  some  of  nature's  fairest 
scenes.  Langdale  pikes,  Grasmere  ;  (0  what  a  peerless  view 
of  it  from  the  hill !)  llydal,  William  Ball's  "  Paradise  of  the 
Lakes."  After  dinner,  over  a  mountain  pass  to  Patterdale, 
where  we  lodged,  after  an  evening  drive  along  the  delightful 
banks  of  Ullswater.  Called  that  day  on  William  Wordsworth, 
•now  the  aged  poet  laureate,  and  had  a  good  religious  oppor- 
tunity with  him  and  his  family,  in   which  simple  and  sound 


478  JOURNEY    IN    THE    NORTH    OF    ENGLAND.  1845. 

Christianity  was  declared,  as  we  afterwards  found,  to  his  satis- 
faction.* 

On  Sixth  day,  (7th  mo.,  25th,)  early  from  Patterdale  to  the 
Monthly  Meeting  at  Colthouse,  near  Hawkshead ;  a  good 
time  with  dear  country  Friends.  Another  call  on  Hannah 
Bragg ;  and  then  a  beautiful  drive  to  Keswick,  where  we  held 
a  public  meeting,  to  our  relief,  in  the  Methodist  meeting-house 
late  that  evening.  Seventh  day  morning  spent  in  viewing 
Borrowdale  and  Derwentwater ;  the  latter  charming  indeed. 
After  an  early  dinner,  a  long  stage  over  the  mountains,  by 
Buttermere  and  Crummock,  to  the  secluded  little  inn  at  Scale 
hill,  where  we  lodged. 

First  day,  (7th  mo.,  27th,)  to  Pardshaw  meeting ;  large  and 
very  interesting.  After  an  excellent  public  meeting,  lodged  at 
Greysouthen,  the  pleasant  residence  of  J.  \V.  and  Mary  Fletcher. 
The  following  night  we  lodged  at  Broughton,  after  an  excellent 
public  meeting  there.  Then  followed  a  series  of  meetings  with 
Friends  and  the  public,  at  Cockermouth,  Whitehaven,  Mary- 
port,  and  Allonby ;  and  so,  on  seventh  day,  to  Carlisle ;  a  truly 
pleQ,sant  and  substantially  encouraging  week.  The  Society 
pretty  strong  and  lively,  and  very  friendly  towards  ourselves. 
At  Carlisle,  dearest  Anna  and  her  husband  and  child,  with  our 
sister  Rachel  Fowler,  met  us  to  our  great  comfort. 

First  day,  (8th  mo,,  3rd)  at  Carlisle.  Close  ministry  at 
meeting  in  the  morning ;  good  public  one  in  the  evening. 
Second  day ;  held  a  comfortable,  though  not  crowded,  public 
meeting  at  Scotby,  in  the  evening.  Much  unity  with  Friends. 
Third  day,  to  Wigton ;  the  day  satisfactorily  spent  at  the 
school;  a  relieving  public  meeting  in  the  evening ;' return  to 
Carlisle,  where  we  parted  from  the  beloved  Darlington  party, 

*  Joseph  .John  Gurney  hesitated  about  calling  on  Wordsworth, 
fearing  his  call  might  be  deemed  an  intrusion ;  but  was  at  last 
constrained  to  make  it,  by  a  sense  of  religious  duty.  A  gentleman 
who  saw  the  poet  shortly  afterwards,  informed  him  that  Wordsworth 
had  spoken  gratefully  of  the  visit,  adding,  with  much  warmth  of 
feeling,  "  And  who  am  I,  that  a  prophet  should  be  sent  to  my  dwell-' 
ing  ?"  —  Note  hy  E.  P.  Gurney. 


/ET.  57-58.  AND    IN    SCOTLAND.      ■  479 

and  quietly  posted  off  by  Gretna,  &c.,  to  Beatock  bridge,  in 
Scotland,  -where  we  found  a  quiet  abode  for  the  night.  Fifth 
day,  at  Moffat ;  visit  to  the  springs;  large  public  meeting  in 
the  evening,  much  to  our  comfort.  Seventh  day,  to  Glasgow, 
where  we  spent  nearly  three  days.  On  first  day,  (8th  mo., 
10th,)  lively  meeting  with  the  little  body  of  Friends  in  the 
morning ;  large  public  meeting  in  the  City  Hall,  in  the 
evening.  Spiritual  Christianity  openly  declared.  Second  day, 
visited  the  Bridewell ;  pretty  satisfactory  ;  intei*iesting  select 
meeting  with  two  ministers  and  one  elder.  Third  day  morning. 
Two  months'  meeting,  an  excellent  time.  Fourth  day,  one  of 
quiet  travelling  and  sweet  scenery ;  Callender,  the  Trosachs, 
Loch  Katrine,  &c. ;  then  by  a  mountain  defile  to  the  exqui- 
sitely pretty  Killin,  where  we  lodged.  Nothing  can  be  more 
decent  than  the  appearance  of  the  country-people  in  all  this 
district.  In  every  little  town  the  free  Kirk-house  lifts  its 
head;  rivalling  its  "residuary"  opponent.  The  movement  is  a 
wonderful  one ;  about  800  congregations ;  a  college ;  endow- 
ments for  more  than  600  ministers  ;  X750,000  already  raised  ; 
£150,000  more  in  progress,  for  manses.  Chalmers  calls  it  the 
"  Popular  Endowment."  An  evidence  of  the  power  of  the 
voluntary  principle,  when  ably  worked.  I  trust  it  is  for  good ; 
for  the  diffusion  of  evangelical  truth ;  and  for  the  stirring  up 
of  many.  Yet  there  is  some  strife  in  it ;  and  much  of  the 
highest  church  principle  in  claiming  the  support  of  the  State, 
without  submitting  to  any  of  its  interference.  What  a  busy 
bustler  on  this  motley  scene  is  man ;  and  what  an  awful 
thought,  that  every  individual  has  an  immortal  soul,  to  be 
saved  or  lost  for  ever !  Lord,  give  us  grace,  we  beseech  thee, 
to  lay  firm  hold  on  the  Saviour,  and  to  walk  watchfully  in  the 
way  of  holiness — ever  sowing  to  the  Spirit,  that  we  may  of  the 
Spirit  reap  life  everlasting  l  *  *  * 

First  day,  (8th  mo.,  17th,)  at  Aberdeen.  Large  and  excel- 
lent public  meeting  in  the  evening.  Second  day.  General 
Meeting ;  lively  and  encouraging  season ;  Friends  much 
united.  Third  day,  to  Kinmuck ;  a  day  of  sunshine  and  pure 
air,  and  pleasant  communication  with  simple-hearted  Friends ; 


480  JOURXEY    IX    SCOTLAND.  1845. 

and  two  satisfactorj  meetings.  Blessed  be  the  name  of  him 
■who  pom's  forth  of  his  holy  oil,  as,  and  -when,  he  pleases  I 
Drank  tea  "with  Amos  and  Barbara  Wigham ;  the  former 
paralyzed,  and  a  truly  patient  sufferer ;  the  latter  his  ever 
assiduous  nurse. 

Fourth  day  returned  to  Aberdeen,  and,  after  an  early  dinner, 
journeyed  to  Brechin,  where  we  lodged.  Fifth  day  to  Perth  ; 
large  public  meeting  at  the  City  Hall ;  a  good  time.  All 
these  large  jfublic  meetings  were  preceded  by  very  deep  exer- 
cise, and  even  painful  baptism,  which  I  believe  corresponded 
with  the  degree  of  divine  favour  graciously  manifested  in  the 
meetings  themselves ;  in  which,  as  I  humbly  trust,  I  vras  ena- 
bled to  declare  the  whole  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  Sixth  daj--, 
pleasant  journey  by  Loch  Leven,  crossing  the  Forth  at  Queens- 
ferry,  to  Edinburgh,  where  we  spent  a  truly  agreeable  three 
days.  On  seventh  day  we  called  on  Dr.  Greville ;  and  on  Dr. 
Chalmers  and  his  wife,  in  their  new  country-house.  They 
received  us  gladly,  and  truly  pleasant  it  was  to  see  him  again. 
His  body  and  mind  are  yet  vigorous,  and  he  was  as  simple- 
hearted,  cordial,  and  joyous  in  spirit  as  ever ;  full  of  the  Free 
Church,  and  full  enough  inclined,  it  may  be,  to  triumph  over 
the  "residuaries." 

[After  a  first  day  "of  much  interest"  at  Edinburgh,]  we 
reached  our  quarters  at  Blackwell  on  fourth  day  afternoon, 
before  the  return  of  the  beloved  master  and  mistress  from 
Shull.    There  we  passed  a  few  truly  peaceful  and  pleasant  days. 

First  day  (8th  mo.,  olst)  was  spent  at  Newcastle,  where  a 
public  meeting  had  been  appointed  for  the  evening ;  a  very 
satisfactory  day,  though  deep  lowness  was  my  portion  until  the 
evening  meeting,  which  was  inexpressibly  relieving;  the  Salem 
meeting-house  being  well  and  respectably  filled  on  the  occasion. 
I  trust  I  was  enabled,  in  some  good  measure,  to  baptize  the 
hearers  into  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

On  third  day  morning  (9th  mo.,  2nd)  we  left  Blackwell, 
and  travelled  by  railroad  to  Birmingham.  There  we  spent 
fourth  day ;  meeting  with  Friends  in  the  morning ;  very  full, 
and    truly    encouraging.       In    the    evening,    a   meeting    for 


^T.  58.  HOME   ENGAGEMENTS.  481 

■worship  witli  more  than  2000  people,  at  John  Angell  James's 
Chapel,  [when]  the  last  chapter  of  Revelation  was  much 
before  me.  This  meeting  crowned  and  concluded  our  whole 
service,  and  left  us  clear,  without  a  feather's  weight  upon  our 
minds.*  0  how  great  is  the  compassion  of  Israel's  shepherd 
who  went  before  us,  throughout  this  journey,  and  was  our  rear- 
ward :  yea,  was,  and  is,  "  our  exceeding  great  reward  !" 

Earlham,  dth  mo.,  20th.  We  have  received  pleasant  and 
mterestin^  calls  from  Samuel  Wilberforce,  Dean  of  West- 
winster,t  also  from  Sir  T.  D.  and  Lady  Ackland  and  their 
family.  I  called  on  Lord  Lansdowne,  at  the  Bishop's,  and  met 
with  a  kind-  and  cordial  reception  from  him  and  the  circle  there 
collected.  It  was  the  Musical  Festival  which  drew  them  hither. 
What  a  happiness  it  is,  that  we  and  ours,  are  sheltered  fron; 
this  species  of  worldly  amusement !  I  cannot  think  that  it  is 
right  for  any  serious  people  to  patronize  displays  of  sacred 
music,  mixed  up  with  balls  and  concerts,  and  uttered  so  gener- 
ally by  profane  and  ungodly  lips. 

9th  mo.,  29th.  More  than  three  weeks  have  now  elapsed 
since  our  return  home.  It  has  been  a  time  of  a  good  deal  of 
enjoyment,  and  fraught  with  some  lively  interests.  At  the 
same  time,  it  would  be  very  satisfactory  to  my  feelings,  were 
r  more  engaged,  in  my  home  life,  in  doing  good  to  others. 
Much  peace  is  permitted  in  the  retrospect  of  our  late  journey, 
but  a  very  indulgent  life  is    now  my  portion ;    and,  from    a 

*  Of  this  meeting  John  Angell  James  writes,  in  a  note  received 
from  him  whilst  these  sheets  were  passing  through  the  press:  — 
"  We  felt  on  that  occasion,  as  we  feel  on  some  others,  that  there  is  a 
bond  of  union  between  the  true  followers  of  Christ,  which  lies  deeper 
than  that  of  denominational  connexions,  and  which  these,  however 
ttey  may  appear  to  separate  us,  cannot  sever,  and  do  not  always  dis- 
turb. The  sheep  of  Christ  know  the  Shepherd's  voice,  through 
whatever  organ  it  may  come  lo  them  ;  and  it  was  heard  at  that  time, 
when  our  friend  spoke  to  us  of  justification  by  faith,  too  distinctly  to 
be  misunderstood,  and  too  impressively  to  be  unheeded. 

f  Now  Bishop  of  Oxford. 

Vol.  IL  — 31 


482  JOURNAL.  1845. 

considerable  degree  of  bodily  infirmity  and  other,  circum- 
stances I  seem  to  be  much  more  useless  than  a  Christian 
might  desire  to  be.  The  great  matter  is,  to  dwell  near  in 
spirit  to  Him,  who  is  himself  the  spring  of  all  good,  and  to 
endeavour,  in  humility  ar.d  watchfulness,  to  follow  His  counsel 
in  all  things. 

Soon  after  ray  return  home,  I  had,  in    unison  with    some 
others,  to  attend  at  the  Mayor's  office,  in  order  to  appeal  to 
the  magistrates  on  behalf  of  our  "  Society  for  the  Protection 
of    Young    Females,"    against    licensing    public    houses    of 
notoriously  "ill   fame."     I    hope    some   good    effect    may  be 
produced.      It  appears  to  me  a  dangerous  doctrine  that  the 
civil  power  ought  never  to  interfere  with  the  morals  of  the 
community.    Although  the  civil  power  cannot  lawfully  interfere 
with  conscience,  in  matters  of  religion,  or  so  far  meddle  with 
the  concerns  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  as  to  establish  or  endow 
a  particular  form  of  worship,  it  may  surely  be  exerted,  on  the 
most  unrestricted  principles  of  religious  liberty,  for  the  purpose 
of  maintaining  the  good  order  of  society ;  such  an  order  as  is 
essential  to  the  welfare  of  the  subjects  or  citizens  of  the  state, 
individually  and  generally,  whatever  may  be  their  creed.     As 
it  is  its  business   to   punish,  so    much  more   is    it  within  its 
province  to  prevent  crime ;  and  for  this  purpose  it  is  bound  to 
protect  and   promote  a  healthy  state  of  public  morals,  and  to 
put  down  all  such  nuisances  as  disorderly  public  houses,  and 
that  odious  traffic  in  vice,  for  which  our  large  towns  and  cities 
are  so  painfully  notorious.     In  all  such  cases,  the  arm  of  the 
law  is  exerted  on  the  simple  principle  which  lies  at  the  founda- 
tion of  all  civil  government,  namely,  that  the  licentiousness  of 
individuals  is  not  to  be  allowed  to  trench  on   the  welfare  and 
g3od  order  of  the  whole  community.     There  is  nothing  in  this 
principle,  so  far  as  I  see,  which  can  be  perverted  to  the  support 
of  the  interference  of  Government -with  religion,  or  the  mar- 
riage of  Church  and  State. 

The  year  had  been  already  marked  in  their  circle 
by  a  Lercavemcnt  of  no  common  order.     They  had 


mi.  58.  DEATH   OF   HIS   SISTER   ELIZABETH   FRY.  4S3 

now  to  mourn  the  loss  of  another  tenderly  beloved 
member  of  the  family,  with  whom  he  had  long  been 
accustomed  to  sympathize  and  labour. 

10th  mo.,  IZth.  We  have  just  received  the  deeply  affecting 
account  of  our  beloved  sister  Fry's  having  been  attacked,  last 
seventh  day  afternoon,  with  pressure  on  the  brain,  which 
appears  to  have  continued  until  yesterday  morning,  producing 
torpor,  or  perhaps  insensibility,  with  difficulty  of  breathing. 
The  dear  patient  did  not  know  those  around  her,  except  occa- 
sionally for  a  moment,  and  did  not  appear  to  suffer  pain ;  but 
the  medical  man  evidently  considered  her  end  to  be  approach- 
ing, unless  something  effectual  could  be  done  to  relieve  the 
breathing.  Overwhelming  as  this  stroke  would  have  been  two 
years  ago,  we  are  now  mercifully  enabled  to  receive  it  in  great 
quietness  of  mind.  Her  long-continued,  and,  of  late,  increasing 
infirmity,  though  with  very  precious  alternations  of  hope,  and, 
on  her  part,  of  great  brightness,  have  gradually  weaned  us 
from  that  close  dependence  on  her,  to  which  many  of  us  were 
prone ;  and  it  is  impossible  to  say  how  much  of  pain  and  difli- 
culty  a  prolonged  state  of  increasing  debility  might  have  occa- 
sioned her.  Most  dearly  have  I  been  bound  to  this  beloved 
sister,  ever  since  I  knew  anything ;  and  our  being  brought  into 
the  same  religious  course,  has  rendered  that  bond  one  of  pecu- 
liar intimacy  and  tenderness.  What  a  favour  it  is,  that  peace 
is  the  mantle  of  my  spirit,  on  the  hearing  of  this  intelligence, 
in  the  delightful  assurance  that,  whether  she  be  in  life  or  in 
death,  peace  is  everlastingly  hers,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord! 

Third  day  morning.  Our  tenderly  beloved  sister  appears 
never  to  have  recovered  from  her  state  of  unconsciousness, 
although  the  struggle  of  nature  to  the  beholders  was  great. 
She  drew  her  last  breath  about  four  o'clock  yesterday  morning. 
We  are  quiet  under  the  blow,  yet  somewhat  stunned. 


484  HIS   FEELINGS   ON  1845. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

1845—46.     m:.  58, 

BRIEF  MEMOIRS  OF  SIR  T.  F.  BUXTON  AND  ELIZABETH  FRY  J  LETTER 
TO  SIR  ROBERT  PEEL  ON  THE  DISTRESS  AMONG  THE  NORWICH  POOR; 
CORRESPONDENCE  ON  THE  OREGON  QUESTION  ;•  PERSONAL  TRIALS  ; 
ATTENDS  THE  YEARLY  MEETING  FOR  THE  LAST  TIME;  LETTER  TO 
SIR  ROBERT  PEEL  ON  THE  INTRODUCTION  OF  SLAVE-GROWN  PRO- 
DUCE;  DECLARATION   OF   FAITH. 

Laegely  as  Joseph  John  Gurnej  was  thus  again 
called  upon  to  partake  of  the  cup"  of  sorrow,  it  was 
one  mingled  with  mercy  and  abundant  consolation. 
But  the  loss  of  such  a  brother  and  sister  was  one,  in 
this  world,  never  to  be  supplied ;  and  it  was  not  the 
less  felt  amidst  that  quiet,  confiding  trust,  and  that 
steady  diligence  in  the  performance  of  duty,  which 
seemed  not  obscurely  to  intimate  that  his  own  sepa- 
ration from  them  was  not  to  be  long. 

10th  mo.,  21th.  It  is  almost  impossible  for  me  to  describe 
the  last  two  weeks.  We  have  deeply  felt  the  blow ;  and  have 
been  closely  occupied  by  the  subject.  The  leisure  of  fourth, 
fifth,  and  sixth  days,  was  occupied  in  drawing  up  a  sketch  of 
the  dear  departed  one. 

On  seventh  day,  the  18th,  we  went  by  railroad  to  London, 
and  joined  the  Upton  party  at  dinner.  The  following  first 
day  was  very  interesting.  The  funeral  on  second  day,  at 
Barking,  was  very  large,  and  deeply  solemn.     I  was  led  to 


^T.  58.  HIS  sister's  decease.  485 

pour  forth  my  praises  and  prayers  at  the  grave ;  and  a  large 
meeting  was  afterwards  held  to  our  satisfaction,  un^er  a  tent. 
The  dinner,  at  Upton,  was  indicative  of  her  own  liberal 
and  impartial  mind ;  so  many  there,  and  so  hospitably  enter- 
tained, and  so  thoroughly  united  in  heart  and  feeling.  Great 
relief,  and  much  peace,  were  felt  at  the  close  of  the  day. 

On  fourth  day  last  we  were  favoured  with  a  blessed  parting 
season,  and  returned  home  in  peace.  The  newspaper  con- 
taining the  sketch,  sent  off  to  about  400  people  in  different 
parts  of  the  world.  May  it  be  accepted  in  the  Lord  unto 
edification ! 

Sixth  day  morning.  We  have  enjoyed  much  of  a  feeling  of 
quietness  and  solemnity  in  our  meetings;  some  precious' tokens, 
I  trust,  that  we  are  not  forsaken.  I  am  preparing  the  Memo- 
rials of  Fowell  and  my  sister  Fry  for  publication,  and  deeply 
feel  what  a  chasm  their  departure  has  produced.  Surely  we 
shall  never  see  their  like  again. 

11^^  mo.,  \^th.  Last  second  day  to  dinner,  by  the  train, 
came  the  Chevalier  Bunsen  and  his  lady,  and  stayed  with  us 
until  fourth  day  morning,  when  I  accompanied  them  to 
Blickling,  on  their  way  to  Northrepps.  Their  visit  was  un- 
commonly bright  and  pleasant,  and  I  hope  I  have  formed  with 
the  Chevalier,  a  very  valuable  literary  and  Christian  friend- 
ship. *  *  *  To-day  I  have  been  at  home ;  writing  letters, 
reading,  and  pondering  many  things  in  my  heart.  In  the 
multitude  of  my  thoughts  within  me,  0  Lord,  let  thy  comforts 
delight  my  soul ! 

Vlth  mo.,  15th.  These  gaps  in  my  journal,  so  full  is  my 
mind,  and  so  weak  my  memory,  are  difficult  to  fill  up ;  but 
sure  I  am,  that  the  ever-rolling  stream  of  time  is  banging  me 
nearer  and  nearer  to  eternity.  May  it  through  infinite  mercy  and 
ever-flowing  grace  be  more  and  more  a  happy,  yea,  a  joyous 
thought !  How  important,  yet  how  impossible  without  that 
grace,  to  dwell  in  the  meekness  and  purity  of  Christ,  in  the  very 
truth  and  power  thereof!  *  *  The  decease  of  our  truly 
dear  friend  and  relative,  Ann  Hodgkin,  induced  us  to  go  to 
Tottenhanr,  on  fifth  day  in  last  week.     There  we  continued 


48G  LETTER.  1845. 

until  first  day  afternoon ;  being  mucli  with  our  dear  an(^ 
deeply-stricken  mourners;  attending' the  funeral  of  George 
Stacey's  daughter  Anna  on  sixth  day  afternoon,  and  that  of 
Ann  Hodgkin  on  seventh  day  morning.  The  two  evening 
re-unions  were  especially  interesting ;  and  we  found  during 
these  several  occasions  some  call  to  the  exercise  of  the  ministry. 
Both  the  dear  departed  ones  had  given  full  evidence  that  they 
died  in  the  Lord.  Not  a  single  cloud  was  permitted  to  darken 
their  hope.  On  sixth  day  morning  I  had  much  satisfaction 
in  attending  the  Meeting  for  Suiferings ;  and  towards  the 
conclusion  spoke,  under  some  true  anointing,  I  believe,  on  the 
subject  of  war ;  on  the  threatened  war  with  America ;  and  on 
the  propriety  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  being  on  the  watch, 
to  come  forward,  if  needful,  on  the  side  of  peace. 

,  The  failure  of  the  wheat  harvest  in  many  -parts  of 
the  kingdom,  and  the  depressed  state  of  trade,  con- 
curred in  producing  at  this  period  great  distress  among 
the  poorer  classes;  especiall}^  in  the  manufacturing 
districts.  Joseph  John  Gurney's  deep  sympathy  was, 
as  usual,  awakened  by  the  sufferings  of  the  poor  at 
Norwich ;  and  he  was  induced,  on  their  behalf,  to 
plead  for  a  modification  or  suspension  of  the  existing 
duties  on  corn,  in  the  following  letter  to  the  late  Sir 
Robert  Peel,  who  was  then,  though  unknown  to 
Joseph  John  Gurney,  anxiously^  revolving,  with  the 
other  members  of  his  Government,  this  important 
question. 

Earlbam,  lOth  mo.,  29th,  1845. 

Sir  Robert  Peel,  Bart. 

I  heartily  hope  I  shall  not  be  regarded  as 
taking  an  undue  liberty  in  freely  addressing  thee  on  a  subject 
which  I  look  upon  as  of  vital  importance  to  the  poorer  classes 
of  the  people.  With  regard  to  their  condition  and  prospects 
in  this  part  of  the  kingdom,  I  grieve  to  say  my  report  must 


JEH.  58.  TO    SIR    ROBERT    PEEL.  .  487 

be  a  very  unfavourable  one.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the 
wheat  harvest  in  Norfolk  has  been  far  below  the  average ;  the 
fears,  which  were  previously  entertained  on  the  subject,  having 
been  more  than  realized  by  the  alarming  deficiency  in  the 
actual  produce.  The  disease  and  failure  of  the  potato  crop 
are  also  prevalent  in  our  county  to  a  distressing  extent.  But 
it  is  more  to  the  state  of  Norwich  that  I  am  anxious  to  solicit 
a  little  of  thy  attention.  Our  manufacturing  population, 
which  is  very  considerable,  has,  during  the  general  prosperit3% 
been  only  very  partially  employed,  and  at  a  miserably  inade- 
quate rate  of  wages.  Under  these  circumstances,  it  was  with 
great  difficulty  that  we  got  through  the  last  winter ;  the  state 
of  destitution  was  even  then  terrible,  and  the  visitation  of  small- 
pox, which  followed  in  its  train,  and  which  was  greatly  increased 
by  the  wretched  state  of  the  inhabitations,  was  fatal  to  a 
large  number.  Since  then  we  have  had  more  employment,  but 
still  at  a  very  low  rate  of  wages ;  and  now,  as  we  are  approach- 
ing the  winter,  the  manufacturers  are  again  turning  off  their 
nands.  It  is  impossible  to  conceive  what  will  become  of  the 
poor,  even  at  the  present  high  price  of  bread ;  and,  should  that 
price  continue  to  rise,  which  we  have  too  much  reason  to  ex- 
pect, the  consequences  to  the  population  of  our  city  cannot  fail 
to  be  of  the  most  deplorable  and  alarming  character. 

Such  is  the  state  of  things  amongst  us,  which,  as 
friends  of  the  poor,  we  are  anxious  to  submit  to  the  wisdom 
and  care  of  a  paternal  government,  and  more  especially  of 
Sir  Robert  Peel  as  the  head  of  it.  We  are  well  aware  of  thy 
great  experience,  and  of  thy  sincere  desire  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  the  community ;  and  we  therefore  do  not  hesitate, 
though  with  much  respect  and  deference,  to  lay  our  case  be- 
fore thee.  It  is,  to  our  apprehension,  abundantly  evident  that 
the  operation  of  the  sliding-scale  of  the  Corn-law  will  not 
afford  the  early  and  effective  relief  which  the  distresses  of  our 
population  so  loudly  demand  ;  especially  during  the  present 
season,  when  the  average  of  prices  is  kept  down  far  below  the 
practical  reality  by  the  low  value  of  injured  and  unwholsome 
samples.     The  boon,  therefore,  which  we  anxiously  crave  irre- 


488  .      CORRESPONDENCE.  1845. 

spectively  of  tlie  general  question  of  the  Corn-laws,  and  wholly 
30  of  party  politics,  is  the  suspension  of  all  import  duties  on 
man's  necessary  food,  and  especially  on  bread-corn,  during  the 
present  affecting  and  alarming  exigency. 

I  understand  that  a  memorial  from  many  of  the  more  respect- 
able citizens  of  Norwich,  of  all  parties,  to  the 'effect  now 
mentioned,  is  likely  to  be  presented  to  thee ;  and  I  venture  to 
hope  that  in  offering  to  thy  notice  this  private  explanation  of 
our  circumstances,  I  shall  not  be  res^arded  bv  thee  as  acting 
iraproj^erly.  Shouldst  thou  see  it  right  to  grant  our  petition, 
I  fully  believe  that  the  blessing  of  thousands  who  are  ready  to 
perish  will  rest  upon  thee. 

With  earnest  desire  that  divine  wisdom  and  help  may  be 
abundantly  upon  thee,  in  the  prosecution  of  thy  high  and  im- 
portant functions,  and  with  great  respect, 

I  am,  thy  sincere  friend  jind  well-wisher, 

J.  J.  Gurnet. 

It  was  in  the  same  spirit  that  he  now  entered 
into  a  lengthened  correspondence  with  another  in- 
lluential  and  distinguished  individual,  in  reference 
to  the  dispute  which  had  arisen  between  the  British 
and  American  Governments  with  regard  to  the 
Oregon  Territory,  and  which  seemed  at  one  time  to 
endanger  the  harmony  that  had  so  long  happily  sub- 
sisted between  the  two  countries. 

From  this  correspondence  the  following  brief  extract 
inny  be  here  given  :  — 

Earlham,  11th  mo.,  26th,  1845. 

On  mv  return  from  Lynn  and  Runcton  last  evening,  I  found 
thy  kind  letter,  which  I  could  not,  at  so  late  an  hour,  answer 
by  return  of  post.  On  the  Oregon  question,  I  wish  to  quote, 
imprimis,  thy  own  excellent  words,  "  England  can  afford  not  to 
be  offended,  it  can  also  afford  to  give  way."  Nothing  can  be 
truer,  and  nothing  more  important,  in  its  bearing  on  the  present 
question,  than  this  statement.      With  her  immense  resources; 


J5T.  58.         ON  THE  OREGON  QUESTION.  489 

■witli  her  high  reputation,  &c.,  this  country  is  above  the  charge 
either  of  inability  or  fear,  and  can  most  unquestionably  afford 
abundance  of  rational  quietness,  and  kind  condescension. 
Allowing  for  a  moment  thy  doctrine,  that  States  being  scriptu- 
rally  authorized,  (authorized,  I  should  say,*  by  Him  who  is  the 
Author  both  of  nature  and  revelation,)  may  lawfully  make  use 
of  war  as  a  necessary  defence,  (thou  art  of  course  aware  that 
my  principles  against  war  go  much  further,)  but,  allowing  this 
as  the  general  opinion  of  the  nation,  it  is  most  evident  that  the 
present  case  does  not  fall  within  the  limits  of  this  principle. 
The  war  now  projected  in  England,  should  the  American 
Government  persevere  in  their  unbending  claim,  could  not  be 
regarded  by  any  one  as  an  act  of  necessary  self-defence  on  the 
part  of  this  nation  ;  but  only  as  the  maintenance,  by  the  force 
of  arms,  of  a  point  of  honour  so  called.  The  chastisement 
would  fall,  as  is  well  observe4  by  thee,  on  the  innocent  and 
highly  respectable  part  of  the  community;  the  citizens  of  New 
England,  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  &c.,  wht)  are  as 
much  averse  to  war  as  we  are  ourselves ;  and  who,  generally 
speaking,  care  as  little  for  Oregon  as  we  do.  What  possible 
advantage  could  England  derive  from  thus  punishing  the  inno- 
cent for  the  guilty  ?  If  it  be  said  that  it  would  drive  this 
large  portion  of  American  citizens  to  insist  on  juster  measures 
with  their  own  government,  I  would  answer  that  no  such  end 
would  be  produced.  They  have  it  not  in  their  power  to  pre- 
vail over  the  larger  and  more  popular  party — and  they  would 
only  be  driven  into  feelings  of  revenge  and  hostility  against 
England,  which  would  be  the  source  of  endless  disquietude  and 
mischief. 

Then,  as  to  the  point  of  honour,  can  anything  be  conceived 
'  more  unjustifiable  than  plunging  these  two  great  nations  into 
the  unutterable  horror  and  wickedness  of  such  a  war,  on  the 
ground  of  punctilio  ?  If  it  is  wicked  in  the  duellist  to  shoot 
his  former  friend  and  neighbour,  and  expose  his  own  life  to  a 
similar  danger,  merely  because  his  honour,  in  the  eye  of  the 
world,  is  wounded,  surely  it  is  the  very  same  wickedness,  on 
an  immensely  larger  scale,  for  one  nation  to  make  war  upon 


490  INTERVIEW    WITH    LORD    ABERDEEJT.  1846. 

another  on  any  sucli  ground.  Think  of  sacr'^icing  myriads  of 
lives,  and  sending  myriads  of  souls  unprepared  into  eternity, 
merely  because  Great  Britain  imagines  herself  affronted ! 

In  connection  with  this  subject,  Joseph  John  Gur- 
ney,  whilst  in  London,  in  the  early  part  of  the  follow- 
ing year,  (1846,)  accompanied  a  deputation  to  present 
an  address  from  the  Society  of  Friends  to  the  govern- 
ment, earnestly  praying  for  the  preservation  of  peace. 
Referring  to  this,  he  writes  under  date  :  — 

2nd  mo.^  20t7i.  The  engagement  -which  took  deep  hold  of 
me,  in  connection  with  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  was  that  of 
addressing  the  government  on  the  subject  of  the  Oregon  ques- 
tion, and  peace  with  America.  *  *  *  I  waited  on  Sir  Robert 
Peel  and  Lord  Aberdeen,  with  my  brother  Samuel,  Peter 
Bedford,  Robert  Forster,  and  several  other  Friends,  and  read 
the  address  to  them,  which  was  evidently  much  felt.  It  was  a 
highly  interesting  occasion. 

In  a  memorial  subsequently  addressed  by  Joseph 
John  Gurney  to  the  Earl  of  Aberdeen,  after  minutely 
discussing  some  of  the  minor  details  of  the  question, 
he  winds  up  with  the  following  earnest  appeal  against 
war  under  any  circumstances  :  — 

Should  the  American  Government,  after  all,  determine  to 
stand  firmly  upon  the  Florida  treaty,  and  continue  to  assert 
what  they  call  their  irrefragable  claim  to  the  whole  of  Oregon  ; 
should  they,  on  this  ground,  refuse  to  agree  to  any  further 
concession  (as  they  consider  it)  than  that  which  was  proposed 
to  the  British  Minister,  at  Washington,  and  rejected  by  him, 
without  reference  to  the  Home  Government ;  should  they, 
under  the  pressure  of  a  low  and  lawless  democracy,  be  deaf  to 
the  voice  of  reason  and  reconciliation,  even  beyond  this  point; 
shall  Lord  Aberdeen,  on  that  account,  deem  himself  to  be 
^^ forced"  into  a  rupture  with  America?     Shall   he  yield  to 


MT.  58.  "love  your  enemies."  491 

the  absurd  and  dangerous  dictates  of  oui  war-loving  and 
America-hating  newspaper  writers  ?  Shall  he  exchange  his 
truly  Christian  and  conciliating  ^irit — estimated  and  honoured 
as  it  is  by  good  men  the  world  over  —  for  the  hurling  forth  of 
the  weapons  of  death  and  destruction ;  for  a  war  of  which  no 
man  could  calculate  the  probable  extent  and  duration? 
Under  a  feeling  of  the  solemnity  of  the  words,  I  would  answer 
from  my  very  soul,  God  forbid !  The  question  of  national 
Ijonour,  even  in  its  worldly  phase,  cannot  surely  be  involved  in 
the  more  or  less  of  the  concession  which  we  make  for  the  sake 
of  peace ;  in  the  more  or  less  of  the  acres  either  of  land  or 
w^ater  which  we  yield  to  the  Americans  for  the  sake  of  the 
welfare  of  both  nations,  and  for  the  happiness  of  the 
world.     *     *     * 

It  cannot  be  doubted  but  that  these  sentiments 
found  a  response  in  the  mind  of'  the  distinguished 
statesman  to  whom  they  were  addressed.  War  was 
on  this  occasion  mercifully  averted;  and  by  slight 
mutual  concessions,  these  two  great  countries  Avere 
spared  the  enormous  misery  and  guilt  which  it  ever 
brings  in  its  train.  Happy,  indeed,  will  be  the  day 
when,  throusi'h  the  effectual  workincr  of  the  love  of 
Christ,  both  statesmen  and  people  are  brought  to  a 
willingness,  on  all  occasions,  to  act  upon  wliat,  to 
the  Christian,  must  surely  be  the  undeniable 
axiom,  that  no  necessity  can  relieve  either  indi- 
viduals or  nations  from  the  obligations  of  that 
highest  of  all  allegiance  which  they  owe  unto  Him 
who  hath  said,  "Love  your  enemies." 

Before  once  more  recurring  to  his  ordinary  course 
as  traced  in  his  Journal,  it  seems  necessary  here 
briefly  to  advert   to  a  subject  which   had   for   some 


492  PERSONAL    TRIALS.  1845. 

time  past,  at  intervals,  occasioned  Joseph  John 
Gurney  considerable  uneasiness.  It  will  be  recol- 
lected that,  during  his  visit  to  tlie  United  States,  he 
had  met  with  some  who  appeared  to  labour  under 
misapprehensions  respecting  him  and  his  writings. 
By  an  unhappily  mistaken  process  of  reasoning  and 
criticism  upon  detached  passages  of  his  works ;  such 
as  if  applied  to  the  writings  of  the  early  Friends, 
to  those  of  the  first  reformers,  or  even  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures  themselves,  would  be  found  productive 
of  consequences  which  the  lover  of  truth  could  not 
fail  to  deplore ;  an  attempt  had  been  made,  with  a 
zeal  worthy  of  a  better  cause,  to  prove  •  that  he  was 
opposed  to  those  great  principles  of  spiritual  Christi- 
anity, which  have  ever  distinguished  the  Society  of 
Friends  —  principles  which  had  been  so  long  truly 
dear  to  him,  and  for  which  he  had  sacrificed  so 
much.  It  is  not  the  object  of  these  pages  to 
enter  into  a  detailed  examination  of  Joseph  John 
Gurney's  writings  in  reference  to  the  points 
alluded  to.  Nor  indeed  is  any  such  examination 
necessary.  To  the  candid  and  unprejudiced;  to 
those  who  read  them  in  the  spirit  in  which  they  were 
written,  and  with  that  simplicity  of  purpose  in 
which  alone  the  truth  can  Ije  perceived  and  appre- 
hended; they  will  themselves  furnish  a  sufficient 
answer  to  the  charge  brought  against  them.  That 
amidst  so  much  that  is  valuable,  passages  may 
be  found  which  are  open  to  misconception,  and 
which,  especially  when  isolated  and  detached  from 
the  context,  may  be  perhaps  even  justly  liable 
to  some  exception,  is  by  no  means  improbable. 
Such  imperfections,  shared  as   the}^  are,  in  at   least 


^T.  58.  PERSONAL    TRIALS.  4^3 

a  fully  equal  degree,  by  the  works  of  the  early 
Friends,  and  by  other  writings  of  distinguished  worth 
and  excellence,  are,  doubtless,  permitted  as  salutary 
lessons  at  once  of  the  weakness  of  all  inferior  in- 
strum"entality,  and  of  the  high  and  peculiar  sanction 
divinely  impressed  upon  the  records  of  Holy  Scrip- 
ture, as  the  only  volume  that  can  be  safely  treated  as 
the  standard  of  Christian  doctrine.*  And  if  even  the 
Epistles  of  an  inspired  Apostle,  with  the  "other 
Scriptures,"  have  been  from  the  very  first  wrested  by 
the  "  unteachable,"  and  "  unstable,"  need  we  be  sur- 
prised if  writings  of  vastly  inferior  dignity  and  import- 
ance are  not  privileged  with  exemption  from  similar 
treatment?  To  be  mis-interpreted  by  those  whose 
range  of  thought  and  experience  is  different  from  his 
own ;  to  be  supposed  to  hold  opinions  that  he  dislikes 
or  disapproves ;  to  be  suspected  of  denying  principles 
that  are  truly  dear  to  him;  these  must  often  be  among 
the  trials  which  the  Christian  has  to  bear,  and  in 
which  he  is  called  upon  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of 
his  Divine  Master,  whose  whole  life  was  one  continued 
act  of  condescension  to  the  ignorance  and  infirmity  of 
man. 

The  spirit  in  which  Joseph  John  Gurney  was 
enabled  to  bear  a  trial  so  painful  as  this  was  to  his 
natural  feelings,  will  best  appear  from  the  incidental 
allusions  to  it  which  occur  in  his  letters  and  Journal 
of  this  period. 

*  "  For  equalling  our  writings  with  Scripture,"  says  "Wm.  Penn, 
in  emphatic  language,  "we  have  no  such  expressions  or  thoughts." 
(Works,  vol.  II.,  p.  800,  fol.  ed.)  Cordially  could  Joseph  John 
Gurney  respond  to  this  declaration. 


494  PERSONAL  TRIALS.  1845. 


TO  PETER  BEDFORD. 

Earlham,  10th  mo.,  8th,  1845. 

*  *  *  I  can  truly  say  1  passed  through  the  meetings  of 
New  York  and  New  England  with  great  comfort  to  "toyself, 
being  everywhere  received  with  cordiality  by  Friends,  with  two 
or  three  individual  exceptions ;  and  I  was  not  myself,  by  any 
means,  fully  aware  of  the  efforts  made  by  one  individual  to 
thwart  the  service :  still  less  did  I  know  the  grounds  on  which 
his  own  friends  were  dealing  with  him ;  and  when  I  last 
attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  New  England,  I  received  a  full 
returning  certificate,*  with  what  appeared  to  be  the  almost 
undisturbed  unanimity  of  a  truly  tveighty  and  consistent  body 
of  Friends. 

Thou  art  also  aware  that  since  my  return  home,  I  have 
twice  been  long  engaged  on  the  continent,  far  away  from  these 
scenes  of  strife ; — and  of  later  times  have  been  generally  per- 
mitted a  very  quiet  life  at  my  own  peaceful  home.  Thus  I 
can  gratefully  acknowledge  that  our  dear  Lord  and  Master  has 
graciously  condescended  to  "  compass  me  with  his  favour  as 
with  a  shield,"  and  I  should  indeed  be  worthy  of  blame  did  I 
distrust,  his  loving-kindness  for  the  future.  Still,  my  beloved 
friend,  these  things  are  trying  and  distressing,  and  I  have,  at 
times,  sufi'ered  much  from  them.  But  I  do  feel  that  it  is  safe 
to  lie  low  under  the  chastening  hand  of  the  Lord ; — and,  next 
to  this,  safe  to  be  subject  to  my  friends  in  humility  and  love. 
If  there  is  anything  wrong  in  me,  let  it  be  corrected.  I  wish 
not  to  strive.  Of  one  thing  I  am  sure ;  that  I  love  my  friends, 
and  love  the  cause,  and  love  the  truth,  as  thou  and  I  have 
always  held  it,  in  all  its  parts.  And  may  we  ever  be  found  on 
the  side  of  the  Lord  of  truth,  patiently  waiting  until  He  shall 
be  pleased  to  arise  for  our  help,  and  to  put  a  song  of  praise 
into  our  mouths. 

The  following  are  from  his  Journal :  — 

*  Granted  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  large. 


iET.  58.  PERSONAL    TRIALS.  4^5 

12t7i  mo.,  loth.  I  have  requested  to  be  furnished  in 
•writing,  with  the  passages  excepted  against,  expressing  vaj 
intention  of  fully  submitting  them  and  myself  to  the  jifdgment 
therein,  of  the  only  duly  authorized  body;  the  Morning 
Meeting.  Thus  I  hold  nothing  back  from  the  Society, 
and  cast  myself  and  my  -writings  without  reserve  on  the  care 
and  judgment  of  the  body.  I  can  do  no  more.  The  cause  is 
precious  to  me ;  and  I  desire  to  be  preserved  in  true  meekness, 
humility,  and  love  towards  all,  until  this  stilrm  wind  shall  be 
over-past. 

12th  mo.,  16th.  I  spent  almost  a  sleepless  night,  not  with- 
out some  deep  tribulation  of  soul ;  dnd  much  lowness  and 
weakness  have  been  my  portion  this  morning.  I  pray  that  I 
may  be  enabled  to  maintain  the  whole  blessed  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  in  the  firmness,  yet  patience  and  meekness  which  are  in 
Christ.  0  for  the  "patience,"  the  "long  suffering,"  the 
"firmness,"  the  "meekness,"  the  "  purity,"  the  "  humility," 
of  the  saints  !*  Lord,  I  beseech  thee,  for  thy  dear  Son's  sake, 
whose  example  I  desire  to  follow,  to  bestow  upon  me  these 
precious  graces. 

In  pursuance  of  the  intention  above  expressed, 
Joseph  John  Gurney  addressed  the  following 
letter  to  the  Editors  of  the  Friend  Newspaper, 
which  was  published  in  that  Journal  in  the  first 
month,  1846. 

Earlham,  near  Norwich,  12th  mo.,  17th,  1845. 

*  *  *  I  should  consider  that  I  was  travelling  entirely  out 
of  my  record,  were  I  to  attempt  to  answer  the  accusations 
made  against  me  by  an  individual  who,  in  consequence  of  his 
setting  at  defiance  the  good  order  established  amongst  us, 
has  been  separated  from  the  Society  by  his  monthly  meeting ; 
and  whose  disownment  has  since  been  confirmed  by  the  solid 

*  The  words  within  quotation  marks  are  in  Greek  in  the  original 


496  PERSONAL    TRIALS.  1845. 

and  deliberate  judgment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  of  which  he 
■was  a  member.  In  fact,  I  have  never  felt  at  liberty  even  to 
look  into  his  book  ;  havino;  long  had  reason  to  believe  that  he 
■was  indulging  a  wrong  spirit,  and  having  often  witnessed  the 
verification  of  the  old  proverb  —  "  Whoso  toucheth  pitch,  shall 
be  defiled  thereby."  * 

Since,  however,  his  numerous  charges  against  me  have  been 
read  by  many,  I  think  it  right  to  say  that  if  any  Friend  of 
weight  and  consistency  will  furnish  me,  in  writing,  with  such 
passages  from  my  works  as  he  or  she  may  consider  unsatisfac- 
tory, (duly  signed  of  course.)  although,  I  believe,  there  is 
nothing  in  my  writings'  at  variance  with  the  truth  as  it  has 
always  been  professed  by  Friends,  yet  I  should  consider  it  my 
duty  to  take  an  early  opportunity  of  laying  such  communica- 
tion before  the  Morning  Meeting  in  London;  the  body  which, 
according  to  our  wholesome  system  of  discipline,  is  constitu- 
tionally authorized  to  judge  of  such  matters. 

Should  any  of  the  passages  objected  to  occur  in  the  works 
which  have  already  passed  that  meeting,  I  cannot  doubt  that 
the  Friends  belonging  to  it  will  deem  it  right  again  to  sift 
those  particular  passages  ;  and  that  they  will  not  hesitate  to 
examine  whether  those  selected  from  my  other  works,  (which, 
being  of  a  general  nature,  were  not  within  the  province  of  the 
morning  meeting,)  are,  or  are  not,  consistent  with  the  acknow- 
ledged principles  of  our  religious  Society. 

In  case  of  that  meeting's  not  being  satisfied  with  the  expla- 
nations which  I  may  be  enabled  to  ofi'er  of  the  passages  thus 
submitted  to  their  consideration,  it  is  my  full  intention  to 
modify  them,  strike  them  out,  or  even  publicly  renounce  them, 
in  whole  or  in  part,  as  the  meeting  may  think  proper  to  advise. 

In  expressing  this  intention,  I  wish  it  to  be  clearly  under- 
stood that  my  sentiments  on  essential  points,  are  in  no  degree 
changed  since  the  date  even  of  my  earliest  publications ;  and 
nothing,  I  trust,  would  induce  me  to  sacrifice  one  particle  of 
"  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,"  to  please  or  satisfy  any  man  or 

*  Eccles.  xiii.,  1. 


MT.  58.  PERSONAL    TRIALS.  497 

body  of  men  whatsoever.  But  I  am  fullj  convinced  that  our 
Friends  of  the  Morning  Meeting  are  as  much  attached  both  to 
the  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity,  and  to  the  distin- 
guishing views  and  practices  of  Friends,  as  I  am  myself;  and 
I  have  a  deep  consciousness  of  ray  own  weakness  and  fallibility. 
It  certainly  cannot  be  said  of  my  writings,  (or  perhaps  of  those 
of  any  other  man  who  has  written  since  the  days  of  the  apos- 
tles,) that  .there  are  not  passages  in  them  which  might  be  im- 
proved, simplified,  corrected,  or  even  entirely  omitted,  with 
advantage  to  the  reader,  as  confusing,  to  some  minds,  at  least, 
the  ser^e  which  they  were  intended  to  convey. 

I  make  this  proposal,  as  I  trust,  in  the  spirit  of  submission 
and  brotherly  love;  and  in  the  earnest  desire  to  promote  that 
harmony  and  unity  amongst  us,  which  it  is  one  of  the  most 
subtle  and  cruel  devices  of  the  enemy  of  souls  to  break  and 
destroy. 

In  allusion  to  the  same  subject,  he  subsequently 
writes  in  his  Journal :  — 

Srd  mo.,  25tJi,  1846.  I  can  truly  say,  I  have  done  my  best, 
my  very  best ;  my  all,  my  very  all ;  and  now  I  think  I  can 
quietly  leave  it  to  Him  whom  we  all  call  Master.  May  I  servo 
Him  better  and  more  entirely  than  I  have  yet  done ;  though  I 
know  it  must  be  in  weakness;  and  may  none  of  these  storms 
and  jealousies  throw  me  off  my  guard  in  the  meekness  and 
patience  of  Christ,  or  in  the  least  divert  my  attention  from 
daily  duty,  and  the  diligent  working  out  of  the  everlasting 
salvation  of  my  poor  unworthy  soul !  I  have  prayed  for  peace 
among  the  nations,  peace  in  our  Society,  and  peace  in  the  deep 
.interior  of  my  own  spirit;  a  blessing  which  I  do  in  a  good 
degree  already  enjoy ;  but  to  which  I  have  not  the  slightest 
pretensions,  except  in  the  abundant  mercy  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus.  May  it  abound  in  us  more  and  more ;  with  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  a  truly  thankful  heart  to  the  Father  and 
Fountain  of  all  our  mercies  ! 

2nd  mo.,  20t.h.     Returned  yesterday  from  London,  having 

Vol.  II.  — 32 


498  JOURNAL.  •        1846. 

heen  exactly  six  weeks  from  our  happy  home.  In  the  course 
of  these  six  interesting  weeks,  we  have  had  much  sweet  enjoy- 
ment in  the  company  of  oui*  beloved  relatives  and  friends;  two 
•lays  at  Heath  very  pleasantly,  then  full  two  weeks  at  Black- 
v/ell,  and  a  few  days  at  Polam,  in  near  fellowship  and  most 
])leas:5nt  intercourse  with  their  respective  dear  inhabitants. 
Afterwards,  on  our  journey  home,  with  our  friends  at  Hudders- 
jield,  Leeds,  Bradford,  Brighouse,  and  Sheffield,  and  last,  but 
)iot  least,  with  James  Montgomery,  the  Christian  poet,  who 
seems  to  be  ripening  for  eternity.  Then  thirteen  days  at 
Upton,  where  many  engagements  awaited  me.  . 

I  have  to  record  as  special  mercies,  the  truly  satisfactory 
position  and  condition  of  our  darling  Anna  with  her  husband 
and  babe ;  the  flov.'ing  of  love  and  unity  towards  us  from 
Friends,  wherever  our  lot  was  cast ;  the  pouring  forth  of  the 
Lord's  anointing  on  me,  his  poor  weak  servant,  on  several 
rather  memorable  occasions;  and  the  solemnity  which  prevailed 
at  almost  every  meeting  which  we  attended.  *  *  *  *  Surely 
ir,  is  not  too  much  to  say,  that  the  dear  Master  was  remarkably 
with  us  on  these  occasions ;  showing  us  tokens  for  good,  and 
giving  us  a  banner  to  be  displayed  for  his  truth ;  yet  the  crea- 
ture, truly,  has  had  nothing  to  glory  in.  The  language  has 
been  deeply  felt,  "Be  thou  exalted,  0  God,  above  the  heavens, 
and  let  thy  glory  be  above  all  the  earth." 

TO    HIS    DAUGHTER. 

Earlham,  4tli  mo.,  3rd,  1S46. 

*  *  *  Enough  for  us,  that  where  Christ  is  in  glory,  there 
will  be  his  followers,  who  are  now  struggling  on  in  the  Church 
militant ;  there  are  his  saints  who  are  already  gathered  from 
this  passing  scene  ta  things  invisible  and  eternal.  Think  of* 
dearest  aunt  Fry  with  us  at  this  time  last  year ;  so  decrepid,  so 
oppressed,  and  yet  so  lively  in  the  truth  ;  now  for  ever  released 
from  the  burden  of  the  flesh ;  for  with  her  it  did  indeed  become 
a  sore  burden.  How  gladsome,  how  easy,  how  tranquil,  how 
j(^yous,  her  present  condition  ! 

ord  nio.,  2Sth.     The  General  Quarterly  Meeting  larger  than 


«:t.  58.  '         JOURNAL.  *      490 

usual,  and  to  me  a  truly  edifying  time.  It  was  on  the  whole 
to  me,  and  I  believe  to  many  others,  a  time  of  solid  encou- 
ragement ;  some  fresh  evidence  graciously  bestowed,  that  we  as 
a  people,  (despised  though  our  profession  be,)  are  following  no 
cunningly  devised  fables. 

Yesterday  was  spent  quietly  at  home.  Cordelia  Bayes  and 
Mary  Browne  came  to  a  luncheon  dinner.  Cordelia  told  us 
that  a  cheerful  heart  is  the  fruit  of  a  thankful  spirit.  I  was 
pleased  with  the  remark,  not  having  before  put  cause  and  con- 
sequence together  in  the  same  way.  May  I  experience  this 
truth  more  and  more  ! 

Ath  mo.,  9tk.  My  history  this  week  is  that  of  a  weakling, 
with  but  little  exception ;  languid  days  and  restless  nights ; 
so  that  I  seem  reduced  to  the  do-nothing,  be-nothing  state. 
This  may  be  the  very  best  for  a  season.  I  am,  however, 
bringing  my  temporal  affairs  into  a  satisfactory  arrangement, 
which  yields  me  somewhat  of  peace.  I  want  to  get  them  so 
square,  as  to  my  will,  &c.,  &c.,  as  to  have  no  more  thought 
about  them  while  I  live.  We  have  finis.hed  D'Aubigne's  last 
volume,  which  we  have  read  with  great  pleasure ;  the  latter 
part  contains  a  most  striking  evidence  of  the  folly  and  wicked- 
ness of  using  the  armed  power  of  man  in  the  combats  of 
Christianity.  Zwingle  died  miserably  in  the  battle-field ;  the 
peaceable  ^colampadius  happily  in  his  bed  \ 

Yesterday  afternoon,  we  met  dear  John  Henry  and  Mary  at 
Easton,*  only  four  miles  and  a-half,  I  think,  from  our  door ; 
and  entirely  to  our  taste,  as  a  residence  for  them ;  the  country 
lovely.  When  I  was  drinking  of  the  remarkably  pure  water  of 
their  well,  a  prayer  was  raised  in  my  heart  that  the  waters  of 
life  might  flow  abundantly  for  them.  Grant  it,  0  Lord,  for  thy 
mercy  and  for  thy  truth's  sake  I 

4th  mo.,  25th.  Again  I  say  —  what  have  I  to  record? 
Much  of  my  own  utter  weakness  and  poverty  in  spirituals ; 
and  much  of  the  goodness  and  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord, 
who  still  most  graciously  and  undeservedly  encompasses  me 
with  mercies ;  to  which  I  may  add  a  quieter  and  easier  state 

*  The  residence  of  his  son  who  had  been  recently  married. 


500    '  JOURNAL.  1846. 

of  mind  than  is  sometimes  mj  portion.  *  *  An  admirable 
meeting  last  sixth  day,  on  Capital  Punishment,  suggested  by 
the  late  sad  execution ;  ending  with  a  petition  to  the  House 
of  Commons :  also  an  excellent  meeting  of  the  Auxiliary  Peace 
Society,  last  fourth  day,  over  which  I  presided ;  including  an 
address  to  Norwich  in  America,  which  I  trust  will  do  good. 
Our  own  meetings  have  been  comfortable ;  some  of  them 
eminently  so ;  especially  last  fifth  day,  when  the  ministry 
flowed  in  a  quiet  stream.  "As  ye  have  therefore  received 
Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  so  walk  ve  in  him." 

Fourth  mo.,  2Qth.  Under  confinement  for  a  cold  on  the 
chest  through  the  day,  with  my  dearest  wife  for  my  nurse  and 
companion.  We  sat  together  in  sweet  silence,  both  morning 
and  afternoon.  In  the  morning,  prayer  was  vocally  offered 
to  our  mutual  refreshment.  Besides  the  Scriptures,  Bonar's 
Night  of  Weeping,  Daniel  Wheeler,  and  William  Dewsbury 
have  been  our  companions.  We  relish  nothing  so  well,  next  to 
Scripture,  as  the  Journals  of  Friends. 

Third  day  morning.  Still  a  prisoner  at  home,  expecting, 
however,  to  be  abroad  again  to-morrow.  I  am  ready  to  hope 
this  time  of  quiet  secession  may  be  of  use  to  me.  My  state  is 
not  a  high  one ;  much  of  self-loathing,  accompanied  by  some 
degree  of  disquietude,  lest  I  should  not,  after  all,  be  truly  the 
child  of  grace.  Yet  a  good  hope  dwells  with  me,  and  I  think 
I  now  and  then  hear  the  still  small  voice  which  speaks  peace 
to  the  soul.     Truly,  I  am  nothing ;  Christ  is  all. 

TO   ANDREW   BRAND  RAM. 

Earlhana,  5th  mo.,  4tb,  1846. 

I  should  much  have  enjoyed  attending  the  ensuing  Anni- 
versary Meeting  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
but  as  I  cannot  do  this  with  convenience,  I  send  a  donation 
of  <£100  to  the  Parent  Society,  being  thoroughly  persuaded 
that  for  the  three  great  evils  of  the  present  day,  superstition, 
infidelity,  and  crime,  no  better  remedy  can  be  found  than  the 
universal  difi"usion  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  in  all  languages,  and 
without  note  or  comment. 


MT.  6S.  JOURNAL.  501 

In  prosecuting  this  great  and  noble  object,  may  tbe  friends 
of  simple  Christian  truth,  of  every  denomination,  be  encouraged 
by  a  renewed  sense  of  divine  favour,  and  may  the  safe  and 
harmless  principle  of  co-operation  without  compromise,  be  more 
and  more  accompanied  in  the  blessed  work  of  the  Bible  Society 
by  '*the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace!" 

Sixth  day  morning^  \bth  mo.,  8//i.]  Poorliness  continued ; 
so  that  I  did  not  attend  the  Ladies'  Branch  Bible  Society,  at 
the  Gildencroft,  rather  to  my  dissatisfaction ;  but  I  sent  a 
letter  and  a  donation  ;  being  much  bound  in  spirit  to  the  cause. 
I  am  remarkably  divested  now  of  concerns  or  object  of  any 
kind ;  and  should  it  be  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Father  to  take 
me  hence  to  a  now  unseen  state  of  being,  I  humbly  trust  that 
I  may  be  favoured  with  some  peaceful  assurance  that  all  is 
well :  if  so,  it  is  surely  all  of  mercy ;  I  have  nothing  to  hold 
by,  besides  this ;  a«id  seldom  have  I  had  a  clearer  view  of  my 
own  weakness,  and  thorough  unfitness  in  myself,  or  on  the 
score  of  my  own  works,  for  the  bar  of  perfect  discernment  and 
righteous  judgment.  But  there  is  a  feeling  of  the  vast  broad 
wing  of  loving-kindness,  and  unmerited  mercy,  still  spread  over 
me.  I  write  in  this  strain,  not  from  any  alarm  occasioned  by 
my  present  lowisli  state  of  health,  but  rather  from  a  feeling 
of  being  brought  to  a  pause  in  the  current  of  life,  withoui 
much  prospect  of  its  being  preparatory  to  any  particular 
service. 

In  the  Yearly  Meeting,  at  which  he  was  present 
in  usual  course,  a  few  days  later,  an  opportunity 
occurred  for  the  disclosure  of  some  of  his  views  and 
feelings  in  regard  to  his  own  position  as  an  author 
amongst  Friends.  It  was  an  occasion  of  dee'p  interest 
to  many  present ;  one  which  the  event  has  rendered 
the  more  impressive,  this  Yearly  Meeting  being  the 
last  which  he  lived  to  attend. 

*^I  spoke  calmly  and  openly,"  he  writes,  "respecting  raj 


502  JOURNAL.  1846, 

OAvn  standing  as  an  author;  declaring  that  for  thirty-three 
years  since  my  eonvincement,  I  had  endeavoured  faithfully  and 
steadi]}^  to  uphold  the  principles  and  testimonies  of  Friends,  as 
held  from  our  first  rise  to  the  present  day ;  that,  to  the  best 
of  my  knowledge  and  belief,  I  had  never  penned  a  single 
sentence  opposed  to  those  principles;  but,  knowing  my  own 
weakness,  and  taking  into  view  the  differences  in  modes  of 
expression,  &c.,  I  was  quite  willing  to  correct  any  passage  in 
my  works  that  any  Friend  might  point  out  to  me,  so  far  as 
truth  and  propriety  might  demand  it.  I  explained  my  ground 
of  action  respecting  the  Morning  Meeting,  showing  that  I  had 
acted  as  a  faithful  member  of  the  Society,  and  according  to  its 
rules,  which  require  that  any  works  relating  to  the  principles 
of  Friends,  should  be  submitted  thereto.  At  the  same  time  I 
stated  that,  should  it  be  the  judgment  of  the  society  to  extend 
the  rule  farther,  "snz.,  to  all  works  on  religion,  I,  for  one,  was 
quite  prepared  to  comply  with  it.  I  spoke  6n  the  true  ground 
of  Christian  unity ;  and  I  trust  that  a  measure  of  divine 
anointing  accompanied  the  communi cation." 

^th  mo.,  Tth.  We  returned  home  in  peace  and  health,  last 
sixth  day  evening.  Our  sabbath  yesterday  was  restful  and 
serious.  Towards  the  close  of  the  afternoon  meeting,  I  spoke 
a  few  sentences  on  —  "Watch  ye,  therefore,  and  pray  always, 
that  ye  may  be  counted  worthy  to  escape  all  these  things, 
and  to  stand  before  the  Son  of  Man."  May  this  watchful- 
ness, this  always  praying,  be  mine  I  We  feel  tranquil,  happy, 
und  hopeful. 

TO   THE   BISHOP   OF   CALCUTTA, 
(Then  on  a  visit  to  this  country.) 

Norwich,  6th  mo.,  6th,  184S. 

Though  thy  son  kindly  engaged  to  convey  a  message  of  my 
Christian  love  to  thee,  and  of  my  regret  at  having  missed 
thee,  I  am  best  satisfied  to  write  thee  a  few  lines  to  tell  thee 
that  I  was  grievously  disappointed,  on  calling  at  the  Vicarage 
]ast  second  day  morning,  to  find  the  beloved  and  honoured 
.Bishop  of  Calcutta  flown.     I  had   not  given  bim  credit  for 


.^T.  58.  LETTERS.  503 

enough  of  remaining  youthful  vigour  to  steal  away  at  seven 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  I  have  dwelt  much  with  regard  to 
thee,  my  dear  and  valued  friend,  on  the  words  of  Paul, 
"Neither  count  I  my  life  dear  unto  myself,  so  that  I  may 
finish  my  course  with  joy,  and  the  ministry  which  I  have 
received  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace 
of  God."  These  words,  I  doubt  not,  express  the  genuine  feel- 
ings of  thy  heart,  in  the  prospect  of  returning  to  India ;  and 
warmly  do  I  desire  that  the  Lord's  presence  may  go  with  tho<- 
by  land  and  by  sea,  through  many  a  difficulty,  and  many  a 
conflict,  and  may  finally  give  thee  rest. 

0  that  glorious  rest  from  all  sorrow,  and  from  all  sin ;  from 
all  infidelity  and  all  superstition;  from  all  discord,  disputation, 
and  division,  on  the  bosom  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  in  the  pre- 
sence of  his  glorified  saints  !  I  do  believe,  my  dear  friend,  it 
will  be  thine,  in  due  season  ;  and  may  thy  unworthy  friend, 
through  the  unutterable  riches  of  divine  love  and  mercy  in 
Christ  Jesus,  be  also  a  partaker  in  it ! 

True  to  the  principles  wliich  he  had  ever  advo- 
cated on  the  subjects  of  slavery  and  the  slave  trade, 
he  looked  with  great  apprehension  on  the  effort 
that  was  now  renew^ed  in  Parliament  (upon  the  some- 
what inconsistent  plea  of  free  trade)  to  abolish  the 
differential  duties  upon  the  slave-grown  produce  of 
Cuba  and  the  Brazils.  On  this  subject  he  addressed 
the  following  letter 

TO    SIR    ROBERT    PEEL. 

Earlham,  Norwich,  6th  mo.,  15th,  1846 

Respected  Friend, 

Fully  aware  as  I  am  that  I  am  taking  no  small 
liberty  in  writing  to  thee  as  Prime  Minister  in  the  midst  of 
thy  many  and  important  avocations,  I  feel  impelled  to  say 
that  the  Government  has  the  warm  approbation  and  support 
Df  every  true  friend  to  Africa  and  her  afflicted  children  and 


504  TO   SIR  i;oci:r;T  peel.  1846. 

descendants ;  of  every  consistent  supporter  of  the  anti-slavery 
cause,  in  its  declared  intention  of  continuing  the  prohibitory 
duties  on  the  sugars  of  Cuba  and  Brazil.  It  must  surely  be 
evident  to  every  candid  and  reflecting  person,  that  the  opening 
of  our  ports  to  those  sugars  cannot  fail  to  add  a  vast  stimulus 
to  the  African  slave  trade,  with  all  its  horrors  and  abomina- 
tions ;  such  a  stimulus  as  must  countervail,  and  perhaps, 
utterly  nullify,  all  the  efforts  which  the  British  Government  is 
now  making  for  the  suppression  of  that  hateful  and  murderous 
traffic.  Heartily  agreeing  with  the  Government  in  its  noble 
advocacy  of  the  general  principle  of  free  trade,  the  friends  of 
Africa  and  of  the  slave  everywhere  cannot  but  deeply  feel  that 
this  general  principle  ought  to  be  subject  to  the  limitations 
of  humanity,  mercy,  justice,  and  true  Christian  morality,  in 
all  its  branches.  Nor  can  it  be  denied  that  these  will  be  con- 
spicuously sacrificed  at  the  shrine  of  a  merely  worldly  policy, 
if  we  open  our  ports  to  sugars  which  unquestionably  represent 
a  corresponding  amount  of  rapine,  robbery,  bloodshed,  and 
murder.  In  using  these  terms,  I  have  especial  reference  to  the 
African  slave  trade,  on  which  the  sugar-growing  of  Cuba  and 
the  Brazils  at  present  depends.  I  am  aware  that  the  same 
objection  applies,  in  a  subordinate  degree,  to  the  slave  produc- 
tion of  North  America ;  and  deeply  do  the  friends  of  the  anti- 
slavery  cause  lament  that  riveting  of  the  bonds  of  American 
slavery,  and  that  extension  of  the  system,  which  have  been 
and  continue  to  be,  the  results  of  our  ready  admission  of  the 
slave-grown  cottons  of  the  United  States.  Nevertheless,  we 
are  aware  that  the  case  of  Cuba  and  the  Brazils  is  very  much 
stronger,  as  involving,  not  only  the  support  of  slavery,  but  the 
maintenance,  encouragement,  and  certain  increase  of  the  Afri- 
can slave  trade  itself,  against  which  the  British  nation  and 
Government  are  pledged  by  a  long  course  of  profession  and 
action,  and  by  the  most  sacred  principles  of  honour,  as  well  as 
justice  and  mercy. 

What  could  be  more  preposterous  than  our  pulling  down  with 
one  hand  tlie  whole  system  of  national  influence  and  interference 
ngainst  the  slave  trade  which  we  have  been  raising  with  the 
other?     *     *     * 


£1.  58.  ON    THE    SUGAR    DUTIES.  505 

I  trust  thou  wilt  kindly  allow  me  now  to  advert  to  the  other 
branch  of  the  subject,  and  to  say  with  how  much  satisfaction 
we  should  hail  the  entire  extinction  of  the  diiferential  duty  on 
foreign  free-grown  sugar ;  a  measure  which  would  not  only  be 
in  strict  accordance  with  those  great  principles  of  commercial 
policy  which  the  Government  has  so  successfully  advocated, 
but  which  would  have  a  most  decided  tendency  to  weaken  the 
bonds  of  foreign  slavery,  and  to  promote  the  progress  of  eman- 
cipation. After  my  visit  to  Santa  Cruz  in  the  winter  of  1839- 
40,  a  direct  proposal  was  made  to  me  by  one  of  the  principal 
planters,  on  his  own  behalf  and  that  of  his  brethren,  most  of 
them  being  Englishmen,  to  emancipate  their  slaves,  on  condi- 
tion of  their  sugar  being  admitted  into  our  ports  on  the  same 
terms  as  those  of  our  own  colonies.  There  is  strong  reason  to 
believe  that  the  equalization  of  the  duties  on  free-grown  sugars 
would  be  followed  by  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves  in  the 
colonies  both  of  Denmark  and  Holland,  and,  possibly,  it  might 
be  made  the  subject  of  negotiation  and  of  terms  with  those 
countries.  On  my  return  to  England,  I  found  that  the  then- 
existing  treaty  with  Brazil  precluded  such  an  arrangement  with 
Denmark ;  but  as  this  obstruction  is  now  removed,  (as  I  sup- 
pose,) I  trust  this  view  of  the  subject  will  be  embraced  by  the 
Government.  Should  Denmark  and  Holland  emancipate  on 
this  ground,  it  can  hardly  be  supposed  that  France  would 
refuse  to  imitate  their  example,  and  Spain  herself  might  possi- 
bly follow  in  the  train. 

*  *  *  :(:       ■  * 

P.  S.  I  take  the  liberty  of  adding  the  statement  of  my  own 
conviction,  that  the  equalization  of  the  duties  on  free-grown 
sugar,  would  give  such  a  stirdulus  to  the  agricultural  improve- 
ments which  are  now  taking  place  in  the  West  Indian  colonies, 
as  to  enable  them  successfully  to  compete  with  the  producers 
of  foreign  free-grown  sugar,  and  would  thus  ensure  and  enhance 
their  prosperity. 

1th  mo.,  1st.  Political  events  are  peculiarly  interesting. 
The    ministers  have    succeeded  in  the  abolition  of  the  Corn 


506  DECLARATION    OF   FAITH.  1846, 

Laws,  whicli  is  now  law ;  a  law,  I  trust,  which  will  be  greatly 
blessed  to  this  nation.  But  being  beaten  on  the  question  of 
Protection  of  Life  in  Ireland,  they  resign.  On  the  very  day 
of  their  resignation,  comes  the  delightful  intelligence  that  the 
Oregon  question,  vexatissima  as  it  was,  is  settled,  and  peace 
thus  happily  secured  between  Great  Britain  and  America.  *  * 
Truly  thankful  do  I  feel  for  the  result,  to  the  God  of  peace, 
who  has  graciously  heard  and  answered  the  many  prayers  of 
his  children  for  the  peace  of  the  nations. 

Xth  mo.,  27th.  It  has  been  a  favoured  Sabbath  day ;  the 
company  of  Isabel  Casson  very  acceptable  at  both  our  meet- 
ings.; especially  so  this  evening.  Great  solemnity  attended 
us ;  the  meeting  closed  in  prayer.  It  is,  indeed,  very  sweet 
and  encouraging  to  have  felt,  during  the  last  few  days,  some- 
thing of  the  renewed  visitation  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord, 
bearing  witness  with  our  spirits  that  we  are  the  children  of 
God;  and  if  children,  then  heirs!  This  is  a  precious  experi- 
ence of  which  I  feel  myself  to  be  totally  unworthy,  and  for 
which  I  seem  to  myself,  at  seasons,  as  totally  unfit.  But  in 
the  adorable  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord,  I  am  in  some  good 
degree  enabled  to  believe  that  mercy  covers  the  judgment-seat 
as  to  an  hair's-breadth. 

Sth  mo.,  ord.  Yesterday  I  entered  my  59th  year ;  only  one 
year  younger  than  my  beloved  and  honoured  father  when  he 
died.  How  strange  an  advance  in  life  does  this  appear,  since 
an  event,  as  it  were,  of  yesterday ;  so  vivid  is  the  recgllection 
of  it !  I  was  clofiely  engaged  last  week  in  drawing  up  a  decla- 
ration of  my  faith  on  the  Scriptures  ;  the  immediate  operation 
of  the  Spirit;  justification  and  the  "Trinity;"  at  the  request 
of  Stephen  A.  Chase,  of  Salem,  Massachusetts,  who  requires 
it  in  his  defence  of  Friends,  in  a  law-suit  about  Swanzey 
Meeting-House.  Having  printed  the  declaration  in  a  sheet  of 
eicrht  columns,  I  afiirmed  to  it  before  the  mayor  and  two  othei' 
magistrates  of  our  city,  and  then  committed  the  document  to 
the  post.  May  a  blessing  rest  on  this  somewhat  new  and 
sinn^ular  act  of  my  life,  for  which  I  think  I  had  a  measure  of 
the  feelin^r  of  divine  sanction  ! 


2RT.  59.        •  DECLARATION    OF   FAITH.  '  ^07 

This  declaration  will  be  found  in  the  x\ppendix  to 
the  present  volume.  In  a  letter  to  his  daughter,  dated 
8th  mb.,  4th,  he  says  in  reference  to  it :  — 

It  has  appeared  a  providential  opening  for  explaining  my- 
self, and  for  showing  the  utter  groundlessness  of  the  charge  of 
my  differing  from  the  Society  in  its  primitive  sentiments  and 
principles.  I  have  felt  the  solemnity  of  thus  stereotyping  my 
faitiij  yet  much  peace  has  attended  it. 


508  APPROACH    OF   THE    END.  1846. 


CHAPTER  XLVII. 

1846—47.     ^T.  59. 

HIS  •LATEST    ENGAGEMENTS     IN    THE    WORK    OF    THE     MINISTRY  J 
JOURNEY  TO  DARLINGTON;    LAST  ILLNESS,  DEATH,  AND  FUNERAL. 

If  there  be  an  interest  belonging  to  each  varied 
period  in  the  progress  of  the  Christian  traveller, 
that  interest  can  scarcely  fail  to  be  deepoicd,  as  he  is 
observed  drawing  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  consumina- 
tion  of  all  his  hopes.  Though  death  may  at  times 
cast  its  shadow  before,  yet  the  consciousness  of  its 
gradual,  but  certain  approach,  tends  rather  to  quicken 
his  diligence,  and  to  cheer  him  onward  in  the  near 
prospect  of  the  long-looked-for  prize. 

Reflections,  such  as  these,  may  have  not  unnaturally 
already  presented  themselves  to  the  mind  of  the 
reader;  who  has  now  only  to  watch  Joseph  John 
Gurney's  calm  and  peaceful  course  during  the  few 
remaining  months  of  his  life. 

The.  autumn  of  1846  was  spent  quietly  at  home; 
with  the  exception  of  engagements  connected  with 
the  attendance  of  the  Meetings  of  Friends  in  his- 
own  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  with  what  proved  a 
farewell  visit  to  his  beloved  daughter,  at  Darlington, 
and  to  his  friends  in  several  places  on  his  way 
home. 


^T.  59.  JOURNAL.  50tf 

The  followinof  are  from  his  Journal :  — 


'O 


Sth  mo.,  25tJi.  0  that  I  may  be  more  and  more  entirely 
pubject  to  the  spiritual  government  of  Christ !  Probably  a 
little  more  of  service,  in  the  promotion  of  his  cans?  in  tfie 
earth,  may  arise,  not  very  far  from  home,  and  without  much 
delay.  There  is  great  peace  in  looking  back  on  the  meetings 
so  far  held  under  my  present  minute.  If  my  state  in  the  mean 
time  is  that  of  poverty,  with  much  quietness,  and  deep  nothing- 
ness, why  should  I  complain  ?  Why  should  I  not  rather 
rejoice,  and  be  thankful  ? 

9th  mo.,  1st.  First  day,  after  much  lowness  of  mind,  was 
greatly  favoured.  The  meeting  at  Diss,  in  the  morning,  was 
fully  and  tinexpectedly  attended  by  a  crowd  of  respectable 
persons,  and  was  very  solemn — "  This  God  is  our  God  for  ever 
and  ever:  he  will  be  our  guide  even  unto  death."  In  the 
evening,  an  overflowing  public  meeting  at  Tivetshall  —  "0 
Death,  where  is  thy  sting,"  &c.  These  words  came  clearly  into 
my  mind  as  we  approached  the  meeting-house,  and  I  believe  at 
the  moment  when  I  passed  a  cottage  where  an  awfully  sudden 
death  of  a  young  mother  had  just  taken  place,  though  we  knew 
nothing  of  it.  Great  solemnity  crowned  the  meeting.  Good 
family-sitting  in  the  morning,  including  the  poor  young  man 
who  had  just  lost  his  wife ;  after  which,  we  returned  home. 
Dearest  Anna  and  her  boy  came  to  us  in  safety  in  the  .after- 
noon, to  our  great  joy;  and  to-day,  dear  John  Henry  and 
Mary  have  happily  joined  our  circle.  So  that  we  have  our 
children  around  us,  and  it  may  be  we  are  washing  our  steps 
with  butter,  and  the  rock  is  pouring  us  out  a  suflBciency  of  that 
holy  oil,  which  alone  qualifies  for  the  service  of  the  Lord. 
Ought  I  not  be  hopeful,  faithful,  thankful? 

dth  mo.,  9fh.  Yesterday,  [at  Lowestoft,]  I  spent  a  pleasant 
and  entertaining  hour  or  two  with  John  and  Francis  Cunning- 
ham, at  Dr.  Whewell's,  with  whom  we  discoursed  on  Cambridge 
worthies,  and  moral  philosophy.  Afterwards,  he  showed  us 
the  moon  through  his  fine  telescope,  when  we  had  a  clear  view 
of  the  honey-comb  appearance  of  her  surface,  (on  the  side 
partially  shadowed.)     This  appearance  is  supposed  to  bespeak 


510  JOURNAL.  1846. 

obsolete  craters  In  mountains ;  though  it  seems  there  is  a  light 
visible  in  one  or  more  of  them,  ■which  indicates  the  yet  burning 
volcano. 

9th  mo.,  IQtJi.  A  considerable  degree  of  tranquillity  prevails 
afthe  close  of  this  week.  May  a  due  preparation  for  a  true 
Sabbath  day  of  rest  and  worship  be  felt  this  evening  !  Prayer 
was  poured  forth  after  reading,  this  morning.  "William 
Forster's  company  at  breakfast,  and  afterwards,  truly  accept- 
able ;  he  is  so  entirely  one  with  us  in  feeling  and  sentiment ; 
such  a  firmly-supporting,  yet  tenderly-sympathizing  friend  and 
brother.  Our  darling  grand-son  is  a  great  pleasure  to  us. 
How  many,  0  Lord,  are  the  blessings,  temporal  and  spiritual, 
which  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  pour  into  our  cup.  As  this 
cup  of  blessing  overflows,  may  our  hearts  overflow  with  love 
and  gratitude  towards  thee,  our  God  and  Saviour ! 

Second  day  morning.  I  hope  and  believe  our  Sabbath 
yesterday  was  a  profitable  one.  The  meetings  were  both  well 
attended ;  that  in  the  morning  silent,  profoundly  so  I  think ; 
that  in  the  afternoon  exercising  to  me,  for  though  I  deeply 
felt  the  weight  of  the  subject,  and  my  Insufiiclency  for  any 
such  service,  I  was  bound  to  unfold  the  subject  of  ccnsciencey 
the  moral  faculty ;  its  corruption  and  perversion  under  the 
fall;  hence  the  necessity  of  a  new  birth  unto  righteousness, 
and  of  the  purging  of  the  conscience  from  the  stain  of  pasc 
sin,  by  the  sprinkling  of  the  blood  of  Christ,  through  a  living 
faith  in  him,  the  one  great  sacrifice  for  sin. — "  I  trust  I  have 
a  good  conscience.."  Since  all  this  experience  of  vital 
Christianity  is  needful  to  a  good  conscience,  we  need  not 
wonder  at  this  modest  way  of  expressing  himself,  even  In  the 
Apostle  Paul — who,  after  his  reconciliation  with  God,  exercised 
himself  to  keep  a  conscience  void  of  offence  In  the  sight  of 
God  and  man.  In  this  work  he  could  have  no  success,  except 
through  the  Illumination  and  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  by 
which  alone  the  conscience  is  truly  enlightened,  quickened, 
and  kept  alive.  Thus,  then,  after  being,  through  repentance 
and  faith,  placed  In  possession  of  a  good  conscience,  we  cannot 
keep  that  InvaJuable  boon,  except  by  watchfulness  and  prayer, 
and  unreserved  obedience  to  the  guidance  and  government  of 


^T.  59.  JOURNAL.  511 

Christ  by  his  spirit.  Finally,  if  our  heart  condemn  us  not, 
then  have  we  peace  with  God.  —"Mark  the  perfect  man,  and 
beheld  the  upright;  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 

^th  mo.,  2'dt'h.  We  have  had  a  very  full  and  interesting 
time;  the  shifting  scenes  of  no  uninstructive  magic  lantern 
having  passed  before  us  from  day  to  day,  and  hour  to  hour. 
Through  all,  though  somewhat  fatigued,  we  have  been  favoured 
with  true  and  solid  peace.  On  second  day  arrived  our  dear 
and  valu'ed  friends,  Elizabeth  Dudley  and  her  sister,  and  very 
satisfactory  to  us  all  has  been  the  week's  visit  which  they  have 
paid  us.  On  fourth  day  we  had  a  large  Bible  Society  com- 
pany to  breakfast,  forty  in  all,  and  a  good  time  with  them  of 
Scripture  reading,  (Isaiah  Ix,)  and  afterwards  of  solemn 
prayer.  The  Bible  Meeting  that  day  (J.  T.  Pelham  in  the 
chair)  was  excellent ;  many  clergymen  present.  I  spoke  easily 
to  myself,  and  to  the  satisfaction,  I  trust,  of  the  meeting.  The 
Quarterly  Meeting,  on  fifth  day,  was  not  very  large,  but  Eliza- 
beth Dudley's  testimony  was  sound  and  valuable.  All  cleared 
away  in  peace  this  morning,  so  that  we  are  again  our  home 
party,  with  dear  John  C.  and  Anna.  On  the  whole,  many  and 
rather  extraordinary  have  been  our  gospel  privileges  during 
this  passing  period. 

On  his  return  from  his  visit  to  Darlington,  he 
writes :  — 

Wth  mo.,  ^rd.  We  look  back  on  our  late  journey  and  its 
accompaniments  with  much  satisfaction,  and  I  trust,  humble 
gratitude.  Much  has,  in  a  quiet  way,  been  accomplished,  of 
which  I  can  now  give  only  a  brief  summary.  A  very  agreeable 
passing  visit,  on  our  way,  to  the  beloved  Upton  family.  A 
satisfactory  and  comforting  week  with  our  dearest  children  at 
Blackwell,  with  their  engaging  little  boy.  Attendance  of 'the 
Quarterly  Meeting  at  Darlington,  a  very  refreshing  and  memo- 
rable time  ;  Monthly  Meeting  at  Stockton  ;  three  first  days  at 
Darlington ;  altogether  a  series  of  meetings,  for  which  we  had 
abundant  cause  to  be  thankful. 

A  highly  interesting  visit  of  two  days  to  Ackworth ;  good 


512  JOURNAL.  1846. 

times  with  the  children,  particularly  a  concluding  attempt  at  a 
scientific  lecture.     New  hope  attends  the  institution. 

The  selection  of  a  site  on  the  school  estate  to  be  purchased 
and  given  for  our  Flounders'  Normal  School.* 

A  happy  visit  of  two  days  to  Upton  on  our  return ; 
finding  our  dearest  brother  quite  vigorous  again.  Sixth  day 
last,  the  touching,  yet  satisfying  funeral  of  dear  John  Lister. 
It  was  a  favour  to  find  ourselves  again  in  the  right  place,  and 
at  the  needful  hour.  The  unity  and  good  fellowship  of 
Friends,  during  the  whole  of  this  time,  have  been  animating 
and  encourao-inof. 

I  have  found  time  for  reading  the  Greek  Testament  as 
usual ;  Scott's  Force  of  Truth,  and  some  of  his  Essays ; 
Yigilantius  and  his  Times ;  part  of  John  Foster's  Life  and 
Letters ;  and  his  Essay  on  Popular  Ignorance.  All  this  I  have 
enjoyed,  as  I  have  drawing  for  recreation. 

To-day,  though  not  feeling  very  well,  I  am  much  prizing  and 
enjoying  our  quietness,  and  Earlham  is  bright  with  sunshine. 

The  distress  wliich  was  at  this  time  prevalent  in 
Ireland,  owing  to  the  failure  of  the  potato  crop, 
deeply  affected  Joseph  John  Gurney's  feelings. 
He  was  among  the  foremost  in  encouraging  the 
efforts  that  were  then  made  hy  the  Society  of 
Friends  in  this  country  and  in  Ireland,  on  behalf 
of  the  starving  population ;  and  warmly  did  he 
second  his   beloved   friend  William  Forster,  in   that 

*  "The  Flounders'  Institute,"  for  the  trainina;  of  young  men  as 
teachers  among  Friends,  originated  in  the  gift  of  £40,000,  three  per 
cent,  consols,  by  Benjamin  Flounders,  of  Yarmouth.  The  trustees 
not  having  power  to  purchase  land  for  a  site  with  the  principal 
sum,  Joseph  John  Gurney  gave  the  £500  required  for  this  purpose ; 
the  purchase  being  completed  by  his  executors  after  his  decease. 
On  the  site  thus  furnished,  the  necessary  buildings  have  been  since 
erected,  and  the  establishment  has  been  for  some  years  in  active  and 
ifficient  operation. 


aST.  59.  JOURNAL    AND    LETTER.  513 

spirit  of  Christian  devotedfiess  in  whicli  he  gave  him- 
self up,  during  the  winter,  to  a  laborious  visitation  of 
the  afflicted  districts. 

11th  mo.,  IStJi.  Very  interesting  communication  with 
Friends,  on  the  subject  of  poor,  miserable,  starving  Ireland. 
Dear  William  Forster  seems  bent  on  being  our  ambassador 
thither.  I  think  it  is  a  case  which  requires  not  merely  sub- 
scription, but  sacrifice ;  and  his  sacrifice  is  a  noble  one ;  mine, 
only  pecuniary.     May  I  not  say — "  Filthy  rags  !" 

TO   JOHN   HODGKIN. 

Norwich,  21st  of  12th  mo.,  1846. 

*  *  *  *  I  believe  it  is  far  from  being  shallow  work  to  get 
down  to  a  thorough  sense  and  inward  acknowledgment  that,  in 
his  chastening,  God  "  doeth  all  things  well ;"  not  only  right- 
eously, but  as  a  Father  full  of  loving-kindness.  Perhaps 
nothing  is  so  trying  to  our  faith  as  aflliction  on  a  large  scale, 
(such  as  sweeping  starvation  in  Ireland,)  unless  it  be  vice  and 
cruelty  on  a  still  larger,  as  in  the  case  of  tUe  slave  trade ;  but 
there  is  a  point  of  reposing  faith  and  quiet  resignation,  to 
which  the  mind  may  be  brought,  and  in  which  it  may  be 
anchored ;  wherein  the  heartfelt  feeling  and  blessed  assurance 
is  given  that  God  doeth  all  things  rightly ;  that  his  "  tender- 
mercies  are  over  all  his  works;"  that  "though  clouds  and- 
'darkness  are  round  about  him,  righteousness  and  judgment  are 
the  habitation  of  his  throne."  * 

We  are  going  on  very  comfortably  at  Earlham,  and  are 
favoured  to  look  back  with  peace  and  comfort  on  our  late 
engagement  in  visiting  several  small  meetings,  and  in  holding 
some  public  ones.  I  am  not  aware  that  I  remember  any  occa- 
sion of  the  kind  in  which  the  Great  Master  of  our  assem- 
blies was  felt  to  be  nearer  for  the  help  of  his '  most  poor 
servant. 

ll/7t  mo.,  21st.  Yesterday,  a  delightfully  quiet  day  at 
home.  Dearest  sister  Buxton  with  us  to  dine  and  lodge ;  a 
blessed  time  of  prayer  after  our  reading  this  morning ;  and 

Vol.  II.  —  38 


514  LAST    ENTRIES  1846. 

since  breakfast  we  have  had  a  most  agreeable  wander  in  the 
bright  chrysanthemized  garden.     Who  has  the  same  pleasure 
•  in  flowers  that  I  have  ?     I  trust  it  is  not  idolatrous.     Can  it 
be,  that —  . 

Froin  Pai-adise  to  Paradise  my  upward  course  extends, 

IMy  Paradise  of  flowers  on  earth,  in  heaven's  elysium  ends ! 

0  how  deeply  and  thoroughly  unworthy  am  I  of  all  the 
Lord's  benefits  ! 

\2th  mo.,  Sth.  Just  returned  from  a  solemn  and  comforting 
visit  to  the  sick  and  probably  dying  chamber  of  nurse  Norman ; 
my  old  nurse,*  who  has  lived  eighty  out  of  her  eighty-nine 
years  in  the  cottage  at  the  bottom  of  the  park,  which  she  now 
inhabits.  I  trust  and  believe  all  is  and  will  be  well  with  her, 
for  Christ's  sake. 

We  went  to  Yarmouth  last  seventh  day,  and  returned 
yesterday.  Our  visit  to  the  little  meeting,  and  to  several 
Friends  during  the  day,  and  more  particularly  a  well-attended 
and  quiet  public  meeting  in  the  evening,  were  relieving  and 
comforting.  The  preceding  first  day,  at  Norwich,  was  also  a 
'TQod  day ;  Friends  being  well  gathered  together,  I  trust,  as 
before  the  Lord. 

12tJi  mo.,  loth.  Quietly  at  home,  and  rejoicing  in  my 
privacy.  I  felt  somewhat  of  the  sweetness  and  benefit  of 
prayer  on  my  first  rising  this  morning ;  and,  in  dependence  on 
the  Spirit  of  grace  and  supplication,  desire  for  myself  and 
others,  a  greater  diligence  in  fulfilling  this  often-commanded 
and  most  salutary  duty.  We  have  been  permitted  to  enjoy  a 
happy  Quarterly  Meeting.  I  thought  we  were  graciously 
favoured  with  evidence  during  the  day,  that,  as  a  people, 
though  very  poor,  we  are  not  yet  forsaken. 

My  subscription  of  X500  to  Ireland,  has  at  length  been 
well  backed  up  by  the  accompanying  list.  This  is  a  comfort 
to  me ;  it  is  a  vast  case  of  physical  woe.  The  Lord  help 
them,  and  feed  them,  and  overrule  all  for  good !  It  is  my 
prayer  that  I  may  be  delivered  from  all  self-complacency,  and 

*  See  supra,  vol.  1,  p.  '20. 


2ET.  59.  IN   JOURNAL.  '  515 

may  be  more  and  more  prostrate  befoie  the  Lord,  in  deep 
humility.  All  that  I  am  and  have  are  undoubtedly  his.  In 
the  matter  of  giving,  there  is,  in  private  cases,  very  much  in 
the  precept,  "Let  not  your  left  hand  know,"  &c.  In  public 
charities,  while  parade  is  abominable,  I  think  the  Christian 
ought  not  to  shrink  from  openly  acting  up  to  the  true  Chris- 
tian standard,  on  the  principle  of  "  Let  your  light  shine  before 
men." 

Second  day  morning,  12th  mo.,  2StJi,  1846.  We  were 
favoured  with  good  and  fairly-attended  meetings  yesterday, 
and  a  good  time  after  the  evening  reading.  Two  deaths  have 
occurred  in  our  circle ;  one  of  nurse  Norman,  in  her  ninetieth 
year,  we  reverently  believe  in  peace;  the  other,  that  of  my 
long-loved  and  greatly-esteemed  brother-in-law,  Samuel  Hoare. 
He  was  at  the  Refuge  on  fourth,  the  Bank  on  fifth,  and  public 
worship  on  sixth  days;  pursuing  his  active,  honourable,  and 
useful  course  to  the  end,  just  as  he  would  most  have  wished  to 
do.  He  was  possessed  of  lively  piety,  and  great  perseverance 
in  his  Christian  course.  Can  we  for  a  moment  doubt  that  he 
rests  in  peace  ?  I  was  very  uncomfortable  and  poorly  last 
ni^ht,  and  feel  a  good  deal  indisposed  this  morning.  Yet  I 
think  I  may  venture  to  the  district  committee  for  a  short 
time. 

The  foregoing  was  the  last  memorandum  penned  by 
Joseph  John  Gurney.  On  his  return  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  District  Visiting  Society,  which  he 
attended  with  difficulty,  he  complained  of  great 
exhaustion,  feverishness,  &c.  A  few  simple  remedies 
were  administered ;  but  the  uncomfortable  symptoms 
remaining,  his  medical  man  was  summoned  on  the 
following  morning.  At  first,  liowever,  he  had  no. 
apprehension  of  a  serious  termination  of  the  malady ; 
and  the  calmness  and  cheerfulness  of  the  invalid 
were  calculated  to  inspire  the  hope  of  a  speedy 
recovery. 

The  summer  had  been  one  of  peculiar  enjoyment 


516  LAST   DAYSi  1846 

to  Llm ;  everything  gave  liim  pleasure,  and  he 
frequently  observed,  whilst  roaming  over  his 
delightful  lawns  and  gardens,  "  I  never  saw  this 
dear  old  place  look  so  lovely  before  —  my  cup  is  full 
of  blessings."  The  warmth  and  brightness  of  the 
Aveather  no  doubt  contributed  to  his  enjoyment ;  but 
it  also  seemed  as  if  the  dawning  of  that  new  sense 
was  breaking  in  upon  him,  which  apprehends 
those  good  and  glorious  things,  "  which  eye  hath 
not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  hath  it  entered 
into  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive;"  —  as  if  he  had 
even  then  a  little  foretaste  of  eternal  joy.  His  love 
of  nature  was  at  all  times  remarkably  strong,  but  it 
appeared  to  be  greatly  increased  during  the  last  few 
months  of  his  life  ;  and  perhaps  there  were  few,  to 
whom  the  beautiful  words  of  the  poet  would  more 
fittingly  apply:  — 

His  are  the  mountains,  and  the  valleys  his, 
And  the  resplendent  rivers  —  his  to  enjoy 
With  a  propriety  that  none  can  feel, 
But  who,  with  filial  confidence  inspired, 
Can  lift  to  heaven  an  unpresumptuous  eye, 
And  smiling  say,  "  My  Father  made  them  all  !"• 
Are  they  not  his,  by  a  peculiar  right, 
And  by  an  emphasis  of  interest  his; 
Whose  eye  they  fill  with  tears  of  holy  joy, 
Whose  heart  with  praise,  and  whose  exalted  mind, 
With  worthy  thoughts  of  that  unwearied  love, 
That  planned,  and  built,  and  still  upholds,  a  woi'ld 
So  clothed  with  beauty,  for  rebellious  man  ? 

During  the  greater  part  of  the  summer,  he  was 
unusually  vigorous,  and  appeared  to  be  very  desirous 
of  fulfilling  the  numerous  demands  that  were  made 
upon    him.      Indeed,    it    was    evident    that    he    was 


SIT.  59.  LAST   DAYS.  517 

dwelling  un5er  a  solemn  consciousness  tliat  "Time 
is  short"  —  that  we  must  work  while  it  is  called 
"to-c7a^."  He  had  several  engagements  in  hand, 
which  cost  him  considerable  exertion  both  of  mind 
and  body,  and  when  thej  were  completed,  he 
smilingly  observed,  "  Now  I  believe  I  may  say,  I 
have  at  least  set  my  outward  house  in  order,  which 
is  a  great  comfort."  On  the  confidence  being 
expressed,  that  not  the  outward  house  only,  but 
the  spiritual  building  also  was  in  readiness,  he 
replied,  "  I  trust,  through  pardoning  meraj^ 
that  it  may  be  so,  but  of  myself  I  am  the 
very  poorest  and  the  most  infirm  of  human 
creatures."  It  was  truly  instructive  to  observe, 
that,  with  an  earnest  and  abiding  endeavour  to 
maintain  a  conscience  void  of  offence  towards  God 
and  man,  so  deep  was  his  humility,  that  he  invari- 
ably spoke  of  himself  as  falling  far  short  of  the 
mark ;  frequently  saying,  he  had  the  most  abasing 
sense  of  all  his  own  performances,  and  the  strongest 
conviction,  that,  if  he  were  saved  at  last,  "  it  would 
be  all  of  grace ;  the  free,  full,  pardoning  mercy  of 
God  in  Christ  Jesus."  Tlie  depth  of  the  riches  of 
the  love  of  Christ,  the  fullness  and  universality  of 
divine  grace,  were  the  themes  on  which  he  delighted 
to  dwell;  and  the  following  was  among  the 
Scripture  texts  from  which  he  derived  especial 
consolation :  — ''  Let  Israel  hope  in  the  Lord,  for 
with  the  Lord  there  is  mercy,  nnd  %vith  him  is 
plenteous  redemption,  and  he  shall  redeem  Israel 
from  all  his  iniquities.^'  During  the  last  few 
months,  it  was  his  resulnr  practice  to  commit  .1. 
hymn  to  memory  while  dressing  in  the  morning, 
and    the    ease    and    facility   with    which    this   was 


518  LAST    DAYS.  1846. 

accomplished  were  very  striking.  The  Waiting 
Soul,  by  Cowper,  was  one  of  his  particular  favourites. 
How  often  was  he  heard  feelingly  to  repeat  the 
stanza  which  contains  the  lines  :  — 

And  every  door  is  shut  but  one, 
And  that  is  merci/'s  door ! 

He  greatly  enjoyed  his  last  visit  to  Darlington ; 
the  little  companies  of  friends  and  relatives  which 
gathered  around  him  in  the  early  autumn ;  his  quiet 
settled  evenings  w^ith  his  own  home  party ;  in  short, 
the  Avorld  seemed  clothed  for  liim  in  smiles  and 
sunshine.  But  upon  hearing  of  the  sufferings  of 
the  Irish  poor,  his  deepest  sympathies  were 
awakened,  and,  for  several  Vv'eeks,  his  exertions  on 
their  behalf  were  unremitting.  He  not  only  con- 
tributed largely  to  their  relief  himself,  but  wrote 
many  letters  to  his  friends  and  acquaintance 
urging  them  to  do  the  same ;  until  at  last,  feeling 
thoroughly  oppressed  by  a  sense  of  the  extent  of 
their  calamity,  he  observed,  "I  think  I  had  rather 
not  hear  any  more  of  these  affecting  statements, 
they  are  almost  too  mirch  for  me.  I  believe  I  can 
do  no  more,  and  therefore  I  must  try  to  leave  the 
subject."  This  he  was  enabled,  in  good  measure, 
to  do;  and  he  then  gave  his  mind  with  renewed 
earnestness  to  the  claims  of  the  Norwich  Poor; 
in  many  instances  increasing  his  annual  subscrip- 
tions, and  devising  new  channels  for  their  relief. 
It  was  on  his  return  from  a  meeting  of  the  District 
Society,  in  which  he  made  a  warm  and  impressive 
appeal  on  their  behalf,  that  his  horse  fell,  and  threw 
him,  in  descending  Orford  Hill ;  and  •  although  his 
friends   were   not   aware   of  his   being   seriously   In- 


^T.  59.  LAST   DAYS.  619 

jured  at  the  time,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  acci- 
dent was  the  exciting  cause  of  the  illness  which 
terminated  in  death.  This  was  on  the  22nd  of  the 
12th  month.  On  the  following  day  he  complained 
a  little  of  his  back,  but  attended  a  committee  in 
the  morning,  and  in  the  evening  the  meeting  o(" 
ministers  and  elders,  preparatory  to  the  Quarterly 
Meeting,  in  which  he  was  memorably  engaged  to 
the  tendering  of  many  hearts.  When  he  sat  down 
there  was  a  heavenly  solemnity  to  be  felt,  and  some 
who  were  present  were  impressed  with  the  belief, 
that  they  should  never  all  meet  together  there 
again.  An  awful  sense  was  given  of  a  great  change 
being  at  hand. 

The  ensuing  week  he  continued  to  attend  to 
his  various  avocations  with  increasing  diligence : 
driving  to  and  from  Norwich,  in  his  pony-chair, 
during  the  inclement,  snowy  weather,  because,  he 
said  "it  looked  self-indulgent  to  use  the  carriage 
now  he  was  so  well."  His  old  nurse,  who  had 
occupied  a  cottage  in  the  park  for  eighty  years,  was  in 
her  dying  illness,  and  he  repeatedly  called  in  and 
ministered  to  her. 

In  the  seventh  month  he  had  obtained  a  minute 
to  visit  all  the  little  meetings  of  Friends  which 
compose  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Norfolk  and 
Norwich,  and  to  appoint  others,  with  those  not  pro- 
fessing with  Friends,  should  his  mind  be  drawn  to 
the  service.  This  gave  him  an  opportunity  of 
personal  communication  with  almost  all  the  little 
tiock,  over  whom,  it  might  in  truth  be  said,.  "  the 
Holy  Ghost  had  made  him  an  'overseer.'"  Some  of 
the  public  meetings  which  he  held  on  this  occasion 


520  LAST    DAYS.  1846. 

were  very  large,  and  enihiently  favoured ;  and  the 
testimonies  delivered  in  the  meetings  for  Friends 
were  remarkably  clear  and  powerful;  so  that  it  may 
truly  be  said  to  have  been  a  bright  winding  up  of 
his  ministerial  career.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  last 
meeting,  which  was  held  about  a  fortnight  previous 
to  his  illness,  he  observed,  that  he  did  not  see  any 
thing  more  before  him,  and  that  he  was  almost 
inclined  to  believe  his  work  in  tliis  way  was  done. 
On  First  day  morning,  the  27th  of  the  twelfth  month, 
as  he  was  setting  off  with  his  family  to  meeting,  he 
received  the  tidings  of  the  sudden  death  of  his 
valued  brother-in-law,  Samuel  Hoare.  He  heard 
them  with  calmness,  and  was  closely  exercised  in 
ministry  during  the  meeting,  dwelling  much  and 
impressively  on  the  text  —  "Thine  are  we,  David, 
and  on  thy  side,  thou  son  of  Jesse.  Peace,  peace 
be  to  thee,  and  peace  be  to  thy  helpers,  for  God 
lielpeth  thee."  On  his  return  home,  he  alluded  to 
the  removal  of  his  brother  Buxton,  and  his  sister 
^Fry  ;  and  remarked,  with  strong  emphasis,  "  We  four 
were  closely  banded  together  in  benevolent  objects 
for  many  years,  and  I,  who  was  the  most  delicate, 
am  now  the  only  one  remaining.  I  feel  this 
seriously."  He  then  walked  down  to  the  cottage 
of  his  old  nurse  to  look  at  her  remains,  she  having 
died  a  few  days  previously.  An  expression  of  sweet 
serenity  dwelt  upon  his  countenance  as  he  stood  by 
the  coffin  in  her  little  chamber,  and  he  seemed  to 
have  a  sense  of  her  rest  and  blessedness  as  he  ex- 
claimed, "  Poor  old  nurse !  she  appears  to  have 
passed  away  most  peacefully.  0  what  a  favour ! 
may  it  be  so  with  me  when  my  turn  comes!"      At 


^T.  59.  LAST   DAYS.  521 

the  close  of  the  afternoon  meeting,  he  bowed  the 
knee  in  very  solemn  prayer,  adverting  to  the  great 
nncertainty  of  all  things  temporal,  and  fervently 
petitioning  that  "every  hindering  and  obstructing 
thing  might  be  done  away;  and  we  prepared,  through 
the  abounding  riches  of  redeeming  love,  to  join  the 
countless  company  who  now  surround  the  throne, 
ascribing  glory  and  honour,  salvation  and  strength, 
to  the  Lord  God  Omnipotent,  and  to  the  Lamb." 
The  deej)  and  touching  pathos  of  his  voice,  and  the 
earnestness  of  the  appeal,  caused  a  thrilling  sensa- 
tion in  many  hearts,  and  the  question  arose,  '•  Can 
it  be  possible  that  that  voice  will  never  more  be 
heard  within  these  walls?"  During  the  Scripture 
readins;  with  the  villa2;ers  at  the  Hall  in  the  evening, 
he  was  engaged  in  a  striking  manner  on  the  awful 
consequences  of  delaying  preparation  for  a  dying 
hour,  alluding  very  instructively  to  the  two  deaths 
which'  had  just  occurred,  and  ending  with  the  im- 
pressive exhortation — "  Be  ye  also  ready,  for  at  suck 
an  hour  as  ye  think  not  the  Son  of  Man  coraeth."' 
These  were  his  last  words  in  ministry  with  the 
servants  and  cottagers  collectively;  speedily  and 
solenmly  M'ere  they  confirmed  by  the  event  which 
followed ! 

On  second  day  morning,  the  28th,  he  attended 
the  committee  of  the  District  Visiting  Society,  a. 
intimated  in  the  last  entry  in  his  Journal,  and 
returned  home  in  a  state  of  great  exhaustion.  But 
his  medical  man  pronounced  it  a  slight  bilious 
attack,  and  seemed  to  have  no  anxiety  about  his 
recovery.  It  is  very  apparent,  from  his  private 
journals,   that   Joseph    John    Gurney  had    a   strong 


522  LAST   ILLNESS.  1846. 

constitutional  dread  of  death;  and  the  peacefiilness, 
and  almost  painlessness  of  his  illness,  may  surely  be 
reckoned  among  those  "  sparing  mercies,"  to  which 
lie  often  and  feelingW  alluded.  He  had  frequently 
spoken  of  his  natural  sensitiveness  to  pain,  and 
expressed  a  fear  that  he  should  not  have  fortitude 
to  meet  the  sufferinc;s  of  advin";hour;  and,  on  the 
remark  being  made  on  one  occasion,  that  the  near 
approach  of  death  was  often,  in  mercj",  veiled  from 
the  view,  or  we  were  so  shielded  as  not  to  be  sensible 
of  its  gloom,  lie  answered  —  "Yes,  we  are  very  ten- 
derly dealt  with ;  and  I  have  sometimes  thought, 
through  sparing  mercij,  that  it  might  be  so  with 
me,"  —  repeating,  with  a  beaming  expression  of 
countenance,  those  beautiful  lines  on  the  death  of  a 
believer :  — 

"  One  gentle  sigh  their  fetters  breaks, 
We  scarce  can  say  they're  gone, 
Before  the  willing  spirit  takes 
Its  mansion  near  the  throne." 

Remarkably  was  this  verified  in  his  experience.  So 
gently  sloped,  so  beautifully  brightened,  was  his  passage 
to  the  silent  tomb,  that  it  might  be  truly  said,  death 
had  no  sting,  the  grave  no  victory.  Everything 
that  was  done  for  him  excited  his  gratitude;  his 
heart  overflowed  with  affection  to  tliose  around  him; 
and,  when  any  of  the  servants  came  into  the  room, 
he  would  employ  them  in  some  little  office  of  kind- 
ness, knowing  it  Avould  gratify  them  to  be  so 
employed. 

He  liked  to  hear  a  portion  of  the  Scriptures  every 
day,  and  was  much  interested  in  the  Life  of  William 


-^ET.  59.  LAST    ILLNESS.  523 

Allen,  &c.  One  morning  the  hymn  was  read  to  him 
which  commences  with  the  words 

Rejoice  for  a  brother  deceased, 
Our  loss  is  his  infinite  gain. 

The  last  verse  he  appeared  to  feel  particularly; 
exclaiming,  at  the  conclusion,  "  delightful,  that  is 
indeed  delightful." 

On  fifth  day  night,  he  was  low  and  sorrowful ;  for 
a  little  moment,  his  Saviour  seemed  to  have  hidden 
his  face  from  him,  and  he  said  in  a  tone  of  sadness, 
"  I  feel  so  devoid  of  any  good,  and  as  if  I  had 
no  power  to  lift  up  my  heart  in  prayer."  It  was 
remarked,  that  we  have  a  merciful  High  Priest,  who 
is  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  and  who 
sees  and  knows  the  desire  of  the  hearts  of  his  children, 
9ven  when  we  have  no  ability  to  manifest  it;  to  which 
he  sweetly  replied,  "that's  true,  that's. very  true,  and 
I  think  I  may  rest  there." 

Sixth  day  was  altogether  a  low  day.  In  the 
evening,  after  a  short  time  of  profound  stillness,  he 
broke  forth  in  strains  of  solemn,  fervent  prayer. 
This  was  rendered  more  impressive  by  the  touching 
feebleness  of  his  voice.  It  was  evidently  a  relief 
to  him,  and  he  had  a  quiet  night;  but  on  seventh 
day,  although  both  nourishment  and  stimulants 
had  been  pretty  freely  administered,  his  strength 
was  decidedly  failing.  As  this  state  of  things  con- 
tinued, it  was  determined,  on  first  day  afternoon, 
to  send  for  a  physician  from  London,  who  was 
requested  to  come  down  immediately,  by  special 
train.      During     the     morning,    he     several     times 


524  LAST   ILLNESS.  1846. 

alluded  to  the  "The  Declaration  of  Faith,"  which  had 
been  sent  to  America  a  few  months  previously,* 
observing,  "  It  would  have  been  a  great  satisfaction 
to  me  to  have  heard  how  that  testimony  is  likely  to 
answer.  I  believe  I  had  the  right  sanction  for 
sending  it,  and  trust  it  will  be  useful  to  Friends." 
In  the  course  of  the  day,  a  note  was  received  from 
a  Friend,  expressive  of  cordial  approbation  of  it, 
and  of  a  full  persuasion  "that  it  would  prove  an 
instrument  of  good  to  the  Society,  clearing  the 
views  of  the  honest-hearted,  and  convincing  the 
gainsayers  that  they  had  both  misunderstood  and 
misrepresented  him."  This  seemed  like  a  message 
sent  to  cheer  him  at  this  solemn  hour.  On  his 
being  made  acquainted  with  it,  a  sunny  smile  lit  up 
his  pallid  countenance,  and  he  appeared  to  accept 
it  as  a  token  that  a  blessing  would  descend  on  this, 
his  latest  effort  with  the  pen,  to  uphold  those 
spiritual  views  and  Christian  testimonies  which  he 
had  unflinchingly  supported  and  proclaimed  for 
more  than  thirty  years ;  and  which  he  continued  to 
believe  were  founded  in  iha  very  trutJi.  In  the 
evening  his  mind  wandered  a  little,  as  it  had  done 
the  evening  before ;  yet  it  was  interesting  to  observe 
the  marked  indications  of  his  habitual  self-control 
and  self-collectedness,  even  during  these  short 
periods  of  occasional  rambling.  About  eleven  o'clock, 
on  second  day  morning.  Dr.  Prout  arrived.  He  had 
often  consulted  him  in  London,  seemed  pleased  to 
hear  he  was  in  the  house,  and  wished  him  asked  up 
immediately.  When  he  entered  the  room,  he  wel- 
comed   him    cheerfully,    and    gave    hini    an    exact 

*  See  supra,  p.  506. 


MT.  59.  AND    DEATH.  525 

account  of  all  his  symptoms.  It  was  a  moment  of 
intensely  touching  interest.  Prout  took  the  patient's 
hand  in  his,  sought  for  his  pulse,  gave  an  expressive 
look  at  Dalrymple,  and  hastening  away  to  conceal 
the  feelings  which  almost  overpowered  him,  he  un- 
hesitatingly pronounced  him  a  di/ing  man!  Deeply 
affecting  as  was  this  announcement  to  his  tenderly- 
attached  connections,  they  felt  it  a  duty  still  to  use 
every  effort  to  increase  his  strength,  in  the  fond 
hope  that  the  physician  might  have  been  mistaken, 
and  that  he  yet  possessed  the  power  to  rally.  But 
all  proved  unavailing.  Soon  after  his  last  interview 
with  Prout, 'he  fell  into  a  profound  sleep,  which 
continued  till  about  five  o'clock,  when  a  sudden 
gleam  of  heavenly  pleasure  lighted  up  his  coun- 
tenance ;  and,  turning  towards  his  wife,  he  sweetly 
said,  "I  think  I  feel  a  little  joyful,  dearest,"  and  again 
dropped  into  a  tranquil  slumber.  Soon  after  this  he 
sank  lower  and  lower;  unconsciousness  came  on, 
and  such  of  his  deeply  afflicted  family  as  were 
favoured  to  be  present  at  this  awful  hour  sat  by  his 
bed  in  perfect  stillness,  until  his  breathing  had  be- 
come imperceptible,  and  they  knew  that  the  spirit  had 
returned  to  God  who  gave  it.  "  Having  served  his 
generation  by  the  will  of  God,  he  fell  asleep."  So 
gently  did  his  spirit  pass  away,  so  sweet  was  the 
peace  shed  on  his  departure,  that  for  some  moments 
his  bereaved  family  almost  lost  the  consciousness  of 
their  irreparable  loss,  in  the  blessed  sense  that  was 
given  them  of  the  fulness  of  his  joy.* 

*  This  account  is  taken   from   memoranda  made  at  the  time  by 
one  of  Joseph  John  Gurney's  family. 


526  HIS   DEATH.  1847. 

His  death  took  place  on  the  4tli  of  the  1st  month, 
1847,  in  his  59th  year.  The  event  at  once  awakened 
a  deep  and  intense  feehng  throughout  a  widely 
extended  circle.  "  The  loss  to  this  w^orld,"  writes 
one  of  his  earliest  friends,  in  "the  withdrawal  of 
such  a  man,  the  removal  of  such  an  example,  the 
quenching  of  such  a  light,  is  more  and  greater  than 
any  of  us  can  imagine."  These  were  reflections 
that  doubtless  filled  many  hearts,  as  they  turned 
towards  themselves,  and  those  who  were  left  behind; 
whilst,  on  his  account,  the  blessed  assurance  was 
granted  that  all  was  rest,  and  peace,  and  everlasting 
love. 

The  sensation  in  Norwich  and  its  neighbourhood 
cannot  easily  be  described ;  and  is  probably  without 
precedent  in  the  case  of  a  mere  private  individual. 
During  the  entire  interval  of  seven  days,  between 
his  decease  and  the  funeral,  the  half-closed  shops,  and 
the  darkened  windows  of  the  private  houses,  gave  un- 
equivocal testimony  of  the  feelings  of  the  inhabitants. 

"It  has  furnished,"  says  an  eye-witness,  "the  principal 
topic  of  conversation  in  every  family,  in  every  private  circle, 
in  every  group  by  the  way-side.  Persons  of  all  classes 
and  of  every  age,  however  various  in  opinion  on  other 
subjects,  have  united  in  their  high  estimate  of  the  character 
of  the  deceased,  and  in  the  melancholy  satisfaction  of  re- 
calling excellencies  of  which  now,  alas !  the  memory  alone 
remains.  Each  individual  has  had  his  own  story  to  tell 
of  some  public  benefit,  or  of  some  kindness  shown 
to  others  or  himself;  and  innumerable  acts  of  beneficence, 
long  forgotten  amidst  the  crowd  of  more  recent  instances, 
have  been  related  and  listened  to  with  the  mournful  pleasure 
incident  to  such  a  theme.  The  very  street-gossip  of  Norwich 
during  the  past  week,  if  it  could    have   been    collected   and 


1847.  AND    FUNERAL.  527 

recorded,,  would  doubtless  furnish  an  almost  unparalleled  tri- 
bute to  departed  worth.* 

"  The  funeral  itself,  as  might  have  been  expected  from  these 
unusual  preliminaries,  was  an  extraordinary  scene.    The  entire 

*  Thoroughly  as  Joseph  John  Gurney's  religious  views  and  feel- 
ings, as  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  were  understood,  it  wa^s 
observed,  as  among  the  many  striking  proofs  of  the  estimation  in 
which  he  was  held  by  his  fellow-citizens,  that  the  subject  of  his  death 
was  at  the  time  publicly  adverted  to  in  most  of  the  places  for  reli- 
gious worship  in  Norwich,  and  amongst  the  rest,  by  the  Bishop, 
(the  late  Bishop  Stanley,)  in  the  Cathedral.  The  apology  made  by 
the  Bishop  on  the  occasion,  for  venturing  upon  such  a  subject,  afiFordy 
no  mean  testimony  at  once  of  his  high  estimate  of  Joseph  John 
Gurney's  character  as  a  Christian  Quaker,  and  of  his  own  well-known 
Catholicity  of  mind. 

"  He  who  is  removed  from  amongst  us,  and  whose  loss  every 
member  of  our  church  must,  deplore,  it  is  time,  was  not  of  our  com- 
munity; but  who  will  be  bold  enough  in  intolerance  to  say  that 
thereby,  or  in  consequence  thereof,  his  salvation  was  in  jeopardv? 
Can  we  doubt  that  he,  whose  peacefid  life  was  one  unwearied 
comment  on  evangelical  charity  in  its  fullest  and  most  expanded 
sense,  —  of  whom  it  may  be  said  to  the  very  letter,  that  when  the 
ear  heard  him,  then  it  blessed  him ;  when  the  eye  saw  him,  it  gave 
witness  to  him,  because  he  delivered  the  poor  that  cried,  and  the 
fatherless, —  their  blessing  came  upon  him,  for  he  caused  the  hearts 
of  all  and  each  to  sing  for  joy;  —  to  say,  I  repeat,  or  to  give  a 
moment's  heed  to  a  doubt  of  his  acceptance  with  God,  on  the  ground 
of  his  differing  from  us  in  church  membership,  would  be  indeed,  and 
in  verity,  a  mockery  of  the  Bible,  a  perversion  of  gospel  truth,  a 
libel  upon  Christianity  itself.  Let  it  not  be  said  that  I  am  giving 
utterance  to  an  opinion  at  variance  with  the  language  of  our  Church, 
in  its  18th  article,  which  maintains,  and  justly  maintains,  that  he  is 
censurable  who  '  presumes  to  say  that  every  man  shall  be  saved  by 
the  law  or  sect  that  he  professeth.'  Far  be  such  a  sentiment  from 
me,  believing,  as  I  do,  in  the  words  of  that  same  article,  setting  out 
unto  us  only  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesu5  Christ,  whereby  man  must 
be  saved.  And  a  firmer  believer  in  the  merits  of  that  Saviour  it 
might  be  difficult  to  find,  than  the  humble-minded  Christian  of  whom 
I  am  now  speaking."  See  Life  of  Bishop  Stanley,  by  his  son,  pp. 
163,  164. 


52&  FUNERAL*  1847. 

city  suspended  business,  in  order  to  witness  or  to  take  part  in 
it,  A  number  of  gentlemen,  among  •whom  were  the  Mayor, 
the  ex-Mayor,  and  the  Sheriff,  went  out  in  carriages  as  far  as 
Earlham  Hall,  about  two  miles  distant  from  Norwich.  Other 
persons,  including  a  large  portion  of  the  scholars  of  Palace 
Street  British  Schools,  walked  to  the  same  spot.  The  proces- 
sion set  out  from  Earlham  at  about  ten  o'clock.  It  consisted 
of  the  hearse,  and  the  carriages  containing  the  relatives,  fol- 
Jowed  by  the  equipages  which  had  arrived  from  Norwich,  making 
in  all  more  than  fifty,  and  accompanied  by  a  considerable 
number  on  foot.  It  was  understood  to  be  the  wish  of  the 
family,  that  no  empty  carriages  should  attend.  A  simplicity, 
in  harmony  alike  with  the  practice  of  the  Society  of  Friends, 
and  with  the  habits  and  character  of  the  departed,  marked  all 
the  arrangements.  As  was  fitting  in  such  a  case,  there  was 
no  parade,  no  hired  sorrow,  no  needless  insignia  of  grief.  As 
the  procession  moved  on  towards  the  city,  it  was  met  by  a 
gradually  increasing  number  of  the  inhabitants,  who  had  issued 
forth  in  a  continuous  stream  to  pay  their  last  tribute  to  the 
memory  of  Joseph  John  Gurney.  Silently  and  sadly  they 
stood  while  the  hearse  passed  slowly  by ;  and  many  a  tearful 
countenance,  among  the  crowd,  bore  witness  to  their  sympathy 
with  the  surviving  relatives,  and  their  reverential  attachment 
to  the  dead.*  All,  however,  appeared  to  be  impressed  with 
the  solemnity  of  the  occasion,  and  with  the  desire  to  preserve 
a  becoming  order. 

"At  St.  Giles'  gate,  a  body  of  Sunday  School  teachers,  to  the 
number  of  about  two  hundred,  joined  the  procession,  already 
greatly  swollen  by  numbers ;  and  which,  continually  growing  as 
it  went  along,  slowly  passed  on  to  the  burying-ground  attached 
to  the  Friends'  Meeting-house  in  the  Gildencroft.     At  about 

*  The  event  was  especially  felt  by  the  school  children  of  the  poor. 
"  The  Workhouse  children,"  says  a  private  letter  on  the  occasion, 
"  boys  and  girls,  when  they  heard  the  hearse  coming,  ran  sobbing 
into  the  front  chamber,  where  their  mistress  was,  and  were  so  vio- 
lently affected,  she  feared  they  would  fall  from  the  windows.  The 
whole  effect  of  his  death,"  continues  the  writer,  "  and  the  way  in 
which  it  has  been  kept  and  honoured,  is,  I  believe,  unequalled  almost 
in  public  history." 


1847,  FUNERAL.  529 

half-past  elevei  the  hearse  arrived  at  the  narrow  gateway  lead- 
ing to  the  burying-ground,  from  whence  the  coffin  was  borne  to 
the  grave  by  six  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  followed 
by  the  mourners. 

"  After  the  procession  had  surrounded  the  grave,  a  profound 
silence  ensued,  according  to  the  simple  but  solemnly  appro 
priate  practice  of  the  '  Friends.'  This  was,  at  length,  broken 
by  a  brief  reference  to  the  55th,  56th,  and  57th  verses  of  the 
15th  chapter  of  the  1st  of  Corinthians.  '  0  death,  where  is 
thy  sting  ?  0  grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ?  The  sting  of  death 
is  sin;  and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the  law.  But  thanks  be 
to  God  which  giveth  us  the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ !'  Another  pause  took  place,  followed  by  another 
address.  The  coffin  was  then  lowered.  It  was  an  impressive 
and  aifecting  moment.  The  circle  of  mourning  relatives,  the 
surrounding  crowd  of  spectators  —  scarcely  less  moved  or  less 
attached  to  the  deceased  —  persons  of  all  ranks,  of  all  ages, 
of  all  communions,  magistrates  and  artizans,  clergymen  and 
dissenting  ministers.  Churchmen,  Independents,  Baptists, 
Methodists,  and  Friends  —  in  short,  representatives  of  the 
whole  population  of  Norwich,  now  took  their  last  farewell  of 
Joseph  John  Gurney;  slowly  turning  their  footsteps  towards  the 
meeting-house,  where  a  meeting  for  religious  Avorship  was  to  be 
held.  The  occasion  was  deeply  impressive,  and,  pervaded  as 
it  was  throughout  by  the  spirit  of  pure  Evangelical  Catholic 
Christianity,  formed  an  appropriate  conclusion  to  the  funeral 
of  such  a  man. 

"  Thus  terminated  the  proceedings  of  a  day  when  the  simple 
obsequies  of  a  private  individual  were  converted  by  the  whole 
body  of  his  fellow-citizens  into  a  memorial  of  his  exalted 
virtues,  and  of  their  irreparable  loss."  * 

*  From  the  Norfolk  News  of  the  16th  of  the  1st  mo.,  [January.] 
1847.  The  account  of  Joseph  John  Gurney  printed  in  this  Journal, 
was  written  by  his  long-esteemed  and  much-valued  friend,  John 
Alexander,  and  though  necessarily  brief,  contains  a  striking  and 
impressive  portraiture  of  his  life  and  character.  It  was  afterwards 
revised  and  published  in  a  more  convenient  form,  under  the  tide  of  a 
Brief  Memoir  of  Joseph  John  Gurney. 

Vol.  II.  — 84 


530  CONCLUSION. 

So  was  he  loved  and  honoured  even  in  death. 
It  were  easy  to  multiply  the  proofs  of  the  deep  and 
lasting  impression  which  he  had  made  upon  those 
who  fell  within  the  range  of  his  influence.  But 
such  an  attempt  must  at  best  very  inadequately 
disclose  that  which  can  only  be  fully  discovered 
when  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  are  made  manifest. 
It  will  be  more  instructive,  in  connexion  M'ith  the 
marked  and  impressive  testimony  thus  borne  by 
sorrowing  multitudes,  to  a  life  long  devoted  to  the 
services  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion,  to  recur  once 
more,  in  conclusion,  to  that  humble  view  of  himself, 
that  true  and  deep  sense  of  his  own  nothingness 
and  entire  dependence  upon  God,  which  had  given 
brightness  and  maturity  to  his  character,  and  in 
v,-hich  lay  the  secret  of  his  strength  and  of  his  joy. 

"From  me  most  assuredly,"  are  his  emphatic  words,  in  the 
short  preface  to  his  Autobiography,  "  all  boasting  is  excluded. 
If  it  has  been  given  me  to  partake  of  some  poignant  sorrows, 
they  were  no  more  than  I  deserved ;  if  ten  thousand  pleasures 
and  enjoyments  have  been  poured  into  my  lap,  they  have  been 
bestowed  of  the  pure  bounty  of  God ;  if  a  measure  of  intellec- 
tual activity  and  power  has  fallen  to  my  lot,  it  is  his  gift  alone, 
a  gift  very  inadequately  used  for  a  purpose  of  his  glory ;  and, 
above  all,  if  I  have  had  the  happiness  of  knowing  and  loving 
the  Saviour,  and  of  serving  him  at  the  cost  of  much  that  I 
have  held  dear,  it  is  not  of  myself,  but  all  of  grace.  All  of 
grace  most  assuredly  it  is,  that  I  have  not  fallen  a  prey  to  the 
deceiver  and  accuser  of  man ;  and  that,  while  the  Lord  has 
condescended  to  employ  me  in  his  service,  I  have  been  permitted 
to  entertain  the  blessed  hope  of  a  glorious  immortality,  Avhere 
sin  and  sorrow  are  known  no  more." 


EECOLLECTIONS.  5S1 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  JOSEPH  JOHN  GURNEY. 


BY  HIS  DAUGHTER, 

(Written  principally  for  her  Son,  in  the  brief  interval  between  her  Father's  decease 

and  her  own.) 


Animus  vero,  non  me  deserens,  sed  respectans,  in  ea  profecto  loca 
discessit,  quo  mihi  ipsi  cernebat  esse  veniendum. — Cicero  de  SenecL 


The  earliest  impression  which  I  can  distinctly  recall  of  my 
dearest  father,  was  in  the  East  room,  at  Earlham,  which  he 
used  as  his  own,  after  my  mother's  death.  As  very  little 
children,  we  were  in  the  habit  of  being  with  him  while  he 
dressed  in  a  morning,  and  I  well  remember  that  he  kindly 
allowed  me  to  use,  as  my  playthings,  the  things  he  kept  in  his 
pockets.  His  countenance  and  figure  are  so  impressed  on  my 
mind,  as  they  appeared  in  later  years,  that  I  cannot  call  up  a 
distinct  image  of  him  as  he  must  have  been  then.  Yet  surely 
I  do  remember  him  with  his  brown  hair,  his  high  colour,  and 
his  beaming  countenance.  At  the  time  I  am  speaking  of, 
(three  years  after  my  mother's  death,)  I  think  his  face  wore  a 
grave,  yet  always  peaceful  expression ;  and  he  was  ready  at  all 
times  for  a  good  game  of  play  with  us.  But  he  was  leading 
a  very  busy  life,  and  we  were  consequently  very  little  with 
him.  Another  picture  that  I  have  of  him  in  my  mind  is 
when  standing  in  the  garden  near  the  hall  door,  delighting  in 
the  flowers,  as  he  always  did,  and  watching  my  brother  and 
me  who  were  playing  about  him.  I  can  now  see  his  eye, 
resting  with  intense  delight  on  "  Jacky,"  as  he  called  him,  (a 
name  which  no  one  else  was    to  use,)  and  whose  originality 


532  HIS  daughter's 

and  talent  were  a  source  of  constant  interest  and  pleasure  to 
him.  On  our  part  we  were  excessively  fond  of  our  father — at 
the  same  time  his  word  was  law  ;  it  never  entered  our  minds, 
I  believe,  openly  to  disobey  him ;  and  I  am  reported  to  have 
been  in  the  habit  of  informing  visitors,  that  "  papa  required 
implicit  obedience."  We  were  very  little  children  when  he 
began  occasionally  to  take  us  into  his  study,  for  times  of 
religious  retirement  and  prayer.  After  sitting  a  short  time  in 
^"ilence,  he  would  often  kneel  down,  and  pour  forth  his  prayers 
in  the  most  simple  words  he  could  use.  I  think  I  never  shall 
forget  the  very  great  solemnity,  the  holy,  and  to  me,  as  a  little 
child,  the  almost  awful  feeling  of  some  of  these  occasions. 
"VVe  continued  this  practice,  at  times,  till  he  went  to  America, 
and  I  well  remember  when  he  gave  us  some  parting  religious 
advice  at  that  time,  that  he  spoke  with  comfort  of  these  seasons 
of  retirement,  and  said  that  he  hoped  he  had  in  some  measure 
fulfilled  his  paternal  duty,  in  endeavouring  to  train  us  in  the 
habit  of  prayer.  It  was  a  subject  he  constantly  pressed  on 
our  attention,  beojcrinor  us  to  be  most  reo-ular  in  reading  the 
Scriptures  to  ourselves,  in  private,  morning  and  evening,  and 
in  endeavouring  to  wait  upon  the  Lord.  Having  mentioned 
this  subject,  I  think  I  must  not  omit  another  which  he  also 
very  frequently  pressed  on  our  attention,  so  that  they  are 
connected  in  my  mind,  as  those  on  which  he  spoke  to  us  the 
most  often  and  the  most  earnestly.  This  was  the  immediate 
and  perceptible  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  a  doctrine  which 
he  endeavoured  to  explain  to  us,  and  the  practical  application 
of  which  he  tried  to  make  us  feel,  even  at  a  very  early  age ; — 
"  the  golden  clue,"  as  he  called  it,  a  clue  by  which  he  was 
himself  led,  both  in  small  things  and  great,  more  than  any 
other  person  that  I  ever  knew.  As  we  grew  up,  and  as  our 
intimacy  with  him  deepened,  we  saw  in  himself,  I  think  I 
may  say,  a  striking  exemplification  of  his  own  views. 

But  I  must  return  to  our  childhood.  As  soon  as  we  could 
read,  it  was  our  daily  ofiice  to  read  a  psalm  to  him  in  the  early 
morning.  Deeply  serious,  and  attentive,  was  his  countenance 
at  these  times.  When  once  this  habit  was  begun,  he  could 
not  bear  us  to  spend  the  time  in  any  other  way,  never  allowing 


RECOLLECTIONS.  533. 

US  ta  talk  to  him,  but  making  us  read  until  he  was  quite 
dressed.  I  do  not  think  that  at  that  very  early  period  we  had 
any  other  Bible  reading  with  him  than  this,  (except,  of  course, 
the  regular  family  reading.)  Religious  instruction,  however, 
we  had  much  from  him  in  the  way  of  conversation.  Often, 
while  we  were  taking  a  ramble  in  the  park,  he  would  endeavour 
to  impress  upon  us  the  great  doctrines  of  Christianity,  and 
especially  the  peculiar  principles  of  Friends.  He  was  strict 
with  us  about  using  the  plain  language,  and  before  we  could 
fully  understand  the  reason  for  it,  the  habit  was  completely 
established,  so  that,  though  we  were  constantly  with  people 
not  Friends,  we  never  had  the  least  difficulty  in  using  it.  His 
anxiety  and  feeling  on  this  subject  are  among  the  points 
which  I  most  vividly  remember  from  my  very  early  childhood. 
But  while  be  thus  endeavoured  to  cultivate  a  taste  for  our 
own  peculiar  path,  he  was  always  ready  to  acknowledge  the 
good  in  those  who  did  not,  in  everything,  agree  with  him, 
and  freely  allowed  us  to  associate  with  the  great  variety  of 
guests  who,  at  this  time,  frequented  Earlham.  Strong  indeed 
is  my  impression  of  the  v/arm  v,'elcome  he  gave  to  all  "  the 
excellent  of  the  earth,"  of  whatever  sect  or  position  in  life. 
He  delighted  in  the  society  of  such ;  and  when  religion  was 
united  with  fine  intellectual  powers,  their  company  was  quite 
a  feast  to  him.  He  always  acted  on  the  principle  of  "learning 
something  from  every  one,"  and  early  advised  us  to  do  the 
same.  One  of  our  most  frequent  and  most  welcome  visitors, 
at  this  time,  was  Henry  Tacy ;  a  very  kind  friend  to  us  as 
children,  and  I  think  my  dear  father  must  have  much  enjoyed 
his  company.  I  can  well  remember  watching  them  in  many 
an  earnest  and  interesting  conversation.  Such  visitors  we 
frequently  had,  but  it  is  striking  to  me  to  remember  how  he 
kept  up  our  respect  for  a  different  class,  I  mean  the  Norfolk 
Friends,  who  always  found  a  warm  welcome  at  Earlham.  He 
used  to  say  the  Quarterly  Meeting  suppers  put  him  in  mind 
of  the  "love-feasts"  of  the  early  Christians.  He  certainly 
trained  us  to  treat  travelling  ministering  Friends  with  the 
greatest  respect,  I  was  going  to  say  reverence ;  and  their 
coming  to  Earlham  was  always  a  pleasure  to  us  all.     There  is 


534  HIS  daughter's 

no  one  who  was  more  cordially  welcomed  by  him,  in  these  early 
days,  than  Jonathan  Hutchinson.  He  was  a  picturesque 
person,  his  white  hair  hanging  almost  to  his  shoulders ;  his 
countenance  full  of  dignity  and  peace.  I  well  remember  my 
dear  father's  affectionate  attention  to  him.  He  used  to  say 
"  he  was  a  thorough  Christian  gentleman,  refined  by  nature 
and  by  grace."  I  was  about  seven  years  old  when  our  father 
left  us  for  a  long  journey  in  Ireland,  a  circumstance  which  I 
mention  chiefly  for  the  sake  of  recording  our  intense  joy  at 
his  return.  I  shall  never  forget  the  feeling  of  receiving  him  at 
our  Brighton  lodgings,  where  we  had  been  staying  with  my 
aunt  Eachel  Gurney,  who  was  there  for  the  benefit  of  her 
health.  How  I  did  jump  when  I  saw  him,  screaming  oUt,  "It 
is  papa !  it  is  papa !"  without  the  least  power  of  running  to  meet 
him  1  And  I  have  vividly  before  me  his  countenance  at  that 
moment,  showing  a  perfect  counterpart  of  our  joy !  We 
returned  home  soon  after  this,  and  the  next  event  of  import- 
ance was  his  bringing  our  new  "  mamma"  to  Earlham.  It  was 
one  of  our  lovely  Norfolk  evenings,  in  early  autumn,  when 
they  arrived.  We  children  were  waiting  for  them  in  anxious 
expectation,  when  the  carriage  drove  up.  I  was  awed  at  being 
introduced  to  my  new  mamma,  for  I  had  never  seen  her  before, 
but  was  directly  at  ease  with  her ;  and  I  can  fancy  that  I 
caught  his  evident  happiness.     *     *     *i= 

I  cannot  attempt  to  give  the  history  of  the  next  few  years, 
but  will  just  mention  those  points  which  made  the  strongest 
impression  on  me.  I  have  no  doubt  his  married  life  was  a  very 
happy  one,  though  our  mother's  delicate  health  often  brought 
him  into  much  anxiety.  They  particularly  enjoyed  their 
Greek  Testament  readings,  after  breakfast,  in  the  sitting- 
room.  This  was  a  time  they  were  never  to  be  interrupted ; 
after  that,  my  father  went  into  his  study,  and  was  closely  en- 
gaged in  writing,  only  walking  for  a  few  minutes  in  the  garden, 
"thinking  out  a  sentence,"  as  we  children  used  to  say.  At 
twelve,  his  horse  came  round ;  and,  as  I  sat  at  my  lessons,  I  used 
to  hear  him  run  up-stairs  to  take  leave  of  my  mother,  and 
then  ride  off  to  the  Bank.  He  often  came  back  at  three  or 
four,  and  called  directly  for  her  t'o  take  a  walk  with  him. 


EECOLLECTIONS.  5S6 

We  dined  in  those  days  at  five,  and  I  have  since  thought  how 
good  it  was  for  us  that  we  were  early  transferred  from  the 
nursery  to  the  dining-room,  and  had  all  our  meals  with  the 
family.  This  gave  us  the  opportunity  of  being  with  them 
more  than  we  otherwise  could.  But  we  always  went  to  lessons 
again  after  dinner.  The  only  exception  to  this  was  sometimes 
in  the  summer,  when  we  all  took  delightful  walks  together  in 
the  beautiful  evenings.  Most  happy  are  the  remembrances  of 
Bome  of  those  rambles  in  the  park  and  meadows !  Our  aunt 
Catherine  continued  to  reside  at  Earlham,  and  took  a  most 
valuable  part  in  our  education.  My  dear  father  always  enjoined 
it  upon  us  to  treat  her  with  the  greatest  respect  and  affection, 
often  telling  us  how  very  much  he  owed  to  her  himself.  As  we 
grew  older,  he  took  more  part  in  the  superintendence  of  our 
studies,  especially  in  the  Bible ;  often  giving  us  subjects  on 
which  to  find  texts,  a  plan  which  he  thought  particularly  cal- 
culated to  excite  our  interest  in  the  study  of  the  Scriptures, 
and  which  was  always  a  pleasure  to  us.  He  was  very  parti- 
cular about  our  Latin  lessons,  and  wished  us  to  begin  Greek, 
that  we  might  read  the  New  Testament  with  him.  I  believe  it 
was  a  great  effort  for  him  to  make  up  his  mind  to  send  John 
Henry  to  school,  and  every  succeeding  holiday  I  remember  how 
heartily  he  felt  his  going.  He  often  wrote  to  him,  and  fre- 
quently letters  of  serious  advice.  "Exercise  for  the  body, 
learning  for  the  intellect,  religion  for  the  soul."  This  I  remem- 
ber was  a  sentence  in  one  of  his  letters,  and  earnestly  did  he 
press  all  upon  him,  but  especially  the  last.  He  seldom  parted 
from  me,  for  any  visit,  without  a  word  of  caution  and  advice. 
Just  as  I  was  going  off  to  Northrepps,  one  day,  he  whispered 
to  rae,  "  Keep  near  to  that  which  will  keep  thee" — words  which 
have  returned  to  me  often  and  often,  for  my  help.  Most  bit- 
terly did  he  suffer  if  he  saw  us,  even  as  children,  doing  wrong. 
I  painfully  remember  the  sorrow  of  seeing  him  weep,  when 
I  was  very  young,  because  he  thought  I  had  been  persevering 
in  a  falsehood.  It  was  a  punishment  far  greater  than  any 
other  he  could  inflict ;  yet  it  was  the  means  of  increasing  my 
extreme    reverence    for  my  father ;    all    my  feelings    became 


536  HIS  daughter's 

more  tender  to  him,  after  having  caused  him  so  much  pain,  and 
I  felt  the  value  of  such  a  friend,  when  mj  young  mind  was 
oppressed  with  the  sense  of  sin. 

During  the  next  few  years,  my  father  was  often  from  homa 
on  his  relijrious  encasements.  The  longest  of  these  absences 
was  his  journey  in  Scotland,  when  he  Avas  laid  up  with  his 
lame  leg  in  Edinburgh,  during  which  time  that  delightful 
little  MS.,  the  Chalmeriana,  was  Avritten.  Surely  his  habit 
of  making  the  most  of  every  circumstance  that  could  turn  to 
profit,  was  one  of  the  most  striking  features  in  his  character. 
Never  to  "miss  an  opportunity"  was  one  of  his  mottoes.  Ho 
was  in  the  practice  of  recording  any  incident  of  interest  in  the 
shape  of  letters  to  his  children.  To  this  we  owe  his  little 
MSS.  about  Wilberforce  and  our  Grandmother  Fowler, 
and  the  Afternoon  at  Cambridge,  and  Morning  at  Oxford.* 
He  had  great  accuracy  of  memory,  and  a  remarkable  power 
of  putting  down  conversation,  without  losing  its  spirit.  I 
well  remember  the  afternoon  he  spent  with  Simeon,  when  I 
was  with  him,  how  busily  he  occupied  himself  the  next  morn- 
ing, as  we  travelled  in  the  carriage,  in  putting  down  the  inci- 
dents of  that  occasion.  During  these  years,  he  was  very  much 
occupied  with  public  objects.  The  Bible  Society  and  Anti- 
Slavery  cause  engaged  him  much,  and  most  deep  was  the 
interest  he  took  in  them.  His  purse,  and  still  more  his  mind 
;ind  time,  were  always  at  their  service,  and  he  attended  many 
of  the  county  Bible  Meetings.  I  remember  his  animated 
speeches  ;  how  he  threw  life  into  these  little  meetings,  rousing 
up  the  indifferent  by  his  kind  manner  to  themselves,  and  by  his 
own  devotion  to  the  cause. 

One  of  the  most  marked  events  in  each  year,  was  the  Bible 
Meeting  party ;  perhaps  these  occasions  were  particularly 
likely  to  be  great  epochs  to  a  child.  At  all  events,  they  v.'ere 
so  to  me.  From  the  time  that  my  dearest  father  put  me,  as  a 
little  child,  on  the  table  afdcssert,  to  look  at  a  party  of  ninety, 
the  largest  we  ever  had,  till  they  were  discontinued,  I  looked 
forward  to  them  as  a  great  treat.     But  they  were,  for  better 

*  See  S2ipra,  vol.  I.,  pp.  451 — 4Go  ;  and  498 — 506. 


RfiCOLLECTIONS.  •  537 

reasons,  occasions  of  extreme  interest,  and  I  have  no  doubt 
■were  the  means  of  great  good,  in  uniting  many  in  Christian 
fellowship,  who  would  otherwise  have  known  each  other  only 
by  name.  Though  my  dearest  father  steadily  maintained  his 
own  views  as  a  Friend,  he  was  always  ready  to  give  a  warm 
welcome  to  the  individuals  who  came  down  to  attend  the 
meetings  of  the  Missionary  and  Jewish  Societies,  which  were 
held  in  the  same  week  with  that  of  the  Bible  Society.  He 
treated  the  missionaries  and  agents  with  the  greatest  kind- 
ness, and  helped  them  in  those  parts  of  their  objects  in  which 
he  could  do  so  consistently  with  his  principles,  especially  in 
the  distribution  of  the  Hebrew  Scriptures  to  the  Jews,  and  in 
the  School  of  the  Missionaries.  He  certainly  had  a  remark- 
able power  of  showing  love  and  friendship  towards  his  fellow- 
Christians,  whilst  he  always  openly  acknowledged  and  main- 
tained his  own  opinions  on  particular  points.  A  more  com- 
plete illustration  of  this  part  of  his  character  there  could  not 
be,  than  in  his  management  of  the  very  large  parties  at 
Earlham  of  which  I  am  speaking.  His  brothers-in-law,  (my 
uncles  Buxton  and  Cunningham,)  who  were  his  ready  helpers 
on  such  occasions,  asked  whom  they  liked  to  the  meetings, 
and  certainly  the  dining-room,  filled  on  those  days,  was  no 
common  sight.  It  was  so  different  from  a  party  called 
together  for  mere  amusement :  so  fine  a  feeling  pervaded  the 
whole  ;  while  he,  as  master,  Avas  wonderfully  able  to  keep  up 
the  tone  of  conversation,  so  that  I  should  think,  it  never  sank 
to  a  mere  chit-chat  level.  My  impression  is,  that  while  he 
greatly  felt  the  responsibility  of  these  occasions,,  he  most 
truly  enjoyed  them,  having  often  around  him  those  whose  con- 
versation was  a  feast  to  him,  such  as  Wilberforce,  Simeon,  Legh 
Richmond,  John  Cunningham,  and  many  others. 

I  never  saw  my  dear  father  look  more  beautiful  than  he  did 
at  the  bottom  of  those  loner  tables.  As  soon  as  the  cloth  was 
removed,  he  would  extract  their  various  stores  of  information 
from  different  individuals  in  the  most  happy  manner.  Thus 
the  time  was  turned  to  account,  and  I  have  no  doubt  these 
days  were  often  very  profitable  to  many,  as  it  was  his  most 
earnest  desire  they  should  be.    His  own  loving  spirit  was  caught 


538  HIS  daughter's 

hj  all  around,  and  I  must  believe  it  was  in  great  measure 
owing  to  the  depth  of  his  charity  that  there  was  such  remark- 
able unity  among  those  whom  he  assembled  around  him. 
Dear  old  H.  Scarnell,  (a  worthy  Friend,  who  had  lived  some 
years  at  Earlham,  in  the  capacity  of  housekeeper,)  always  came 
on  the  day  of  the  Bible  meeting,  and  I  have  often  heard  her 
relate  with  delight,  how  one  day  she  came  late,  when  all  were 
seated,  and  she  Avas  about  to  retreat  from  the  dining-room, 
seeing  no  place  for  her,  when  my  father  caught  sight  of  her, 
called  after  her  most  kindly,  and  placed  her,  as  she  expressed 
it,  "  between  himself  and  Lady  Jane,  in  the  very  first  seat  in 
the  room."  I  have  before  said,  how  careful  he  was  to  be 
attentive  to  guests  of  every  degree,  and  these  occasions  would 
furnish  abundant  proof  that  he  was  peculiarly  kind  to  those 
who  might  feel  themselves  a  little  less  grand  than  their  neigh- 
bours. His  own  ministry,  at  the  family  readings,  was  very 
striking  and  impressive.  There  was  often  a  religious  oppor- 
tunity in  the  course  of  the  evening,  beside  the  usual  readings, 
and  these  were  generally  very  solemn  occasions.     *     *     * 

My  father  was  devotedly  attached  to  his  brothers  and  sisters. 
If  I  might  single  out  one  with  whom  he  was  especially  united, 
I  should  say  it  was  my  beloved  uncle  Buxton.  His  noble  and 
enlarged  intellect,  joined  as  it  was  to  the  simplicity  and  humil- 
ity of  a  Christian,  and  devoted  to  the  highest  purposes,  was 
peculiarly  genial  to  my  dearest  father,  while  my  uncle's  enjoy- 
ment of  Friends'  meetings,  and  "  Friendly"  doings,  gave  a 
peculiar  harmony  to  their  intercourse.  They  were  often  to- 
irether  :  and  he  was  one  of  mv  uncle's  warmest  and  steadiest 
supporters  in  all  his  undertakings,  and  almost  equalled  him 
in  the  deep  interest  he  took  in  them.     *     *     * 

Truly  did  he  teach  us  by  example,  as  well  as  precept,  when 
he  utterly  discouraged  all  criticism  on  other  persons  ;  he  could 
not  bear  the  least  approach  to  satire,  and  never  allowed  us  to 
condemn  anybody.  If  a  remark,  tending  to  disparage  another, 
was  made,  he  always  apologized  for  them*  and  when  he  could 
not  do  this  with  truth,  he  never  would  allow  us  as  children  to 
take  upon  us  the  office  of  judge.  This  was  the  case  with  all ; 
but  when  it  came  to  serious  people,  to  ministers,  he  was,  if 


RECOLLECTIONS.  539 

possible,  still  stronger  on  the  subject,  discouraging  every 
remark  on  their  peculiar  manner  or  address,  and  only  urging 
us  to  learn  all  we  could  from  such.  I  should  think  there  wa"s 
seldom  a  house  "where  there  "was  so  little  gossip  about  persons; 
for  his  own  loving  spirit  and  elevated  tone  of  mind  had  a 
powerful  influence,  not  only  on  those  about  him,  but  on  passing 
guests  and  visitors.  Another  thing  against  which  he  was 
most  careful  to  guard  us,  was  the  slightest  disrespect,  or  even 
fiimiliarity,  in  our  manner  of  speaking  on  serious  subjects. 
Some  of  the  young  people  with  whom  we  associated,  were  in 
the  habit  of  quoting  texts  of  Scripture  on  common  occasions, 
not  in  ridicule,  but  in  a  careless  way :  this  he  never  allowed ; 
and  he  so  impressed  upon  us  the  impropriety  of  thus  disregard- 
ing the  difference  between  the  Scriptures  and  other  books,  that 
I  cannot  now  hear  such  a  thing  done  without  real  pain.  I 
think  he  was  remarkable  for  bringing  religion  to  bear  on  every 
event  in  life,  and  letting  us  see  that  he  did  so ;  while,  at  the 
same  time,  he  never  weakened  the  feeling  of  reverence  due  to 
the  subject.  He  was  much  in  the  habit  of  referring  to  religious 
matters  in  his  conversation  with  us,  and  I  think  encouraged  an 
ease  in  us,  in  speaking  of  them ;  yet  this  never  descended  into 
too  familiar  a  way  of  bringing  them  in.  While  he  was  very 
careful  to  guard  us  from  the  flattery  of  others,  and  not  to  praise 
us  himself,  yet  he  had  a  most  encouraging  influence  over  us ;  a 
few  approving  words  from  him  were  the  greatest  stimulus  in  all 
our  occupations,  while  his  own  example  of  constant  industry 
could  not  but  tell  upon  us.  I  think  he  had  a  peculiar  sympathy 
with  children,  and  there  was  something  almost  indescribable  in 
his  gentleness  towards  us,  even  while  reproving  us.  When  I 
was  sitting  by  him  one  day  at  dinner,  a  remark  was  made  which 
he  saw  pained  me,  and  I  remember  how  concerned  he  looked, 
and  how  he  tried,  by  little  attentions,  to  make  me  feel  that  what 
was  said  was  rather  too  severe.  How  does  kindness,  when  a 
child's  feelings  are  wounded,  remain  in  the  memory ! 

But  it  is  time  to  pass  on  to  later  years.  I  was  nearly 
fifteen  when  my  mother  died.  We  had  a  very  happy  summer, 
taking    an    expedition    all    together    in    Wales,    during    my 


540  HIS  daughter's 

brother's  holidays.  My  dearest  father  held  one  or  two  de- 
lightful meetings  in  Wales,  taking  the  opportunity,  of  course, 
of  getting  acquainted  with  any  serious  people.  I  remember 
going  w'ith  him  to  the  little  shop  of  some  Methodists  at 
Conway,  and  his  astonishing  them  much  by  asking  them  to 
breakfast.  They  came,  however,  and  were  deeply  impressed 
by  his  kindness  and  his  prayers  for  them.  At  Barmouth  we 
fell  in  with  a  number  of  Cambridge  students,  and  also  found 
that  Dr.  Olinthus  Gregory  was  staying  there.  He  did  not 
neglect  the  opportunity  ;  asked  them  all  to  dinner,  introduced 
them  to  the  doctor,  and  after  dinner  gave  them  some  good 
advice,  and  drew  the  doctor  on  to  do  the  same.  It  might  bo 
owing  to  some  over-exertion  in  this  journey,  that  I  was 
attacked  with  fever  soon  after  our  return  home,  and  not  long 
after  my  recovery,  my  mother  Avas  prostrated  by  the  same 
complaint.  Her  illness  was  a  very  trying  one ;  the  Bible- 
Meeting  guests  had  already  begun  to  assemble  in  the  house  ; 
and  though  during  their  stay  we  did  not  apprehend  any  serious 
danger,  yet  it  was  of  course  very  heavy  v/ork  for  my  dearest 
father.  The  house  was  but  just  cleared  when  the  symptoms 
became  more  serious,  and  he  went  through  great  depths  of 
anxiety  and  conflict.  My  aunt  Rachel  Fowler  was  most  hap- 
pily with  us,  so  that  the  weight  of  nursing  fell  on  her.  On 
the  last  morning  we  were  lying  on  the  bed  in  my  mother's 
sitting-room,  that  we  might  be  Avithin  a  moment's  call ;  he 
was  in  deep  affliction,  looking  to  the  stroke  which  Avas  just 
about  to  fall  upon  him,  and  speaking  to  me  of  the  future  ; 
when  he  said  so  kindly  and  encouragingly,  "  I  think  thou  art 
remarkably  fitted,  dear,  to  minister  to  my  wants."  I  could 
only  answer  by  tears,  for  I  felt  how  unequal  I  was  to  it ;  buc 
I  was  deeply  grateful  for  encouragement  at  such  a  moment, 
and  I  believe  I  did  all  that  I  could,  for  I  felt  from  that 
time  a  new  tie  to  him,  and  all  ray  powers,  such  as  they  were, 
were  devoted  to  him.  It  was  beautiful  to  observe  how  Avilling 
he  was  to  accept  help  and  sj-mpathy.  He  threw  himself  freely 
on  us  in  his  distress,  and  he  Avas  most  willing  to  be  soothed 
and  comforted  by  each  in  their  turn.  This  openness  to  sym- 
pathy made  it  most  easy  to  be  Avith  him  in  his   deep  sorroAV. 


KECOLLECTIONS.  541 

Many  of  the  hours  we  passed  together  I  shall  never  forget. 
He  v.'as  in  deep  suifering  at  times ;  whilst  at  others,  light 
seemed  to  hreak  through  all  the  clouds,  and  he  looked  beauti- 
fully calm  and  elevated  in  his  affliction. 

About  this  time,  too,  we  began  to  read  the  Greek  Testament 
regularly  after  breakfast ; — our  aunt  Rachel  Fowler,  who  was 
still  with  us,  and  a  great  comfort  to  us  all,  my  father,  John 
Henry,  and  I.  "VYhen  any  one  was  with  us,  who  liked  to  join 
us,  they  were  always  admitted ;  and  most  interesting  some  of 
these  occasions  were.  It  was  a  high  privilege  to  read  with 
one  who  had  so  deeply  studied  the  Greek  Testament,  and  to 
enjoy  his  fine  views  of  Scripture  truths,  while  his  accurate 
knowledge  of  the  force  of  the  original  language,  enabled  him 
to  give  us  many  most  interesting  explanations.  He  was  very 
patient  with  our  blunderings,  though  it  always  annoyed  him  a 
little,  and  he  tried  to  stir  us  up' to  be  as  correct  as  himself.  •  I 
should  think  few,  even  professed  theological  students,  had 
studied  the  Greek  Testament  more  thoroughly  than  he  had 
done.  None,  at  all  events,  could  more  enjoy  the  daily  reading 
of  it. 

During  the  year  1836,  my  fiither  and  I  went  several  little 
journeys  together ;  and  we  were  often  at  Upton.  At  that 
time  we  travelled  by  coach,  and  I  mention  them  partly  for  the 
sake  of  saying  how  he  kept  to  his  rule  of  never  "  missing  an 
opportunity."  He  almost  always  managed  to  read  the  Scrip- 
tures to  our  fellow-passengers,  and  often  led  the  way  to  profit- 
able conversation.  I  don't  think  he  ever  went  in  these  public 
conveyances  without  attempting  to  profit  them,  and  he  gene- 
rally found  willing  and  attentive  hearers.  How  often  have  I 
had  occasion  to  remark,  in  going  about  with  him,  what  a  great 
advantage  his  graceful,  winning  manners  were  to  him,  even  in 
the  promotion  of  the  cause  which  was  dearest  to  his  heart ! 
He  used  often  to  impress  on  John  Henry  the  necessity  of  being 
a  thorough  gentleman,  and  showed  abundantly,  by  his  own 
example,  that  this  was  not  in  the  least  incompatible  with  the 
"thorough  Friend." 

■    During    the    autumn    of   1836,  he   was    often    exceedingly 
oppressed,  sometimes  very  silent.     He  was,  indeed,  under  a 


542  HIS  daughter's 

heavy  weight ;  for  the  prospect  of  his  American  journey  wag 
beginning  to  open  upon  him,  though  not  definitely  as  to  the 
time  of  its  accomplishment. 

We  were  at  Upton  on  the  night  of  the  first  of  1st  month, 
1837  ;  and  I  have  heard  my  father  say,  as  he  listened  to  the 
"ringing  out"  of  the  old  year,  that  he  felt  as  if  the  new  one 
portended  some  great  and  solemn  event  to  him,  though  he 
could  not  tell  what.  However,  the  prospect  cleared  befoi-e 
him  as  the  spring  advanced.  I  could  not  but  dread  it  long 
before  he  spoke  to  me  of  it ;  but  the  announcement  that  he 
made  of  it  to  John  Henry  and  me,  as  we  drove  one  day  to 
Fakenham,  was  almost  overwhelming.  He  was,  however,  much 
more  quiet  and  comfortable  than  he  had  previously  been,  and  I 
was  taken  from  my  own  sorrow  in  endeavouring  to  help  and 
cheer  him,  through  all  the  pain  that  he  must  necessarily  go 
through.  The  day  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  was  truly  an  awful 
one ;  for  early  in  the  morning  we  received  the  account  of  the 
sudden  death  of  my  aunt.  Lady  Harriet,  to  whom  we  were  all 
nearly  attached,  and  whose  end  was  as  unexpected  as  it  was 
affectinsr.  I  believe,  for  the  moment,  he  almost  doubted  whether 
he  could  proceed  with  his  intentions  of  asking  for  a  certificate; 
but  his  mind  soon  became  quite  settled  again,  and  a  very  solemn 
and  satisfactory  meeting  we  had.  I  remember  how  much 
sympathy  was  expressed  for  him,  as  well  as  the  fullest  unity. 

In  the  spring  of  this  year  he  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting 
in  Ireland,  my  brother  and  I  going  with  him.  We  had  an 
interesting  time  in  Dublin ;  I  have  the  impression  of  his 
ministry  being  very  striking  in  some  of  the  meetings  for 
worship,  and  the  young  Friends  especially  flocked  around  him. 
After  the  Yearly  Meeting,  we  took  a  charming  excursion  to 
Killarney.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  sense  of  approaching 
separation,  this  would  have  been  a  most  delightful  journey. 
We  greatly  enjoyed  being  together,  and  he  was  remarkably 
comfortable.  The  beautiful  scenery  afforded  him,  as  it  always 
did,  great  pleasure.  How  he  did  delight  in  all  the  charms  of 
nature !  I  never  knew  any  one,  I  think,  who  enjoyed  them  so 
much,  whether  in  the  greater  features  of  fine  country,  moun- 


RECOLLECTIONS.  543 

tains,  lakes,  &c.,  or  in  the  smaller  details  of  birds  and  flowers. 
We  returned  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London,  and  afterwards 
to  Earlham,  to  prepare  for  his  start  in  the  seventh  month. 
My  father  was  remarkably  preserved  in  peace  and  quietness, 
and  completed  all  the  arrangements  he  wished  to  make  for 
the  management  of  his  household  during  his  absence.  I  was 
glad  to  be  allowed  to  go  with  him  to  Liverpool,  with  my 
uncle  and  aunt  Gurney,  and  my  aunt  Fry.  It  was  rather 
curious,  that  we  were  not  many  yards  out  of  the  park  gate 
before  we  were  nearly  overturned  by  one  of  the  horses  kicking. 
We  had  to  get  hastily  out  of  the  carriage,  but  I  shall  never 
forget  the  elevated  serenity  of  his  look  as  he  smiled  and  said, 
"the  first  of  my  dangers!"  We  had  a  remarkably  interesting 
occasion  before  we  got  to  Liverpool,  in  which  he  poured  out 
his  prayers  for  aunt  Fry,  in  a  way  which  was  a  great  comfort 
to  her,  for  she  deeply  felt  his  going,  and  had  at  the  time  much 
upon  her.  The  parting  day  came.  I  was  far  too  much 
overwhelmed  to  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  it,  but  I  know 
there  was  a  very  solemn  feeling  over  all,  and  that  he  was  much 
helped  through  every  pain. 

What  shall  I  say  of  the  long  three  years  of  his  absence  ?  I 
believe  I  may  truly  say  I  scarcely  lost  the  sense  of  our  separa- 
tion for  a  moment. 

When  quite  young,  A.  B.  commenced  a  journal,  noting  the 
occurrences  of  every  day,  and  not  unfrequently  entering  into 
close  and  serious  self-examination,  as  in  the  presence  of  that 
Holy  and  All-seeing  One,  who  looketh  at  the  heart.  This 
practice  was  continued  till  the  close  of  her  brief  career ;  but 
it  is  to  be  regretted  that  her  earlier  memoranda  (which  would 
have  given  some  insight  into  the  gradual  development  of  her 
youthful  Christian  character)  appear  to  have  been  destroyed. 
A  few  extracts  from  those  which  have  been  preserved  may  be 
suitably  added  to  the  foregoing  reminiscences. 


544  RECOLLECTIONS. 


JOURNAL. 

^'1837.  Cliristmas  Day. — I  have  long  wished  to  resume  my 
Journal,  which  I  left  off,  at  the  end  of  1835.  la  183G,  I  travelled 
with  Papa,  Aunt  E,.  F.,  and  John  Henry,  to  the  north  of  England, 
Scotland,  &c. ;  and  Papa  was  my  chief  object  through  that  year. 
The  same,  till  the  middle  of  this,  when  he  left  us,  and  is  now  in 
America — thus,  once  more,  seeming  to  alter  everything.  I  am  deeply, 
and  almost  awfully,  responsible  for  the  many  privileges  I  had,  in  being 
so  constantly,  and  so  intimately,  with  him 

Oh  !  that  I  may  have  grace  given  me,  to  overcome  the  wickedness 
of  my  heart,  and  now,  to  devote  myself  to  the  service  of  my  Heavenly 
Father." 

^'2dth. — After  breakfast,  nice  walk  with  Uncle  Gurney,  talking 
about  plans,  our  going  to  London,  &c.  I  was  provoked  at  myself,  for 
being  quite  low ;  he  was  so  like  Papa ;  but  it  was  most  delightful  being 
with  him.  .......... 

'•  How  I  do  wish  I  was  more  inclined  to  serious  tliou^lit.  How  much 
depends  on  these  thoughts ;  in  words  and  actions  one  may  escape 
much  apparent  sin,  for  a  little  time,  but  in  thoughts  never  I  at  least, 
so  I  find  it." 

^'■Ist  day,  2dth. — After  meeting,  two  delightful  letters  from  Papa, 
bringing  accounts  for  which  we  ou(jht  to  be  —  I  hope  are  —  truly 
thankful.    What  a  mercy  to  be  permitted  to  receive  such  !"     .     . 

"  2nd  mo.,  Will,  1838. — Letters  from  America  most  interesting 
and  doliahtful ;  wanderings  in  Carolina  and  Virginia ;  many  things  T 
wrote  about,  he  has  taken  no  notice  of,  when  I  expected  he  would. 
The  fiict  is,  separation  is  separation ;  and  it  is,  after  all,  but  a  poor 
notion  of  one's  real  state,  that  letters  sent  across  the  Atlantic,  convey. 
I  must,  in  future,  set  my  account  more  foi'  it.  We  have  the  greatest 
cause  to  be  thankful  for  such  letters." 

"  1840.  8^7i  mo.,  \lth — -first  day  evening. — All  the  party  gone  to 
meeting  but  me.    I  am  not  strong  enough  for  two  meetings,  since  my 


RECOLLECTIONS.  54f 

attack  of  illness,  for  tlie  recoveiy  from  which,  so  easily,  T  desire  to 
be  thankful.  I  wisli  I  could  mark  more  improvement  in  myself 
since  I  last  wrote.  I  have  a  hope  that  God  has  been  pleased  to  draw 
me  nearer  to  Himself,  and  He  has  allowed  me  to  feel  His  gracious- 
ness  to  my  soul.  I  would  also  desire,  thankfully,  to  acknowledge 
that  my  prayers  have  not  been  disregarded,  especially  that.  I  think  I 
see  a  marked  improvement  in  religious  feeling  in  J.  H.  We  are  also 
looking  with  great  happiness  towards  my  dearest  father's  return. 
How  (with  this  list  of  mercies  before  me)  shall  I  acknowledge,  that 
the  'pride  of  my  heart  continues  very  great,  and  that  it  has  corrupted 
my  thoughts,  words  and  actions.  Self  is  an  idol,  which  I  fear  I 
worship  more  than  I  do  my  God  !  Oh  !  I  would  I  were  deeply 
hiimbled  on  this  account ;  and  as  a  very  great  sinner,  I  do  now 
entreat  to  be  forgiven  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ;  and  I  do 
earnestly  desire  that  I  may  know  Him  as  my  Saviour  and  Sanctifier 
through  the  Holy  Spirit.  That  I  may  have  pardon  and  grace.  Be 
pleased,  0  Lord,  to  pardon  and  to  cleanse  me." 

Soon  after  making  the  foregoing  entry,  her  heart  was 
gladdened  by  the  return  of  her  beloved  parent  to  his  native 
land.  The  joyful  event  Avas  announced  to  her,  in  the  following 
letters,  from  her  Aunt  Buxton  and  her  Cousin  C.  B : 

"  Upton,  August  18,  1840. 
"  My  dearest  Anna  : 

"  One  line  I  must  send,  to  say  we  have  seen  thy  beloved  father  I 
He  is  just  the  same  in  all  respects.     He  says  he  has  much  enjoyed  a 
beautiful  voyage  home,  and  comes  back  without  a  feather's  weight 
upon  him — rested  and  relieved.    So  thee  may  be  thankful,  and  enjoy, 
and  only  enjoy,  his  return.     "We  had  a  large  assembly  to  reading  this 
morning — a  beautiful  prayer  for  our  little  T.  F.  B.,  and  a  lively  song 
of  praise    and    thanksgiving.     It  was    peculiarly  precious  you  may 
suppose.     He  had  a   good  night,  and   was,  long  before  breakfast, 
walking  in  the  garden.         ....... 

<<  Most  affectionately,  H.  B." 

"  My  dearest  Anna  : 

"  I  must  share  the  pleasure  of  telling  thee,  what  an  uncommon 
delightful  meeting  we  have  had.     It  has  been  so  easy  and  naturai. 

Vol.  II.  —  35 


04€  EECOLLECTIONS. 

and  lie  so  exactly  like  himself,  that  I  cannot  tell  thee  what  a  rare 
occasion  of  pleasure  it  has  been  ;  so  full  of  interest,  so  quiet  and  de- 
lightful.   We  had  been  in  instant  expectation  for  more  than  an  hour, 
so  we  were  of  course  all  ready  for  the  arrival,  which  was  too  deeply 
interesting-   to   be    noisy.     Dearest    Uncle    seems    in    true    enjoy- 
ment.       '....,..  ,         . 

"  I  regretted  not  being  able  to  be  at  the  reading,  which  turned  out 
so  peculiarly  interesting.  ....... 

"  Affectionately,  C.  Buxton." 

The  above  letters  were  inserted  in  her  journal,  and  she  pro- 
ceeds to  describe  this  period  of  deep  and  heartfelt  interest  to 
her,  in  her  own  sweet,  simple  way  : 

"  The  letters,  from  which  the  two  last  extracts  were  made,  we  re- 
ceived on  4th  day  morning,  the  20th  of  8mo.,  1840;  and  learned 
from  them  that  he  would  be  with  us  in  the  evening.  A  long,  long 
waiting-day  we  had  !  We  had,  most  of  us,  woke  eai'ly,  and  'a  strong 
sense  of  excitement  prevented  any  rest  during  the  course  of  it.  Our 
party  were  the  two  aunts  and  myself,  Bessie  and  John.  Aunt 
Catherine's  prayer  at  reading,  in  the  morning,  beautiful,  calming,  and 
helping.  We  dined  early,  and  were  dressed  and  ready,  by  a  little 
-after  6  in  tbe  evening,  expecting  them  about  7.  John  stationed 
liimself  at  the  hall-door;  I  at  the  window;  there  we  sat  till  too  dark 
to  see.  The  Birkbecks  came  and  we  all  waited,  in  a  most  stupified 
state  of  exhaustion,  till  near  9  ;  then  we  heard  a  carriage,  and  rushed 
to  the  door.  Tt  was  quite  dusk ;  John  Henry's  voice  was  the  first  I 
heard;  'We're  all  right;  he's  on  the  box  with  me.'  Papa  said, 
•  Gently,  gentlij  •/  I  said,  ^  Don't  hurry,'  manfully.  He  clambered 
down  into  my  arms,  and  our  first  hny  kiss  was  much  too  overpowering, 
for  me  to  be  able  to  describe  the  sensation  !  While  he  greeted  all 
the  others,  I  had  time  a  little  to  get  my  breath,  and  we  adjourned 
into  the  dining-room  to  tea.  Aunt  Fry,  Uncle  and  Aunt  Buxton, 
and  John  Henry,  came  with  him.  He  was  perfectly  calm,  easy,  and 
natural;  enjoying  his  meal;  talking  little,  but  completely  happy  and 
peaceful.  The  Buxtons  soon  went  off  to  the  Forsters,  Aunt  Fry  up 
stairs,  John  read  a  psalm,  and  we  all  went  quietly  to  bed.  Tha  peace 
felt  then,  and  all  the  nest  day,  was,  to  me,  like  that  whii_-h  was  given 
us  when  he  went  away  at   Liverpool — then,  in  the  midst  of  great 


RECOLLECTIONS.  54T 

Borrow — now  ia  the  midst  of  great  joy,  but  the  same  peace  !     It  was 
most  delightful  to  see  him  and  John  Henry  together !     Everything 
to  me.     We  were  to  read  at  8,  and  so  were  all  up  in  good  time,     t 
went  to  him  before  reading;  read  to  him  for  a  few  minutes,  just  as 
we   used    to    do,  but   cotdd   not   talk    to  him  as  I  intended.     We 
mustered,  at  rfeading,  with  John  and  Bessie,  and  all  the  servants  of 
course,  about  thirty.     Papa  shook  hands  with  those  he  had  not  seen 
and  then,  sitting  down,  read  the  14th  of  John.     I  cannot  the  least 
lescribe  the  feeling  of  hearing  his  voice  again  in  reading  and  in  his 
lovely  little  comment  afterwards,  on,  '  Because  I  live,  ye  shall  live 
also.'         ........... 

He  finished,  by  repeating  with  the  strongest  emphasis,  the  words 
of  Job,  "  Oh,  that  my  words  were  written — that  they  were  graven 
with  an  iron  pen  and  lead  in  the  rock  forever,  <  I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  Iwefh.'  "  Aunt  Fry  returned  thanks  and  offered  prayer 
in  her  own  beautiful  way,  making  especial  mention  of  the  two  aunts. 
John  Henry  and  I  had  then  a  charming  walk  round  the  garden,  with 
him ;  and  for  the  first  time,  I  began  to  feel  easy  and  natural,  and  able, 
thoroughly,  to  enjoy  it.  After  breakfast,  Papa  and  John  Henry 
hurried  off  to  the  Grove,  and  met  us  and  the  Buxtons  and  the 
Forsters  at.  the  meeting-house.  This  was  most  pleasant.  We 
watched  him  greet  all  the  friends,  who  looked  so  pleased  to  see  him ; 
Aunt  Catherine  and  Aunt  Buxton  busy,  talking  to  everybody; 
people  smiling  with  delight,  and  I,  for  one,  receiving  a  whole  host  of 
congratulations.  It  was  deeply  interesting  to  see  him  walk  up  the 
meeting  and  take  his  own  seat ;  trulj,  thankfulness  and  solemnity 
were  given  in  no  common  degree,  as  we  settled  into  silence.  It  was 
first  broken  bj  dear  old  Frances  Page  kneeling  down,  and  giving 
thanks  for  his  return  most  sweetly,  and  made  more  interesting  by  our 
never  having  expected  to  see  her  at  meeting  again,  six  months 
ago.  Soon  after,  Papa  rose.  He  thought  he  might  employ  the 
words  of  the  Psalmist,  "  Thou  hast  put  gladness  into  our  hearts," 
&c. ;  that  it  was  given  him  to  feel  unsullied  peace,  and  what  might  be 
compared  to  the  cloudless  sky.  He  went  on  to  the /otindaf ion  of 
true  quiet  of  mind ;  the  principal  ingredient  of  happiness ;  what 
happiness  was  lasting;  his  experience  of  the  faithfulnesss  of  his 
Great  Master  during  his  long  journey;  of  the  efficacy  of  the  Scrip- 
tures; of  the  Holy  Spirit  as  the  applier ;  of  the  foundation  of  a 
Christian's  hope ;  ending  with  a  strong  appeal  to  attend  to  the  gui- 


^48  EECOLLECTIONS. 

dance  of  tbc  Spirit.  I  can  only  give  tins  slight  sk^'tcb ;  but  his 
standing  in  his  old  place  proclaiming  his  vie^s  of  religion,  with  his 
testimony  to  them  from  fresh  experience,  was  more  striking  to  me 
than  I  can  express.  After  meeting,  en  masse  the  family  walked  off. 
A  tine  pai'ty  assembled  at  dinner — there  was  no  great  talking  but  all 
happiness.  As  soon  as  the  cloth  was  removed,  Papa  knelt  down  and 
returned  thanks  beautifully,  for  his  return  to  his  dear  peaceful  home, 
adorned  in  such  beauty ;  and  prayed  earnestly  that  self  might  be  held 
in  no  reputation,  but  that  all  praise  and  honour  might  be  given 
where  alone  they  were  due.  Aunt  Fry  added  a  few  words;  a 
hope  that  increased  dedication  might  show  forth  thankfulness  .   .  . 

"  Dear  Uncle  and  Aunt  Guraey,  came  on  5th  day,  in  time  for  the 
Monthly  JMeeting.  In  returning  his  certificate,  Papa  gave  a  slight 
.sketch  of  his  journey,  and  he  had  his  American  certificates  read — 
from  Ohio,  Indiana,  Carolina,  Baltimore,  New  York  and  New 
England;  giving  a  good  account  of  his  "circumspect,  consistent 
behaviour,"  and  "  sound  and  edifying  ministry."  Most  satisfactory 
they  were,  and  inexpressible  was  the  contrast  between  giving  up  and 
asking  for  his  certificate.         ....... 

"  Fourth  day  was  the  Bible  meeting  :  .  .  in  the  evening  Papa  was  in 
the  chair;  and  his  speech  certainly  most  interesting.  The  connec- 
tion between  the  religion  of  the  Bible,  and  the  just  liberties  of  man- 
kind. The  story  of  the  West  Indies  beautifully  given,  and  familiarly. 
The  attention  of  the  large  meeting  chained!  He  no  where  appears 
more  in  his  element  than  at  Bible  meetings,  and  no  where  more  re- 
vives one's  baby  recollections  of  him." 

'^  Qik  day.  —  Long  ride  with  Papa  to  Ketteringham ;  a  great  deal 
of  conversation  with  him  :  most  easy  and  open.  American  letters, 
liis  book,  &c.  I  hope  I  am  thankful  for  such  a  privilege,  and  for 
being  made  at  all  able  to  meet  his  mind,  which  I  am,  to  a.  certain 
extent." 

"  1840,  Vlih  mo.,  nth,  4f.h  day. — "We  post-cbaised  it  most  of  tha 
way  to  Darlington.  A  warm  reception  at  Polam.  We  staid  there 
till  the  25th,  fifth  day,  and  yery  interesting  was  our  visit." 

"3c?  day.  —  Quarterly    meeting:    Papa  very  instructive    in    the 


RECOLLECTIONS.  540 

morning.     His  intimate  mind,  on  tiiis  journej^,  has  been  pleasant, 
mdeed,  to  me,  and  tke  jear  closes  Math  mercy  all  around." 

*■'■  After  meeting,  walked  homeaione  with  Papa,  and  enjoyed  it :  inter- 
esting conversation  on  the  ministry, — the  true  source  thereof,  &c.  It 
IS  strange  with  all  one's  naughtiness,  how  one  is  able  to  see  what  is 
meant  by  the  differences  in  it.  How  lUai  which  does  not  seem  the 
real  thing,  as  friends  view  it,  is  not  so  easy  to  take  to,  as  that  which 
is  livelier.  But  truly,  I  feel  I  have  no  right  so  to  say,  considering 
how  little  I  profit  by  all,  or  any.  //e,  as  usual,  strong  about  getting 
the  gx)od  from  every  one,  and  I  felt  that,  as  far  as  I  dared  have  an 
opinion,  it  was  quite  in  unison  with  his.  I  enjoyed  his  freedom  and 
openness.  Oh  !  that  I  may  not  go  backwavd,  instead  of  forward,  irt 
the  course  which  I  sometimes  hope  is  begun.  I  need  convincing 
(what  I  know,  too)  ag-ain  and  again,  that  in  «?e,  that  is,  in  my  flesh, 
dwelleth  no  good  thing.  Papa's  remarks  on  Justification  very  sweet 
(Romans  v.  1,  2).     Oh  !  to  know  the  thing  itself !" 

"  Upton,  hih  mo.,  18/A.,  1841. — ^The  day  before  yearly  meeting,  one 
which,  apparently,  I  sha51  have  much  cause  to  remember,  and,  I 
trust,  to  be  thankful  for.  The  time  at  home,  since  I  last  wrote,  was 
passed  very  pleasantly.  I  was  a  gi-eat  deal  with  Papa,  and  deep  in 
his  interests,  to  my  own  comfort,  and  with  wonderfully  little  dread 
of  what  is  now  beginning  in  fact,  if  not  in  form.  Proportiouably 
have  I  felt  the  pain  now,  which  must  attend  such  a  change,  as  his 
intentions,  if  carried  out,  will  produce.  Yet,  truly,  the  balance  in 
the  happincss-seale  is  great.  We  came  here  from  Tottenham  on 
first  day  morning,  after  a  pleasant  visit  at  Runcton.  *  *  *  ^^lil 
*  *  *  were  at  meeting.  Oh !  how  earnestly  do  I  desire  that 
I  nwiy  dccplg  learn  the  lesson,  v?hich,  with  all  its  happy  parts, 
this  change  in  our  circumstances  does,  and  ought  to  teach  me, 
of  my  being  so  r.olhing ;  that,  though  still  I  may  have  the  closest 
tie  with  dearest  Papa,  and  with  her,  too,  in  addition,  yet,  as  I  can 
no  longer  be  ihe  one,  as  I  have  had  the  privilege  to  be  to  him,  that 
it  may  increase  my  dependence  on  that  Father,  with  whom  com- 
munion is  only  interrupted  by  our  own  sinfulness.  I  know  that  the 
gain  of  such  a  fiiend,  and  the  taking  off  by  her  of  burden,  will  b« 
a  wonderful  advantage  to  me,  and  doubt  not  I  sliali  estimate  thew 
more  and  more.     But  there  <tre  pains,  thc»5gh  always  decreasinr^^ 


550  RECOLLECTIONS. 

•which  it  is  right  and  natural  to  feel  :  and  may  it  all  prove,  as  it 
ought  to  do,  a  teaching  lesson.  Oh  !  may  I  so  love,  that  it  may 
work  for  good ;  and  may  the  spirit  of  thankfulness  be  given  me  for 
the  mercies  hestowed,  for  the  happiness  granted  to  dearest  Papa. 
How  interesting  is  the  thought  of  his  losses,  his  services,  tis  re- 
compenses I     He  is  so  sweet  and  trustful." 

"  Upton,  5th  mo.,  2'2d,  1841. — On  fourth  day  our  meeting  began  : 
it  was  interesting  and  solemn 

"  On  the  whole,  1  am  abundantly  satisfied  with  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing. The  general  tone  seems  to  me  to  be  so  richly  evangelieal. 
so  fine,  setting  up  so  high  a  standard ;  and  often  the  meetings 
have  been  so  solemn,  as  to  confirm  Friendliness  to  my  mind 
very  comfortably.  It  is  a  great  satisfaction  to  me  to  find  the 
cogitations  I  have  had  over  it,  by  myself,  and  with  the  Bible, 
during  the  last  three  years,  so  c]ench  in  with  the  reality  of  the 
thing  now,  as  exemplified  in  these  meetings.  What  an  amazing 
privilege  to  be  satisfied  with  the  religious  society  you  belong  to :  to 
feel  that  the  causes  of  dissatisfaction  were  in  youi-self  alone,  or  in 
those  cases  where  the  true  principle  is  sot  legitimately  carried  out. 
I  write  thisy  that  I  may  have  my  own  record  for  myself,  should  I 
again  be  troubled  with  the  doubts  and  difficulties  that  I  s&metimes 
have  had."  .......... 

"4^^  mo.f  23(7,  1842.  —  It  certainly  is  not  because  I  have  had 
nothing  to  say,  that  I  have  so  long  delayed  continuing  my  journal. 
The  three  months  following  the  last  entry,  were  as  full  of  interest  as 
possible;  the  two  first  occupied  by  our  foreign  journey,  and  the  last 
by  our  ret«m,  ending  with  my  fither's  marriage,  o>a  the  21st'  of 
tenth  month.  Of  our  jowrney  on  the  Co^atineBt,  to  Pnjssia,  Den- 
mark, &c.,  there  is  an  account  in  my  letters  to  Aimt  li.  Of  the 
rest  of  the  time,  hitherto  I  have  had  little  inclination  to  make  a 
record,  having  been  afraid,  during  part  of  it,  of  beicig  intimate  even 
with  myself.  Bat  it  is  now  qitite  different;  we  are  perfectly  fettled, 
each  in  our  own  mook,  and  have  every  reason  to  be  thaokfal  and 
happy.  My  mother  is,  of  course,  quite  established,  and,  I  think, 
increasingly  happy  in  her  position.  All  oar  relations  are  exceedingly 
load  of  her.     The  jJeasure-  of  our  home-  is  very  decidedly  iiikcrgaseii 


RECOLLECTIONS.  551 

by  her  presence.  Papa  is  supplied  to  his  utmost  wishes,  and  I  need 
not,  therefore,  add  that  I  am  most  comfortable.  I  very  highly  prize 
her  love  and  friendship,  and  am  more  light-hearted,  in  its  true  sense, 
than  I  have  been  able  to  be,  since  I  was  fourteen."     ..... 

"  1st  day,  the  od. — Papa,  who  is  better,  had  a  large  public  meeting 
iu  the  evening,  at  the  Gildencroft.  I  have  seldom  heard  him  more 
excellent.  His  text  was,  'When  He,  the  spirit  of  truth,  is  come, 
he  will  guide  you  into  all  truth.'  He  first  beautifully  unfolded  the 
•work  of  the  spirit  in  the  Churcli  of  Christ,  and  then  its  operation 
on  the  heart  of  individuals  in  convincing,  converting,  cleansing. 
His  description  of  its  effect  in  bringing  to  the  cross  was  very 
striking." 

"  Cromer,  Ist  day  afternoon,  7th  mo.,  10th,  1842. — I  do  not  like 
this  day  to  pass  without  making  a  little  record  of  my  own  state,  and 
of  the  family  interests  that  surround  us  just  now,  even  if  I  cannot 
tell  the  history  of  the  past  week.  We  have  had  a  precious,  but 
touching,  little  meeting,  this  morning,  in  the  dining-room  here. 
(Lord  Hasting's  lodgings.)  The  party  consisted  of  Uncle. and  Aunt 
Fry  and  Katharine,  Uncle  Buxton,  J^apa,  my  Mother  and  me.  It 
was  touching  to  look  on  some  of  them.  Aunt  Fry,  Uncle  Buxton. 
Papa,  all  three  in  so  frail  a  state,  and  though  we  must  not  do  any- 
thing but  hope,  (and  I  think  we  shall  see  them  much  better,)  yet  we 
cannot  deny  to  ourselves  that  their  present  infirm  condition  does 
make  us  anxious.  The  silence  of  our  little  gathering  was  very  sweet, 
and  I  felt  really  quiet,  which  I  think  is  a  true  favour.  Aunt  Fry 
spoke  in  her  own  lovely  way,  alluding  to  the  infirmities  of  mind  and 
body,  with  which  they  were  surrounded,  and  of  the  strong  consolation 
derived  from  knowing  their  dependence  to  be  placed  on  the  Physician 
of  value — on  the  unfailing  refuge  in  their  reconciled  God. 

"Papa  added  a  few  words  in  the  same  strain,  finishing  with  a 
most  touching  expression  of  his  belief,  that  to  some  of  them  death 
had  indeed  been  robbed  of  its  terrors,  and  that  they  could  look 
with  calmness  to  the  entrance  through  the  pearl  gates  into  everlast- 
ing life  ! 

"Aunt  Fry  soon  knelt  down,  and  besought  that  in  all  things, 
whether  they  were  raised  up  or  cast  down,  whether  the  desires  of 


552  RECOLLECTIONS. 

their  eyes  for  themselves,  or  others,  were  given  them,  or  not,  yet, 
that  in  oil  things,  the  name  of  the  Lord  might  be  magnified  and 
exalted.  It  certainly  was  very  sweet;  and  I  believe  even  the 
naughtiest  of  the  party — which,  I  suppose,  was  I — did,  and  do  most 
earnestly,  desire  to  leave  all  things  in  his  hands,  who  knows  what  is 
right;  and  even  to  try,  and  wish  for  nothing  but  that  devotion  to 
Him,  which  lie,  in  his  mercy,  will  give,  even  to  the  weakest  and 
naturally  most  sinful. 

"  Evening. — After  this,  I  took  a  nice  little  walk  on  the  shore  with 
K.  Fry.  We  compared  notes  about  the  dear  invalids,  and  we  could 
not  feel  much  encouraged  about  them.  Then  I  read  and  rested ; 
and  when  my  Parents  went  out,  wrote  the  beginning  of  this.  I 
joined  them,  on  the  shore,  directly  afterwards,  and  seldom  enjoyed 
a  walk  more  —  the  sun  was  shining  brightly,  and  the  sea  looked 
lovely;  and  though  I  did  not  feel  in  high  spirits,  either  about  Papa, 
or  my  own  private  interests,  yet  I  was  comforted  by  a  touch  of  that 
peace  of  which  the  remembrance  alor^e  is  always  so  precious.  Papa 
has  been  rather  better  this  afternoon,  and  we  had  quite  a  large  meet- 
ing in  our  dining-room,  in  which  both  he  and  Aunt  Fry  spoke  in  an 
interesting  way,  on  Love,  Charity,  and  Unity — on  the  doctrine  of 
redemption,  and  on  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit.  Thus  the  day  has  heen 
one  of  rather  peculiar  refreshment,  and  I  shall  not  soon  forget,  I 
think,  the  quietness  and  rest  of  it." 

"  CnOMER,  \st  day  ev-ening,  1th  mo.,  VJth,  1842. — In  the  evening, 
Papa  and  my  Mother  returned  from  Norwich — he  very  poorly —  and 
altogether  his  poor  state  has  been  a  true  trial.  I  have  been  excessively 
anxious  about  him ;  and  on  fifth  day,  at  meeting,  I  could  only  ask 
and  beg  for  submission  whatever  came.  He  is  better  now,  however; 
and,  ob  I  if  the  favour  of  his  real  restoration  is  given  us,  we  shall 
have  now  cause  to  be  thankful,  very  thankful  indeed."     .... 

"Earlha^t,  1st  (lay  evening,  Sth  mo.,  14th. — I  have  been  sitting 
under  one  of  the  trees  by  the  lawn,  reading  part  of  David's  history, 
and  musing;  desiring  good  things  for  myself  and  John  Henry.  Oh  ! 
how  I  wish  we  may  be  right,  not  only  in  the  general,  but  that  we  may 
not  be  permitted  to  take  a  path  ever  so  little  icrong.  May  we  be  granted 
veiy  perceptible  guidance,  grace  to  obey  it  when  it  is  given,  and  pati- 
ence to  wait   for  it  till  it  is.     I  have  been  wishing  for,  or,  at  least 


RECOLLECTIONS.  553 

feeling  the  necessity  of  more  complete  devotion  to  my  heavenly 
Father,  and  of  that  deep-seated  love  and  gratitude  to  my  Saviour, 
■which  springs  from  real  appropriating  faith  in  Him,  and  fonns  the 
right  motive  of  action  and  feeling.  The  idea  of  '  abiding  in  Him/ 
has  often  been  much  with  me,  the  last  few  days.  I  had  a  poor 
meeting  this  morning,  and  sadly  find  coldness  and  distraction,  when 
I  ought  to  find  love  and  fervor  in  my  mind  at  these  times.  Oh  !  that 
I  may  not  prove  at  last  a  '  whited  sepulchre  !'  I  had  a  warm*greeting 
from  Harriet  Long  and  the  school  children,  and  rather  a  nice  reading 
with  them  on  the  last  first  day.  The  place  looks  delicious,  and  we 
have  reason  to  be  very  thankful  for  returning  to  it,  in  such  peace  and 
comfort,  and  with  Papa  so  much  better,  as  he  is.  ... 

"  The  principal  interests  of  the  week  have  been  dear  Hannah 
Scarnell's  death,  and  some  interesting  and  very  intimate  con- 
versations with  *****_  Thus  the  peace  of  Heaven,  and 
the  conflicts  of  earth  have  both  been  brought  under  my  view;  and, 
strange  to  say,  my  inclination  is,  I  think,  to  dwell  on  the  '  turmoil,' 
to  forget  the  *  rest.'  Dear  Hannah  Scarnell  died  on  third  day  after- 
noon. I  was  with  her,  to  my  comfort,  both  then  and  the  day  previous. 
The  last  thing,  I  think,  which  she  heard,  was  the  hymn,  'To  Jesus, 
the  crown  of  my  hope,'  which  I  read  to  her,  and  in  about  twenty 
minutes  after  she  peacefully  expired.  I  felt  it  very  sublime  to  be 
with  her  alone,  as  I  was,  until  within  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  of 
her  death.  It  was  an  elevating  sight ;  but  I  am  almost  afraid  of 
losing  my  sense  of  the  awfulness  of  death,  in  watching  it  repeatedly, 
and,  in  each  case,  seeing  something  so  perfectly  peaceful.  I  shall 
most  truly  miss  her,  and  I  felt  her  funeral  this  morning  like 
that  of  a  near  relation.  I  was  quite  overcome  at  the  grave.  We  had 
a  solemn  time  :  I  was  very  low,  and  have  been  rather  so  all  day.  I 
have  had  some  strange,  flitting  ideas  before  me,  often ;  especially 
when  going  up  the  drive  to  the  grave-yard.  If  I  die  soon,  am  I  pre- 
pared ?  is  a  question  which  I  do  not  ask  myself,  perhaps,  so  seriously 
as  I  ought ;  but  the  idea  is  not  unfrequently  before  me.  Happily, 
'  the  one  thing'  is  what  we  want  for  death  or  life,  and  that  I  do 
earnestly  desire.  I  have  enjoyed  some  settlement — reading  and 
drawing.  A  little  success  in  the  latter,  has  made  me  really  vain.  I 
am  ashamed  to  write  it,  but  so  it  is !  While  such  like  foolish  sins 
continue  to  exist,  perhaps  flourish,  in  me,  how  can  I  have  a  true  part 


554  RECOLLECTIONS. 

in  Him,  who  is  made  unto  us  '  wisdom,  righteousness  and  sanctifica- 
tion,  as  well  as  redemption  V  May  it  be  granted  in  abundant 
mercy." 

"Earlham,  Qth  mo.,  27th,  1842. — I  came  from  Northrepp's  on 
seventh  day,  after  a  very  interesting  week :  was  much  with  Aunt 
Buxton,  and  truly  liked  it :  they  are  all  most  kind,  as  usual — liking 
to  have  i»e.  There  are  one  or  two  points  to  be  remembered,  for  my 
own  benefit.  First,  we  went  seriously  into  the  difference  between 
Church  and  Friends.  It  rather  frightened  me  to  talk  of  such  things, 
lest  I  should  get  the  least  unsettled ;  but  I  was  thankful  to  feel  con- 
firmed in  the  belief,  that  to  me,  at  least,  the  profession  of  Friends  is 
'a  more  excellent  way'  than  any  other.  Yet  Chenda  and  I  never 
felt  more  united,  I  think,  in  the  depths;  and  the  working  out  of 
our  principle  of  divine  guidance,  was,  even  in  her  ou-?i  experience, 
rather  remarkably  exemplified." 

SuiToundecl,  as  she  was,  by  loving  and  beloved  relatives, 
who,  whilst  under  a  different  religious  administration,  were 
themselves  shining  as  "lights  in  the  ■world,"  it  was  no  easy 
thing,  for  this  dear  young  creature  to  persevere  in  the  narrow 
and  restricted  path  of  self-denial  and  the  tlaily  cross,  marked 
out  for  her,  by  her  affectionate  and  watchful  parent ;  but, 
finding  that  his  wishes  were  confirmed  by  the  witness  for  God 
in  her  own  heart,  she  was  enabled,  by  the  aid  of  Divine  Grace, 
to  "  hold  fast  the  profession  of  her  faith  without  wavering," 
"  firm  unto  the  end." 

"4it7i  day.  Received  my  Father  and  Mother  to  dinner.  Our 
meeting  has  been  delightful,  only  clouded  by  Front's  letter  to  my 
Father.     But  I  am  not  very  anxious  through  everything. 

^' "i  Oi  day  night,  Wth  mo.,  Idth,  1842.  —  We  have  had  a  most 
pleasant  re-settleraent  at  home.  I  never  more  luxuriated  in  my  nest 
— my  rooms,  and  horse,  and  leisure,  so  delightful.  I  never  more 
enjoyed  my  Father  and  Mother  and  J.  H.  "We  have  had  but  one 
cloud,  and  thai,  the  anxiety  about  Papa,  who  has  been,  at  times,  very 
poorly,  especially  the  beginning  of  this  week.     Now  we  are  much 


RECOLLECTIONS.  555 

encouraged  again.  Prout  speaks  ftivourably;  and,  I  trust,  we  may 
once  more  have  to  rejofce  and  be  thankful.  -Prout  says  he  has  been 
on  the  edge  of  a  precipice,  and  has  put  him  on  the  strictest  regimen. 
It  is  beautiful  to  see  how  my  father  takes  this  little  cross,  and  how 
quiet  and  peaceful  he  is.  He  looks  veiy  lovely,  and  heavenly  almost, 
in  his  expression.  I  dare  not  think  of  anything  but  his  perfect  res- 
toration to  health.  May  we  all  have  patience  to  wait  the  i-ighl 
time  for  this  blessing ;  and  may  we  have  also  submission,  while  it  is 
withheld!"      ■ 

"  1th  day,  17th,  12mo.,  1842. — "What  a  time  it  is  since  I  wrote ; 
but  I  feel  much  relieved,  in  being  able  to  give  a  better  account  of 
Papa.  He  has  certainly  improved  much,  especially  the  last  week. 
He  was  a  good  deal  troubled  in  mind,  about  making  arrangements 
for  the  servants  having  no  beer,  a  plan  which  was  difficult  and  dis- 
agreeable to  execute.  I  can't  say  how  I  disliked  it;  though  I  have 
been  obliged  to  confess  that  I  did  not  disapprove  it.  But  it  has  been 
truly  htcmhling,  and  given  tx'ouble  enough. 

"  On  fourth  day,  the  30th,  he  had  them  all  up  in  the  drawing- 
room,  in  the  evening,  and  had  a  very  interesting  meeting  with  them, 
ending  in  solemn  prayer." 

"  Ith  day.  —  This  morning,  children ;  Bible,  cxix.  P.'s ; 
Chalmer's;  letters,  letters,  letters !  disappointed,  indeed,  to  find  my 
father  and  mother  not  coming  liome  till  third  day.  I  am  tired  of  my 
solitary  life;  and  was  rather  alarmed  at  receiving  the  new  butler  this 
morning.  Papa  gives  a  satisfactory  account  of  his  visit  to  Prout, 
and  Prout's  opinion  of  him,  that  I  felt  I  must  not  be  cross  at  his  de- 
tention, and  could  not,  also,  but  think  that  (raised  up,  as  I  believe  he 
is,  and  will  be  by  Him,  who  appears  to  grant  our  fervent  desires  and 
petitions  on  his  behalf,)  we  dare  not  grudge  him  for  the  services  of 
his  Lord  and  Master.  I  have  had  one  long  letter  from  J.  H. — a 
very  great  treat,  especially  as  showing  his  thought  and  kindness  to 
me.  To  Keswick,  this  evening.  All  very  kind.  And  now  I  feel  it 
strange  to  be  writing  this  last  evening  of  the  year,  and  rather  strange 
to  end  the  year  here,  all  alone,  as  I  am  now  !  What  can  I  say  of  the 
past  year?  Its  outward  circumstances  have  be*en,  in  some  respects, 
very  weighty  from  my  father's  state;  but  I  greatly  feel  the  blessing 
of  that  care  being  now  lightened.     It  is  a  thorough  relief,  and  I 


556  RECOLLECTIONS. 

do  trust  rnny  be  continued  to  us.  Altogether,  looting  at  our  present 
condition,  I  feel  how  happy  a  one  it  is,  most  ^ntirel3^  John  Henry 
so  truly  affectionate  to  me,  and  satisfactory  in  c/ther  matters.  My 
father  and  mother  in  better  health,  blessing  others,  and  being  blessed 
themselves.  My  home  abounding  in  luxuries  and  privileges.  I  can- 
not but  wish,  as  I  write,  that  nothing  ma^  arise  to  disturb  me  from 
it,  before  the  end  of  '43,  should  I  live  to  see  it.  As  to  the  internals 
of  the  past  year,  I  much  felt  this  morning,  ray  deficiencies;  the  want 
of  devotion,  the  depth  of  pride,  v/hich  had  been  exhibited  in  it;  but 
I  have,  also,  in  a  little  measure,  felt  the  rolling  off  of  that  burden  on 
Him,  who  has  set  me  free  from  the  consequences  of  sin,  who,  I  do 
desire,  will  set  me  free  from  the  pnirer  of  it.  May  I  hope,  that  my 
faith  in  Him  has  been  somewhat  strengthened  and  enlarged." 

"Earlham,  7^A  dot/ evening,  2mo.,  ll/7i,  1843. — My  room.  I 
cannot  write  a  long  account  of  the  past  fortnight,  but  it  has  been  an 
interesting  one.  I  soon  found  that  my  parents'  minds  were  drawn 
towards  Manchester,  and  towards  helping  H.  C.  B.  there.  I  had 
nothing  to  object ;  so  after  a  few  very  quiet  and  pleasant  days  together, 
in  which  I  luxuriated  in  fheni,  and  my  home  comforts  and  occupa- 
tions, they  went  away  on  fifth  day  last,  and  are  only  returned  this 
evening,  after  a  prosperous  and  satisfactory,  though  tiring,  journey. 
It  is  not  the  least  agreeable  to  me  to  miss  them  so  much  as  I  have 
done  lately ;  but  it  is  particularly  pleasant  to  me  to  believe,  that  our 
sweet  unity  and  naturalness,  one  with  another,  is  7}ot  broken  by  it. 
Intimate  daily  dependence,  such  as  papa  used  to  ha-\e  on  me,  is  not 
now  the  thing  to  be  expected;  but  the  comfort  is  great,  of  finding  all 
the  material  part  of  it,  ahcof/s  there." 

''1843.  7di  day  evening,  ith  mo.,  2dfJi. — I  must  put  down  a  few 
words  before  I  go  to  bed.  The  week  has  been  an  interesting  one, 
and,  in  some  ways,  delightful,  especially  my  intercourse  with  dearest 
John  Henry. 

''On  second  day  evening,  he  and  I  were  alone,  and  we  discoursed 
from  seven  till  half  past  ten,  on  himself  chiefly,  dear  fellow.  It 
afresh  excited  the  warmest  desires  of  my  heart,  for  his  help  and 
guidance,  and  that  Re  may  be  satisfied  with  finding  his  right 
path  in  every  way,  especially,  of  course,  that  in  religious  matters 
he  may  take  exactly  the  position  designed  for  him.     His  affection 


RECOLLECTIOiS'S.  557 

and  generosity,  tliis  week,  when  I  liave  been  particularly  tlirown 
upon  him,  have  been  very  delightful  to  me.  His  openness  of 
mind  and  heart  has  been  all  I  could  wish  or  ask,  and  brings  back 
many  an  anxious  hour  to  my  remembrance,  when  he  seemed  so 
locked  vp  to  me.  How  earijestly  I  have  desired  this  breaking  down 
of  barriers  between  us — how  heartfelt  should  my  thankfulness  be  to 
Him,  who  has  so  fully  granted  this  request.  Surely  I  may  take  it 
as  an  encouragement  to  believe,  that  in  all  things  He  will  be  pleased 
to  make  this  darling  brother  what  I  so  truly  desire  he  may  be.  It 
has  often  puzzled  me,  ichi/  I  mind  more  about  his  being  good  than 
about  my  own  self  being  so.  I  cannot  say  how  much  I  feel  the  pro- 
spect of  giving  up  the  daily  intercourse  by  which  our  close  tie  has 
been  made,  yet  I  also  feel  the  great  comfort  of  perceiving  it  to  he  so 
strong,  that  such  daily  intercourse  is  no  longer  necessaiy,  and  much 
of  intimate  communication  will,  I  trust,  be  very  possible  to  us,  even 
when  separated." 

"Paris,  5th  mo.,  Uth,  1843,  1st  day  niglit. — And  here  I  really 
asi  with  my  dearest  parents !  I  cannot  keep  much  record  in  this 
way,  and  attempt  no  real  journal  but  what  I  write  home,  yet  a  little 
may  be  accomplished.  The  bustle  of  leaving  was  great,  and  stupify- 
ing  to  feeling,  of  which  I  was  glad.  It  was  however,  comfortably 
accomplished,  and  all  necessary  things  done."         .... 

"  We  arrived  on  seventh  day  morning,  and  had  a  sweet  reception. 
How  heartily  I  do  wish  that  my  joining  my  dearest  parents  may 
indeed  be  a  help  to  them.  To  be  ever  so  little  with  them,  is  a  great 
privilege,  and  to  be  anything  like  a  help  in  such  an  engagement  as 
this,  a  still  greater.  I  much  feel  the  weight  of  our  journey,  and 
think  Papa  but  poorly.  We  had  a  large  philanthropic  party  here  on 
seventh  day  evening,  and  three  very  interesting  religious  occasions 
to-day.  Aunt  Fry  is  most  delightful  as  usual,  and  I  have  enjoyed 
meeting  the  Countess  Pelet,  and  some  other  of  our  Parisian  friends 
again."         .......... 

"  Lyons,  Ist  day  afternoon,  bth  mo.,  2'it'h.,  1843. — I  have  been 
reading  over  what  I  wrote  this  day  fortnight,  at  Paris,  and  I  think 
our  journey  since  that,  has  really  prospered.  We  left  Paris  on  fourth 
day,  after  the  dear  parents  had  had  a  capital  interview  with  the 
Roval  family,  and  were  quite  relieved.     We  have  had  some  pleasant 


558  RECOLLECTIONS. 

days'  travellings,  and  many  interestino;  meetings  and  engagements  of 
that  nature.     It  has  been  our  business  to  find  out  the  little  body  of 
Protestants  in  each  town,  and  a  sweet  set  they  are,  so  simple,  so 
warm-hearted.     Here  the  way  has  opened  remarkably  for  meetings 
with  the  people,  and  though  we  entered  the  place  as  strangers,  we 
are  now  surrounded  with  kind  friends.     I  never  felt  anything  more 
'  weighty'  than   some  of  these  meetings,  and  never  saw  Papa  more 
oppressed  and  burdened  before-hand;  but  one  after  another  has  been 
wonderfully  got  through.  ....... 

"  I  have  enjoyed  very  much  being  with  my  parents,  and  am  truly 
glad  I  came.  We  have  sometimes  had  a  particularly  quiet,  peaceful 
feeling,  and  after  the  bustle  of  home  too,  the  quiet  hours  in  the 
carriage  have  been  most  refreshing  to  me.  I  like  to  meditate  on  the 
past,  present  and  future,  as  relates  to  myself.  There,  being  full  of 
occupation  of  late,  I  have  been  too  much  taken  up  for  my  good  or 
comfort,  and  have  especially  been  too  much  curtailed  in  my  own 
Bible-reading,  which  never  answers.  To-day  has  been  a  very  sweet 
one.  Our  own  quiet,  little  meeting,  this  morning,  was  delightful, 
and  the  time  for  thought  and  reading  since  really  valuable,  I  was 
so  tired  with  a  long  day  of  standing  about  in  the  prisons  yesterday, 
that  I  do  not  go  out  to-day  at  all  scarcely;  and  I  hope  there  has  been 
some  little  coming  back  to  those  precious  comforts,  which  I  miss  so 
far  more  than  I  need,  by  neglecting  to  »ecJc  them.  The  forgiving 
LOVE  !  how  constantly  one.  has  to  come  back  to  that.  I  think  I  have 
felt  it  a  little  to-day,  and  surely  I  need  it." 

"  CoNGENiES,  \sf  day,  Qth  mo.,  lAth,  1848. — I  am  too  tired,  after  a 
very  full  day,  to  write  much,  but  I  must  just  say  that  our  journey 
has  been  very  interesting  since  I  wrot6  last.  I  shall  not  soon  forget 
the  relief  of  quitting  Lyons,  with  the  sense  of  the  work  being  so 
satisfactorily  accomplished,  and  with  Papa  so  easy  and  happy  in  mind. 
The  last  meeting  was  exceedingly  solemn,  and  all  our  dear  friends 
showed  us  the  greatest  warmth  and  kindness.  I  cannot  doubt  that 
an  impression  was  made  there.  It  has  been  so  beautiful  to  me  to  see 
both  sides  of  the  picture,  to  watch  one  scene  of  labor  presented  after 
another.  At  first  it  all  looks  shaded,  but  by  degrees  the  light  breaks 
in,  and  the  way  opens  for  each  concern  as  it  comes,  in  a  manner 
most  interesting  to  watch,  and  curiously  confirming  q{  our  Quaker 
way  of  going  to  work.         ........ 


RECOLLECTIONS.  559 

"  Here,  I  am  r;  ally  enjoying  mj-self.  My  parents  are  in  such  good 
spirits,  and  less  oppressed,  than  sometimes,  with  their  work;  the 
eountry  is  so  delightful,  and  the  Friends  such  a  very  interesting 
group,  that  our  stay  here  is  quite  a  refreshment.  I  have  begun  to 
visit  the  families  with  my  father  and  mother,  which  I  really  like,  and 
find  very  interesting  to  watch;  sometimes  I  have  thought  the  occa 

sions  exceedingly  solemn I  truly  value  the  opportunity 

of  watching  Papa  in  his  work  of  this  sort,  and  was  never  so  much 
struck  before  with  his  beautiful,  heavenly  spirit.  He  does  seem  so 
full  of  grace  ;  how  I  do  desire  that  abundance  of  a  gift  so  precious 
may  be  given  to  us  all.  To  those  of  whom  I  think  so  often,  and 
about  whom  I  care  so  much  in  these  matters,  as  well  as  to  myself;  I 
write  that  I  desire  it,  so  I  do  ;  but  I  am  afraid  I  sometimes  rest  satis- 
fied with  a  vague  desire ;  and  to  the  mere  wisher  no  promise  of 
supply  is  given." 

"  CoNGENTES,  Qtth  mo.,  24:fh,  lih  day  afternoon. — Another  remark- 
able fortnight  has  passed  away,  and  the  last  week  I  had  rather  give 
an  account  of  here,  than  in  my  journal  letters.  We  have  had  truly  a  time 
of  deep  anxiety,  but  now  are  relieved  and  happy  to  a  delightful  de- 
cree. The  beginning  of  last  week  was  spent  in  finishing  the  family 
visits,  some  of  which  were  really  remarkable. 

"  On  fifth  day  we  were  to  go  to  St.  Hypolite.  Papa  came  down, 
looking  very  tired,  and  said  he  had  had  a  very  bad  night.  We  did 
not  think  much  of  it,  however,  and  proceeded  on  our  journey.  At 
Fontaness  we  met  a  few  Friends,  and  had  an  interesting  little  meeting 
with  the  Brun  family  and  others.  We  were  glad  to  reach  St.  Hypo- 
lite,  after  a  tedious  tiring  drive.  Papa  had  another  poor  night,  and 
seemed  very  much  fatigued  the  next  morning,  when  we  had  a  little 

meeting  with  Friends It  was  painful  to  see  him  in  the 

public  meeting  in  the  evening.  He  could  scarcely  stand,  and  looked 
sadly  poorly.  Another  feverish  night,  and  we  started  for  Congenies 
in  the  morning.  A  meeting  was  appointed  in  the  little  village  of 
C.  and  when  we  arrived  at  the  Friend's  house,  where  we 
expected  to  be  comfortably  entertained,  we  found  a  poor  dirty  little 
kitchen,  with  a  roasting  fire,  the  weather  being  then  so  hot  that  we 
scarcely  knew  how  to  bear  being  exposed  to  the  sun,  even  for  u 
minute.  Poor  Papa  was  taken  with  a  violent  shivering  fit,  and  we 
clambered  up  some  narrow  stairs  to  the  family  bed-room,  for  him  to 


560  RECOLLECTIONS. 

rest.  Our  hostess  snatched  up  a  dirty  clilld  from  a  dirty  bed,  and, 
apologizing  for  her  husband  having  been  using  it  to  rest  after  his 
work,  she  left  us,  and  we  put  Papa  there  !  He  was  so  ill,  that,  had 
the  place  been  decent,  we  dare  not  have  moved  again ;  but  after 
an  hour's  rest,  he  was  wonderfully  enabled  to  speak  at  a  little  meeting, 
in  a  very  striking  manner.  The  earnestness  with  which  he  delivered 
his  message,  almost  frightened  me.  There  was  something  truly  awfu! 
about  it,  which  suited  too  well  with  our  growing  anxiety  about  him. 
A  strong  young  man  helped  him  by  the  little  stony  pathway,  about 
two  hundred  yards,  to  the  carriage.  "We  were  glad  enough  to  have 
him  there  :  but  I  shall  not  soon  forget  the  drive  that  followed.  He 
kept  saying,  '  I  can't  describe  the  sense  of  fatigue  I  have ;  it  is  inex- 
pressible. And  the  journey  seemed  as  if  it  never  would  come  to  an 
end.  Most  welcome  was  our  little  home  here,  which  looked  indeed 
luxurious,  after  what  we  had  left.  George  Majoler  supported  him 
from  the  carriage  to  his  own  room,  and  there  he  was  soon  in  bed, 
with  a  high,  burning  fever  upon  him,  an  oppressed  chest,  and  every 
appearance  of  great  illness.  The  Majoliers  wanted  me  to  send  off 
for  the  Xismes  doctor,  without  asking  my  parents;  but  this  I  did  not 
feel  easy  to  do,  and,  though  I  thought  him  very  ill,  I  had  no  fear  of 
inflammation,  or  present  danger,  which  they  thought  apparent.  My 
parents  passed  a  sad  night,  and  the  Sabbath  rose  upon  us  in  a  low 

condition  truly That  day  and  the  next,  and  the  next, 

were  most  trying.  I  could  scarcely  speak  to  my  mother,  as  we  did 
not  leave  the  room  together.  But  she  was  beautifully  enabled  to  do 
everything  for  him.  I  never  saw  more  perfect  management  of  mind 
and  body  than  she  exercised  over  him.  They  were  neither  of  them 
inclined  for  a  doctor,  and,  though  the  fever  was  running  on,  yet  there 
appeared  no  alarming  symptom.  We  kept  our  anxieties  to  ourselves, 
and  many  a  sad  remembrance  came  back  to  me,  as  I  tried  to  recollect 
all  the  symptoms  of  mamma's  case,  which  was  so  similar,  though 
more  violent.  If  this  run  on  as  her's  did,  I  thought  his  strength 
was  little  prepared  to  meet  it,  and  the  result  was  what  I  dared  not 
clance  at.  Yet  it  was  most  sweet  to  know  in  whose  hands  we  were, 
and  there  was  a  feeling  of  His  mercy  over  us,  which  was  a  support,  • 
indeed.  I  desired  much  to  be  made  perfectly  submissive,  but  it  was 
a  harder  thing  than  I  should  have  thought,  to  come  to,  and  Papa's 
very  suffering  state  was  truly  affecting  to  witness.  At  last  I  ventured 
to  name  the  doctor  to  my  fiither;  it  made  him  nervous,  and  he  could 


KECOLLECTIONS.  561 

not  bear  my  mentioning  it ;  but,  several  hours  after,  he  said  he  thought 
it  would  be  better  to  see  him,  and  my  mother  and  I  begged  Gr.  M.  to 
start  very  early  the  next  morning  for  him.  That  night,  however, 
relieved  our  dear  patient  by  a  violent  perspiration  suddenly  coming 
on,  in  consequence  of  some  medicine  my  mother  gave  him ;  and, 
though  often  very  suffering,  he  has  never  had  much  fever  since. 
When  I  went  to  him  in  the  morning  (while  my  mother  left  him  to 
dress),  he  told  me  he  felt  excessively  ill,  and  did  not  think  he  should 
recover;  giving  me  directions  about  her,  &c.  .1  did  not  really  think 
it  was  so,  and  was  angry  with  myself  for  giving  way  to  anything  of 
the  sort ;  yet  I  could  not  quite  restrain  my  tears  as  he  spoke  to  me 
in  this  way,  in  a  very  weak  voice,  with  perfect  composure,  indeed, 

but  with  much  feeling The  day  brightened,  however, 

as  it  went  on,  and  he  was  really  better  before  the  doctor  came,  who 
confirmed  us  in  our  belief  of  its  being  bilious  fever,  but  said  he 
thought  it  subsiding.  That  night  we  persuaded  my  mother  to  leave 
him,  and  I  really  enjoyed  my  post  by  his  side.  It  was  the  first  good 
night  he  had  had,  and  it  was  perfectly  delightful  to  hear  him  sleeping 
soundly,  and  made  me  very  thankful  and  happy.  Since  that  time 
he  has  been  steadily  mending,  and  is  now  regaining  his  strength,  so 
that  we  hope  to  go  away  on  second  day.  It  is,  indeed,  a  relief  be- 
yond what  I  can  say,  to  have  him  thus,  and  raises  a  feeling  of  thank- 
fulness, such  as  I  have  not  often  had  before,  to  Him  who  has  pre- 
served him  from  going  further  into  the  depths  of  illness,  from  which 
in  his  weak  state  of  health  we  could  hardly  have  hoped  he  would 
rise.  Had  this  fever  gone  on,  as  they  generally  do,  I  can  scarcely 
think  his  strength  could  have  stood  it,  seeing  how  very  much  he  had 
been  reduced  by  five  days  of  it.  He  could  not  stand  or  walk  alone, 
before  to-day.  Most  sweetly,  at  reading,  this  morning,  he  expressed 
his  sense  of  the  mercy  he  had  experienced." 

"Berne,  Ith  mo.,  SOth,  1843.  J^irst  day. — Just  five  weeks  since 
I  last  wrote.  Truly  the  first  word  here  should  be  one  of  hearty 
thankfulness ;  and  as  I  have  been  reading  over  the  last  page  or  two, 
it  makes  me  ashamed  of  the  flat  state  I  am  iu  to-day.  My  father  is 
very  nicely  again,  after  much  anxiety  about  him,  during  his  slow 
restoration,  which  was  made  slower  by  the  difiiculty  of  diet  and  the 
other  irregularities  of  travelling.  We  think  him  now  very  nearly  as 
well  as  before  his  illness.     Our  journey  has  been  truly  interesting; 

Vol.  II.  — 36 


,'>t)2  RECOLLECTIONS. 

:iiid  it  is  a  great  comfort  to  have  arrived  in  safety,  anil  with  the  dear 

parents'  minds  thoroughly  relieved We  have  also  had 

the  treat  of  charming  scenery  at  G-renoble,  on  the  hike  of  Geneva, 
and  at  Chamouni.  Finally,  we  have  enjoyed  a  great  deal  of  pleasant 
intercourse  with  many  kind  friends  at  Geneva,  and  seen  one  or  two 
'  Inonf.,'  as  D'Aubigne,  Gaussin,  Vinet,  &c.  My  father's  objects  at 
<j!(:neva  have  been  well  accomplished,  and  T  think  it  has  been 
remarkably  given  them  to  soften  prejudice,  and  to  promote  Christian 
unity." 

*'  Basle,  8<7i  mo.,  loth,  1843.  Fird  day. — I  have  been  reading  an 
:tccount  of  the  Crucifixion,  this  morning,  and,  also  that  splendid 
V'jpistle  to  the  Hebrews.  So  wonderful  and  so  grand  as  it  is  !  Oh  ! 
to  drink  more  deeply  of  that  boundless  love,  and  to  know  something 
uf  the  'joy  unspeakable,'  and  that  we  may  not  be  in  the  least  dc- 
i-eived,  or  in  atiy  way  taking  up  a  false  rest.  I  do  not  like  to  go  to 
oed  without  mentioning  the  very  interesting  evening  which  we  have 
jiassed.  A  solemn  meeting  first,  then  supper,  and  a  memorable  time 
\vith  thirty-seven  of  the  students  in  the  same  room.  A  fine  set  of 
young  men  they  are,  and  animated  apparently  by  a  fine  spirit.  It 
was  impossible  not  to  look  at  them  with  great  interest,  many  of  them 
soon  to  leave,  and  all,  before  five  years  are  over,  to  be  scattered 
through  the  world.  What  a  focus  of  light  may  that  company  be  I 
And  how  much,  poor  things,  they  may  have  to  sufi"er  I  Papa  addressed 
them  in  a  striking  way,  and  the  whole  thing  has  been  a  delightful 
conclusion  to  our  Swiss  journey;  'an  evening,'  as  Dr.  Pinkerton 
!*aid,  '  to  be  remembered  by  us  all.'  I'arting  with  Switzerland  is 
like  parting  with  an  old  friend.  What  a  delightful  time,  on  the 
whole,  we  have  had  here,  and  what  a  very  remarkable  opening  has 
b  -'cn  made  in  one  place  after  another  for  the  work !" 

<'  Bri'SSELS,  %th  mo.,  27th,  1843.  First  day. — This  is  the  best  date 
of  all.  So  near  home,  as  it  looks.  We  are  all  much  pleased  to  be 
so  near  the  end  of  our  expedition,  most  interesting  as  it  has  been. 
This  day  week,  we  were  at  Stuttgard.  I  think  our  stay  there  was  as 
interesting  as  any  part  of  our  journey.  We  were  completely  bird- 
limed,  till  the  King  came  home  to  be  visited,  and  then  our  stril-ivfj, 
solemn  time  with  him,  and  the  Queen,  and  their  children,  w:is  one 
long  to  be  remembered  I  not  only  for  its  own  interest,  but  as  a  proof, 


RECOLLECTIONS.  563 

ihot  true,  real  concerns  are  always  brouglit  about  in  some  way.  Wc 
have  had  a  rapid  journey  from  Stuttgard,  by  the  Rhine  and  railroads, 
and  now  hope  to  be  off  for  England  to-morrow.  Papa  returned 
thanks  in  our  little  meeting,  this  morning,  for  all  the  mercies  we  had 
experienced.  Truly  they  have  been  many.  How  well  I  remember 
the  end  of  our  last  journey,  in  1841,  and  how  I  used  to  ponder  on 
our  return — on  Papa's  marriage,  as  I  do  now  on  my  own.  I  always 
thought  I  should  not  mind  my  own  so  much,  and  I  do  not  in 
some  ways,  though  at  times,  I  hardly  know  how  to  think  of  it,  or 
realize  to  myself  the  idea  of  leaving  home !  I  have  thought  much 
and  deeply  of  it  the  last  few  days ;  and,  oh  !  that  He  who  appointcth  all 
for  me,  may  condescend  himself  to  bless  evevT/  step  evejy  day.  I  long, 
as  it  were,  to  creep  under  his  shelter  in  thinking  of  the  effort,  and  the 
excitement  of  the  next  two  or  three  months;  and  have  had  some 
real  comfort  in  reflecting  on  the  mercies  of  a  Heavenly  '  Father.' 
'  He  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High,  shall  ahide 
under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty.'  However  far  I  may  be  from 
anything  so  blessed,  yet  that  is  what  I  long  for,  and  what  perhaps  I 
may  one  day  have  a  taste  of !  But  I  am  afraid  that  if  anybody  had 
seen  me  sometimes  the  last  few  days,  most  inconveniently  tearful 
eyes  would  have  told  a  tale  of  a  heart  too  trustless,  and  too  ungrateful. 
But  it  is  impossible  not  to  feel  this  return  home  exceedingly ;  though 
considering  what  it  is,  I  am  little  troubled  with  fear  or  anxiety, 
touching,  as  it  is,  to  think^of  quitting  my  own  dear  ones,  and  weighty 
to  think  of  a  new  series  of  duties,  and  a  new  sphere  altogether."  . 

"Earlham,  ^th  mo.,6t?i,  1843 We  left  Brussels 

on  second  day  morning,  and  had  a  long  day's  journey  to  Dunkirk — 
to  Calais  on  third.  There,  Josiah  Forster  left  us ;  but  the  weather 
not  being  tempting,  we  concluded  to  remain  till  the  next  morning. 
"We  had  a  profoundly  quiet  day.  T  felt  it  was  such  a  day  of  repose, 
as  I  had  not  had  for  long,  and  should  not  have  soon  again.  But  I 
greatly  felt  coming  to  the  end  of  the  journey,  and  the  end  of  this 
time  with  my  parents." 

*  "  Earlham,  2d  day. — "We  came  down  here,  arriving  quite  late 
It  was  delightful  to  meet  J.  H."         ...... 

"3<£<?ay. — "We  did  greatly  enjoy  this  dear  place,  which  looked 


564  RECOLLECTIONS. 

more  lovely  than  ever,  and,  I  hope,  felt  truly  thankful  to  be  again 
here,  and  Papa  so  nicely."         ...... 

''  (}th  day  night,  Qth  mo.,  27th,  1843. — I  write  to-night  chiefly  to 
record  the  capital  Bible  meeting  yesterday.  We  had  the  usual  large 
party  to  breakfast.  The  meeting  looked  thin,  when  we  entered,  but 
I  never  heard  a  better  set  of  speeches.  The  Bishop,  Uncle  Cun- 
ningham, Pryor,  Alexander,  and  then  Papa.  It  was  quite  a  treat  to 
hear  him,  in  his  best  manner,  describe  the  need,  and  the  effect  of  the 
distribution  of  the  Scriptures  on  the  Continent;  its  effect  in  op- 
posing infidelity  on  one  hand,  superstition  on  the  other;  and  leading 
them  to  the  religion  of  the  New  Testament,  '  without  diminution, 
without  addition,  and  without  compromise.'  It  was  listened  to  with 
great  attention,  and  had  its  impression  on  many  who  were  there. 
Hather  an  unusual  set  —  twenty-six  clergymen.  I  love  to  see  Papa 
in  such  a  place,  so  completely  in  his  atmosphere  as  he  is;  and  the 
whole  feeling  was  glowing  towards  the  cause  itself." 

"  The  days  do  bring  their  trial  with  them,  and  we  are  just  now 
clouded  by  Aunt  Fry's  illness.  The  accounts  are  very  discouraging. 
I  cannot  bear  to  think  how  it  may  end.  My  Cousin  Hudson  Gurney 
has  been  very  ill  also.  Thus  things  look  gloomy,  and  I  feel  the 
effect  of  them.  A  sense  of  dependence  on  a  never  failing  Protector, 
alone  makes  these  times  easy ;  and  truly  my  desires  are  very  often 
raised  to  Him  for  his  guiding,  teaching  help.  What  should  I  be 
without  that,  in  looking  forward  into  life  !  I  know  I  ought  to  be  very 
thankful  for  all  the  mercy  shown  me ;  but  I  am  afraid  that  I  am  too 
apt  to  be  overweighted  by  the  oppressive  sense  of  leaving  so  much 
that  is  dear,  and  of  meeting  so  much  that  I  know  nothing  or  little 
about.     But, 

"  '  What  thou  shalt  to-flay  provide, 

Let  me  as  a  child  receive ; 
What  to-morrow  may  betide, 

Calmly  to  thy  wisdom  leave.'" 

llth  mo.,  4fh. — "  I  have  been  very,  very  busy — packing  to  super, 
intend  —  farewell  calls  to  make,  &c.  &c.  I  have  been  a  good  deal 
with  Aunt  C.  My  parents  and  John  Henry  between  times.  .1 
cannot  enter  much  on  my  own  mind.  I  am  often  truly  low,  and 
inconveniently  tearful ;  but,  on  the  whole,  I  get  on  fairly,  and  am 
quite  tranquil,    with  a    little    trust    in    Him,    who  is    Almighty  — 


RECOLLECTIONS.  56^5 

enabled  to  believe  that  He  will  belp,  sustain,  and  guide,  keep 
me  near  Himself,  and  teach  me  to  serve  and  love  Him,  as  I  desire 
to  do.  Duties  of  every  sort  rise  before  me.  Oh  !  may  the  help  for 
them  be  abundantly  given.  Uncle  Forster's  sermon,  this  morning, 
wonderfully  fine." 

On  the  9th  of  11th  mo.,  she  became  the  wife  of  John  Church 
Backhouse  of  Darlington. 

"  I  am  very  quiet  in  mind,  sui^prisingly  so,  to  myself,  and  I  have 
got  through  almost  all  my  business.  Oh !  may  it  be,  that  in  the 
coming  week,  over  every  interest,  and  every  conflict,  there  may 
spread  that  sheltering  wing,  which  is  extended  by  the  God  of  peace ; 
and  in  hearty  trust  in  Him,  may  we  be  carried  through  each  suc- 
cessive effort  in  His  fear,  and  with  quiet  confidence  in  Him  as  our 
Father !  I  dare  not  touch  on  the  details  past  or  to  come ;  but  I 
think  I  may  look  forward  to  the  hope  of  a  happy  tranquillity  this  day 
w^eek.  If  I  do  not  write  again  until  my  marriage,  surely  I  must  say 
before  I  end,  how  greatly  I  desire  to  acknowledge,  with  deep  thank- 
fulness, the  innumerable  mercies  I  have  received  up  to  this  point  in 
my  life.  'Bless  the  Lord,  oh,  my  soul!  and  forrjet  not  all  His 
benefits.'     I  desire  that  this  may  be  my  motto."         .         .  .     . 

"Nottingham,  Wth  mo.,  l^th,  1843. — I  cannot  say  how  earnest 
have  been  my  desires  on  behalf  of  my  beloved  brother,  that,  if  he 
lose,  by  my  leaving  him,  something  of  help  and  encouragement  ia 
his  religious  course,  it  may,  through  mercy,  be  abundantly  made  up 
to  him,  by  the  same  Gracious  Hand  which  calls  me  away.  I  feel 
how  little  I  have  done,  in  this,  or  any  other  way,  for  him,  dear 
fellow;  but  I  know,  now,  in  leaving,  how  deeply  I  have  clung  to 
him,  and  how  constantly  my  heart  has  been  filled  with  love  and  care 
for  him.  It  shows  me  how  mercifullj'  I  am  provided  for,  when  the 
place  of  such  as  he,  and  even  of  my  precious  parents,  seems  supplied. 
Sometimes,  I  must  confess,  I  should  have  been  almost  overwhelmed 
with  the  change  of  position,  and  all  it  involves,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  belief,  that  an  ever-present  Father  is  with  us,  our  shield  and  oui 
stay — one  in  whose  hands  are  all  things. 

*^  Letters  from  home,  this  morning,  have  been  sufficiently  touch- 
ing; especially  the  account  of  my  dearest  father's   feeling  my  de-. 


5G0  EECOLLECTIONS. 

partare  a  good  deal  more  than  I  expected  he  would.  It  has  brought 
to  my  mind  all  the  unusual  privileges  I  have  enjoyed,  and  that  verse 
in  Isaiah  iv.,  has  been  solemn  to  me  this  morning:  'What  could  I 
have  done  more  to  my  vineyard  than  I  have  done  in  it  ?'  ...  1 
have  been  full  of  desire — I  think  I  may  say  prayer  —  this  morning, 
for  the  precious  gift  of  grace  for  us,  that  all-sufficient  grace  which 
guides,  and  helps,  and  teaches,  and  protects.  How  much  I  have  to 
be  thankful  for,  in  knowing  something  of  its  helping  power  in  my 
single  life  !  May  it  be  the  first  thing  which  u-e  seek,  and  may  it 
guide  every  step  of  our  way." 

"PoLAM  HiLI>,  V2(h  mo.,  22J,  1843,  ifth  day  evenhvj.  My 
room. — As  this,  I  suppose,  is  my  last  night  at  Polam,  I  will  try  and 
say  a  few  words  of  the  month  we  have  spent  here ;  I  feel  it  has  been 
a  month  like  all  the  others  of  this  1843,  very  full  of  life ;  one  that 
I  shall  not  soon  forget.  We  have  had  a  luxurious  habitation  in  this 
beautiful  hous3,  to  which  I  feel  quite  attached ;  and,  amongst  all  the 
odd  things,  it  has  not  been  the  least  to  find  myself  mistress  in  a 
place  with  which  I  have  such  different  associations  1 

"  We  arrived  on  fifth  day,  the  22d  of  11th  month.  I  felt  coming 
very  much.  My  new  parents  and  Eliza  met  us  here  and  gave  us  a 
very  warm  reception.  Once,  for  all,  I  must  say  how  Iteartily  kind 
they  have  been  to  me,  all  three  of  them.  ...  I  cannot  write 
all  I  would  about  these  dear  ones,  but  truly  I  ought  to  be  thankful 
that  such  a  family  is  the  one  I  have  entered.  .  .  .  Their  kind- 
ness is  so  genuine  and  hearty,  and  their  reception  of  me  has  been  s<i 
truly  cordial,  that  I  could  not  bat  prize  the  love  from  which  it 
springs.  Especially  I  feel  the  value  of  the  dear  Aunts  at  Wesi 
Lodge,  and  of  my  dear  cousin,  Emma  Pease,  and  her  party.  Per- 
haps, if  coming  here  does  me  no  other  good,  it  will  at  least  make  me 
perceive  advantages  and  privileges  under  a  new  shape. 

"  Blackweil  pleases  me  very  much.  We  are  to  begin  to-morrow 
our  life  there,  .  .  .  and  it  iiiakes  me  i^itber  low  to-night,  to  think 
of  the  responsible  position  which  the  mistress  of  a  family  occupies. 
I  have  nc^  often  more  strongly  felt  how  greatly  I  need  helj);  yes, 
even  ffvace,  which  is  the  help.  I  fear  the  period  I  have  spent  hero, 
has  been  one  in  which  the  occupations  of  mind  and  thought  have 
diverted  me  from  the  diligent  seeking  of  that  grace,  and  I  ought  to 
be  humbled  under  a  souse  of  my  own  cold-heartedness  and  neghict- 


RECOLLECTIOISS.  567 

fulness.  '  Fervent  in  spirit,'  I  vi'ish  to  be  my  motto ;  but  Lovr  very 
little  has  it  characterized  lue  the  last  few  weeks.  We  had  an  in- 
teresting, roi/smy  visit  from  Benjamin  Seebohm ;  but,  except  that, 
outward  helps  in  these  things,  have  not  been  great.  1  miss  Papa'.-< 
Christian  spirit  over  me ;  but  I  desire  to  remember,  that,  where  we 
are  providentially  placed,  there,  if  we  prosper  not,  it  is  our  own 
fault;  and  sometimes  I  do  know  and  feel,  that  my  Heavenly  Father, 
ia  his  forgiving  love,  does  not  cast  rae  off. 

"  I  have  much  enjoyed  our  daily  readings.  Oh  !  if  we  may  in- 
deed have  abundance  of  the  '  dew  of  Heaven/  I  should  have  nothing 
left  to  wish  for."         ......... 

To  the  beloved  family  at  Beecliwood,  into  which  she  was 
now  introduced,  consisting  of  John  Backhouse,  his  wife,  and 
widowed  daughter,  she  soon  became  warmly  attaclied.  Alivo 
to  the  excellence  of  their  Christian  character,  and  impressed 
■with  a  grateful  sense  of  their  unremitting  kindness  to  herself 
her  young  heart  glowed  with  daughterly  and  sisterly  aflfection 
for  them.  And,  truly,  this  affection  was  returned  abundantly : 
they  loved  her  as  their  own.  Her  married  life  was,  in  every 
respect,  a  very  happy  one ;  and,  in  10th  month,  1844,  sht; 
became  the  mother  of  a  lovely  little  boy.  In  allusion  to  him. 
she  says,  12th  month,  20th,  1844 : 

'  We  had  the  great  pleasure  of  showing  our  darling  boy  to  his 
Earlham  grand-parents.  They  have  been  so  delighted  with  him ; 
more  than  I  could  have  expected.  They  came  to  Polam  on  sixth 
day,  and  spent  seventh  day  morning  here.  Baby  was  perfectly  good, 
and  I  do  feel  that  the  very  great  pleasure  he  will  be,  if  he  lives,  to 
them,  is  one  of  the  chief  happinesses  connected  with  him,  dear  little 
fellow !  They  are  staying  at  Polam,  but,  of  course,  we  have  been 
constantly  together.  On  fifth  day  fhe  four  grand-parents  dined  here, 
and  dear  Baby  descended  in  his  n'ght  clothes  to  be  exhibited.  It 
was  quite  a  pretty  sight,  to  see  that  \  oor  little  mortal,  surrounded  by 
all  the  elders,  admiring  him. 

"  I  am  afraid  the  warmth  of  my  heart  is  far,  far  less  than  it 
should  be,  in  thinking  of  all  our  blessings.  How  apt  each  new  one 
is,  to  become  an  engrossing  object  of  attentionj  and  to  draw  away 


568  RECOLLECTIONS. 

from  the  Source  of  all  good.  May  I  be  preserved  from  this  deep 
ingratitude,  of  which  I  have  found  more  than  I  like  to  say,  in 
myself. 

In  1845,  not  only  was  she  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of 
her  beloved  Aunt  Fry  and  Uncle  Buxton — to  both  of  "whom 
she  was  tenderly  attached — but  two  dear  cousins  *  also,  with 
whom  she  had  been  on  terms  of  almost  sisterly  intimacy  ;  on 
which  occasion  the  following  record  appears  in  her  journal : 

"  Thus  two  more  of  my  familiar  friends  have  done  with  time,  and 
have  entered  on  Eternity  I  I  do  not  doubt  a  blessed  one  to  them 
both.  I  do  trust  these  repeated  calls  are  not  unheeded  I  The  last 
few  days  have  been  very  serious  ones  to  me, — waking  me  from  a 
stupid  state,  I  hope,  making  me  feel  our  infinite  privileges,  in  having 
One  to  plead  the  cause  of  sinners  with  the  rigldeous  God  !  I  do  not 
know  that  I  have  ever  much  more  felt  this.  3Iay  I  realize  it  more 
and  more  till  earth  is  completely  outshone  in  my  mind  by  that  which 
is  eternal !  It  is  well  I  feel  that  we  have  had  our  share  in  all  these 
dispensations,  for  otherwise  there  would  have  been  danger  in  our 
smooth,  happy  life — very,  very  full  of  blessings  has  it  been  this  year. 
Our  darling  child  does  grow  so  lovely ;  but  as  I  have  begun  a  book 
about  him,  I  must  not  enlarge.  We  have  had,  this  summer,  delight- 
ful visits  from  Aunt  Catherine  and  the  Cunninghams ;  two  or  three 
days  from  the  dear  parents,  whom  we  also  met  at  Carlisle;  from 
Aunt  R.  Fowler;  John's  cousin,  Charles  Church;  two  or  three 
most  valuable  days  from  John  Henry,  before  we  went  into  Norfolk. 
I  have  been  much  occupied  in  the  village.  The  school  has  been 
really  prospering,  and  a  great  pleasure  to  me." 

When  she  removed  to  Blackwell,  she  found  the  moral  cul- 
ture of  the  children  had  been  much  neglected ;  and  all  the 
energies  of  her  young  and  ardent  mind  were  called  into  action, 
in  the  hope  of  producing  a  better  state  of  things  amongst 
them. 

Her  first  step  was  to  procure  a  good  and  efficient  teacher. 
She   then  went    round   the   neighbourhood    encouraging   the 

*  Elizabeth  BarcLny  and  Ann  Iloclgkia. 


RECOLLECTIONS.  569 

parents  to  send  their  children  to  school — visited  it  herself 
almost  dailj,  and  endeavored  to  persuade  the  young  ladies  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  to  do  the  same.  A  wonderful  reforma- 
tion was  soon  produced,  both  in  the  conduct  and  acquirements 
of  the  pupils ;  and  the  school  continued  to  be  an  object  of 
great  interest,  until,  in  1847,  she  was  obliged  to  forsake  her 
delightful  home,  and  all  her  pleasant  useful  avocations,  and 
take  a  long  and  fatiguing  journey  in  pursuit  of  health.  But 
we  will  not  anticipate.  The  year  just  mentioned  was  one  of 
the  most  marked  and  memorable  of  her  brief  existence,  for,  at 
its  very  commencement,  she  was  deprived  of  a  parent  to  whom 
she  was  so  tenderly  attached,  that  it  might  almost  be  said  her 
life  was  bound  up  in  his  life,  and  death  could  not  long  divide 
them. 

A  few  pages  from  her  journal,  written  after  her  return  from 
Earlham,  will  give  her  own  recital  of  this  deeply  sorrowful 
event.  Taking  a  retrospective  view  of  the  few  preceding 
months,  she  says,  (writing  under  date  of  1st  mo.,  30th, 
1847) : 

"We  made  up  our  minds  not  longer  to  delay  our  Norfolk  journey, 
and  I  started  with  the  maids  and  Johnny,  so  as  to  arrive  there  on 
the  last  day  of  the  eighth  month,  spending  one  day  first  at  Upton  by 
the  way.  We  spent  five  whole  weeks  at  Earlham,  including 
several  days  at  Northrepp's,  and  my  dearest  parents  returned  with  us 
to  Darlington,  on  the  3rd  of  the  10th  month.  They  staid  about  three 
weeks  between  Blackwelland  Polam,  so  that  never  before  since  I  married 
had  I  had  so  much  of  .their  company.  How  thankful  I  am  that  these 
visits  were  permitted,  for  it  was  difiicult  to  arrange  them  at  first.  That 
at  Earlham  was  a  very  full  one.  They  had  a  great  deal  of  company — 
Alexanders,  Dudleys,  &c. ;  and  the  Bible  and  quarterly  meetings  happen- 
ing in  the  same  week,  produced  rather  an  awkward  run  of  people.  I 
am  so  glad  I  was  at  that,  his  last  Bible  meeting !  His  speech  was 
delightful;  and  most  interesting  to  me,  was  his  interest  in  John 
Henry's,  when  he  nobly  pledged  himself  to  the  cause  his  father  had 
advocated  so  many  years.  After  his  death,  we  found  in  his  pocket- 
book,  a  little  bit  of  the  newspaper  containing  J.  H.'s  speech.  I  nevar 
saw  him  more  delighting  -n  Earlham,  then  in  its  flowery  beauty.    One 


570  RECOLLECTIONS. 

day,  I  reraetnber  particularly,  J.  H.  and  Mary  were  there — the  latter 
ia  youthful  glee,  my  Johnny  gambolling  by  her  on  the  lawn — he 
•walking  about  in  his  cloak  and  cap,  really  taking  hearty  pleasure  in 
this  dear  girl,  while  everything  glowed  with  sun  and  beauty,  and  his 
own  countenance  shone  with  heavenly  i^eace  I  Can  it — can  it  be  that 
I  am  to  see  that  dear  loved  form,  walking  about  the  Earlham  garden, 
no  more?  .  .  .  .  .  How  he  did  enjoy  Johnny  !  I  can  see  him 
now  feeding  him  with  grapes;  making  him  repeat  'Jack  Horner'; 
showing  him  oif  on  the  drawing-room  table,  at  the  Bible-meeting 
breakfast,  '  Now  I'll  show  you  my  grandson' ;  then  making  the 
child  walk ;  never  tired  of  all  his  little  feats,  anxious  too  when  he 
was  not  quite  good.  How  he  did  dislike  it  when  I  sent  him  to  bed 
before  dessert !  All  these  recollections  are  dear  to  me.  My  child 
did  give  him  pleasure,  and  that  I  may  be  glad  of.  But  it  is  over 
noic !  My  husband  joined  us  at  Earlham,  in  time  for  the  Bible 
meeting,  and  we  all  came  back  together,  arriving  here  on  7th  day,  the 
3d  of  10th  month.  I  had  not  been  well  in  Norfolk,  and  so  they  made 
me  see  Dr.  Smith,  in  London — dearest  Papa  arranging  it  all  himself 
— so  tender  about  me — so  careful  of  me — he  never  more  enjoyed  a 
visit  here — he  enjoyed  the  place  so  extremely — reading  and  drawing, 

while  I  read  to  him  Scott's  Force  of  Truth,  &c He 

wanted  to  have  some  trees  cut  down  that  spoiled  his  view.  I  had 
such  pleasure  in  getting  John  to  let  me  have  them  taken  away. 
And  now,  in  coming  home  again,  it  is  hard  to  think  I  must  never 
show  him  any  more  improvements,  and  that  the  pleasure  of  my  beau- 
tiful home  is  stained  indeed  ! 

"  But  to  go  on  with  my  history.  Both  my  parents  had  bad  influ- 
enza colds,  while  they  were  staying  at  Polam,  which  detained  them 
lono-er  than  they  had  intended  in  this  neighborhood,  thus  giving  me 
still  more  opportunity  of  being  with  them.  .  .  .  Yiovf  extremely 
I  felt  leaving  them  one  evening  when  I  thought  they  were  going  the 
next  day  !     I  remember  telling  John,  '  Perhaps  I  should  never  see 

him  again,'  but  I  put  the  uncertainty  to  my  own  state 

He  used  to  think  the  air  at  Blackwell  better  than  at  Polam,  and 
spent  one  day  here  entirely.  .  .  .  Oh  !  how  glad  I  am  that  he 
had  a  home  in  this  dear  house,  and  that  every  room  almost  is  asso- 
ciated with  hira.  

"  But  I  must  not  omit  to  mention  the  meetings,  while  they  were 
cere.     His  ministry  was  so  lovely,  dwelling  so  much  on  Heaven  and 


RECOLLECTIONS.  571 

heavenly  things.  The  feeling  of  peace  and  the  loveliness  of  his  spirit 
were  remarked  by  many.  1  only  could  shrink  from  acknowledging 
to  myself  how  ripe  he  seemed  for  a  better  land !  I  remember  the 
thought  passing  through  my  mind  often,  and  as  often  my  turning  from 
all  it  involved  !  Most  of  the  time,  he  was  in  very  comfortable  spirits, 
and  remarkably  degage  and  easy :  but  I  must  come  to  our  last  inter 
view,  and,  oh  I  how  does  it  icring  my  heart  to  write  that  word  !  Still 
I  ought  to  be  only  thankful  for  such  a  parting  as  it  was.  We  had 
dined  at  Polam,  and,  as  I  thought,  taken  leave  of  them  there,  only 
we  talked  a  little  of  going  to  see  them  off  by  the  train  the  next  morn- 
ing. However,  the  next  morning  I  was  confined  to  bed  by  influenza, 
and  was  surprised,  as  I  lay  there,  to  hear  his  voice  in  the  hall.  He 
had  come  up  to  take  leave  of  us,  riding  on  the  pony.  He  looked  so 
well  and  handsome,  and  was  so  extremely  tender  and  affectionate. 
He  called  for  little  Jacky  directly,  as  he  always  did ;  and  John  and 
he  had  breakfast  together.  After  it  was  over,  he  came  into  my  room 
and  sat  by  my  bedside.  We  three  alone ;  he  read  a  Psalm,  and  then 
kneeling  down,  poured  out  such  a  beautiful  prayer  for  us.  How  I 
wish  I  could  remember  it  every  word !  But  I  shall  never  forget  the 
general  impression  of  it,  nor  how  it  went  to  my  very  heart.  He 
spoke  of  our  '  sweet  natural  love  for  each  other ;'  besought  '  that  this 
might  increasingly  become  a  spiritual  union ;'  and  then  for  our  child, 
that '  the  yoke  of  obedience  and  parentalauthority  might  be  firmly  estab- 
lished on  him,  as  the  best  preparation  for  the  yohe  of  Christ :'  and 
more,  about  bringing  him  up  for  the  service  of  his  Lord,  which  I  can- 
not accui-ately  remember.  Then  he  prayed  that  if  consistent  with  the 
Divine  will,  he  '  might  be  permitted  to  see  his  children's  children,  and 
peace  upon  Israel !' 

"  When  he  rose  from  his  knees,  he  sat  a  few  minutes,  then  kissed 
me,  told  me  to  take  care  of  myself,  and  he  left  me — left  ma  forever  in 
this  world  !  Oh  !  may  a  meeting  be  granted  us,  where  there  is  no 
more  parting — no  more  death!  After  his  return  to  Earlham,  he 
wrote  me  more  letters  than  usual.  Such  happy  letters — bespeaking 
such  an  easy,  joyous  state ;  for  though  aiSicted  about  the  distressed 
condition  of  Ireland,  he  had  endeavoured  to  cast  off  that  burden, 
after  doing  all  he  could  to  help  them.  He  spoke  constantly^ of  his 
happy  home-life ;  of  the  beauty  of  the  flowers,  even  of  the  cockatoo, 
as  adding  to  their  pleasure.  Two  family  events  of  a  touching  cha- 
racter occurred  at  the  end  of  the  year — Uncle  Hoare's  sudden  death, 


572  RECOLLECTIONS. 

the  night  after  Christmas,  and  the  unexpected  birth  and  death  of  R.  B.'a 
baby-boys,  on  the  1st  of  1st  month,  1847.  Thus  did  the  new  year 
begin  gloomily  to  many,  and  seriously  to  us  all !  For  my  own  part, 
I  could  not  get  over  a  sort  of  presentiment  of  something  in  store  for 
us.  'The  coming  event  had  cast  its  shadow  before.'  It  was  well  for 
us  that  it  had.  I  received  a  delightful  letter  from  Papa,  written  on 
'  Christmas  day,'  the  last  he  wrote  me  !  He  did  not  mention  that  he 
lUid  had  a  fall  from  his  horse,  in  the  course  of  that  week.  I  heard  of 
it,  in  a  letter  from  my  mother  to  Aunt  B.  ;  but  it  had  hardly  made'me 
anxious,  as  it  seemed  to  have  no  ill  effect.  On  the  day  before  New 
Year's,  I  received  the  first  account  of  his  being  poorly,  written  on  the 
previous  third  day.  The  account  did  not  in  itself  make  me  anxious, 
as  it  described  nothing  serious;  but  the  one  on  the  following  day 
made  me  more  uncomfortable.  The  succeeding  ones  were,  however, 
very  relieving.  So  that  we  never  even  discussed  the  subject  of  going 
to  them.  My  husband  went  to  New  Castle  on  the  4th,  and  I  spent  a 
particularly  pleasant  day  at  Beechwood.  AVe  read  my  mother's  note 
together ;  no  one  was  alarmed  by  it.  The  next  morning  I  had  a  note 
from  Aunt  Birkbeck,  giving  me  suddeaJy  a  most  acute  sense  of  the 
depths  of  his  illness,  conveying  a  new  impression  to  me.  I  sent  off 
for  John  at  once.  Ten  minutes  afterwards  he  came  into  my  sitting- 
room,  looking  very  pale.  He  had  brought  me  the  last  account ! ! 
I  need  not  describe  that  next  hour,  in  which  he  gradually  broke  to 
me  the  tidings,  or  the  awfalncss  of  the  shock  !  It  is  better  not  to  do 
it,  but  only  to  commemorate  that  even  then,  we  were  not  left  to  our- 
selves, but  that  with  the  hurricane  came  the  sense  of  the  shelter  of 
the  wing  of  our  father's  love.  Oh,  how  has  that  shelter  been  given 
us  e%'er  since  !  Such  mercy  calls  for  the  deepest  gratitude;  and  may 
.1  be  enabled  to  be  most  entirely  thankful  to  Him,  who  has  not 
allowed  the  ship  to  sink,  even  in  this  storm.  Before  I  go  on  with  my 
history  of  our  mournful  journey  to  Earlham,  I  am  inclined  to  pause, 
and  if  I  can,  to  define  in  some  measure  the  effect  on  myself  of  this 
great  change — its  influence  on  our  life,  &c.  And,  first,  can  I  wonder 
at  it?  Can  I  doubt  that  there  was  'a  need  he'  in  this  case?  How 
often  have  I  thought  lately,  that  such  prosperity  as  ours,  could  not 
continue  untouched.  Life  has  been  too  swimming — too  fully  satisfy- 
ing to  the  heart's  affections,  to  be  permitted  to  go  on.  Now,  oh  !  I 
I  can  feel  it  to  be  stained  !  It  is  not  absolutely,  that  the  necessaries 
of  one's  social  life  are  taken  away.     On  the  contrary,  I  have  cause  for 


RECOLLECTIONS.  5lo 

deep  thankfulness  that  my  husband  and  my  child  are  left  to  me  ;  but 
it  is  impossible  to  find  words  to  describe  how  the  zest  of  the  pleasure 
of  every  constituent  part  of  my  home  life,  is  fled.  The  child's /eafe 
are  so  useless — the  beauty  of  my  home  is  so  valueless,  now  that  I  cannot 
show  them  to  him.  This  is  a  false  feeling  in  degree,  when  I  really 
consider  it,  and  I  do  not  wish  to  encourage  it.  But,  oh !  the  heart- 
ax-he  of  it ! !  then  there  is  the  loss  itself!  How  can  I  describe  that ! 
I  have  lost  that  constant,  faithful  tenderness,  to  which  I  could  always 
go,  which  always  seemed  on  the  watch  to  help  me.  .  .  But,  per- 
haps, more  than  all,  1  feel  the  loss  of  the  minister,  the  religious  coun- 
sellor, the  upholder  of  the  highest  standard.  It  has  been  hard  to 
understand  that  this  has  '  worked  for  good ;'  and  I  have  craved,  from 
the  very  bottom  of  my  heart,  that  we  may  be  permitted  to  drink  far 
more  deeply  of  the  fou7ita  in,  now  that  this  rich  and  precious  stream 
DO  longer  flows  upon  us.  How  have  I  looked  to  his  influence  in 
bringing  up  a  family.  How  have  I  valued  on  these  grounds  as  well 
as  others,  his  friendship  with  my  dearest  husband.  Yet  I  know  that  even 
this  wonderful  loss  may  be  more  than  supplied.  Oh  !  for  grace,  most 
diligently  a.nd  most  humbly,  to  seek  for  the  supply  of  all  our  needs, 
great  and  small. 

"  Words  seem  very  feeble  on  this  subject,  but  I  am  glad  to  have 
what  may  recall  the  conflict  as  well  as  the  sorrow  through  which  we 
have  been  brought ;  and  I  think  I  may  say  our  desire  is  deep  and 
earnest  to  be  stimulated  by  his  bright  example,  and  truly  to  profit 
under  the  chastening  hand  of  our  Lord,  who  has,  we  may  confess,  been 
very  near  to  help  and  encourage  us.  Sometimes  we  have  had  a  sweet 
feeling,  that  he  will  not  leave  us  or  forsake  us ;  and  sometimes,  as  I 
said  before,  I  have  known  something  of  the  shelter  of  His  wing.  I 
have  desired  perfectly  to  submit  to  the  dispensation,  w.hich  includes 
the  loss  of  some  of  my  sweetest  pleasures.  But  to  return  to  my  his- 
tory. My  dearest  husband  did  indeed  help  and  soothe  my  sorrow. 
I  think  I  shall  never  forget,  not  only  his  sympathy  for  me,  but  his 
sharing  the  affliction  so  entirely.  Those  days  look  like  a  strange 
dream,  but  one  I  shall  never  forget.  We  had  a  coupee,  and  reached 
London  on  fifth  day  evening.  I  felt  wholly  stunned,  like  a  person 
under  an  immense  weight ;  as  if  I  could  not  yet  receive  my  share  ot 
the  event,  but  could  only  muse  and  wonder  at  it.  The  next  day  we 
went  on  to  Earlham.  Oh  !  the  faint,  sich  feeling  of  that  arrival ! 
.     .     .   I  cannot  describe  the  minutiae  of  my  stay  at  Earlham.     A  few 


574  RECOLLECTIONS. 

things  only  I  will  mention,  and  first,  the  loveliness  of  those  dear 
remains.  The  clay  was  emphatically  heauit/ul,  almost  heavenly. 
Most  sweet  to  me  was  the  full 'belief,  that  that  beautiful  form  was 
the  seed  of  the  far  more  beautiful,  heavenly  one.  That  even  that 
precious  form,  I  may  see  again,  though  doubtless  '  glorified  !'  I  have 
not  much  to  say  of  the  funeral.  It  was  wonderfully  interesting  as  a 
spectacle.  The  crowded  roads,  the  mourning  city,  would  have  been 
most  touching  in  any  case  j  but  that  very  sort  of  interest  took  off  a 
little,  to  my  feelings,  from  the  settled  solemnity  of  the  day,  except  at 
the  grave,  where  the  silence  was  as  peaceful  as  it  was  awful  and  pro- 
found !  .  .  .  Writing  is  so  difficult  to  me,  that  I  hardly  know 
how  to  say  all  I  wish  •  but  I  must  mention  one  or  two  things  to  make 
my  record  at  all  complete.  And,  first,  about  my  mother  !  To  her, 
dear  creature,  I  feel  as  if  I  had  acquired  a  new  and  strong  tie.  With 
the  keenest  sense  of  the  iceiglit  of  the  sorrow  and  desolation  that 
presses  upon  her,  I  have  had,  at  the  same  time,  a  consciousness  of 
being  helped  by  her  in  a  remarkable  way !  I  feel  bound  for  life  to 
her,  not  only  from  inclination,  but  from  the  strongest  sense  of  duty  ; 
and  heartily  desire  that  I,  and  mine,  may  always  prove  faithful  to  this 
dear  one,  who  is,  as  it  were,  bequeathed  to  our  tenderest  care." 

One  or  two  letters  selected  from  tlie  many  that  were  written 
by  A.  B.  to  her  mother,  during  this  season  of  sore  bereave- 
ment, will  show  the  depth  and  fulness  of  her  sympathy,  and 
the  low  estimate  she  entertained  of  her  OAvn  progress  in  tlio 
Christian  race : 

*'  Beechw^ood,  hth  dar/,  3f?  mo.,  1847. 
'  It  is  a  relief  to  come  to  the  time  for  writing  to  thee,  though  I  am 
almost  afraid  it  is  hardly  right  for  the  outpourings  of  a  full  heart  to 
come  on  thee,  my  precious  mother.  I  do  so  well  know  the  greater 
weight  of  thy  sorrow,  and  especially  to-da}-.  My  very  heart  shrinks 
for  thee  from  the  monthly  meeting,  and  all  it  involves,  returning  the 
certificate,  &e.  Still  there  is  the  Power,  by  whom  even  such  hard 
things  as  these  may  be  made  easy ;  and  I  have  seen  thee  to  be  so 
helped,  that  I  dare  not  mistrust  for  thee  even  in  the  bitterest  mo- 
ments. I  do  endeavour  to  commend  thee,  my  dearest  mother,  almost 
minute  by  minute,  to  that  ever  present  unfailing  Helper,  who  can 
never  be  taken  away  from  thee — can  never  leave  thee  alone  !    While 


RECOLLECTIONS.  0<0 

I  often  feel  I  hardly  dare  take  some  of  those  precious  proraises  to 
myself,  yet  for  thee  I  can  fully  take  them  and  rest  upon  them,  and 
know  thee  to  be  one  of  his  fold,  and  that  no  storm  can  'pluck  thee 
out  of  his  hand.'  This  is  my  ahidiny  comfort  in  thinking  of  thee  ; 
and  however  unworthy,  I  desire  to  lay  hold  also  for  myself. 
If  thou  hast  no  objection,  I  should  so  very  much  like  to  have  a  copy 
of  that  beautiful  passage  from  the  journal,  about  'my  best,  my  very 
best/  '  my  all,  my  very  all,'  &e.  Perhaps,  dear  Harriet  would  copy 
it  for  me.  I  should  just  like  to  show  it  to  my  mother  B.  One  can 
hardly  in  word  do  his  spirit  justice  about  all  that  matter,  and  as,  T 
suppose,  it  is  doubtful  whether  it  can  go  in  the  journals,  I  should  be 
very  glad  to  have  it  for  myself. 

"  Ever,  most  aifectionately,  thine,  A.  B." 

"  Shull,  bth  mo.,  22d,  1847. 

"  My  precious  Mother : 

"  These  days  of  yearly  meeting  do  bring  thee  so  constantly  to 
my  remembrance,  that  I  do  not  feel  as  if  I  could  refrain  from  writing 
to  thee  again  to-day.  Thankful,  as  I  know  thou  art,  for  all  he  is 
spared,  yet  I  am  sure  there  must  be  something  inexpressibly  affecting 
in  once  more,  and  in  rather  a  new  form,  recognizing  the  mighty 
change !  I  can  hardly  trust  myself  to  think  of  thee,  solitary  at 
Earlham,  during  yearly  meeting.  Each  day,  as  it  goes  by,  is  very 
touching  to  me,  in  the  remembrance  of  our  being  all  together  last 
year.  But  yet,  in  the  midst  of  it  all,  how  elevating  is  the  thought 
of  that  '  General  Assembly  and  church  of  the  first  born,'  with  whom 
he  is  now  worshippins:;  and  when  I  remember  the  extreme  comfort 
a  '  real  good  meeting,'  at  these  times,  gave  him,  oh  !  there  is  even  a 
delight  in  thinking  of  him  where  there  is  no  interruption  to  his  holy 
happiness — where  all  around  him  are  in  perfect  unison,  and  even 
where  no  physical  infirmity  now  mars  the  joy  of  his  heavenly  employ- 
ments for  a  single  moment ! 

"I  hardly  know  why  I  write  all  this,  dearest  mother,  to  thee;  for 
I  well  know  thou  art  enabled  to  take  fast  hold  of  these  glorious 
truths,  very,  very  far  more  than  I  can ;  but  I  do  not  feel  as  if  T 
could  help  pouring  out  a  little  of  my  heart  to  thee,  this  morning — it 

is  so  full  of  thee  aiid  of  him It  will,  indeed,  be  a  help 

to   be  with    thee;    though  there  is  certainly  much  besides  in  the 


5T6  RECOLLECTIONS. 

prospect  of  coining  to  Earlham,  which  my  weak  mind  can  hardly 
bear.     But  I  hope  to  be  stronger,  body  and  mind,  before  I  think  of 

really  setting  out 

"  Ever,  thine  own  loving,  A.  B." 

In  tlie  spring  of  1847,  her  little  girl  was  born,  whom  she 
called  Eliza  Jane,  and  in  the  following  summer,  accompanied 
by  her  beloved  husband  and  precious  little  ones,  she  visited 
her  early  and  still  dear,  but  sadly  altered,  home ;  and,  oh ! 
how  touching  it  was  to  behold  her  there — her  pallid  cheek,  her 
wasted  form,  the  soft  lustre  of  her  hazel  eye,  rendered  unnatu- 
rally bright  by  a  warm  hectic  glow — all  told,  too  plainly,  that 
she  was  come  to  take  affinal  leave  of  those  scenes  of  her  happy 
childhood  ;  that  her  sun  was  going  down  "  while  it  was  yet 
day."  It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  her  as  she  then  ap- 
peared, without  seeming  to  sketch  an  exaggerated  picture. 
Though  the  tear  was  often  in  her  eye,  as  the  remembrance  of 
the  past  came  vividly  before  her,  and  though  her  bodily  suf- 
ferings were  not  small,  from  cough,  debility,  &c.,  yet  did  this 
youthful  Christian's  lovely  countenance  look  so  serene,  so 
placid  and  so  Heaven-hound,  that  one  was  almost  ready  to 
rejoice,  that  the  short  but  stormy  voyage  of  life  was  nearly 
over,  and  bid  the  little  bark  "  God  speed"  into  the  port  of 
everlasting  blessedness.  After  passing  about  eleven  weeks  at 
Earlham,  during  which  there  was  but  little  apparent  improve- 
ment, her  watchful  and  anxious  husband  (by  the  advice  of  the 
medical  men,  and  in  accordance  with  her  own  inclinations,) 
was  induced  to  try  the  effect  of  change  of  climate,  and  accord- 
in  dr,  toward  the  latter  part  of  the  ninth  month,  they  set  out 
for  the  Continent,  not  having  any  very  definite  plan  in  vicAV, 
but  designing  to  continue  travelling  south,  until  they  met  with 
a  more  genial  atmosphere. 

The  following  extract  from  her  foreign  journal  describes  her 
feelings  at  this  interesting  juncture : 


RECOLLECTIONS.  57T 

"Nice,  10;7i  mo.,  31st,  1847. 

"  How  long  it  is  since  I  wrste  last !  but  I  do  not  like  quite  to  for- 
sake mj  little  history,  and  I  will  try  and  put  down  a  brief  sketch  of 
the  past  five  months.  Soon  after  our  return  from  Shull,  we  had  a 
deeply  interesting  visit  from  dear  Dr.  Chalmers,  of  which  the  par- 
ticulars are  elsewhere,  made  most  memorable  by  his  sudden  death  f(5ur 
days  after  he  left  us!  Our  hearts  were  closely  united  to  him.  I 
truly  felt  him  fatherly^  and  his  death  was  a  stunning  blow.  I  con- 
tinued but  poorly,  but  hoped  the  change  to  Norfolk  would  set  me  up ; 
and  consulting  Caleb  Williams  on  the  way,  (at  York,)  we  started  for 
Norfolk  the  first  of  seventh  month,  going  round  by  Runcton. 

"  What  can  I  say  of  that  touching  arrival  at  dear  Earlham  ?  Oh  ! 
how  strange  it  was  to  find  my  mother  and  Harriet  the  only  inhabi- 
tants of  our  old  home !  But  it  would  be  in  vain  to  endeavour  to  de- 
scribe the  blank,  which  I  thought  increased  every  day  during  my  ten 
weeks'  stay.  I  had  rather  dwell  on  that  feeling  of  peace  which  was 
remarkably  over  us.  It  was  truly  to  be  felt  at  every  moment,  I  was 
going  to  say.  I  was  nearly  united  to  my  dear  mother,  and  deeply 
interested  in  my  beloved  father's  journals,  with  which  she  indulged 
me  most  liberally.  Nothing  could  exceed  her  kindness  and  aflFeetion 
all  the  time  we  were  there.  We  paid  a  short  visit  to  Aunt  Catherine, 
at  Lowestoft,  and  she  returned  with  us  to  Earlham.  It  was  most 
interesting  to  be  with  her,  dear  creature,  as  it  always  is.  She  has  a 
house  at  Lowestoft,  just  suited  to  her  needs,  and  it  is  no  small  com- 
fort to  think  of  her  being  there.  It  was  delightful  to  be  with  dear 
J.  H.  and  Mary,  who  seemed  most  prosperous,  though  the  loss  of 
their  little  one  was  sad  to  me.  However,  I  could  not  but  feel  in  this 
trial,  as  in  all  others,  that  the  Judge  of  the  whole  earth  doeth  right. 

'■'■  IMy  dearest  husband  was  obliged  to  leave  me  in  about  three 
weeks,  and  I  continued  in  a  poor  state  of  health,  with  cough,  &c. ;  so 
that,  when  he  returned,  we  went  to  London  together  for  medical 
advice.  There,  we  saw  Dr.  S.  Smith,  who  confirmed  us  in  the 
opinion,  we  had  previously  formed,  that  we  must  spend  the  winter 
abroad.  The  next  day,  at  Upton,  came  the  afl'ecting  intelligence  of 
the  sudden  death  of  our  beloved  Father  Backhouse  !  .  .  .  . 
To  liim.,  we  have  no  doubt,  it  was  the  welcome  summons  to  perfect 
joy  !  To  ws,  it  was  one  more  heavy  blow,  and  truly  we  felt  deepl^^ 
bowed  down  under  it.     My  dearest  husband  had  to  leave,  of  course, 

Vol.  IL  — 37 


578  RECOLLECTIONS. 

directly.  I  retiirned  to  Earlliara ;  and  our  separation,  at  snch.  a  time, 
could  not  bvit  be  truly  painful ;  but  I  seemed  to  have  no  power  to  go 
to  Darlington,  and  I  was  thankful  to  fee  so  spared  as  I  was,  in  my 
quiet  refuge  at  Earlham.  Indeed  I  ought  most  gratefully  to  acknow- 
leilge,  that  all  through  these  weeks,  when  it  was  impossible  to  dwell 
in  anything  but  low  places,  I  was  mercifully  helped,  day  by  day,  and 
all' anxiety  about  the  journey,  or  anything  else,  was  remarkably  taken 
away  from  me,  so  that  I  was  preserved  in  great  calmness  and  peace 
— a  proof,  indeed,  of  the  tender,  pitying  care  of  a  loving  Father. 
My  great  concern  was — if  this  journey  should  not  answer,  and  my 
health  should  quite  give  way — am  I  safe?  After  some  days  of 
earnest  desire  for  a  true  answer  to  this  important  question,  I  became 
very  peaceful  on  the  subject — the  Saviour,  I  think  I  may  say,  being 
very  prrcious  to  me,  and  I  felt  that  in  my  own  utter  unworthiness,  I 
might  throw  myself  on  his  inexhaustible  merits.  We  were  much 
helped  through  the  parting  days  at  Earlham.  Dearest  Eliza  came  to 
us,  which  was  quite  a  stay,  and  we  left  Upton  on  the  20th  of  ninth 
month.     Sarah  Gurney,  and  Chenda  and  Charles  Buxton,  were  our 

delightful  companions I  am  certainly  better,  though 

still  very  far  from  strong;  but  there  seems  great  hope  that  the  journey 

may  answer  the  purpose  intended Dear  baby  has  been 

very  poorly,  but  is  better ;  still  it  is,  of  course,  a  care  to  travel  with 
.•^uch  young  children  !  But  in  this,  as  in  all  other  things,  we  desire 
to  commit  our  way  to  our  merciful  Father.  How  tender  has  He  been 
to  me  !  Surely  I  can  say,  '  He  has  attended  to  my  cry,'  raised,  as  it 
often  is.  in  weakness  of  body  and  mind.  May  all  teach  me  to  depend 
more  and  more  upon  Him  for  the  supply  of  every  need 

"  Paris,  ^th  mo.,  2ith. 
"  My  precious  Mother  : 

"  .  .  .  .  Thy  letter,  received  at  Upton,  was  the  truext  com- 
fort to  me ;  and  I  am  so  glad  to  think  thou  hast  been  pretty  fairly 
ptnee  I  left  thee.  I  hardly  know  how  to  think  of  thee  without  me; 
for  T  am  sure  thou  must  at  times  have  missed  that  deep  sympathy 
which  I  seldom  expressed,  but  I  felt  that  thou  knew  it  existed.  I  do 
not  mean  to  say  I  did  or  faid  anything  to  help  thee,  my  dearest  Mo- 
ther, but  we  had  such  a  tie  in  our  constant  all-pervading  feeling  about 
tlmt  precious  one — such  a  feeling  as  no  one  else  cttidd  fully  have — 
that  we  cannot  be  separated  without  feeling  it  very  sensibly ;  and 


BECOLLECTIONS.  579 

while  T  have  mu<!h  to  eheer  me,  tbou  art  left  in  that  dear,  lonely 
room  •  .  .  .  .  yet  I  love  to  think  of  thee  there,  and  to  call  to 
mind  how  help  was  so  perceptibly  given  to  thee  day  by  day — the 
waves  will  not  overwhelm  thee — and  I  can  fancy  thou  hast  even  th}' 
secret  pleasures  over  the  journals,  &e."     .'.... 

"MONTPELIER,  lOth  mo.,  Wth. 

^'  My  dearest  Mother : 

"  I  was  rather  disappointed  to  receive  no  letter,  either  from 
Earlham  or  Easton,  at  Toulouse.  We  do  so  long  to  have  some  news 
of  you,  and  it  is  now  a  fortnight  since  John  Henry's  and  Harriet's 
letters  reached  us  at  Bordeaux ;  but  I  hope  we  may  hear  at  Mar- 
seilles, for  we  seem  to  know  sadly  little  about  you  all.  We  had  s. 
very  interesting  visit  to  the  Courtois,  at  Toulouse.  We  were  sorry 
we  had  brought  no  letter.  However,  we  went  to  call  in  the  morning, 
and  the  ladles  soon  appeared  one  after  the  other,  and  kindly  believed 
at  once  who  we  were.  Directly  they  found  whose  daughter  I  was, 
they  seemed  as  if  they  could  hardly  express  their  interest  and  affec- 
tion. I  gave  them  thy  message,  and  they  spoke  most  affectionately 
of  thee.  Soon  the  gentlemen  appeared,  warmer,  if  possible,  than 
their  wives.  Nothing  would  do  but  we  must  dine  with  them  at 
4  o'clock,  and  bring  Johnny,  which,  as  I  came  away  at  7,  we  were 
able  to  do.  I  wish  I  could  tell  thee  how  delightfully  they  spoke  of 
my  dearest  Father.  They  poured  out  their  love  for  him  till  I  hardly 
knew  how  to  bear  it.  Among  other  things,  they  told  us  that  he  had 
been  the  means  of  entirely  animating  the  anti-slavery  cause  in 
France. 

"*He  brought  "De  Felice"  to  sound  opinions  on  the  subject,  and 
induced  him  to  write  a  book,  which  is  producing  the  most  remark- 
able effect,  far  more  than  anything  else  that  has  ever  appeared ;'  and 
they  now  consider  that  the  cause  is  gaining  ground  fast,  and  seem  to 
have  no  doubt  of  its  ultimate  success.  '  Thus  was  your  Father  greatly 
blessed,'  said  one  of  the  brothers,  '  in  these  last  yeai-s  of  his  life,  and 
you  must  tell  your  mother,  Mrs.  Gurney,  so.' 

"  They  begged  to  be  most  affectionately  remembered  to  thee,  and 
they  seemed  sadly  disappointed  that  we  could  not  stay  longer.  We 
are  spending  a  quiet  Sabbath  at  Montpelier,  in  a  nice  comfortable 
inn.  We  found,  to  our  surprise,  that  the  road  to  Marseilles  passes 
through  Nismes,  so  I  hope  we  shall  call  and  sec  Justine  Benezet,  to- 


580  RB0OLLEGTI0N6. 

morrow.  We  could  not  arrange  to  spend  first  day  there,  indeed  we 
had  a  very  long,  tiring  day  to  get  here.  Perhaps,  on  some  accounts, 
it  is  well  not  to  have  those  dear  warm-hearted  friends  with  us  the 
whole  day,  as  they  would  have  been ;  but  had  we  known  in  time,  we 
j^hould  have  been  tempted  to  do  otherwise. 

"Dear  little  baby  has  been  decidedly  better  the  last  few  days,  bat 
8he  is  very  touchy  still,  and  I  am  afraid  will  be  so  while  we  travel,  as 
I  think  the  constant  change  of  milk  disagrees  with  her.  Our  plans 
are,  we  feel,  uncertain,  till  we  hear  a  little  more  accurately  in  what 
state  Naples  is.  I  can't  think  what  we  shall  do  if  we  cannot  go 
there.  The  long  voyages  are  such  disagreeable  obstacles  in  the  way 
of  Malta  and  Malaga ;  but  I  hope  we  may  be  able  to  pursue  our  first 
plan. 

"  Jackey  is  in  high  glee  altogether,  but  rather  tiresome  and  fretful, 
poor  child,  if  he  is  long  in  the  carriage.  When  we  change  horses, 
he  entreats  Schutz  to  put  him  on  the  saddle  horse,  and  there,  ai'med 
with  the  post-boy's  whip,  he  sits  in  ecstasies,  the  by-standers,  much 
amused,  as  you  may  suppose 

"  I  did  not  tell  thee,  that  the  Courtois  thought  him  so  extremely 
like  his  grandfather.  It  was  quite  delightful  to  me,  that  they  saw 
the  likeness  so  strongly,  for  it  shows  how  real  it  is.  Thou  would 
have  liked  to  see  him  at  play  with  their  eight  children.  One,  a  dear 
little  girl,  near  his  own  age." 

"Pisa,  llth  mo.,  mth,  1847. 

"  My  dearest  Mother  : 

"  I  am  sure  we  shall  have  thy  very  near  sympathy,  when  I  tell 
thee  that  our  darling  baby's  illness  terminated  this  morning  in  her 
peaceful  death  !  Though  she  had  gained  some  strength,  yet  her  dis- 
order was  never  the  least  really  subdued;  and  yesterday  afternoon  I 
perceived  it  had  gained  more  power  over  her.  However,  the  Doctor 
still  thought  we  might  start  to-day;  but  when  I  went  to  her  this 
morning,  her  glazed  eyes  told  me  a  sorrowful  tale.  I  sent  for  the 
Doctor  directly.  He  was  alarmed,  and  went  for  further  advice.  1 
held  her,  dear  little  thing,  on  my  lap;  and  as  she  rolled  up  her  eyes 
once  or  twice,  T  felt  that  it  would  indeed  be  sorrowful,  if  we  had  to 
watch  her  in  convulsions,  which  were  evidently  approaching.  I 
could  only  ask  that  she  might  be  spared  sufi'ering,  and,  in  this,  we 


RECOLLECTIONS.  581 

were  mercifully  dealt  with  ;  for  about  half  an  hour  after,  as  she  wa« 
lying  on  Sarah's  lap,  her  father  and  I  watching  her,  she  passed  so 
quietly  away  that  we  could  not  detect  the  moment  when  she  drew  her 
last  breath.  We  had  a  warm  bath,  &c.,  but  all  was  unavailing,  and 
we  were  forced  to  believe  at  last,  that  the  life  of  our  little  one  was 
gone !  I  thought  her  looking  very  ill  when  I  left  her  the  evening 
before,  therefore  th"e  blow,  though  it  came  at  last  rather  unexpectedly, 
was  not  unanticipated.  She  looks  very  lovely  now,  the  expression  of 
intense  illness  gone,  and  her  cheeks  are  even  round  again.  There  is 
no  burying-ground  here,  and  we  shall  have  to  take  her  to  Leghorn,  I 
suppose,  on  second  day.  It  does  seem  sorrowful,  that  we  must  leave 
that  precious  little  form,  and  go  far  from  it ;  but  we  do  endeavour 
rather  to  think  of  the  spirit  that  'soars  on  angel  wing.'  Of  course, 
we  are  brought  very  low  by  this  trial,  but  do  most  earnestly  de-sire  to 
yield  ourselves  wholly  to  the  hand  of  love,  which  is  laid  upon  us ; 
and  I  am  thankful  that  she  was  spared  further  suffering,  which  she 
jnust  have  had,  had  she  lived  a  little  longer.  I  wish  you  could  see 
her  as  she  lies  now,  looking  so  peaceful !" 

"Leghorn,  12th  mo.,  22d,  1847. 

"  I  am  afraid  thou  hast  thought  me  slow  in  writing,  but  I  felt  as 
if  I  could  not  write,  till  I  received  thy  letter  about  darligg  baby's 
death ;  and  now  it  is  come,  most  sweet  and  helpful  it  is — really  ap- 
preciating the  sorrow,  and  yet  so  cheering.  Yes,  dearest  mother,  I 
trust  I  have  been  enabled  to  subjnit  to  Him  who  has  sent  the  blow, 
and  IB  many  times  of  bitter  sorrow,  I  may  confess  to  thee  that  He 
has  been  very  near  us.  Oh  I  it  is  sweet  to  feel  near  to  JFIim,  and  one 
can  then  almost  rejoice  in  suffering.  .  .  Indeed  I  have  much  to 
be  thankful  for;  though  I  would  not  wish  thee  to  think,  if  I  write 
cheerfully  home,  that  I  do  not  need  thy  tenderest  sympathy.  Oh  I 
what  all  these  days  will  be  to  thee,  my  precious  mother !  May  the 
strength  be  indeed  sufficient  for  the  day,  as  it  will  be  doubtless.     . 

*'  I  have  hardly  left  room  to  say  that  I  am  nicely ;  but  have  not 
got  on  so  much,  as  I  should  have  done  if  we  had  not  been  entirely 
confined  to  the  house  by  violent  rain  for  days.  It  is  clearing  a  little 
now,  and  they  say  after  this,  we  shall  haVe  lovely  weather  My 
cough  continues  much  better.  Indeed  it  is  almost  nothing,  and  whea 
I  can  get  out  I  shall  soon  be  stronger."         ..... 


682  RECOLLECTIONS. 

"Rome,  12th  mo.,  8th,  1847. 
"  I  may  indeed  give  a  comfortable  account  of  myself  The  re- 
membrance of  darling  baby  mingles  closely  with  everj-thiiig,  but  I 
have  many  sweet  thoughts  about  her;  and  I  have  had  more  power  of 
being  interested  in  things  here  than  I  expected;  so  that  I  hope  the 
spirit  of  cheerful  submission,  for  'which,  I  believe,  I  sought,  has  not 
been  entirely  withheld ;  and  day  by  day  we  have  reason  to  acknow- 
ledge  the  tender  love  that  is  over  us." 

"  Naples,  \tih  mo.,  \%ilx,  1847- 

"  My  dearest  Mother : 

"  Thou  wilt  be  glad  to  hear  that  we  arrivetl  safely  at  Naples, 
and  are  located  in  a  very  comfortable  inn,  commanding  a  lovely  view 
of  Mount  Vesuvius,  the  beautiful  bay,  &c.  If  the  cold  winds  will 
but  keep  away,  I  think  the  place  will  suit  us  very  well,  and  we  are 
both  of  us  glad  to  get  here.  The  journey  was  q^uite  easy  and  very 
interesting — just  the  road  which  Paul  travelled  when  he  was  going  to 
Rome !  Abundance  of  ruins  everywhere,  and  some  lovely  views 
the  latter  part  of  the  way. 

"  I  am  rather  tired  to-day,  and  am  glad  to  get  into  nice  quarters.  I 
am  sure  thou  would  admire  the  orange  gaixlens,  laden  with  their 
beautiful  fruit,  which  is  fast  ripening ;  and  a  howjh  of  oranges  is  a 
most  agreeable  travelling  companion. 

"  We  have  uniateiTupted  lovcly..weather,  though  the  air  is  very 
e.old,  morning  and  evening ;  but  I  never  attempt  going  out,  except 
just  in  the  middle  of  the  day.  .  .  My  cough  eontiimes  wonder- 
fully better,  though  it  ?s  not  absohitely  gone.  I  have  capital  nights, 
and  I  hope  I  shall  soon  get  a  Ihtle  stro-nger,  as  the  to-nio  m-edieiae 
suits  me  so  welL" 

'■^ NAPLES,  1st  ma.,  2d,  1848. 
"These  marked  days  so  extremely  call  thee  to  mimJ,  that  I  can- 
not refrain  from  sending  thee  a  few  lines  this  morning.  Oh,  my 
precious  mother  I  what  these  hours  m-nst  be  to  the&  as  they  pass 
along  !  I  doubt  not  almost  every  one  can  be  traced.  I  have  heartUi; 
felt  being  away  from  thee  at  this  time ;  for  though  I  could  have  done 
nothing^  for  thee  really,  yet,  at  least,  I  eould  have  shared:  thy  sorrovf 


RECOLLECTIONS.  583 

in  some  measure.  But  it  is  a  mercy  that  we  may  commend  ono 
another  to  our  compassionate  Father  oftener  than  the  day;  and  this. 
in  my  poor  way,  I  have  indeed  done.  Oh  !  I  do  not  doubt  tli;  t 
strength  has  been  given  thee  proportioned  to  thy  need,  and  in  thaiy 
I  desire  to  repose  for  thee  !" 

After  receiving  such  flattering  accounts  of  improvement  in 
the  health  of  this  cherished  invalid,  it  would  be  vain  to  attempt 
to  describe  the  eflect  of  the  following  letters  on  her  relatives 
and  friends  in  England,  who  were  beginning  to  anticipate,  with 
heartfelt  pleasure,  her  probable  return  to  them  again,  at  no 
very  distant  period : 


TO    E.    p.    GURNEY. 

"  On  board  tho  Bull-Dog,  war  steamier.      "| 

"  Off  Palermo,  1st  mo.,  17th,  1848.  | 

"  My  beloved  Mother ; 

"I  scarcely  know  how  to  write,  or  to  find  words  to  convey  the 
tidings  of  the  stunniwj  hloio,  with  which  it  has  pleased  our  Heavenly 
Father  to  visit  me.  My  precious  Anna  breathed  her  last,  on  board 
this  ship,  this  morning,  about  12  o'clock  ! 

"  We  have  not  been  able  to  write  for  some  days,  to  tell  you  that  we 
were  almost  obliged  to  leave  Naples,  as  the  cold  winds  and  continued 
confinement  to  the  house  did  not  at  all  suit  dearest  Anna.  Though 
we  had  a  rough  voyage  here,  she  seemed  benefited  by  it,  and  her 
cough,  which  the  dull  weather  at  Naples  had  brought  back,  again 
almost  left  her. 

'On  7tli  day,  we  were  obliged  to  come  on  board  this  boat;  and 
yesterday  dearest  Anna  seemed  nicely,  and  enjoyed  a  walk  on  deck. 
Last  night  she  slept  well,  and  went  on  deck  again,  about  11  o'clock, 
this  luorning.  Soon  after  this,  Schutz,  who  had  slept  in  another 
vessel,  came  on  board  and  told  her  that  Mary  Ann  was  not  at  all 
comfortable  where  she  was.  This  evidently  distressed  her,  and  she 
begged  me  to  ask  permission  of  the  captain  for  her  to  come  to  this 
ship.  This  I  obtained,  and  she  followed  me  to  speak  herself  to  the 
captain.  On  going  back  to  the  chair,  she  complained  of  shortness 
of  breath.     I  got  her  a  glass  of  water,  but  the  feeling  still  continue 


58-1  RECOLLECTIONS. 

ing,  she  begged  to  be  laid  on  deck.  Two  medical  men  were  on 
board,  who  gave  her  every  assistance.  Ether,  mustard  plasters,  hot 
water,  &c.,  were  applied,  which  revived  her  for  a  time.  She  soon 
became  aware  of  her  state,  and  said  she  '  was  going  to  Jesus,'  and 
•  to  be  with  her  dearest  father,'  and  that  she  *  felt  very  comfortahle, 
though  it  was  a  strange  place  to  die  in.'  She  called  for  Sarah,  and 
begged  her  to  take  care  of  Johnny ;  then  kissed  him,  and  told  him 
that  if  he  was  a  good  boy  he  would  go  to  Heaven,  &c.  She  then 
recognized  Mary  Ann,  who  had  just  come  on  board  :  repeatedly  said 
.she  felt  very  comfortable,  and  soon  passed  quietly  away  !  It  was  a 
most  solemn  time  !  The  passengers  who  stood  around  were  truly 
kind  and  feeling.  It  seems  like  a  dream.  I  can  scarcely  believe  in 
the  reality.  Surely  if  ever  a  spirit  was  ripe  for  Heaven  it  was  hers ; 
and  may  the  thought  of  the  unutterable  joys  she  is  now  a  partaker 
of,  with  her  dearest  father  and  her  child,  in  some  degree  enable  me  to 
bear  with  resis;nation  this  overwhelmino;  blow. 

"  It  is  the  greatest  comfort  to  me,  that  it  was  dearest  Anna's 
decided  wish  to  come  here.  We  did  not  conclude  to  come  without 
consulting  our  Italian  and  English  friends,  who  all  thought,  in  our 
circumstances,  we  were  wise  in  doing  so.  Dearest  A.  said  she  felt 
most  peaceful  in  the  prospect,  and  that  the  verse,  'There  sball  no 
evil  befall  thee,'  &c.,  had  been  brought  to  her  mind  in  reference  to 
this  journey.  I  cannot  now  write  more,  or  to  any  one  else,  except 
to  Beechwood. 

"  With  dearest  love  to  John  Henry,  Mary,  and  all,  thy  deeply 
afflicted  son,  ,  ''  J.  C.  Backhouse." 

"  \^th — I  could  not  send  this  letter  yesterday.  This  morning  I  have 
followed  the  precious  remains  to  the  cemetery,  where,  for  the  present 
at  least,  they  must  repose.  The  captain  and  some  of  the  officers  ac- 
companied me,  and  were  most  kind  and  feeling.  Nothing  can  exceed 
the  attention  of  Captain  Key.  I  do  not  yet  know  what  I  shall  do; 
but,  of  course,  I  shall  return  home  as  soon  as  possible.  I  will  write 
;igain  soon.  I  scarcely  know  whether  I  have  written  sense.  I  feel 
idtogether  so  stunned  by  the  suddenness  of  the  shock;  hut  yeslerdai/ 
she  was  alive  and  apparently  well — to-day  she  sleeps  in  her  grave  ! 
May  I  be  enabled  to  seek  consolation  where  alone  it  can  be  found."* 


RECOLLECTIONS.  585 


LETTER    FROM    S.   G.    TO    HER    PARENTS. 

"Naples,  1st  mo.,  2dth,  1848. 
"  I  thougl  t  you  would  most  likely  be  anxious  about  me,  as  no  doubt, 
you  have  heard  of  the  dreadful  revolution  in  Sicily,  and  I  mentioned 
in  my  letter  to  Samuel,  that  we  were  going  there.  However,  we 
Have,  at  last,  got  away.  What  an  aw/ul  time  it  has  been  !  I  never, 
never  shall  forget  it.  After  being  there  two  days,  we  were  hurried 
off  to  an  English  man-of-war,  to  preserve  our  lives.  What  a  night 
that  was  !  col.d,  and  almost  dark,  we  were  all  hurried  off  in  boats  to 
the  ship — of  course,  poor  accommodations  for  so  many.  I  should  say, 
that  all  the  English  that  were  staying  in  that  place  went.  The 
officers  kindly  gave  up  their  cabins  to  the  ladies,  so  that  dear  mis- 
tress had  a  comfortable  one.  I,  with  many  others,  had  to  manage  as 
we  could.  I  lay  on  the  floor  without  taking  off  my  clothes  for  a 
week.  But  I  have  some  melancholy  news  to  tell  you  !  It  was  seventh 
day  morning  when  we  went  on  board :  on  first  day  dear  mistress 
seemed  nicely :  in  the  evening,  when  she  came  to  bed,  she  said, 
"  Really,  Sarah,  I  feel  so  much  better,  and  my  cough  has  been  so 
nicely  all  day  :  it  is  very  odd,  is  it  not  ?"  The  next  morning,  when 
I  dressed  her,  she  was  so  cheerful,  and  several  times  said  how  glad 
she  was  it  was  such  a  fine  day;  she  should  be  able  to  go  on  deck,  and 
she  thought  it  would  do  her  so  much  good.  She  did  go,  but  she  had 
not  walked  long  before  she  was  taken  faint.  I  ran  down  to  the 
cabin  to  fetch  her  smelling-bottle ;  when  I  returned,  I  found  her  laid 
on  the  deck  in  a  sort  of  fit !  There  were  three  doctors  on  board — 
all  came  to  her  assistance — but  it  was  of  no  use ;  and  I  think  in  less 
than  one  hour,  all  was  over  !  She  was  quite  sensible  she  was  going 
— so  sweet  and  so  prepared  to  meet  her  Saviour.  She  spoke  to  us 
all,  and  bid  us  farewell.  Oh,  what  a  scene  it  was !  I  never,  never, 
shall  forget  it.  The  captain  was  very  kind.  He  had  a  place  enclosed 
at  one  end  of  the  deck  with  the  sails.  There  was  the  death-chamber. 
There  we  did  wliat  we  could  for  the  dear  remains  1  The  sun  ceased 
to  shine ;  it  rained,  and  the  wind  blew  in  upon  us ;  and  what  with 
the  ringing  of  bells,  the  firing  of  cannons,  part  of  the  town  in  a  blaze, 
and  the  consciousness  of  the  great  bloodshed  that  was  going  on,  it 
was  the  most  awful  scene  I  ever  witnessed  !  Her  coffin  came  about 
9  o'clock  in  the  evening.     She  was  put  into  it,  and  then  she  looked 


586  RECOLLECTIONS. 

beautiful,  anJ  seemed  to  have  something  to  shelter  her  from  tho 
storm.  Schutz  stayed  with  her  all  night :  it  was  a  very  stormy  one. 
The  next  morning,  about  8  o'clock,  they  were  obliged  to  bury  her. 
It  seemed  such  hurrying  work.  What  a  funeral  procession  it  was  I 
in  boats,  across  the  sea  :  it  goes  to  my  heart  while  writing  it." 


A  few  of  the  letters  that  were  written  by  her  family  circle  on 
this  sorrowful  occasion,  will  tend  to  show  how  painful 
and  unlooked  for  was  the  intelligence,  and  in  what  high  esti- 
mation this  beloved  one  w^as  held  by  her  family  and  friends. 

R.    CUNNINGHAM   TO   E.    P.    GURNEY. 

''Lowestoft,  Februari/ S J. 

"What  can  I  say,  my  beloved,  afflicted  sister !  This  is  a  grief,  a 
most  heartfelt  sorrow.  One  view  of  the  dispensation  is  as  afflictive, 
as  desolating,,  as  anything  can  well  be;  but  by  faith,  we  may  turn  tbe 
2>icture,  and  there  see  a  blessed  translation,  without  tasting  death  ! 
"She  was  not,  for  God  had  taken  her."  Iler  soul,  we  may  believe, 
was  "as  a  weaned  child."  Her  affections  were  set  on  things  above ; 
and  her  final  dismissal  presents  to  us  the  most  beautiful  picture  of 
the  dying  Christian,  one  almost  ever  heard  of — that  lovely,  gentle 
spirit  taking  its  departure  on  the  deck  of  a  man-of-war  surrounded  by 
ofScers,  was  strange,  as  she,  dear  creature,  said,  '  A  strange  place  to 
die  in' — but  deeply  interesting  —  the  beautiful  picture  haunts  my 
mind,  and  is  impressed  on  my  imagination ;  but  what  an  event  for 
him — words  utterly  fail  to  express  it.  Francis  and  I  entered  Cathe- 
rine's room,  this  morning,  with  trembling.  I  felt  exceedingly  over- 
whelmed in  spirit.  The  shock  was  indeed  great  to  her.  She  looked 
amazed  aud  stunned,  as  if  she  could  not,  and  dared  not,  believe  it; 
but  thy  note  was  the  very  thing,  dear,  to  break  it  to  her.  She  first 
heard  that,  which  convinced  her  of  the  awful  reality.  Nature  icill 
shrink  from  sorrow,  but  faith  comes  in  to  our  aid.  Oh,  what  a  mercy 
that  God  should  have  removed  the  sting  of  such  a  curse  as  death,  and 
the  believer  dies  in  perfect  calmness !  What  could  be  so  lovely  as 
lier  translation  !     But,  as  Young  says,  ''Tis  the  Survivor  dies.' 

"What  must  have  been  John's  feelings,  when  committing  that  pre< 
cious  form  into  the  silent  grave,  surrounded  by  officers  and  strangers  1 


RECOLLECTIONS.  587 

It.  is  a  vionderful  hidory  !  How  delightful  that  she  was  able  to  say, 
<  I  am  going  to  my  dearest  father' — most  blessed  reunion  !  I  can 
believe  thy  soul  longs  to  be  with  them.  Catherine  now  begs  me  to 
tell  thee,  she  does  feel  greatly  sustained.  She  cannot  shed  tears, 
which  would  be,  I  think,  a  great  relief  to  her,  but  she  finds  much 
consolation  in  Scripture.  She  is  now  lying  on  the  sofa  calm  and 
resigned.  We  are  profoundly  quiet.  She  likes  me  to  sit  with  her. 
Francis  is  the  greatest  stay  and  comfort  to  us,  and  enters  most  deeply 
into  sympathy  with  us.  He  did  so  heartily  love  her.  Who  did  not 
in  our  circle  ?  Oh,  she  was  such  a  gem  !  She  was  so  entirely  the 
Lord's.  How  striking  was  what  she  said  to  thee  in  the  summer  ? 
precious  hallowed  hours.  May  their  memory  ever  be  a  comfort  to 
thee.  Poor,  dear  John,  how  desolate  his  return  ! — the  grave  to  have 
been  opened  twice  to  his  small  party.  And  that  darling  Johnny — 
how  lovely  was  her  leave-taking  of  him  !  The  whole  seems  to  have 
been  but  a  few  minutes.  .  .  Catherine  has  been  comforted  in 
looking  back  on  the  text  for  that  day  in  her  Moravian  book,  which 
she  always  uses,  '  He  doeth  according  to  His  will  in  the  army  of 
Heaven,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth;  and  none  can  stay 
His  hand,  or  say  to  Him,  what  doest  thou  f  '  God  sits  as  Sovereign 
on  the  storm. — He  doeth  all  things  well.'  .  .  .  What  a  tone  of 
deep  submission  has  run  through  her  letters,  with  every  effort  to  bear 
her  afflictions  with  cheerfulness.  This  has  often  been  quite  touching 
to  me.  Ought  wo  not  to  seek  and  to  desire,  that  these  repeated 
blows  may  have  a  true,  weaning,  preparatory  effect  upon  all  our 
hearts  ? 

"With  near  love  and  truest  heartfelt  sympathy,  most  affectionately, 

"K.  C." 

"HalesWORTH,  Fehruari/  Sth,  1848. 
"  My  dear  Mary  : 

"I  have  thought  so  very  much  of  you  and  John  Henry,  since 
hearing  of  the  event  which  fills  all  our  thoughts,  that  I  must  write 
and  tell  you  how  truly  I  do  feel  it  for  you.  Yet  is  there  not  very 
much  to  comfort  under,  and  even  reconcile,  this  startling  dispensation  ? 
I  mean  the  manner  of  her  departure.  Surely  the  real  pain  was  in 
giving  her  up  to  go  that  journey,  with  the  heavy  forebodings  of  it. 
And  to  have  had  her  spared  lingering  illness  in  a  foreign  land  — 
translated  without  suffering  —  and  so  quickly,  is  enough  to  reconcile 


588  RECOLLECTIONS. 

US  to  the  shock,  great  as  it  has  been  !  How  highly  characteristic 
was  her  behaviour  in  that  awful  hour  —  so  calm,  steady,  and  right- 
minded.  I  have  been  much  impressed,  in  thinking  of  her,  with  her 
peculiar  characteristics,  and  in  remembering  her  at  different  periods 
of  her  life.  She  has  risen  before  me  with  the  utmost  vividness.  I 
only  wish  I  could  retain,  either  with  pencil  or  pen,  the  lively  images 
of  her  I  now  recall  —  first,  as  a  little  child  in  that  large  nursery  at 
Earlham,  then  a  little  older,  with  John  Henry,  as  I  saw  them 
brought  to  our  dear  Aunt  Rachel's  dying  bed-side.  That  was  a 
beautiful  scene  !  After  that,  I  recall  her  indistinctly  for  some  yeans 
of  her  life,  with  Hannah  Lean  (her  governess),  under  Aunt  Cathe- 
rine's care.  Then,  too,  her  sweetness  in  dear  Aunt  Mary's  time, 
and  her  spirit  and  brightness  as  a  school-room  child.  But  after  the 
death  of  that  dear  mother,  how  did  she  step  forward  in  a  new 
position  !  and  what  did  she  not  become  as  a  daughter  ?  The  re- 
ligious principles  which  had  been  so  early,  diligently,  and  deeply 
planted  in  her,  began  now  more  especially  to  show  \\ie\r  fruits.  She 
had  naturally  a  peculiar  Jove  of  service,  a  true  taste  for  being  of  use, 
and  as  her  character  developed.  Duty  was  its  Pole  Star.  She  re- 
markably balanced  and  proportioned  her  duties,  and,  to  our  view, 
seemed  never  to  fail  in  them.  It  was  a  most  rare  post  that  she  now 
filled.  Her  father's  dependence  on  her  was  intense.  Her  unvary- 
ing devotedness  to  him,  united  with  uncommon  wisdom,  cheerful- 
ness, and  simplicity,  such  as  one  is  not  often  to  see.  I  was  staying 
at  Earlham,  in  the  summer  of  1836  (after  Aunt  Mary's  death),  and 
never  can  forget  the  touching  dependence  he  had  upon  her,  and  the 
(jrace  with  which,  though  only  a  child  of  fifteen,  she  filled  that  post. 
Again,  I  saw  the  same  thing  at  Rennyhill,  in  the  same  autumn,  and 
then  how  did  she  assist  and  strengthen  him  in  the  tremendous  effort 
of  duty  he  made,  in  leaving  her  and  John  Henry  to  go  to  America  ! 
''  In  1839,  during  his  absence,  I  was  again  staying  some  time  at 
Earlham,  on  our  transit  to  Halesworth,  and  then  I  saw  her  in  the 
character  of  sister.  Of  this,  I  need  not  speak ;  but,  I  think,  it  was 
unequalled ;  her  forbearance,  her  love,  her  lively  admiration  and  de- 
light in  John  Henry.  It  is  too  affecting  to  think  of!  The  next 
image  I  strongly  recall  is,  when  she  came  to  nurse  Chenda  in  the 
measles,  and  this  leads  me  to  remember  the  treasure  ice  have  lost  — 
the  faithful,  efficient,  and  dependable  friend  and  relation.  There 
were  feio,  indeed,  whose  company  I  would  so  desire,  or  whose  judg- 
ment and  example  I  would  more  profit  from.     In  these  years,  too, 


RECOLLECTIONS.  6S^ 

the  siglit  of  her  in  the  ^eleven-sided  attic/  with  her  Sunday- 
scholars,  is  memorable.  Her  unforgetting  attentions  to  H.  Scarnell 
and  Nurse  Norman,  and  all  her  sweetness  and  fragrance  as  the  very 
flower  of  Earlham  !  Then  I  recall  the  scenes  (as  described,  for  I 
did  not  see  them),  of  your  father's  return  from  America,  and  of  his 
marriage.  I  did  see  her  as  step-daughter ;  but  I  shall  borrow  the 
words  of  the  mother,  she  so  truly  loved,  to  describe  her  in  this 
capacity.     .     .     .     She  writes  to  me,  February  11th,  1848  : 

" '  Never  has  that  dear  one  shone  more  brightly  than  in  her  gener- 
ous, noble,  loving,  most  unseljish  conduct  to  myself.  In  the  first 
place,  when  I  was  the  innocent  means  of  robbing  her  of  that  un- 
common dependence,  which  had  for  several  years  been  placed  upon 
her,  and  zw.  which  (though  she  was  often  weighted  by  it),  she  greatly 
delighted.  Then  her  most  dutiful,  affectionate  and  truly  tender 
conduct  to  us  both,  entering  with  such  delight  into  our  pleasures, 
.and  giving  us  the  very  depth  and  fulness  of  her  young  heart's  sym- 
pathy in  all  our  pains.  But,  above  all,  how  lovely,  how  exalted, 
how  far  beyond  all  praise,  was  the  self-sacrificing  spirit  with  which 
she  sought,  in  our  common  sorrow,  to  lay  aside  the  sense  of  her  own 
heart-breaking  portion  of  it,  while  she  devoted  all  her  energies  to 
cheer  and  comfort  me.  Dear,  precious  child !  in  the  fulfilment  of' 
her  various  duties,  I  never  saw  her  equalled,  and  none  will  ever 
know  tvhat  /have  lost.' 

"  The  next  picture  that  rises  is  of  herself  on  her  wedding-day  I 
Her  pale,  elevated  look,  when  she  first  entered  the  meeting;  her 
happy  smile  afterwards ;  her  charming  demeanour  through  the  day, 
thoughtful  of  evety  one,  full  of  feeling,  yet  perfectly  steady  and  like 
herself — the  stay  of  all  others.  That  day  is,  indeed,  memorable  — 
both  our  fathers  in  such  brightness !  and  the  whole  scene  a  crown 
of  Earlham  gatherings  !  I  am  glad  to  have  it  fixed  in-  my  mind, 
though  now  so  clothed  with  melancholy.  I  saw  her  many  times 
afterwards,  but  was  not  so  much  or  closely  thrown  with  her  again, 
till  we  had  the  privilege  of  spending  a  few  days  at  Blackwell,  in 
1846.  There  she  was  shining  indeed,  as  wife,  mother,  mistress, 
neighbour  —  truly  a  blessing  to  the  world  around  her.  I  saw  her  at 
Beeehwood,  at  Polam,  in  her  own  little  school,  with  her  neighbours, 
poor  and  rich  —  everywhere  the  same  Anna;  quiet,  judicious,  en- 
larged, hopeful,  generous  and  encouraging;  the  most  loving,  dutiful 
daughter-in-law,  niece,  and  cousin.  Oh,  what  a  hopeless  vacancy  ia 
there  left — a  place  that  cannot  be  filled  ! 


590  RECOLLECTIOXS. 

"T  next  met  her  in  January,  1847  I  and  even  in  tTiat  scene,  how 
was  she  still  herself!  I  can  never  forget  her  on  the  day  of  /ifs 
funeral.  It  is  sorrowful  to  remember  her  marble  face,  so  lovely, 
yet  almost  fearfully  calm,  holding  her  place  even  there,  in  those 
rooms,  and  with  every  one.  I  was  frightened  at  it  at  the  time ;  and 
it  is  painful  to  remember  it  now.  Did  she  ever  recover  that  grief? 
/think  not,  though  other  things  combined  to  undermine  her  health. 
Only  once  more  did  I  see  her  at  Earlham  j  in  August,  1847  — not 
six  months  ago  I  What  a  picture  of  refinement,  of  chastened  feel- 
ing, of  quiet  resolution,  and,  above  all,  of  deep  religious  trust  and 
experience  !  She  was  such  a  reasonable,  sensible,  manageable  in- 
valid— free  from  self-will,  and  making  the  best  and  easiest  of  every- 
thing, while  she  conducted  everything  with  power  and  decision.  I 
parted  with  her  with  strong  love  and  admiration,  and  a  deep  fear, 
though  not  without  hope.  In  herself,  hope  predominated.  She  told 
jue  she  expected  to  return,  though  perfectly  aware  of  the  risk  of  her 
critical  state.  I  saw  her  unexpectedly  for  a  moment,  at  the  railway 
station,  at  Stratford;  like  herself  was  every  part  of  her  behaviour  in 
that  bustle  and  agitation,  and  this  was  my  last  sight  of  her,  dear, 
dear  creature  !  I  deeply  feel  in  the  contemplation  of  her  whole 
course  and  character,  that  something  unequalled  in  many  respects  is 
gone  from  amongst  us.  There  was  combined  with  her  grace  such 
remarkable  wisdom,  enlargement,  and  affection ;  such  peculiarly 
sound  and  dependable  conduct  in  all  the  turns  of  life;  that  we  can 
but  feel  that  a  standard  is  removed  from  our  circle,  and  that  we  — 
(^our  icorld) — v:e  and  our  children  are  truly  and  lastingly  the  poorer. 
The  great  loss  of  all — the  7in.tj)eakalle  loss  of  her  husband  and  child 
— these  cannot  be  touched  by  me.  But,  oh  !  my  heart  does  ache  for 
John  Church.  I  mourn  for  that  darling  Jacky,  unconscious  of  his 
inexpressible  privation  ! 

"I  did  so  long  to  try  and  put  down  some  of  my  remembrances  of 
her,  that  I  have  poured  it  all  out  to  i/ou,  dearest  Mary.  But  now  I 
feel  half  afraid  of  adding  to  your  sorrow  by  it.  May  we,  as  long  as 
we  remember  her  (which  sui"ely  will  be  for  /{/"e),  remember  her  ex- 
ample and  seek  to  follow  it. 

"  With  true  love  and  sympathy  to  John  Henry,  whose  sorrow  I  well 
believe  is  not  easily  estimated, 
"  I  am,  dear  Mary, 

"  Your  truly  affectionate  Cousin, 

'*  Priscilla  Johnston." 


RECOLLECTIONS.  591 

Tt<*  /.'coedin^  outline  of  Anna  Backliousc's  character  "was 
.lulinf  ■.•■ffl  by  her  valued  cousin,  of  whom  such  frequent  and  affec- 
tionate mention  is  made  in  this  little  sketch. 

Gifted  alike  by  nature  in  no  ordinary  degree,  and  refined 
and  purified  by  unreserved  submission  to  the  transforming 
operations  of  Divine  Grace,  there  was  much  congeniality  be- 
tween them,  and  each  formed  a  high  hnt  just  estimate  of  the 
talents  and  attainments  of  the  other.  Surrounded  by  the 
luxuries  and  indulgences  of  life,  they  may  be  said  to  have 
lived,  "  as  strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the  earth,"  "  seeking  a 
better  country." — And  iioiv,  as  we  confidently  believe,  through 
the  fullness  of  atoning  love  and  mercy,  they  are  ^^ feltoic-citi- 
zens  with  the  saints  and  of  the  household  of  God'' — joined  to 
that  countless  company,  who,  with  the  palm  of  victory  in  their 
hands,  surround  the  throne,  and  day  and  night,  are  praising 
Him  ■who  hath  redeemed  them,  "  on  the  psaltery  and  harp." 


APPENDIX. 


COPY  OF  THE  STATEMENT  OF  CHRISTIAN  FAITH  FURNISHED  BY  JOSEPH 
JOHN  GURNEY,  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  STEPHEN  A.  CHASE,  OF  SALEM, 

MASSACHUSETTS.     See  supra,  p.  506. 

Earlham,  7th  mo.,  26th,  1846. 

Having  been  requested  by  my  friend  Stephen  A.  Chase, 
of  Salem,  Massachusetts,  to  furnish  him  with  a  statement  of  my 
Christian  faith  respecting  the  Holy  Scriptures,  the  immediate  and 
perceptible  operation  of  the  Spirit,  the  doctrine  of  justification,  and 
that  of  the  Trinity,  (as  it  is  called,)  I  have  much  satisfaction  in 
complying  with  his  request. 

I.  The  Holy  Scriptures.  My  belief  respecting  the  Scriptures 
of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  may  be  stated  in  the  words  of 
George  Fox  ;  "  Concerning  the  Holy  Scriptures,  we  believe  they 
were  given  forth  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  through  the  holy  men 
of  God,  who  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost:  we 
believe  they  are  to  be  read,  believed,  and  fulfilled ;  (he  that  fulfils 
them  is  Christ;)  and  they  are  profitable  for  reproof,  for  correction, 
.and  for  instruction  in  righteousness,  that  the  man  of  God  may  be 
perfect,  thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works;  and  are  able  to 
make  wise  unto  salvation,  through  faith  in  Christ  Jesus :  we  believe 
the  Holy  Scriptures  are  the  words  of  God." 

See  Declaration  of  Faith,  issued  hy  George  Fox  and  others,  and 
presented  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Barhadoes.  —  Euans's 
Exposition,  p.  238. 

Also  in  the  words  of  Robert  Barclay  ;  ''  Moreover  because  they 
are  commonly  acknowledged  by  all  to  have  been  written  by  the 
dictates   of  the    Holy   Spirit,  and   that    the   errors  which    may  be 

(592) 


APPENDIX.  593 

supposed  by  the  injury  of  times  to  have  slipped  in,*  are  not  such 
but  that  there  is  a  sufficient  cleaV  testimony  left  to  all  the  essentials 
of  the  Christian  faith,  we  do  look  upon  them  as  the  only  fit  outward 
judge  of  controversies  among  Christians,  and  that  whatsoever  doctrine 
is  contrary  unto  their  testimony,  may  therefore  be  rejected  as  false. 
And  for  our  parts,  we  are  very  willing  that  all  our  doctrines  and 
practices  be  tried  by  them,  which  we  never  refused,  and  never  shall 
in  all  controversies  with  our  adversaries,  as  the  judge  and  test.  We 
shall  also  be  very  willing  to  admit  it  as  a  positive,  certain  maxim, 
that  whatsoever  any  do,  pretending  to  the  Spirit,  which  is  contrarj 
to  the  Scriptures,  be  accounted  and  reckoned  a  delusion  of  tlu; 
devil."     Apology,  Proj).  III. 

Also  in  the  words  of  William  Penn  :  ''We  both  love,  honour, 
and  prefer  them  before  all  books  in  the  world;  ever  choosing  to 
express  our  belief  of  the  Christian  fiiith  and  doctrine  in  the  terms 
thereof,  and  rejecting  all  principles  and  doctrines  whatsoever  that  arc 
repugnant  thereto." — Tesiimoni/  to  the  Truth,  Evans,  p.  248. 

Also  in  the  words  of  the  General  Epistle  of  the  Yearly  Meetino 
OF  London,  for  the  year  1836  :  **  It  has  ever  been,  and  still  is,  the 
belief  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  that  the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testament  were  given  by  in.spiration  of  God :  that  therefore 
the  declarations  contained  in  them  rest  on  the  authority  of  God  him- 
self; and  there  can  be  no  appeal  from  them  to  any  other  authority 
whatsoever;  that  they  are  able  to  make  us  wise  unto  salvation  througii 
faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  being  the  appointed  means  of  making 
known  to  us  the  blessed  truths  of  Christianity;  that  they  are  the 
only  divinely  authorised  record  of  the  doctrines  which  we  are  bound, 
as  Christians,  to  believe,  and  of  the  moral  principles  which  are  to 
regulate  our  actions;  that  no  doctrine  which  is  not  contained  in  them 
can  be  required  of  any  one  to  be  believed,  as  an  article  of  faith;  that 
whatsoever  any  man  says  or  does,  which  is  contrary  to  the  Scriptures, 
though  under  profession  of  the  immediate  guidance  of  the  Spirit, 
must  be  reckoned  and  accounted  a  mere  delusion."f 

«  The  errors  here  alluded  to,  are  those  of  copying  only,  ivhich  have  given  rise, 
as  is  generally  known,  to  a  great  number  of  various  readings.  These,  for  the  nio,«t 
part,  are  entirely  destitute  of  importance.  After  a  very  e.xtensive  and  accurate 
collation  of  manuscripts  and  other  authorities,  the  text,  both  of  the  Hebrew  and 
Greek  Scriptures,  may  now  be  regarded  as  being,  for  all  practical  purposes,  settled 
and  ascertained;  and  the  blessed  result  is,  that  the  readers  of  Holy  Writ  are  not 
deprived  of  a  single  moral  principle,  or  a  single  doctrinal  truth.  — Note  by  J.  J 
Gurney. 

t  This  epistle  was,  as  I  understand,  republished  by  most  of  the  Yearly  Meetings 
of  North  America. — Note  by  J.  J.  Gurney. 

Vol.  II.  — 38 


594  APPENDIX. 

While  I  fully  agree  witli  the  plain  testimony  which  has  thus  been 
always  borne  by  Friends  to  the  divine  authority  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  do  sincerely  acknowledge  that  the  doctrines  and  precepts 
contained  in  them  are  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the  Almighty 
himself,  I  also  unite  with  Friends  in  objecting  to  the  common  practice 
uf  denominating  the  sacred  volume  "the  Word  of  God,"  because  I 
am  of  opinion,  that  this  epithet,  considered  as  a  distinguishing  and 
oxelusive  title,  properly  belongs  only  to  Christ,  of  whom  the  Scrip-' 
tures  testify. 

8econdh%  I  wish  it  to  be  clearly  understood,  that  since  the  para- 
mount authority  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  over  that  of  all  other  books, 
is  a  simple  consequence  of  the  fact,  that  they  were  given  by  inspira- 
tion of  (Jod,  I  must  ever  regard  these  sacred  writings,  pure  and 
precious  though  they  be,  as  entirely  subordinate,  in  point  of  dignity 
and  power,  to  the  Holy  Spirit  from  whom  they  came,  and  wKo  is  him-' 
self  their  true  and  ever-living  Author.  And  further,  though  they  are 
"the  appointed  means  of  making  known  to  us  the  blessed  truths  of 
i'hristianity,"  and  thus  "are  able  to  make  us  wise  unto  salvation 
through  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,"  I  entertain  a  deep  and 
thorough  conviction  that  they  can  never  impart  an  efficacious  and 
saving  knowledge  of  divine  things,  unless  their  contents  are  unfolded 
to  the  understanding,  and  impressed  on  the  heart,  by  the  immediate 
influences  of  that  Spirit  from  whom  they  emanated.  While,  there- 
f<jre,  it  is  our  unquestionable  duty,  as  the  Society  of  Friends  has 
frequently  declared,  to  read  them  diligently  ourselves,  and  as  dili- 
gently to  teach  them  to  our  children,  we  ought,  in  the  performance 
iif  this  duty,  reverently  to  depend  on  divine  aid  and  illumination, 
remembering  the  words  of  our  blessed  Lord — especially,  applicable  as 
they  are  to  the  present  subject  —  -'without  me  ye  can  do  nothing." 

II.  The  immediate  and  perceptible  operation  of  the  Spirit. 

In  reference  to  this  great  .«ubject,  I  have,  in  the  first  place,  plainly 
to  declare  my  belie*  in  unison  with  that  of  Friends  from  their  first 
rise  to  the  present  day,  that  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  very 
Htr  from  being  confined  to  those  who  hav-e  a  knowledge  of  Holy 
writ,  and  of  the  incarnate,  crucified,  and  risen  Saviour  of  whom  it 
testifies.  On  the  contrary,  it  is  ray  firm  conviction  that  as  Christ 
died  for  all  men,  so  all  men,  through  his  mediation  and  sacrifice  on 
the  cross,  are  placed  in  a  capacity  for  salvation,  and  receive  a  measure 
of  divine  light,  which  although  in  numberless  instances  shining  "  in 


DECLARATION    OF    FAITH.  595 

darkness,"  and  overborne  by  ignorance  and  superstition,  is  in  its  own 
nature  pure  and  holy,  and  perceptible  to  the  rational  mind  of  man  — 
so  tbat  those  who  believe  ia  it,  and  obey  it,  are  thereby  led  to  fear 
God,  and  to  keep  his  law  as  it  is  written  on  their  hearts ;  that  such 
as  those  are  accepted  for  Christ's  sake,  even  though  they  may  never 
have  heard  his  name ;  and  thus  sharing  in  the  benefit  of  his  atoning 
death  on  the  cross,  through  faith  in  the  degree  of  light  bestowed 
upon  them,  they  are  t-o  be  regarded  as  partakers,  in  their  measure 
and  according  to  their  capacity,  of  the  body  and  blood  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

In  stating  this  point  I  do  not  forget  that  the  heathen  world,  both 
in  ancient  and  modern  times,  has  been  found,  generally  speaking,  in 
a  state  of  great  blindness  and  degradation,  as  compared  with  that 
part  of  mankind  which  has  the  outward  knowledge  of  Christ,  and 
that  their  moral  responsibility  is  small  in  proportion  :  and  I  freely 
confess  ray  belief  (also  in  unison  with  Friends  from  their  first  origin 
until  now)  that  the  immediate  and  perceptible  guidance  and  govern- 
ment of  the  Holy  Spirit  are  preeminentlt/  enjoyed  by  true  believei>- 
in  Christ  —  the  living  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  To  these 
was  addressed  the  language  —  "Ye  have  an  unction  from  the  Holy 
One,  and  ye  know  all  things;"  and  again,  "The  anointing  which  ye 
have  received  of  him'  abideth  in  you,  and  ye  need  not  that  any  man 
teach  you  :  but  as  the  same  anointing  teachcth  you  of  all  things, 
and  is  truth,  and  is  no  lie,  and  even  as  it  hath  taught  you,  ye  shall 
abide  in  him  :"  1  John  ii,  20,  27.  Although  directly  miraculous 
gifts,  and  that  extraordinary  measure  of  inspiration  which  the 
apostles  received,  were  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  first  settlement  of 
Christianity  in  the  world,  and  (without  daring  to  limit  the  operations 
of  divine  power)  we  do  not  look  for  them  in  the  present  day,  yet  I 
am  well  assured  that  the  promise  of  the  Holy  Ghost  as  a  perceptible 
guide  to  truth  and  righteousness,  and  as  the  only  qualifier  for  the 
exercise  of  those  gifts  which  are  instrumental  for  the  edification  and 
enlargement  of  the  church,  were  not  confined  to  primitive  days,  but 
are  the  inheritance  of  the  people  of  God,  under  the  gospel  dispensation, 
to  the  end  of  time.  That  promise  was  not  only  to  the  first  believers, 
but  to  their  children,  and  to  all  that  were  afar  off,  even  to  as  many 
as  the  Loixi  their  God  should  call :  Acts  ii,  30.  The  Holy  Ghost, 
the  Comforter,  was  to  abide  with  the  church  ''  for  ever:"  John  xiv,  16. 
"As  for  me,  this  is  my  covenant  with  them,  saith  the  Lord,  (to 
Israel's  Messiah ;)  My  Spirit  that  is  upon  tiiee,  and  my  words 
which  I  have,  put  in  thy  mouth,  shall  not  depart  out  of  thy  mouth, 


GOG  APPENDIX. 

nor  out  of  the  mouth  of  thy  seed,  nor  out  of  the  inoutt  of  thy  seed's 
seed,  saith  the  Lord,  from  henceforth  and  for  ever:''  Isaiah  Hx,  21. 

If  I  am  asked  in  what  respects,  according  to  my  belief,  the  imme- 
diate and  perceptible  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  experienced  by 
true  Christians,  I  answer, 

First,  in  that  divine  teaching  and  illumination  by  which  the  truths 
of  our  holy  religion  are  made  clear  to  the  mind,  and  by  which  the 
mind  is  brought  into  such  a  condition,  as  to  be  able  fully  to  receive 
and  appropriate  them;  more  especially  in  deepening  those  convictions 
of  sin,  and  strengthening  that  living  faith,  of  which  the  Spirit  Him- 
self is  the  very  Source  and  Author. 

Sccofidlj/,  in  the  application  of  the  general  moral  principles  declared 
in  Scripture,  to  every  particular  exigency  or  question  which  may  arise 
in  the  course  of  our  lives — there  being  a  swift  witness  for  God  within 
us,  instructing  our  conscience,  and  plainly  showing  us,  on  every  suc- 
cessive occasion  which  requires  it,  in  what  way  that  love  to  God  and 
man  which  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law,  is  to  be  brought  into  practice 
— what  we  ought  to  do,  as  responsible  moral  agents,  and  what  to  leaA-e 
undone.  And  here  I  would  remark,  that  according  to  my  apprehen- 
sion of  the  subject,  it  is  on  this  (/round,  in  connection  with  a  simple 
obedience  to  the  precepts  of  our  Lord  and  his  apostles,  that  Friends 
liave  so  long  been  led  to  bear  an  open  practical  •testimony  against  war 
in  all  its  forms,  against  oaths  under  whatsoever  circumstance  or  pre- 
text, against  the  sin  of  trading  in  our  fellow-men,  and  of  holding 
them  in  slavery,  against  the  vain  amusements  and  heartless  dissipa- 
tion of  the  world,  against  extravagance  and  useless  ornament  in  dress 
or  furniture,  and  against  all  that  is  opposed  to  Christian  simplicity 
and  truth,  in  the  modes  of  behaviour  and  address  current  amongst 
men. 

Thirdlij,  in  the  call  to  his  own  particular  line  of  duty,  of  every 
living  member  of  the  church,  for  the  welfare  of  the  body,  and  for 
the  advancement  of  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness;  seeing  that 
"  the  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  is  given  to  every  man  to  profit 
withal :"  1  Cor.  xii,  7  ; — an  office  of  the  Comforter  wholly  independ- 
ent of  the  sacred  records;  for  while  Scripture  abounds  in  descriptions 
of  spiritual  gifts,  and  of  their  true  origin  and  operation,  the  call  of 
the  individual  member  of  the  church  to  the  exercise  of  any  particular 
gift,  is  a  matter  which  belongs  to  the  hidden  counsels  and  sole 
prerogative  of  the  Saviour  himself;  and  is  made  known  to  the 
C-hristian  only  by  the  immediate  and  perceptible  light  and  guidance 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.     These  remarks  apply  with  especial  force  to  the 


DECLARATION   OF   FAITH.  o97 

gift  or  office  of  the  Christian  ministry.  I  am  one  with  the  Society 
of  Friends  in  openly  declaring  my  conviction,  that  it  is  the  great 
Head  of  the  Church  alone  who  selects  and  ordains  his  own  ministers, 
calls  them  into  his  serdce,  qualifies  them  by  his  Spirit  for  the 
performance  of  it,  and  graciously  directs  them  as  to  the  time,  place, 
and  matter  of  their  communications  —  the  immediate  putting  forth 
and  anointing  of  the  Holy  Ghost  being  indispensable,  not  only  for 
the  first  entrance  on  the  work,  but  for  the  continued  exercise  of  it, 
on  every  successive  occasion.  I  also  believe — as  Friends  have  alwiiys 
declared — that  in  accordance  with  the  prophecy  of  Joel  ii,  28,  and 
with  the  experience  of  the  earliest  Christian  believers,  the  "  gift  of 
prophecy" — that  is,  of  ministry  uttered  under  the  immediate  iiiiiu- 
cnee  of  the  Spirit  —  is  graciously  imparted  to  persons  of  both  sexes; 
and  that  as  it  is  freely  received,  so  it  must  he  commuukafed  io  othen, 
icitlwut  money  and  tcUhout  price.  Incapable  in  its  own  nature  of 
being  appointed,  provided,  or  hired  by  men,  and  coming  from  the 
Ix)rd  alone,  it  ought  to  be  exercised  in  simple  conformity  to  his  will, 
under  the  immediate  teaching  and  government  of  his  Spirit,  without 
any  secular  end  in  view,  and  for  the  sole  purpose  of  the  glory  of  God 
our  Saviour. 

Here  I  think  it  right  to  remark,  that  I  fully  unite  with  Friends  in 
approving  and  maintaining  their  excellent  practice  of  sitting  down 
in  silence  for  the  public  worship  of  Almighty  God;  for  while  this 
mode  of  worship  alone  consists  with  our  principles  respecting  the 
ministry  as  now  stated,  it  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  that  prostration  of 
soul  before  the  Lord,  that  patient  waiting  upon  him,  and  that  listen- 
ing to  the  immediate  teaching  of  his  Spirit,  which  are  essential  to  a 
real  growth  in  grace,  and  to  the  solid  formation  of  the  Christian 
character.  Nor  ought  such  a  practice  to  be  confined  to  public  occa- 
sions, for  "  it  is  good  for  a  man  that  he  bear  the  yoke  in  his  youth; 
he  siitelh  ahne  and  heepeth  silence,  because  he  hath  borne  it  upon 
liim ;  he  putteth  his  mouth  in  the  dust,  if  so  be  there  may  be 
liope :"  Lam.  iii,  27—29.  Compare  Robert  Bardoy  on  Immediate 
Recehition,  universal  and  saving  UyU,  icorshJp  and  minislrj/ : 
Apoh<j7j,  Prop,  ii.  vi.  x.  xL 

IIL    JUSTSFIOATION- 

By  this  terra  I  understand  the  forgiveness  and  acceptance,  with 
God,  of  the  penitent  sinner,  for  the  sake  and  through  the  mediation 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  and  through  foith  in  his  blood. 
This  is  a  doctrine  absolutely  fundamental  and  essential  in  Christianity, 


598  APPENWX. 

and  bas  always  been  steadily  maintained  by  the  Society  of  Friends. 
It  ought,  however,  to  be  inseparably  associated  in  our  minds,  with  the 
equally  important  truth,  that  "  without  holiness  no  man  can  see  the 
Lord,"  and  that  we  cannot  avail  ourselves  of  the  mercy  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus,  unless,  being  born  again  of  the  Spirit,  we  heartily  repent 
of  our  sins,  resolutely  forsake  and  renounce  them,  and  humbly  endea- 
vour, through  divine  aid,  to  walk  in  the  light.  "  There  is,  therefore, 
now  no  condemnation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk' 
not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit;"  Horn,  viii,  1.  "If  we  walk 
in  the  light  as  God  is  in  the  light,  we  have  fellowship  one  with 
another,  and  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  his  Son,  cleanseth  us  from  all 
sin  ;"   1  John  ii,  7. 

I  can  most  freely  subscribe  to  the  following  declarations  made  by 
the  Society  of  Friends  as  a  body,  and  by  some  of  its  most  eminent 
members,  on  this  cardinal  and  vital  topic 

"  Christ  gave  himself,  his  body,  for  the  life  of  tbe  whole  woi-ld,  and 
paid  the  debt  and  made  satisfaction,  and  doth  enlighten  every  man 
that  comes  into  the  world,  that  all  through  him  might  believe;  and 
he  that  doth  lud  LcUeve  in  the  offering  is  condcmued  oIrcadj,t." — 
Georrfe  Fox — Great  Mi/stert/,  p.  Go.      Evans,  p.  29. 

"Christ  Jesus  the  Immanuel,  God  with  us;  whom  all  the  Angels 
must  worship ;  Christ  offered  himself  through  the  eternal  Spirit  with- 
out spot  to  God,  and  by  his  blood  purges  our  consciences  from  dead 
works  to  serve  the  living  God.  And  so  we  know  that  Christ,  by  one 
offering,  for  ever  perfected  them  that  are  sanctified.  And  so  as  people 
walk  in  the  light,  they  have  fellowship  one  with  another,  and  the 
blood  of  Christ  cleanseth  them  from  all  sin.  And  Christ  his  own  self 
bare  our  sins  in  his  body  on  the  tree,  that  we  being  delivered  fro-m  sin 
should  live  unto  righteousness — by  whose  stripes  you  are  healed.  And 
we,  heing  justified  by  the  blood  of  Chrisi,  shaM  be  siived  from  wrath 
through  him  ;  for  if  when  we  were  enemies  we  were  reconciled  to  God 
by  the  death' o.f  his  Son,  much  more  being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved 
by  his  life."  —  Episth  issued  biji  the  Society  in  1688  :  ^<;a».s^  pp. 
29,  80. 

"This  Jesas,  who  was  the  Foandation  of  the  hc-ly  prophets  and 
apostles,  is  our  Foundation ;  and  we  believe  there  is  no  other 
foundation  to  be  kid,  but  that  which  is  laid,  even  Christ  Jesus,  who 
lasted  death  itir  every  man,  shed  his  Wood  for  all  men,  is  the 
propitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for  the  sins 
3f  the  whole  wovld,  according  a,s  John  the  Baptist  testified  of  him, 


DECLARATION    OF    FAITH.  590 

when  he  said,  'Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of 
the  world.'  "  —  Letter  from  George  Fox  to  the  Council  and  Govern^ 
ment  of  Barhudoes :  Evans,  p.  32. 

''We  do  not  hereby  intend"  (that  is  by  enforcing  the  necessity  of 
obedience  to  the  Holy  Spirit)  "  any  ways  to  lessen  or  derogate  from 
the  atonement  and  sacrifice  of  Jesus  Christ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  dn 
magnify  and  exalt  it.  For  as  we  believe  all  those  things  to  have 
been  certainly  transacted  whicli  are  recorded  in  the  Holy  Scriptures 
concerning  the  birth,  life,  miracles,  sufferings,  resurrection,  and 
ascension  of  Christ ;  so  we  also  believe  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every 
one  to  believe  it,  to  whom  it  pleases  God  to  reveal  the  same ;  yea,  wc 
believe  it  were  damnable  unhelief  not  to  believe  it  token  so  declared, 
but  to  resist  that  holy  seed,  which  as  minded,  would  lead  and  incline 
everyone  to  believe  it,  as  it  is  offered  unto  them."  Robert  Barclay  !i 
Apology,  Evans,  p.  43. 

Again,  "  As  we  believe  it  was  necessary  that  Christ  should  come, 
that  by  his  death  and  sufferings  he  might  offer  up  himself  a  sacrifice 
to  God  for  our  sins  who  his  own  self  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body 
on  the  tree,  so  we  believe  that  the  remission  of  sins,  which  any  partake 
of  is  only  in  and  by  virtue  of  that  most  satifuctory  sacrifi/:c,  and  no 
otherioise.' ' — Idem. 

"In  him  (Christ)  we  have  life,  and,  by  faith,  atonement  in  hi.-> 
blood."— William  PemCs  Worhs :  Evans,  ^.^%. 

"  We  are  led  by  the  light  and  spirit  of  Christ,  with  holy  reverenci; 
to  confess  unto  the  blood  of  Christ  shed  at  Jerusalem,  as  that  by 
which  a  propitiation  was  held  fortli  for  the  remission  of  the  sins  that 
were  p>ast,  through  the  forbearance  of  God  unto  all  that  believe.'' — 
William  Penns  Works,  p.  411  :  Evans,  p.  54. 

"  We  do  own  first  that  the  Word  of  God,  the  only  begotten  of  the 
Father,  did  take  up  a  body  of  the  flesh  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  who  was 
of  the  seed  of  David,  according  to  the  Scriptures,  and  did  the  will  of 
the  Father  therein,  in  holy  obedience  unto  him  both  in  life  and  death. 

Secondly,  That  he  did  offer  up  the  flesh  and  blood  of  that  body; 
though  not  only  so,  for  he  poured  out  his  soul,  he  poured  out  his  life, 
a  sacrifice  or  offering  for  sin,  (do  not,  oh  do  not  stumble  at  it,  but" 
rather  wait  on  the  Lord  to  understand  it;  for  we  speak  in  this  matter 
what  we  know,)  a  sacrifice  unto  the  Father,  and  in  it  tasted  death 
for  every  man,  and  that  it  is  in  consideration  and  through  God's 
acceptance  of  this  sacrifice  for  sin,  that  the  sins  of  believers  are 
pardoned,  that  God  might  be   just,  and  the   justifier  of  him  that 


600  APPENDIX. 

bolievoth  in  Jesus,  or  wlio  is  of  the  faith  of  Jesus." — Isaac  Penning' 
ton  ;    WorJcs  :   Evans,  p.  87. 

"  Question.  Are  you  justified  by  that  blood  of  Christ  that  was 
shed  at  Jerusalem  ?" 

"Answer.  JB?/  the  hlood  of  Jesus  Clii-ist,  the  Son  of  the  living  God, 
who  was  the  express  image  of  the  Father's  glory,  in  whom  dwelt  the 
fulness  of  the  Godhead  really,  who  suffered  at  Mount  Calvary,  by 
Jerusalem,  for  sinners,  am  I  justified.^' — Humfrcy  Smith:  Eranx, 
p.  94. 

Richard  Claridge,  like  some  other  writers  of  our  society,  has 
treated  on  Justification  as  consisting  of  two  parts ;  first,  the  forgive- 
ness of  the  penitent  sinner  through  faith  in  Christ  crucified;  and 
secondly,  purification  from  sin  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  For 
jny  own  part,  I  am  accustomed  to  describe  the  latter  by  the  term 
"  Saiicti/ication."  Nevertheless,  I  am  one  with  him  in  his  Christian 
doctrine.  "By  the  propitiatory  sacrifice  of  Christ,  without  us,"  says 
he,  "we,  (ndi/  repenting  and  helieving,  are,  through  the  mercy  of 
God,  Just  ijied  from  the  imputation  of  sins  and  transgressions  that  are 
past,  as  though  they  had  never  been  committed ;  and  by  the  mighty 
work  of  Christ  within  us,  the  power,  habits,  and  nature  of  sin  are 
destroyed ;  that  as  sin  once  reigned  unto  death,  even  so  now  grace 
reigneth  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord;  and  all  this  is 
effected,  not  by  a  bare  or  naked  act  of  faith,  separate  from  obedience, 
but  in  the  obedience  of  faith;  Christ  being  the  author  of  eternal 
salvation  to  none  but  those  who  obey  him." — On  Justification,  p. 
79. 

"  We  do,  indeed,  renounce  the  profession  of  justification  by  the 
imputation  of  Christ,  or  his  righteousness  pei'formed  without  men, 
])y  men  while  they  are  in  the  degenerated  estate,  and  unconverted 
and  unreconciled,  and  unborn  again;  for,  by  such  profession  of  justi- 
iication,  many  deceive  their  souls.  But  yet  we  say  that  righteousness 
■is  imputed  to  tts,  and  reckoned  unto  us,  who  helieve  in  Christ,  and 
liave  received  him ;  even  the  obedience  and  sufferings  that  he  per- 
formed without  us,  are  ours  who  have  received  him  within  us,  and 
therefore  we  are  not  reprobates;  yea,  we  do  acknowledge  that  he 
wrought  perfect  righteousness  by  obedience  and  sufferings,  and  that 
righteousness  is  ours  by  faith." — Edward  Burrough,  "  Satan's 
Design  Defeated ;"   Evans,  p.  99. 

A  safei'  or  more  satisfactory  declaration  than  this  of  the  true 
doctrine    of  justification    by  faith,  as   it   is   hold   by   every   sound 


DECLARATION    OF   FAITH.  601 

Christian,  cannot  surely  be  required  by  tbe  most  ardent  advocate  of 
evangelical  truth.  Those  who  accuse  the  early  members  of  our 
religious  society  of  unsoundness  in  Christian  doctrine,  are  little 
aware  how  remarkably  they  were  distinguished  by  a  firm,  unbending 
faith  in  Christ  as  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  and  by  that  ardent  love 
for  him,  which  constrained  them  to  devote  themselves  to  his  service, 
and  to  follow  him  faithfully,  through  many  and  deep  sufferings, 
even  unto  death.  Conscientiously  do  I  afSrm,  that  although  I  may 
have  used  terms  somewhat  different  from  those  which  some  of  them 
employed,  and  have  occasionally  taken  a  different  view  of  particular 
passages  of  Scripture,  we  have  advocated  one  and  the  same  precious 
Truth  —  even  the  "Truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus."  Most  willing  were 
they  at  all  times  to  confess — as  the  Society  has  frequently  done  in  its 
corporate  capacity  —  that  Jesus  Christ,  in  all  his  gracious  offices,  is 
the  only  Foundation  which  can  be  laid  in  Zion;  that  all  our  hopes 
of  salvation  are  in  him ;  that  it  is  through  his  perfect  obedience,  and 
propitiatory  offering  on  the  cross,  that  we  poor  sinners  receive  the 
forgiveness  of  our  sins,  and  are  placed  in  possession  of  a  well-grounded 
hope,  full  of  immortality — and  that  a  living  fai-th  in  him  is  the 
appointed  means  by  which  we  are  made  partakers  of  these  free  mercies 
of  God  our  Father.  By  this  faith  did  our  forefathers  in  the  truth 
spiritually  eat  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of  man,  and  drink  Ms  blood ;  and, 
being  richly  favoured  with  this  inward  experience,  they  neither 
required  nor  admitted  any  outward  ceremony,  in  divine  worship,  to 
remind  them  of  the  death  of  their  Lord. 

Equally  willing  have  I  always  been,  and  still  am,  to  acknowledge 
that  (as  they  frequently  declared,  and  as  the  society  itself  has  never 
failed  to  testify)  we  cannot  truly  come  unto  Christ,  except  the  Father 
who  hath  sent  him,  draw  us — that  the  influence  by  which  the  Father 
draws  us  to  the  Son  is  that  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  convinces  of  sin, 
bestows  true  repentance,  and  lays  the  sinner  prostrate  at  the  feet  of 
the  Saviour ;  and  finally,  that  except  we  be  thoroughly  cleansed  from 
our  iniquities  by  the  baptism  which  saves — even  the  one  baptism  of 
Christianity,  which  is  with  the  Holy  Ghost  —  and  thus  become  new 
creatures  in  Christ  Jesus,  we  can  never  obtain  that  glorious  inhe- 
ritance which  the  Saviour  has  purchased  for  us  with  his  own 
blood.     • 

The  following  extract  from  a  declaration  of  faith,  issued  by  the 
Yeakly  Meeting  of  Philadelphia,  in  1828,  (the  time  of  the 
nicksite  separation,)  is  so  clearly  to  the  pointy  and  so  excellent,  that 


(J02  APPENDIX. 

I  think  it  right  to  subjoin  it  to  the  quotations  already  given.  "We 
believe  that  nothing  man  can  do,  or  suffer,  will  atone  for,  or  cancel 
his  sins.  They  are  remitted  by  the  mercy  of  God,  through  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord,  for  the  sake  of  the  suflFerings  and  death  of  Christ, 
and  it  is  the  power  and  efficacy  of  that  propitiatory  offering,  vpon 
faith  and  repentance,  that  justifies  both  Jews  and  Gentiles  from  the 
sins  that  are  past;  and  it  is  the  power  of  Christ's  spirit,  in  our 
hearts,  that  purifies  and  makes  us  acceptable  before  God.  'Being 
justified  freely  by  his  grace,  through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Jesus 
Christ;  whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation  through  faith 
in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteousness  for  the  remission  of  sins 
that  are  past,  through  the  forbearance  of  God ;  to  declare  I  say  at 
this  time  his  righteousness;  that  he  might  be  just,  and  the  justifier 
of  him  w'hich  believeth  in  Jesus :'  Rom.  iii,  24 — 26.  '  But  God 
commendeth  his  love  towards  us,  in  that  while  we  were  yet  sinners 
Christ  died  for  us.  Much  more  then,  being  now  justified  by  his 
blood,  we  shall  be  saved  from  wrath  through  him.  For,  if  when 
we  were  enemies  we  were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son, 
much  more,  being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved  by  his  life.  And 
not  only  so,  but  we  also  joy  in  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
by  whom  we  have  now  received  the  atonement :'. Bom.  v,  8 — 11. 

"Not  only  do  the  Separatists  deny  the  universal  efficacy  of  the 
offering  of  our  Lord,  and  term  the  imputation  of  his  righteousness, 
as  the  ground  of  our  acceptance,  a  pernicious  and  absurd  idea,  but 
they  appear  to  rejoice  in  the  hope,  that  the  doctrine  will  be  dis- 
carded, as  the  fruit  of  the  apostacy,  from  the  Christian  faith.  Be- 
lieving, as  we  do,  that  it  is  only  as  we  come  to  be  divested  of  our 
own  righteousness,  and  of  all  confidence  in  it,  and  through  divine 
mercy  clothed  upon  with  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  that  any  can 
have  a  firm  ground  where'on  to  rest  their  hope  of  salvation,  we 
sincerely  deplore  the  delusion  of  those,  who  thus  wantonly  deprive 
themselves  of  that  hope  which  maketh  not  ashamed,  and  entereth 
within  the  veil." 

lY.  The  Doctrine  of  the  Trinity. 

I  have  never  thought  it  right,  either  in  preaching  or  writing,  to 
make  use  of  this  term,  which  is  scholastic  in  its  origin,  and  is  liable 
to  misconstruction ;  but  I  consider  the  doctrine  itself,  though  far 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  natural  understanding  of  man,  to  be  plainly 


DECLARATION    OF   PAITH.  603 

set  forth  in  Scripture;  and  so  far  am  I  from  regarding  it  as  merelj 
theoretical  in  its  nature,  that  I  accept  it  as  of  the  highest  practical 
importance  in  the  experience  of  ev^ery  true  believer. 

No  one  \Yho  has  an  experimental  knowledge  of  the  great  plan  of 
redemption,  and  calmly  reflects  on  its  several  features,  can  fail  to 
perceive  that  the  proper  divinity  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  is  one  of  those  amazing  truths  which  impart  a  living  efficacy 
to  the  whole;  for  while  he  offered  up  himself  on  the  cross  as  man, 
yet  was  ■  he  omnipotent,  because  of  Ms  deity,  to  bear  the  weight  of 
tlie  sins  of  all  mankind,  and  just  in  proportion  to  the  supreme 
dignity  of  the  sufferer,  is  the  comprehensiveness  of  the  hope  and 
joy  which  we  derive  from  his  sufferings.  "  He  that  spared  not  His 
OWN  Son,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with  him 
also  freely  give  us  all  things  V  Rom.  viii,  32.  Again,  where  is 
the  individual  convinced  of  the  truth,  as  Friends  have  ever  hekl  it, 
who  will  not  allow  that  it  is  in  virtue  of  his  glorious  Godhead,  that 
Christ  governs  his  universal  church  by  the  immediate  influence  of 
his  Spirit;  and  that  he  is  by  the  same  Spirit  "the  true  light  which 
lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world  ?" 

It  would  be  irrelevant  for  me  here  to  adduce  the  clear  and  fre- 
(![uently  repeated  testimony  of  Scripture  to  the  deity  of  Christ. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  that  this  testimony  was  accepted  and  promulgated 
without  reserve  by  our  earliest  predecessors  in  the  truth,  and  has 
nlwaj's  been  maintained  inviolate  by  the  Society  of  Friends,  to  the 
present  day.  Nor  has  the  faith  of  our  religious  body  been  less 
•scriptural,  or  less  explicitly  declared,  respecting  the  Divinity  of  the 
Holy  Spirit ;  for  where  is  the  sound  believer  who  does  not  acknow- 
ledge that  Ihe  Comforter,  even  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom  the  Father 
sends  to  us  in  the  name  of  the  Son,  to  dwell  with  us  and  in  us,  fjnd 
to  guide  us  into  all  ti-uth,  (John  xiv,  17,  and  xvi,  13 ;)  against  whom 
it  is  an  unpardonable  sin  to  blaspheme,  (Mai-k  iii,  29;)  into  whose 
name  the  true  convert  is  baptized,  as  well  as  into  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  (Matt,  xxviii,  19;)  who  divideth  to  every 
man  severally  in  the  church,  ^^  as  he  willy  '  (1  Cor.  xii,  11,)  is  himself 
truly  and  properly  God?  Yet,  although  the  Father,  t)ie  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Spirit,  are  all  three  presented  to  us  in  Scripture  as  actually 
divine,  and  as  severally  distinguished  by  relative  properties,  in  the 
economy  of  grace  —  it  is  still  the  same  mind,  the  same  power,  the 
same  essence.  The  whole  Scripture  assures  us  that  there  is  but  one 
God — even  the  immutable  and  everlasting  Jehovah — and,  therefore, 


604  APPENDIX. 

these  Three  are  One.  And  here  I  wish  it  to  be  distinctly  understood, 
that  when  in  any  of  my  writings  I  have  adverted  to  the  "  personality," 
or  "  personal  attributes"  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  have  had  no  intention 
whatsoever  to  convey  the  idea  that  the  Comforter  possesses  a  personal 
form ;  much  less  to  represent  him  as  an  object  of  worship  separate 
from  Grod ;  but  only  to  show,  that  so  far  from  being  a  mere  influence, 
he  must  be  regarded  as  a  divine  intelligent  Agent,  truly  One  with  the 
Father  and  the  Son. 

My  belief  on  the  subject  cannot  be  better  expressed  than'  in  the 
following  declarations  of  the  early  members  of  our  religious  society : — 

"  We  believe  concerning  the  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  according 
to  the  testimony  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  which  we  receive  and 
embrace  as  the  most  authentic  and  perfect  declaration  of  Christian 
faith,  being  indited  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  that  never  errs ;  — 
1st.  That  there  is  one  God  and  Father,  of  whom  are  all  things. 
2nd.  That  there  is  one  Lord  Jesus  Chrhst,  by  whom  all  things  were 
made,  who  was  glorified  of  the  Father  before  the  world  began,  who- 
is  God,  over  all,  blessed  for  ever.  3rd.  That  there  is  one  Holy 
Spirit,  the  promise  of  the  Father  and  the  Son,  the  leader,  sanctifier, 
and  comforter  of  his  people.  And  we  further  believe,  as  the  Holy 
Scriptures  soundly  and  sufficiently  express,  that  these  three  are  one 
—  even  the  Father,  the  Word,  and  the  Spirit." — George  Fox's 
Answer  to  all  such  as  faheJy  say  the  QuaJcers  are  no  Christians,  pp. 
26,  27  :  Evans,  p.  3. 

"  So,  being  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  ye  are  his  sons  and  daughters, 
and,  by  his  Spirit,  will  come  to  know  the  Three  that  bear  witness 
in  heaven,  the  Father,  the  Word,  and  the  Holy  Ghost.  These  are 
the  THREE  WITNESSES  that  are  in  heaven,  that  bear  record  of  all 
things  ;  for  he  is  God  in  the  heaven,  and  God  in  the  earth." — George 
Fox's  Epistles:  Ecans,  p.  3. 

''There  are  three  that  bear  record  in  heaven,  the  Father,  the 
Word,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  these  three  are  One.  The  Father 
is  in  the  Son,  and  the  Son  is  in  the  Father.  No  man  knoweth  the 
Son  but  the  Father,  neither  knoweth  any  man  the  Father  but  the 
Son,  and  he  to  whomsoever  the  Son  will  reveal  him.  The  Spirit 
searcheth  all  things,  yea,  the  deep  things  of  God.  For  the  things 
of  God  knoweth  no  man,  but  the  Spirit  of  God.  Now  the  Saints 
have  received  not  the  spirit  of  the  world,  but  the  Spirit  which  is  of 
God,  that  they  might  know  the  things  which  are  freely  given  to 
them  of  God.     For  the  Comforter,  which  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom 


DECLARATION    OF    FAITH,  605 

tJte  Father  sends  in  Christ's  name,  He  teaclietli  them  all  things,  and 
bringeth  all  things  to  their  remembrance." — Robert  Barclay's  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  p.  104  ;   Evans,  p.  5. 

"  Perversion  9.  The  Quakers  deny  the  Trinity.  Principle  — 
Nothing  less.  They  believe  in  the  Holy  Three,  or  Trinity  of 
Father,  Word,  and  Spirit,  according  to  Scripture,  and  that  these 
Three  are  truly  and  properly  One — of  one  nature  as  well  as  will." 

—  William  Penii's  Key,  &c.  :  Evans,  p.  7. 

"  The  Holy  Scripture  Trinity,  or  Three  thereby  meant,  we  never 
questioned,  but  believed;  as  also  the  unity  of  essence;  that  they  are 
one  substance,  one  divine,  infinite  Being;  and  also  we  question  not, 
but  sincerely  believe,  the  relative  properties  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost,  according  to  Holy  Scripture  testimony,  and  that  these  Three 
are  One." — George  WhitcJiead,  p.  195;  Evans,  p.  8. 

"  Now  consider  seriously,  if  a  man  from  his  heart  believe  thus  con- 
cerning the  eternal  power  and  Godhead,  that  the  Father  is  God,  the 
Word  God,  the  Holy  Spirit,  God,  and  that  these  are  one  eternal  God 

—  waiting  so  to  know  God,  and  to  be  subject  to  him  accordingly — is 
not  this  man  in  a  right  frame  of  heart  towards  the  Lord  in  this 
respect?  Indeed,  friends,  we  do  know  God  sensibly  and  experiment- 
ally, to  be  a  Father,  Word,  and  Spirit;  and  we  worship  the  Father 
in  the  Son,  by  his  own  Spirit,  and  here  meet  with  the  seal  of  accept- 
ance in  him."  —  Isaac  Penninyton  s  Antichrist  Unmasked,  ■p.  27  : 
Evans,  p.  10. 

To  these  explicit  testimonies,  given  forth  on  behalf  of  the  body,  by 
eminent  individuals,  may  be  added  the  following  declaration  solemnly 
made  by  the  Society,  A.  D.  1693. 

"  We  sincerely  profess  faith  in  God  by  his  only  begotten  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  as  being  our  light  and  life,  our  only  way  to  the  Father, 
and  also  our  only  Mediator  and  Advocate  with  the  Father. 

"That  God  created  all  things;  he  made  the  world  by  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  he  being  that  powerful  and  living  Word  by  whom  all 
things  were  made;  and  that  the  Father,  the'W^ord,  and  Holy  Spirit 
are  one ;  in  Divine  Being  inseparable ;  one  true,  living,  and  eternal 
God  blessed  for  ever."  Signed  on  hehalf  of  our  Christian  profession 
and  people  aforesaid — George  Whitehead,  Ambrose  Rigg,  &c.,  dr. — 
Seioel's  History,  vol.  ii,  p.  499. 

Under  the  full  conviction  that  this  is  a  subject,  above  all  others, 
on  which  it  were  very  foolishness  to  attempt  to  be  wise  above  that 
which  is  written,  and  under  a  solemn  sense  of  the  importance  of  our 
faithfully  adhering  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Oneness  of  Jehovah,  I  will 


60C  APPENDIX. 

now  conclude  my  declaration  of  faith,  on  tbis  grand,  essential  article, 
in  words  which  I  have  already  published.  They  were  suggested  to 
me,  many  years  ago,  by  a  venerable  minister  of  the  gospel,  who 
dearly  loved  our  religious  Society,  and  faithfully  adhered  to  its 
acknowledged  principles  to  his  dying  day. 

"■  While  the  Christian  rejoices  in  the  distinct  characters  and  ofl&ces  of 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit,  so  graciously  revealed  to  us  for  our 
instruction  and  edification,  he  probably  never  finds  his  soul  bowed 
down  with  so  deep  a  reverence,  or  filled  with  so  pure  a  delight,  as 
when  he  contemplates  the  Almighty  as  an  ineffable  glory — an  incom- 
municable name — an  infinite  and  incomprehensible  Unity." 

Although  I  have  now  given  a  full  and  explicit  answer,  as  I  trust, 
to  the  inquiry  of  my  friend  Stephen  A.  Chase,  I  am  best  satisfied  to 
add  a  short  explanation  of  my  belief  on  two  points  which  he  has  not 
mentioned — fhe  resurrection  of  the  hodi/,  and  the  sahhath. 

My  convictions  on  the  former  subject  are  well  stated  in  the 
following  sentences  selected  from  the  declaration  of  faith  made  by 
the  Society  of  Friends,  in  1693,  and  already  cited  under  a  preceding 
head. 

''Concerning  the'  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  the  great  day  of 
judgment  yet  to  come,  beyond  the  grave,  or  after  death,  and  Christ's 
coming,  without  us,  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead,  what  the  Holy 
Scriptures  plainly  declare  and  testify  in  these  matters,  we  have  been 
always  ready  to  embrace.  For  the  doctrine  of  the  resurrection  ;  if  in 
this  life  only  we  have  hope  in  Christ,  we  are  of  all  men  most  mise- 
rable :  1  Cor.  XV,  19.  We  sincerely  believe  not  only  a  resurrection 
in  Christ  from  the  fallen,  sinful  state  here,  but  a  rising  and  ascending 
into  glory  with  him-  hereafter;  that  when  he  at  last  appears,  we  may 
appear  with  him  in  glory :  Col.  iii,  4 ;   1  John  iii,  2. 

"  But  that  all  the  wicked  who  live  in  rebellion  against  the  light  of 
grace,  and  die  finally  impenitent,  shall  come  forth  to  the  resurrection 
of  condemnation. 

"  The  soul  or  spirit  of  every  man  or  woman  shall  be  reserved  in 
its  own  distinct  and  proper  being,  and  shall  have  its  proper  body  as 
God  is  pleased  to  give  it  :  1  Cor.  xv.  A  natural  body  is  sown,  a 
spiritual  boily  is  raised;  that  being  first  which  is  natural,  and  after- 
wards that  which  is  spiritual.  And  though  it  is  said  that  this 
corruptible  shall  put  on  incorruption,  and  this  mortal  shall  put 
on  immortality,  the  change  shall  be  such  as  that  "  flesh  and  blood 


DECLARATION    OF    FAITH.  607 

cannot  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God,  neither  shall  corruption  inherit 
incorruption  :"  1  Cor.  xv.  We  shall  be  raised  out  of  all  corruption 
and  corruptibility,  out  of  all  mortality;  and  the  children  of  God  and 
of  the  resurrection  shall  be  equal  to  the  angels  of  God  in  heaven. 
And  as  the  celestial  bodies  do  far  excel  the  terrestrial,  so  we  expect 
our  spiritual  bodies  in  the  resurrection  shall  far  excel  whr.t  our  bodies 
now  are."  To  which  declaration  may  be  added  the  words  of  John 
Crook: — "We  believe  that  we  shall  be  raised  with  the  same  ladies, 
so  far  as  natural  and  spiritual,  corruptible  and  incorruptible,  terres- 
trial and  celestial,  can  be  the  same."     Evans,  p.  114. 

Similar  declarations  were  frequently  made  during  the  times  when 
Friends  were  exposed  to  much  controversy  as  well  as  persecution. 
On  this  subject,  I  have  only  to  add,  that  while  the  testimony  of  Scrip- 
ture to  tlie  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  a  future  day  of  general 
judgment,  is  both  unquestionable  and  abundant,  and  was  fully  received 
and  admitted  by  our  early  Friends,  it  may  also  be  clearly  proved  from 
Scripture,  (as  Friends  have  always  maintained,)  that  the  rational  soul 
of  man  exists  immediately  after  death,  either  in  happiness  or  woe  j 
and  that  it  is  only  as  we  experience  what  it  is  to  be  raised  from  our 
death  in  trespasses  and  sins,  and  quickened  into  newness  of  life  by 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  we  can  possibly  be  fitted  for  the 
awful  change  which  awaits  us.  all,  from  probation  to  retribution, 
and  from  a  brief  sojourn  in  this  passing  scene,  to  a  fixed  but  bound- 
less immortality. 

With  respect  to  the  "  Sabbath,"  I  wish  it  to  be  distinctly  under- 
stood, that  in  sometimes  applying  that  term  to  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  as  it  is  observed  among  Christians,  I  have  had  a  view  to  the 
simple  meaning  of  the  Hebrew  word,  viz. — "cessation  from  lahuur.'" 
I  am  perfectly  aware  that  the  inaintenance  of  the  Jewish  Sabbath, 
observed  as  it  was  and,  is  on  the  seventh  day  of  the  week,  and  with 
a  ceremonial  strictness  which  appertained  only  to  the  Mosaic  law,  is, 
under  the  gospel  dispensation,  no  longer  obligatory.  And  while  I 
am  of  the  judgment  that  the  setting  apart  of  one  day,  after  every 
recurring  period  of  six  days'  labour,  for  the  blessed  purposes  of  rest 
and  worship,  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  a  matter  of  mere  expediency, 
but  as  a  moral  and  religious  duty,  truly  belonging  to  the  law  of  our 
God,  I  fully  unite  in  the  sentiment  expressed  by  Robert  Barclay  and 
others  of  our  early  li'riends,  that  no  portion  of  time  ought  to  be 
regarded  by  Christians  as  in  itself  holier  thr.n  another — that  all  our 
time  is  the  Lord's  —  and  that  ceasing  from  our  own  wicked  works, 
and  all  the  willing  and  running  of  the  carnal  mind,  we  must  press 


608  APPENDIX. 

forward  after  that  glorious  rest,  (typified  by  the  Sabbath  of  the  Jews,) 
of  which  a  precious  foretaste  is  bestowed  even  here,  and  which  is 
perfected,  for  the  people  of  God,  in  the  world  to  come. 

Joseph  John  Grurney,  of  Earlham,  in  the  county  of  the  city  of 
Norwich,  a  minister  of  the  gospel  in  the  Society  of  Friends, 
on  his  solemn  affirmation  saith,  that  the  declaration  con- 
tained in  the  foregoing  part  of  this  sheet,  and  printed  in 
eight  columns,  is  a  true  and  honest  declaration  of  his 
Christian  faith  on  the  several  articles  therein  stated;  and 
that,  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  belief,  he  has  held 
the  same  sentiments  for  more  than  thirty  years. 
J.  J.  GURNEY, 

of  Earlham,  near  Norwich,  England. 

Leclared  and  affirmed  before  us,  at  the  Guildhall,  in  the 
City  of  Norwich,  the  first  day  of  August,  One  Thousand 
Eight  Hundred  and  Forty-six. 

John  Betts,  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Norwich, 

and  County 'of  the  same. 
George  D.  Lynn,  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the 

City  of  Norwich,  and  County  of  the  same. 
J.  H.  Barnard,  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the 

City  of  Norwich,  and  County  of  the  same. 


TBS    END. 


DUE  DATE 

JUN  0 1  1 

3011 

UUl^    \J   L     \ 

33J 

Printed 
in  USA 

938.96 
G966 


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